A Temporary Refuge

[Sierra's POV]

"Follow me, dear," the woman uttered as I raised my gaze to catch a glimpse of her image. It was the same woman who had opened the door and welcomed me in with a smile.

I gently stood up, following her as she led me through the hall. My eyes fell on many maids busy with their duties, tidying up the mansion. The walls were high and the halls were wide.

It felt like it was going to take forever to arrive at where we were heading when I noticed a halt in the woman's footsteps. She turned her gaze, meeting mine.

"This is your room, my dear," she said with a smile lighting up her lips.

I took a peek into the room, my legs hesitating at first before I eventually entered, taking in the room's grandeur. There was a fresh display of artwork on the wall side, a dazzling shade of steel that roamed around the area. I had never seen something as nice as that; all my nose had been able to presume for years were the scents of burnt tobacco and alcohol. I would say I had become used to it.

I stepped further, walking into the room. My hands gently touched the bed, and the soft silk, fluffy puff almost left my hands frozen at the mere touch for a while before I finally retracted them. My eyes scanned the room only to land back at the woman who was still standing there, taking in the sight of me as her smile remained ever-present.

In the next moment, I felt her approaching me as she walked closer. Her hands came to rest on my cheek.

"These are quite some bad bruises. You should apply some medication on them, dear," she whispered. "Right there in the cupboard, you will find some medication, and you can also find some dresses in the second cupboard. I am sure you would be able to find one that fits your size better..." she said as she retreated her hands, but it felt like they were still there.

Her attitude, her smile—they all seemed to remind me of my mom. Before I knew it, tears began crumbling from my eyes.

"Are you alright, dear?" I heard the woman utter.

I wiped my tears immediately. "No, it's nothing," I replied with a flickering smile.

"Thanks for your care," I said.

She left a smile in response. "Alright, dear, and you can call me Malisa. So, whenever you need any help around this mansion, you can always call me up." She said, and then I watched her gaze land on her wristwatch. "I have to take my leave now, but you should come down for breakfast later once you have freshened up." She left afterward, leaving me in the room. I sat down on the bed, resting my back a bit as the warmth of the bed sank in. The whole place felt different, all dazzled in riches.

In that moment, I couldn't help but notice a side of my smile rising. "Why was I smiling? Had I forgotten things so easily?" I whispered to myself, sitting up straight in the bed.

This was all wrong—every single bit of it. I wasn't here for the wealth. My mom died in a gruesome way, in a life filled with hardship. Remembering each moment of suffering she had endured wiped the little smile off my face, and I found the tears pouring out again. I let my gaze drop, trying to feel, trying to let it out for just this moment, but it felt harder with each passing day, knowing I would never see her. I still couldn't fully accept that she was gone yet.

I just can't accept it fully. My tears flooded until they eventually subsided, and I raised my gaze, wiping the dry tears from my cheeks with my hand, landing on the bruise on my face—a reminder of the woman back there and her words. "Malisa, that was her name, right?"

I stood up from the bed, opening the cupboard as I grabbed a first aid kit. Opening it up, I applied some ointment to the wounds on my legs and hands, which left an excruciating pain coursing through me. My lips wanted to give way to a scream, but I had to hold it in, leaving only a tiny, sober whisper. I left some of the wounds bandaged as I also treated the bruises on my face.

I inhaled deeply, hoping it would help ease the pain for just a few minutes. My body remained stationary in the same position for a while before the pain subsided, and I was able to stand up, returning the first aid kit. Opening the second cupboard revealed an impressive collection: emerald green, black, champagne, ruby red, and pale blue dresses, each uniquely crafted with luxurious fabrics, intricate details, and dazzling embellishments.

Each dress, I was sure, was worth thousands of dollars. I grabbed one of the dresses I presumed would fit me. I walked into the bathroom to wash up and wore the dress, but I felt uncomfortable wearing it. Was it the design or the worth? I had little idea what it was, but I had no choice but to wear it. I had no other clothes, and I guessed I had to get used to how things would begin to seem in my new life, painted vividly before me.

I approached the room door, stepping out. I really shouldn't be wandering around, but the silence felt suffocating in the room. Walking through the halls, I made my way down the stairs. My nose caught a scent. "What's that?" I whispered. As I made my way further down, the smell grew stronger, and my eyes landed on food being served on the dining table.

"Oh, you're here. I was just about to call you down." Malisa uttered, walking up to me. She led me to sit beside the dining table, where food was placed in front of me. The aroma left me enticed, and without hesitating, I dug in, stuffing my mouth with the food. I took a glass of water placed next to me, feeling relief as it soothed my body. I hadn't eaten for a while now, and now, with so much food set before me, I hesitated no longer. I stuffed more food into my mouth.

I noticed the maid's presence, their gaze fixed on me as I ate. I didn't care—my hunger took priority at the moment, with the aim to satisfy it. But I couldn't help noticing that he wasn't here. My eyes scanned the area to confirm that Adrian wasn't there.

"If you're looking for the boss, he went out to do some things. He will be back soon, but he left us his order to see through that we provide you with everything that you will need, dear, so you don't need to worry." Malisa said.

But really, why was I worried? I just found myself curious as to why he wasn't here. I guess it was my insecure side chiming in, trying to read through his act to know who he really was, if the rumors held true.

Paying less attention to my thoughts, I stuffed more food as I finished eating. I found myself back in my room, sitting upright on the bed, my thoughts circling on what was next. What was my next step after I had signed the contract? I hadn't figured out a plan; all I felt was the thrust for revenge, but I had no plan. For the meantime, I only needed protection and a place to lay low for a while. I would see to plan a way out during this time—a way to make my uncle pay and the killer of my mother as well...

I found myself succumbing to a restless state as I laid my head down, only for my eyes to slowly blank off afterward.

A loud slam jolted me awake as my eyes caught sight of a dark figure. The room lights had been switched off, and I wasn't able to catch a proper glimpse of who it was.

The stranger's footsteps grew closer and closer with each step. "Who's that? Who are you, please?" I uttered, but the person gave no words in response. My face paled, my hands cradling each other. "T-tell me who—who are—" I was about to say as the stranger's presence paused near me. His hand came inches away from me.