The Billionaire behind the Silver Mask

A Familiar Stranger

Mona's POV

I couldn't sleep. And that was becoming a habit I didn't like. Blackwood Manor was too quiet at night. During the day, there was always something to distract me—the servants moving around, Grandfather asking about my day, the endless questions I still had about this strange place I now called home.

But when the lights dimmed and the corridors became silent, my thoughts became louder. I even found myself thinking about Vivian and I didn't know why. She had only arrived a few hours ago, but somehow, she already seemed like she belonged here more than I did.

Well, maybe because she actually did. She knew the manor, the servants, grandfather and more importantly, she knew Adonis. I pushed those thoughts away and walked downstairs in search of a glass of water. At least, that was what I told myself.

The faint sound of voices stopped me before I reached the kitchen. I slowed down.

It was strange. The kitchen was usually one of the quietest places in the manor. The servants worked efficiently, rarely speaking unless necessary.

But tonight, there was laughter. I stepped closer and looked inside. Vivian stood near the counter, laughing with two maids as they prepared something. Her expensive clothes had been replaced with a simple silk blouse, yet she still managed to look elegant. I didn't even realize I looked down at my own clothes, almost comparing myself with her, until I caught myself.

What was I doing? I shook my head slightly and looked away. Get back to your senses.

I looked toward her again and the strangest part wasn't that she was helping. It was the way everyone acted around her. They were so relaxed and comfortable. One of the maids even joked about Vivian used to forget where certain things were kept in the past, and Vivian laughed without the slightest offense.

I watched silently. Yesterday, everyone became careful the moment I entered a room. But with Vivian...They were absolutely different.

She noticed me standing there and immediately smiled. "Mona."

I stepped inside. "Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You aren't interrupting anything." She waved me closer. "Come join us."

I hesitated. "I'm just getting water."

"Then stay for a little while."

There was something about her warmth that made refusing feel rude. So I stayed.

For a few minutes, I simply watched. Vivian moved around the kitchen like she had done it a hundred times before. She knew quite well where things were kept better than myself, knew the servants by name, and knew exactly how to make everyone laugh.

I suddenly felt like a guest in my own house. The thought annoyed me.

My house? God help me! I still wasn't used to thinking of Blackwood Manor that way. Trying to push away the feeling, I looked around for something to do.

"Can I help?"

The words slipped out of my mouth almost impulsively. The maids looked surprised while Vivian smiled. "Of course."

She handed me a jar from the counter. "Could you help me open this?"

I reached for it. A simple task and something anyone could do. I twisted the lid.

Nothing happened. I frowned and tried again. Still nothing. The lid didn't budge. Heat slowly crept up my face.

I tried one more time, putting more strength into it but the lid still refused to move like it had a personal vendetta with me. Before I could try again, one of the maids stepped forward. "Allow me, Madam."

My embarrassment doubled. "It's fine," I said quickly. "I can do it."

Before I could attempt a fourth try, Vivian gently took it from my hand. "Here." With one small twist, the jar opened. I stared at it. Seriously? A jar? I felt ridiculous. Vivian noticed my expression and laughed softly.

"Don't worry. Some jars are surprisingly stubborn."

I forced a smile. "Apparently, this one defeated me."

She smiled kindly, but somehow that made me feel worse. Because she wasn't laughing at me, but with me. She was simply comfortable. Comfortable in this house and with these people.

"Come," Vivian said after a while. "Let's sit somewhere quieter."

I looked at her. "Where?"

"Outside?"

I hesitated. "Outside?"

She tilted her head slightly. "Are you afraid?"

I blinked. "What? No." A nervous laugh escaped me. "Of course not. Why would I be afraid?"

Vivian smiled. "Then I'll assume you already dislike me and don't want to spend time with me."

My eyes widened slightly. "No, no. That's not what I meant." I immediately regretted how defensive I sounded. Ofcourse, I didn't dislike her. She had done nothing wrong.

"I don't hate you," I said quickly.

Her smile returned. "Good." She paused. "I'll grab something. Go ahead and wait for me there."

I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Oh-kay."

I made my way outside. The first thing I noticed was that Adonis wasn't anywhere in sight. For a brief second, I wondered if he was sleeping. Or... I looked around unconsciously. As if expecting to find him watching me from somewhere but there was no sign of him. I still hadn't asked him if he had truly visited my father at the hospital.

The thought crossed my mind, but before I could dwell on it, the cold night air brushed against my skin. I wrapped my arms around myself. The garden was beautiful under the moonlight, but the temperature had dropped.

Strangely, I was beginning to feel tired. That was ironic. Because just a few minutes ago, I had been unable to sleep. Now I was yawning. By the time I reached the resting area near the garden, Vivian was already approaching.

She carried a bottle in one hand and two glass cups in the other. I looked at them.

"What's that?"

She smiled. "A little drink for us."

My brows lifted. "Is that alcohol?"

She laughed softly. "Oh. Don't worry."

She placed the glasses on the table. "It's not really strong. It only has a small amount of alcohol."

I shook my head slightly. "I don't drink."

"I didn't know."

She smiled apologetically. "But I promise, you won't get tipsy from this."

I wasn't exactly convinced. But I also didn't want to make things uncomfortable. After all, Vivian had been nothing but kind since she arrived.

So I sighed. "Okay."

We sat down. Vivian opened the bottle and poured the drink into both glasses.

She picked hers up. "Try it."

I took the glass reluctantly and lifted it up to my mouth but when the rim touched my lips, I paused and looked at her. She gave me a small nod and a reassuring smile.

So I took a sip. Surprisingly, it wasn't bad. It was sweet at first, with a slight sour taste afterward.

Not unpleasant.

"Well?" Vivian asked.

I lowered the glass. "It's actually not bad."

She smiled. "I told you."

She reached for the bottle and refilled my glass. Then she rested her chin against her hand.

"So..."

I looked at her.

"How is married life?"

I almost laughed. "Complicated."

She smiled knowingly. "That sounds exactly like Adonis."

My eyes moved to her. "You seem to know him well."

Her smile softened. Ofcourse. We grew up together."

The answer was simple. But it still made something uncomfortable twist inside me.

"Hmmm. Nice."

She nodded. "Adonis wasn't always like this."

I looked down at my glass. "What was he like?"

For a moment, Vivian looked thoughtful. "Different."

She smiled faintly. "He used to be quieter than other children. Even then, he acted like he didn't need anyone."

I listened carefully. "And he always tried to handle everything alone."

The words stayed with me.

"He changed after certain things happened," Vivian added quietly.

I looked up. "What things?"

But her expression changed slightly and she shook her head. "Nothing really. Sorry. I shouldn't bring up old memories."

Before I could ask more, she stood. "I'll be right back. I need to use the restroom."

I nodded. "I'll wait."

She smiled and walked away. At first, I didn't think anything was wrong. I waited and waited. But the longer I sat there, the heavier my head became.

I blinked. The room seemed quite blurred. That was strange. I hadn't even finished the drink.

Maybe I just needed fresh air. Or maybe I needed to go back inside. I took a step. Then another.

But the ground felt strangely unsteady beneath my feet and I reached the edge of the pool without realizing it.

My foot slipped. My breath caught. But before I could fall—An arm wrapped around my waist and a strong hand pulled me backward straight into a solid chest.

I froze as the scent of black coffee surrounded me.

Adonis.