Gideon Shaw
1031 Words
Aurelia's POV*
When I opened my eyes the next morning, the first thing I saw was Kael.
For a second I simply stared at him, wondering if I was still dreaming. He looked so uncomfortable sleeping on that chair, his sleeves were rolled up and his head tilted slightly back against the cushion.
The faint morning light reflecting through the curtains highlighted the exhaustion on his face.
I frowned. I remembered every single thing that happened the night before and I was really embarrassed and angry at myself.
The nightmare, the rain, the way I had clung to Kael and cried in front of him like I was a child.
I felt disgusted with myself for a moment I wished I could erase it all. I looked at the couch again to see Kael wide awake staring at me.
I almost screamed. He wasn't sleeping anymore. His arms were folded now, and he'd turned, staring at me.
He straightened immediately. “You're awake.” he said.
“Brilliant observation.” I muttered. “For how long were you doing that?”
He cleared his throat. “Doing what?”
I raised my eyebrow. “Watching me.”
“Watching you?” He said sounding confused. “I wasn't watching you.”
I looked away for a moment. “You were staring at me.” I scoffed.
“Oh.” He muttered. “I was just checking on you.”
“Like that?” I replied almost immediately.
His gaze moved over my face carefully. “Are you okay?” He said softly.
“That wasn't even what we were talking…”
“You were really scared last night.” he sounded serious. “I watched you…”
“I'm fine.” I said.
Before he could say anything else I threw the blanket off and climbed out of bed. “It was just a nightmare.”
Kale stared at me for a few seconds silently.
My stomach twisted. “Could you go to your room?” Things were getting really awkward and serious and I didn't like it.
His mouth opened as if he was about to say something then he simply nodded and left tye room.
During breakfast things became much worse because Kael wouldn't stop staring. And he must have thought I didn't notice but I could feel his gaze on me.
And when I looked up I caught him staring, I had already had enough and wanted to speak but just then a man came in.
“Sorry I'm late.” he said, pulling out a chair next to Vivienne.
He looked like he was in his mid forties, calm, but the moment his eyes landed on me he stopped for a moment.
He looked shocked but he didn't show it enough like he wanted to. My pulse quickened, something wasn't right.
“Mr. Shaw.” Kael greeted calmly.
He finally sat down and got served by Hannah and judging by how he was being treated he must have been considered family.
The rest of breakfast happened in silence and I could still feel Kael's eyes on me but I chose not to say anything.
Kael finally stood up. “I'm leaving.” He said.
I was relieved.
“I thought you would work from home today?” Vivienne asked with a hint of concern which didn't seem very real to me.
“I just want to do some things at the office and I'll be back.”
Then just when I was about to be happy again, Kael ruined it.
“Hannah.” he called out.
The older woman looked up. “Yes?”
“Keep an eye on her.”
I almost choked on my food. “Excuse me?”
His gaze shifted to me as if he didn't just say the most offensive thing out loud. “Dont let her disappear.” He added.
I stared at him. “Am I a prisoner?”
“No.”
“This sounds a lot like prison.”
“You disappeared once before.” I rolled my eyes.
“Just stay in the house.” He said calmly.
I folded my arms, glaring at him. “I'll be back soon.”
Vivienne and Mr. Shaw just watched as the drama unfolded but I didn't care.
An hour later, I was wandering through the mansion.
Hannah was supposed to be watching me but she can only do that if I left the house but I was in the house so she didn't really do that.
I spotted Gideon first, Hannah had told me that was his name and he was the family's lawyer and close friend.
Then immediately I spotted him, Vivienne followed right after.
The two of them were heading toward an older section of the mansion rarely used by anyone.
My curiosity won and while keeping my distance I followed them closely.
The hallway eventually led toward an old library.
Thankfully neither of them noticed me. I moved closer just enough to hear.
“...she shouldn't be here.” That sounded like Gideon.
My pulse quickened.
Vivienne's response came immediately. “We handled it before.”
I held my breath.
Before? What did they mean by that?
There was a long silence after.
“If Kael finds out…”
“He won't.” Vivienne cut Gideon off.
“You don't know that.”
Then Gideon's voice lowered. “What are we going to do then?”
“I don't know but she can't be alive.”
My heart stopped for a moment. Then realisation hit me so hard that I instinctively stepped backward.
My shoulder bumped against a nearby side table and a flower vase fell.
My eyes widened.
“No,no,no.”
I lunged forward but it was too late, the frame crashed onto the floor.
The sound echoed through the hallway. Inside the library, silence fell immediately.
“What was that?” I heard Vivienne shriek.
I didn't wait.
I turned sharply and collided straight into someone.
A strong arm caught me before I hit the floor.
For one brief second, everything froze. The man looked right at me and his expression changed.
“Aurelia?”
- Writer
