Chapter Six

Aurora's Pov

The room was dimly lit when I flickered my eyes open. The world felt hazy, my head pounding as though a drum was being beaten inside. I blinked, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Where was I? How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was the sound of my boss’s voice, the sting of fists against my body, and then darkness. Everything else was a blur.

The bed beneath me was soft, too soft, unlike the one in my cramped apartment. The sheets smelled clean, faintly of cedar and something earthy. My body felt different too. The ache was there but muted. I lifted my hands to find bandages wrapped around them. My clothes... I wasn’t wearing the same ones from before. Instead, I had on a plain oversized shirt. A shiver ran down my spine.

I swung my legs off the bed cautiously, feeling the coolness of the wooden floor against my bare feet. My head throbbed as I stood, a wave of nausea threatening to topple me over. But I steadied myself. I needed answers. Where was I? Who had brought me here?

“Hello?” My voice sounded small, unsure. No one answered.

The room was spacious, almost minimalist, with dark furniture and curtains that shielded the windows. It felt like a place someone important would live in. There was an air of authority here, of power. It was intimidating, and yet… strangely comforting.

I moved toward the door, every step cautious. My legs felt weak, but I forced myself forward. I had to find someone. Anyone. The silence in the house was unnerving.

Pushing the door open, I stepped into a hallway. The walls were painted a deep gray, lined with dim sconces. “Hello?” I called out again, my voice echoing faintly. Still nothing.

I wandered aimlessly, one hand trailing against the wall to steady myself. Every corner I turned revealed more opulence….abstract paintings, sculptures, the kind of decor you’d see in a magazine. I didn’t belong here.

Then I saw him.

A man appeared suddenly at the end of the hallway, stepping out of the shadows. My heart jumped into my throat, and a scream tore from my lips before I could stop it. My back hit the wall as I flinched, arms raised to protect myself.

He stopped in his tracks, holding his hands up in a calming gesture. “It’s okay,” he said, his voice deep and measured. “You’re safe here.”

I shook my head, tears threatening to spill. “Please don’t hurt me. I won’t tell anyone. I swear, I won’t tell anyone.”

His brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. “Tell anyone what?” he asked, stepping closer. I flinched again, pressing harder against the wall.

“I don’t know,” I stammered. “Just… Please don’t hurt me.”

The man, huge…tall, with eyes bright like fresh honey, his piercing eyes that seemed to look right through me and I hesitated for a moment. Then he took a step back, giving me space. “You’re safe,” he repeated, his tone softer now. “No one here will harm you. I promise.”

I swallowed hard, my breathing uneven. He didn’t look threatening, but there was something about him that set me on edge. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, like he owned the world and everything in it. Or maybe it was the way his eyes lingered on me, intense and unyielding.

He stretched out his hands towards me, I didn't want to give him my hand, I was scared, so I shook my head in disapproval. He wasn't in any slightest bit offended, instead he turned his back and motioned for me to follow.

I followed him to a very luxurious sitting room, and he told me to have a seat, i did so because nausea was kicking, but I didn't waste time asking him questions. Where am I?” I finally managed to ask.

“My home,” he replied simply.

“Why… why am I here?”

He glanced over his shoulder, as if considering how much to say. “You were hurt. I brought you here.”

I blinked, trying to process his words. “Hurt?” And then it came rushing back—the fight, the pain, the fear. “My boss… he was…” I trailed off, my voice breaking.

The man’s jaw tightened. “He won’t bother you again.” There was a cold finality in his tone that sent a chill down my spine.

“Who are you?” I whispered.

“Ryan,” he said. “And you’ve been unconscious for three days.”

My breath hitched. Three days? I swayed slightly, and he stepped forward instinctively. I raised a hand to stop him. “Three days?” I repeated, the realization sinking in. “I need to go. I can’t stay here.”

“You’re in no condition to leave,” Demian said, his voice firm. “The doctor said you need rest.”

“Doctor?”

“Yes a doctor,” another voice chimed in, and I turned to see a man walking toward us. He was leaner, with a lighter demeanor than Demian. He gave me a small smile. “I’m Caleb. Nice to meet you.”

I nodded hesitantly. Caleb seemed less intimidating, though there was something sharp in his eyes too.

“You were in bad shape when Ryan found you,” Caleb continued. “But don’t worry. You’ll be fine now.”

“I can’t stay,” I insisted, my voice stronger now. “I have things to do. A job to find. I…”

“What's your name,” Ryan asked, not letting me complete my statement.

“I'm…I'm Aurora,” I replied and continued talking without letting him say anything else. “I'm so glad for your help, but I have to go n..”

“You don’t need to worry about that, Aurora,” Ryan interrupted.

“I don't think you understand what I'm saying,” I was starting to feel weird.

“I’ll arrange something for you.”

I frowned, suspicion creeping in. “Why are you doing this? You don’t even know me.”

He didn’t answer immediately, his gaze steady on mine. Then he said, “Let’s just say I don’t like seeing people hurt.”

It was a vague answer, but I was too exhausted to press further.

“You can work for me,” Demian added after a moment. “In my company.”

I stared at him, unsure of what to say. A part of me wanted to refuse outright. I didn’t like the idea of owing anyone anything, especially someone as enigmatic as Demian. But another part of me, the part that was tired and desperate, considered it. Maybe this was a way out.

“Think about it,” Demian said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “But for now, rest. You’re safe here.”

Safe. The word lingered in my mind as he turned and walked away, leaving me with Caleb. For the first time in a long time, I wanted to believe it.

“Thank you so much, I'll think about it, but as I said I need to go now.”

Both men stared at me like I just uttered nonsense. It started getting awkward.

“I'll just grab my things from and Leave, I promise to return your clothes as soon as possible,”

I dashed out as quickly as possible, I almost fell because of how weak I was, but I needed to go, I couldn’t trust complete strangers even if they helped.

I looked for my clothes and I couldn’t find them anywhere.

As I was considering looking on the other side of the bedroom, I was startled by a voice behind me. It was Ryan.

“I disposed them, take the one you're putting on as compensation for it,”

“Oh no I can't take this, they're way too expensive.”

“I insist, take them, if you don't find them fit you can dispose of them yourself,” Ryan said as he walked closer.

I suddenly felt like an ant in front of him, he was so tall that I had to look up to stare at him.

“Alright, Thank you,” I said hesitantly.

“Let me drop you off, I can clearly see that you have nothing on you at this moment,”

That was so true, I felt so stupid at that moment, how was I supposed to get back to my place?

“Okay.”