FALLING INTO THE UNKNOWN

FIRST MORNING IN THE CITY

The next morning, Monica was gently stirred from her sleep by the warm rays of the sun streaming through the soft pink curtains. The sunlight poured into the room, casting a golden glow across the large, elegant space. She blinked, her mind slow to catch up with the reality of where she was.

For a moment, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling, letting the peaceful silence of the mansion settle around her. The only sound was the faint rustling of the trees outside her window, the gentle breeze swaying their branches.

She stretched, feeling the softness of the bed beneath her. It was incredibly comfortable—far more than anything she had back home. Still, she felt a sense of detachment. It was beautiful here, but it didn’t feel like home.

Monica sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. The morning light bathed the room in warmth, highlighting the intricate details of the furniture and the delicate paintings on the walls. It was all so refined, so perfect. But it didn’t ease the strange knot in her stomach.

She stood and walked to the window, pulling the curtains aside. The view outside was breathtaking—manicured gardens, tall trees, and the distant outline of the city.

“Good morning, Miss Monica.”

Monica turned around, startled, to find the maid from last night standing at the door with a gentle smile. She was holding a tray with breakfast: a delicate arrangement of fruit, fresh bread, and a pot of tea.

“I thought you might like something to start your day.” The maid set the tray on the bedside table, her expression still calm and polite.

“Thank you,” Monica said quietly, though her voice felt a little distant. She wasn’t sure what to make of the maid’s kindness. Everything here felt so… formal.

The maid gave a soft bow before leaving the room.

Monica glanced at the tray of food and then back at the window. The city outside was bustling with life, but in the quiet of her room, it felt far away.

She let out a small sigh and stretched before stepping away from the window. She needed to freshen up. Maybe a warm shower would help her clear her thoughts.

She glanced around the room, taking in its elegant details once again before making her way toward a door on the far side. Assuming it led to the bathroom, she pushed it open—and the moment she stepped inside, her breath caught in her throat.

The bathroom was unlike anything she had ever seen before.

The walls were lined with smooth white marble streaked with veins of gold, reflecting the soft glow of the golden light fixtures above. The floor was polished to perfection, cool beneath her feet. A massive glass shower stood at the center, its design sleek and modern, while to the right, a deep, freestanding bathtub rested beneath a wide window. The view from the window overlooked the garden, where the morning sun illuminated the flowers in shades of pink, red, and white.

Everything about the space exuded elegance, from the delicate golden faucets to the neatly arranged white towels on a shelf near the vanity. A faint scent of lavender lingered in the air, mixing with the freshness of the morning.

Monica slowly stepped further inside, running her fingers along the cool marble counter. This is insane… she thought. The entire bathroom looked like something out of a royal palace.

She turned her attention to the glass shower,as she took off her clothes, her eyes tracing the way the light glinted off its smooth surface. Stepping closer, she reached for the golden handle and twisted it.

At once, warm water cascaded from the rainfall showerhead above, creating a soft, soothing sound as it hit the marble floor.

A small smile tugged at her lips. It felt oddly comforting.

Without another thought, she stepped under the water, letting the warmth envelop her as it soaked her hair and ran down her skin. For the first time since arriving at the mansion, she felt a sense of peace.

For just a moment, she allowed herself to forget everything else.