Sherina Sze's POV
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Time had slipped quietly past midnight, and while the rest of the grand mansion lay in silence, I found myself alone on the balcony of Delly's room, cradling a warm cup of tea between my palms. The night was calm, but my body still resisting the shift in time between Edenia and Masahi Island.
They had suggested I might find more comfort sleeping in Delly's room, and they were right—everything here whispered her name in soft echoes of presence.
"Delly, you told me you hated the color pink, yet your room is completely drenched in it," I muttered with a sarcastic giggle, letting the irony comfort me like an old friend.
As I savor the moment of peace around me, I suddenly hear the large gate of the mansion creaking open. It's difficult to see clearly because the gate is quite far from the mansion, and the area outside is somewhat dim.
'It might be the butler, or the family driver...'
But I was wrong.
A roar of a motorcycle engine pierced the quiet evening, drawing my gaze as it raced towards the mansion and in mere moments, it reached the grand entrance, tires kicking up dust as it skidded to a halt, leaving a trail of anticipation in the air.
The man is clad in a sleek, full-faced helmet that glistens under the moon, concealing his features in an aura of mystery. His black tank top clung to him like a second skin tracing every curve of his muscle. The dark fabric of his pants hugs his form as he abruptly halts the engine's roar.
In a swift, practiced motion, he dismounts from the motorbike, every movement exuding a blend of urgency and confidence.
But, as he released his grip on the bike's handle, it toppled over, and he crashed down beside it. My heart sank at the sight, a wave of panic washing over me. The suddenness of his fall left me breathless, and my pulse quickened as I watched him struggle to regain his balance.
Setting the teacup down and without thinking, I hurriedly left the room and descended the stairs.
My heart raced in a frantic rhythm, and before I fully processed my thoughts, I burst through the door and sprinted outside as I dashed toward the man on the ground, desperate to see if he was fine.
I gently cradled his head, lifting it just enough to ease the weight of his helmet. As I slowly lifted the visor, I could see the glimmer of exhaustion on his shut eyes. He already shifted the bike off him after it had toppled, the effort evident in the way his muscles tensed and then relaxed.
I quickly scanned his body, searching for any signs of injury or bruises, but much to my relief, he appeared physically unscathed.
I leaned in closer to his face. His breath came in shallow, labored gasps and mixed with the pungent aroma of alcohol, lingering heavily in the air. The intoxicating scent was almost overpowering.
"Hey! Are you okay?" I asked calmly. No reply. Only a soft groan, drunk and distant.
His face, though marked by exhaustion, carried a kind of rugged beauty that made my pulse skip.
'he's just drunk' I whispered and exhaled.
As I gently peeled away his helmet, a profound shock washed over me. The man before me possessed a strikingly different visage than the cherubic boy I had glimpsed in the faded family portrait earlier.
The boy, with his tousled blonde hair glimmering like strands of sunlight in summer, exuded an innocent charm, while this man's dark hair, thick and unruly, framed a face etched with the hardships of life.
'Maybe ill think about it later, for now, I have to carry this giant inside the mansion, and come to think of it, there is also one room next to Delly, maybe that's his.'
I wrapped my arm around his broad, muscular shoulder, feeling the warmth of his skin under my touch. With a gentle but firm effort, I began to lift him up, focusing on the strength in my legs as I sought to help him rise.
His body felt solid against mine, and I could sense the strain of his weight as I tried to pull him upright, hoping to offer the support he needed in that moment.
"oh! I think I'm gonna snap!" I blurted
'No matter how I try, this man is as heavy as rock, he doesn't even budge!'
"Umm.. If you can hear me, please help me! You are so heavy!" I whispered to him before I tried lifting him up again.
As the last words left my lips, I felt he truly sensed my presence. His body seemed to become lighter, as if a sudden surge of energy had coursed through him, and he instinctively shifted his feet, aiding me in the task of lifting him upward.
I cast a sideways glance at his face, my heart yearning for a sign of consciousness but his eyelids remained firmly shut, not even a slightest twitch of his features.
As we navigated the staircase together, I had the opportunity to scrutinize his visage up close. Despite the heavy scent of alcohol that clung to him, one could not deny the undeniable charm etched into his features—a rugged handsomeness that somehow remained captivating even in such a state of disarray.
'So handsome' I blushed.
'Who is he!? wait, he cant be Delly's brother. Maybe he is her boyfriend?' I scolded myself for thinking it.
What if he really is her boyfriend? '
With a sudden jolt, I broke free from my thoughts, only to discover that we had somehow arrived at the room's door.
'I sure hope this is his room, whoever this man is.'
I swiftly swung the door open, ushering the man into the dimly lit room. The atmosphere was thick as we approached the grand king-sized bed, its plush covers inviting yet serene.
'I think I will just let him rest here, whether he is Delly's brother or not'
With care, I lowered him onto the soft surface of the bed. After ensuring he was settled, I let out a long, relieved sigh. I placed my hands on my hips, feeling the tension release as I stretched my body, the subtle crack of my joints echoing in the stillness.
'I thought I'm gonna break a bone.' I jokingly said to myself. I cast one final glance at him before I slowly turned to leave the room.
As i reached the door and was about to touch the doorknob, an unexpected pressure settled on my right shoulder, heavy and undeniably present, as if a silent giant had chosen that moment to make its presence known.
"Wait.."
A deep, gravelly voice resonated near my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I hesitated before slowly turning my head. The man who stood behind me towered over my frame, his imposing figure radiating an aura of intimidation. With one hand resting firmly on my shoulder, he leaned closer, his other hand leaning against the door behind me, cornering me in this moment.
