Chapter 4

The house had been unusually peaceful since Evelyn left. With her sister gone, everyone seemed too occupied with preparations for the grand dinner party in two days to pay much attention to Kaira. It was a relief, really. She wasn’t particularly fond of these lavish social events, and she already planned her escape from the evening’s watchful and judgmental eyes. She’d perfected the art of slipping into the background, avoiding unnecessary attention.

Today, though, her mind was elsewhere. Kaira slipped into a modest but stylish outfit, soft and unassuming, yet put together. She carefully added a touch of makeup, hoping to make a slightly better impression than last time. She was returning Sebastian’s clothes, and though she told herself it was a simple errand, her heart thumped with anticipation.

Once outside, she flagged down a taxi and, within minutes, found herself standing in front of his mansion. As she gazed up at the towering structure, Kaira felt small. The building was easily twice the size of her family’s home. She’d been here once before but hadn’t taken it in fully. Now, seeing the sprawling, elegantly designed architecture before her, she couldn’t help but feel a bit overawed. Every corner of the mansion seemed to emanate wealth and power.

Steadying herself, she approached the intercom, pressing the button and announcing herself. A wave of nerves hit her as she waited. After a moment, the gates swung open, revealing an opulent pathway lined with carefully maintained greenery. Her steps echoed in the stillness as she moved toward the grand entrance, where a butler—gray-haired and formal—greeted her with a bow.

"Welcome, Miss Blackwood," he said politely, as if he’d known her for years. She wondered, not for the first time, how everyone here seemed to know her, while she felt like she barely knew anything about them, Sebastian especially. A small part of her liked the mystery surrounding him; he was a puzzle she couldn’t quite piece together.

The butler took her small bag with Sebastian’s clothes and gestured for her to follow him through a grand hallway adorned with luxurious furnishings and art that looked as though it could belong in a museum. Every detail was extravagant yet refined, just like Sebastian himself.

“I just wanted to return Sebastian’s clothes,” she explained once she was seated on an incredibly soft couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She felt out of place, almost as if she were a fragile glass amidst marble statues.

The butler nodded. “I’ll inform Mr. Ashford that you’re here.” His words were curt but respectful, and with that, he disappeared up the grand staircase, leaving her alone in the vast room. She glanced around, noticing the subtle grandeur in the decor, the quiet power in every choice. This was more than wealth; it was influence and careful control.

She felt an odd shiver as she thought of Sebastian’s last name—Ashford. He was one of the most influential men in the country, his wealth and business empire nearly legendary. Her father had often mentioned wanting Sebastian to invest in his own ventures, but she hadn’t thought much of it at the time. Now, the full weight of Sebastian’s status settled on her, leaving her feeling almost undeserving of sitting in such a place.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the quiet return of the butler, who bowed slightly as he approached. “Mr. Ashford will be with you shortly,” he said.

“Thank you, sir,” Kaira replied, inclining her head respectfully. He looked momentarily surprised by her tone of voice.

“It’s James, Miss Blackwood,” he corrected with a hint of formality.

She met his gaze, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she replied, “Alright, Mr. James.” The butler shook his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he turned to leave.

"Getting comfortable, I see," came a familiar voice, smooth and dark, as Sebastian descended the staircase. Kaira turned toward him, her heart catching in her chest as her eyes met his. There was something undeniably magnetic about his presence—the way he carried himself with effortless confidence, his piercing gaze that seemed to see straight through her.

"I just wanted to return your clothes. Thank you," she managed to say, a little flustered as she rose to her feet. He acknowledged her with a soft hum, then gestured for her to sit again as he took a seat across from her.

He called over his head maid, who promptly appeared to take his order for lunch. Kaira tried to decline, feeling out of place dining in his home, but Sebastian’s firm tone left no room for argument. "I won’t take no for an answer, Princess," he said, his gaze intense.

Before long, the table was set with an array of dishes, each one more tempting than the last. She took a seat beside him, stealing glances at the food, her mouth watering despite herself. She waited for him to start eating, unsure of the unspoken rules in this lavish environment, but once he took the first bite, she followed.

They ate in a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts, until Kaira couldn’t hold back the question that had been gnawing at her.

“How did you know I was at the bar?” she asked softly, hoping he wouldn’t brush her off.

Sebastian paused, setting his fork down. "I was at your sister’s wedding, so I saw you leave," he replied simply, as if that explained everything. She nodded, realizing it made sense; her father had invited nearly everyone of importance, including him.

"Let’s just say I followed you to the club," he added, his voice calm but revealing a glint of something else—something she couldn’t quite place.

She looked at him, brows furrowed, searching his face. "Why?"

There was a moment of silence before he raised his head, his gaze locking onto hers. “I already told you, Princess,” he murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I like you.”

His words hung in the air, electrifying the space between them. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a blush rising to her cheeks. She quickly looked down, focusing on her plate, suddenly feeling exposed. There was a strength to his words, a conviction that unsettled her and thrilled her all at once.