7: WHAT IS GOING ON?

MY EYES HAVE never stared at anybody this long. I may not be the most outgoing person but I sure do know how to be social. But standing right in front of a man knowing I was defenseless, and noticing every single change in his reaction as he stared back at me… some may call this suicide. I may think the same. Knowing that I am not even aware of what this man can do.

His words failed to bring me down as my heart already weighed to my knees. But I remembered the warning that was told to me by the driver of the cab that I hailed as I ran for my safety hoping I could get rescued…

‘The people in that house are not merciful.’

‘You’ve come a long way to meet the ravij. I hope you won’t regret that.’

I gulped, and suddenly fear started creeping in on my veins.

Callan took a step towards me and I took a step back. Unexpectedly, my heart started beating erratically not knowing what he would do.

Addressing him through his first name felt so strange because I only overheard his name and didn’t have a normal introduction.

Now this?

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I kept backing away from him.

“You just have to tell me…” Somehow his voice was gentle.

I paused; my anger subsided a little bit. “But would you listen? You wouldn’t.”

He was about to retort when the mansion’s front door opened. Two of the maids got out and they walked straight to me. “Sir,” they greeted him and bowed. “Your parents left for a sudden errand abroad. They instructed us to care for the guest.”

Then they motioned towards me.

“They said to inform you to stand by. They will contact you as soon as they arrived in Italy.”

Callan’s brows formed into a straight line. “Why so sudden?” He looked towards Aakil.

To which the man gave a quick nod, he simply answered. “It’s protocol.” Then he kept talking. “The boss has to be somewhere the opposition can’t trace. Until the chaos subsides.”

What are they talking about?

Callan looked at me and towards the maids. “She’s staying here?” his voice sounded appalled.

“Yes, sir. She doesn’t have anywhere to go,” one of them said.

That pierced a sharp pain in my chest. Maybe it was harsh. But it was also the truth.

“I don’t understand what’s going on,” This time, Callan looked at me. Was he expecting me to say something? Like him, I also don’t know what’s going.

I started rummaging my gaze onto my fingers. It would have brought me to tears grieving the death of my parents all day long if I wasn’t right here, stuck not knowing what to do next. Was my mother certain that I’d be safe here? This residence did offer help to me in rescuing them. But it was too late! Shouldn’t I be supposed to leave now?

“You’re promoted to underboss,” Aakil said and he tapped Callan’s shoulders.

“The fuck?” Callan.

“Since her father already died,” Aakil finished his sentence and then looked at me. My eyes squinted. Did he mention my father?

Callan motioned his men to get inside the car. Then they sped off, driving onto the small path heading somewhere further inside this huge land.

Callan turned his back to me and walked inside the house, beside him was Aakil who followed his footsteps whispering something I couldn’t hear.

What did he just say?

‘Since her father already died.’ What does it mean by that?

The maids in the mansion approached me. Maybe I could just leave. Maybe I can endure being on the streets. Just not here in at the house of someone I don’t even know! But they referred to my father’s death. Then mentioned Callan being the underboss now?

What’s that?

I watched as Callan walked inside the house, his silhouette getting smaller and smaller.

My movements were timid and still in a state of shock as I processed everything that was going on. I was ushered inside the house that looked as wide as it was outside.

Huge, vibrant, and elegant chandeliers filled the house ceiling, and the furniture was filled with gold carvings spiraling in gold emblems and little shards of glass that looked like tears surrounding the gold emblems. The tables were made of glass, and the vases adorned in the corners of the house were made of pure porcelain with fresh flowers on them.

If it had been a normal day, I would have praised and stood in shock with what I am seeing right now. The interior, the carvings, and the aesthetics look so regal and expensive. It’s way beyond extravagant than our own house—the fact that my mother was an interior designer, she would have appreciated this mansion and its beautiful intricate details. There was a grand staircase right in front of the doors leading to the left side and right side of the house. We did not head towards the stairs. Rather, headed toward a door

“We will usher you to the bath, ma’am,” said one of the maids as they walked beside me. They opened the door to a room. I immediately heard the sound of the shower from a near distance. The room looked clean and well-organized. With white linens positioned on the bed along with a new pair of clothes.

“This will be your room for the time being, as instructed by the mistress,” said the other maid.

I nodded in silence then mumbled, “Thank you.”

“We don’t have clothes ready that we think will be in your measurements. But the mistress offered you some of their daughters’ clothes. Please, don’t hesitate to call us if you need anything.” Then they locked the door once again and left.

Slowly, I stripped off my clothes. Then stepped into the shower. The hot water from the shower landed on my skin. I closed my eyes and allowed the heat to seep through my body. I was shivering for several hours in the middle of the night, and I longed for the heat—I might have turned on the heater higher than I usually do. Anything, just to make me feel warm.

With each splash of water onto my skin, it sunk into me. Death. Loss. And my life turned upside down after the tragedy with my parents. How will I give them a proper funeral? When I am not even allowed to go near our house earlier? I don’t have money. Nor savings. I was just fresh out of college, graduating with a culinary degree. I was supposed to open a bakeshop this fall. But all those plans dissolved in the wind now.

As soon as I finished the bath, I went outside the shower and spotted a set of fresh clothes onto the bed. Denim jeans and a simple white shirt. Luckily it also has a pair of undergarments along with them. “Am I gonna stay right at this mansion and claim my right as a guest because I was betrothed to the man referred as a ravij?” I mumbled to myself.

Gulping and staring at my reflection on the mirror, my hair wet and fell onto my shoulder. My face was pale, with dark circles under my eyes that showed the tiredness that I bear.

I took a sharp deep breath. Then I closed my eyes, trying to gather my thoughts and weigh the options I have. The couple that invited me to their home and made the decision that I could get help through their influence aren’t here.

Aakil mentioned about the boss needing to be safe.

Callan was promoted as underboss. Then the men that they have. The way they leave their residence late in the evening. The intimidation, sense of authority… all of these created a question inside my head.

Do I stay right here to seek answers?

Or leave?

I opened my eyes, with courage that filled me. I feel clean and comfortable under these clothes. I’d have a whole room for myself. If I leave, I won’t even know where to go. I don’t have relatives. My parents were only children and I was the same. It was peaceful and quiet… but right now, it’s too difficult to navigate life with just me being alone.

Was that the reason why my father made sure I would be set to marry someone after his death?

And my friends… I don’t want them to ask me questions about what happened yesterday because I don’t even know how to respond.

I kept walking, each stride I made towards the door I was making sure that I was certain about what I am doing next. I am an adult now. Alone. With no parents to rely on but grieve for.

The coldness of the doorknob landed onto my palm as I gripped it open. As soon as I got out of the room, I walked straight to the double doors. Not looking back, afraid I would hesitate.

But as soon as I was about to open the door towards to get out of the mansion. I felt someone’s hands on my wrist, then a force that pulled me to face… him.

“Callan,” I muttered, eyes wide open.

His cold eyes bore on me. “You can’t leave just like that.”