His lifeless pale eyes suddenly sparked with an unsettling intensity as they locked onto mine, as if unveiling a hidden depth. A heavy silence settling in the air, before he abruptly gulped.
"It's you... What are you do—" he couldn't finish his words.
He grabbed his own head, groaning, as though fighting off unconsciousness.
"Wait I'm sorry, I didn't mean to carry you here, I couldn't just let you sleep outside and the maids were..."
"Tsk." he briefly stopped me from talking by suddenly pulling me closer to him and embraced me.
"What..!?"
'I cant think straight. What is happening?'
His arms are wrapped around me, I couldn't move, I couldn't resist.
'Why is he doing this?'
The embrace lingered for a moment, the warmth of his body enveloping me like a heavy blanket.
I could feel his grip starting to loosen, and he was about to lose consciousness, I thought he might release me, but to my surprise, it was quite the opposite.
With a surprising strength, he drew me in closer, using his broad back as a sturdy cushion as we both tumbled to the floor in a tangle of limbs.
"Wait... let me go!" I pleaded as I struggled against his strong hold.
Despite my protest, his grasp remained unyielding, a silent testament to his determination. Even in his unconscious state, he refused to release his grip, as if he were instinctively ensuring that I wouldn't slip away from him, locking me in place until his eyes fluttered open once more.
"Hey! Wake up!" I shouted urgently, my voice echoing in the stillness as I leaned closer to his ears, but silence enveloped us—no response.
'Delly is going to be furious'
Frustration bubbling up inside me. I squeezed my eyes shut, letting out a deep sigh.
The reality of my situation settled in: I was stranded in a strange situation, wearing nothing but a robe and a flimsy night dress, my phone entirely absent.
As I sat there, something unusual caught my attention; a hard bulge pressed against my legs.
Curiosity took hold.
'That must be his phone', I reasoned, and with my one free hand, I reached down, hoping to finally summon help.
My hand slipped into his pocket, only to find it empty—nowhere to be found. Panic flared as I hesitated, then continued my search.
My fingers brushed over something firm and unfamiliar, sending a shiver of apprehension down my spine.
'It felt... wrong.'
I finally grasped it fully and realized with horror that this was no phone.
It was rigid and oddly shaped, unlike anything I had ever encountered.
I involuntarily squeezed it, a mix of curiosity and dread washing over me.
"Mhm..." He suddenly let out a soft groan.
I froze, a rush of fear coursing through me, my gaze darting to his face.
Though his eyes were shut tight, a faint blush enveloped his ears sending my heart racing faster.
"He... HELP!!!" I shrieked, desperation creeping into my voice, hoping to rouse anyone in the vast expanse of the mansion.
But who was I kidding? This place was an enormous maze of luxury and silence, and the odds of anyone hearing my cries felt impossibly slim.
"Oh God! Please! Somebody!? Anyone!?" I pleaded inwardly, my mind reeling at the thought of being trapped here until morning, the darkness closing in around me like a suffocating shroud.
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End of POV
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The morning sunlight streamed through the expansive glass window, enveloping Sherina's sleeping face in a warm, golden glow. She felt the gentle warmth on her cheeks, coaxing her to open her eyes gradually. With a fleeting glance at the window to confirm that morning had indeed arrived, but chose to sink back into sleep, snuggling deeper as she mumbled softly to herself.
Just as she was about to fall back asleep, a shadow crossed her face, blocking the sunlight. A faint smile touched her lips as she snuggled closer, happy to drift into sleep without the sun disturbing her.
But then, a rush of memories from the night before crashed into her consciousness like a tidal wave, awakening her fully.
In an instant, she opened her eyes wide.
There, beside her, was the man from last night, his intense gaze fixed upon her. One of his hands rested gently above her head, shielding her from the sun, while the other hand, steady and warm, lay beneath her head like a reluctant pillow, creating a moment that felt suspended in time.
Awake?" The man asked, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to echo softly in the otherwise quiet room. Sherina's cheeks flared with warmth as she registered the scene before her. She had been dozing against the man, nestled comfortably on his shoulder. The sheer silk of her nightgown had slipped down one side, exposing the delicate curve of her collarbone and a hint of her cleavage. Her long, slender thighs were barely clad, resting against his legs, and the realization sent a shiver down her spine.
'Did I really snuggle into him like this?' she thought, mortified.
"H..how did i..?" Her trembling voice cracked as her eyes widen in disbelief that they were already lying on the bed.
"You were sleeping so peacefully… you didn't even notice when I carried you to bed." He answered softly with a faint smirk on his lips
"Oh no, I'm so sorry!" With a panicked gasp, Sherina sprang upright and bolted for the door, her footsteps echoing as she fled without daring to look back.
The man straightened up, staring at her as she leaves.
He run a hand through his tousled hair, his fingers lingering for a moment as he collected his thoughts.
Then, a smirk escaped his lips as he reached into his back pocket for his phone, dialing swiftly, and raising it to his ear.
"Ask John to send me Fire's updated information." His tone leaving no room for negotiation.
There was a brief pause on the line before the voice responded, hesitant and cautious.
"Young master, it's been almost four ye—"
"Now!" he firmly said, cutting off the response before it could finish.
"Y-yes. Right away," came the reply, tinged with palpable nervousness.
After hanging up the call with a slight sigh, he reclined back against the cushions, his mind racing.
He cast a furtive glance at his palm, the memory of the brief contact lingering like a pleasant heat against his skin.
"I was able to touch her... again."