The soft morning sunlight filtered through the large windows, welcoming Aaron. The air inside the house felt calm, almost too calm, as if hiding something yet to be revealed. In the living room, Aaron had been sitting, his body relaxed on the long, dark sofa. In his hand, a cup of warm coffee steamed gently, its aroma wafting slowly. But the calm was only an ambiance, and Aaron's mind was anything but calm.
His eyes remained glued to the screen of his phone. He'd lost count of how many times he'd scrolled through the screen without actually reading the messages or news. The image of the strange girl he'd brought to the mansion the night before flashed back to him. Her condition, the wounds on her body, and her pale expression made Aaron's chest feel a little tight, though he wouldn't admit it.
Footsteps were heard approaching, followed by Miko's figure appearing in the living room doorway. His loyal assistant's face looked disheveled, his eyes red and droopy, clearly struggling with a deep sleep. His hair was even slightly messy, a far cry from the neat image he usually maintained. Naturally, he spent the whole night taking care of the foreign girl, making sure everything went according to his master's orders.
Aaron glanced at him briefly, then looked back at his phone.
"How is it, Mik? Is he awake yet?" he asked matter-of-factly, his voice flat but full of curiosity.
Miko stepped closer and plopped down on the empty sofa across from Aaron. He took a deep breath, as if trying to release all the fatigue building up in his chest. Without thinking, he reached for Aaron's coffee cup and took a few sips, hoping the bitter liquid would wake his eyes a little.
"Why did you drink my coffee?" Aaron protested irritably, finally looking away from his phone.
Miko smiled weakly.
"Just a little, sir. My eyes are really sleepy," he answered honestly, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep.
Aaron rolled his eyes lazily, but didn't continue complaining. His curiosity far outweighed his irritation. He straightened slightly, staring at Miko with a sharp gaze.
"Quick. Tell me how the girl is," he urged, his tone becoming more serious.
Miko paused for a moment. His previously listless face became tense. He took a deep breath, as if considering his next words.
"Her condition is serious, sir," he said softly but firmly. "You'll be shocked to hear this."
Aaron frowned, his brows furrowed. His heart beat slightly faster, a sense of foreboding suddenly creeping in.
"What do you mean?" he asked coldly.
"Hansen has examined her," Miko continued, his voice more serious this time. "And it turns out our suspicions were correct. The stitches on the girl's body are scars from a kidney removal operation."
The words made Aaron's hand on the phone tighten slightly. His gaze froze.
"You mean…?" he muttered.
"Currently, the girl is living with only one kidney," Miko replied.
The room suddenly fell silent. Aaron fell silent, his mind seemingly frozen, processing the cruel truth. Behind his impassive face, a turmoil of emotions he found difficult to explain.
Who was that girl, really? And how could someone do such a cruel thing to her?
Aaron rose from his seat, his steps slow but dignified. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, his jaw clenched as if he had just made a major decision. The morning, which had initially been calm, had now become oppressive, the air in the living room seeming to tense with Aaron's thoughts.
"Find out her identity, Mik. I want to know who she really is," Aaron commanded firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Mikko stared at his master's back for a moment, his expression hesitant. He understood Aaron's nature well. Once he made up his mind, it was rare for him to change it. But this time, worry crept into his mind. He wiped his face gently, then mustered up the courage to speak.
"What if she turns out to be a victim of a human trafficking syndicate, sir?" he asked cautiously. "I'm worried... that our good intentions will backfire."
Aaron stopped in his tracks. He turned slowly, staring at Miko with a sharp but controlled gaze. There was no hesitation there, only the decisiveness of a man accustomed to facing major problems.
"Have the police thoroughly investigate this case," Aaron replied, briefly, coldly, and decisively. "If there really is a syndicate behind it, they must be dismantled."
Miko paused for a moment, then nodded firmly. His worries eased slightly. At least, by involving the authorities, their steps wouldn't be misguided.
"Yes, sir. I'll take care of it right away," he said respectfully.
Aaron turned his face back to the large window, gazing at the growing morning light.
Drrt....
Drtt....
Drrt…
The sound of a cell phone vibrating broke the silence of the mansion's living room, still shrouded in morning tension.
Miko, who had been standing by the window, reflexively reached into his jacket pocket.
"Who is it, Mik?" Aaron asked, not taking his eyes off his assistant. His face appeared calm, but his eyes revealed a wariness that never truly faded.
Miko glanced at his phone screen. "Hansen, sir," he replied briefly, but his tone hinted at something important.
Aaron finally looked up. "Just pick it up. I want to hear it," he ordered flatly, as if he had already suspected the call wasn't just a simple report.
Miko nodded slightly. He pressed the green icon and put the phone to his ear.
"Hello, Mik," Hansen's voice came from the other end of the line. His voice sounded a little rushed, mixed with suppressed relief.
"What's wrong? I just arrived at Mr. Aaron's mansion," Miko replied, absentmindedly glancing at his watch.
"The girl's awake," Hansen finally said, a short sentence that immediately changed the air in the room.
Miko instinctively turned to Aaron. Their gazes met. No words were exchanged, but Miko's expression was questioning, waiting for further instructions.
"I'll go there," Aaron finally said. His voice was low but undiminished. "You just rest for a while."
Miko was a little surprised. "Are you sure, sir?"
"I'm fine," Aaron interrupted. His gaze was sharp, full of conviction. "Besides, this concerns him. I want to hear it directly."
Miko fell silent. He knew that once Aaron had made up his mind, nothing could change it. He could only nod obediently and then went back to talking into his phone.
"We'll be there soon," he said to Hansen before hanging up.
"Okay, hurry up. I'm afraid the girl will run away," Hansen urged.
Aaron walked toward the door with a determined stride. Each step echoed through the mansion's long hallway, as if he were holding back questions that had been swirling in his mind. Who was that girl? What would he say when he regained consciousness?
Behind his calmness, there was a curiosity he rarely acknowledged, a strange feeling that made him want to see the girl with his own eyes.