CHAPTER EIGHT
1132 Words
Two months.
That was how long I had been living in that house.
Two months of silence.
Two months of distance.
Two months of learning exactly where I stood in Nicole Stark’s life.
Nowhere.
At first, the quiet had been comforting. Peaceful, even. No shouting. No orders. No one blaming me for things I didn’t do.
But slowly… it became something else.
Lonely.
Still, I didn’t let it go to waste.
For the first time in my life, I had time—real time—to do something for myself.
And I did.
I completed my fashion design courses.
Not just completed them—I excelled.
I stared at the certificates on my phone more times than I could count. Each time, my chest tightened slightly.
I had done that.
Me.
Rory Olive.
I didn’t need anyone to tell me I was nothing anymore.
I was going to build something for myself—even if I had to start in the shadows.
⸻
My routine had become predictable.
Wake up early.
Run around the compound.
Shower.
Eat.
Repeat.
It gave me structure. Control. Something that felt like mine in a place where nothing else did.
That morning, I wore dark blue fitted shorts, a loose pink top, and sneakers—everything from his house.
From his world.
I still felt strange wearing them.
Like I didn’t belong in them.
But I had no choice.
As I jogged, I felt it again.
That quiet, constant presence.
Kevin.
Watching.
Always watching.
At first, it made me uncomfortable. Now, I had gotten used to it. If anything, it reminded me that this wasn’t freedom.
It was supervision.
⸻
After my run and a quick shower, I headed downstairs.
Right on cue, Leah was already setting the table.
“Good morning,” I said softly, taking the plate from her.
“Morning, Rory,” she smiled warmly. “Done exercising?”
I nodded. “You really don’t have to serve me every time…”
“And you really have to stop saying that,” she replied, amused. “It’s my job.”
I gave a small smile and walked to the dining table.
Two months… and I still wasn’t used to any of this.
And I wasn’t supposed to be.
I reminded myself of that every day.
This wasn’t my home.
This wasn’t my life.
This was temporary.
Everything here belonged to him.
Even the air felt like it did.
⸻
I had just lifted my fork when I heard the front door open.
I didn’t look up immediately.
I thought it was Kevin.
But then…
I felt it.
That presence.
Heavy. Commanding. Familiar.
My hand tightened around the fork.
No.
It couldn’t be—
I slowly stood.
“Welcome home… sir,” I said quietly, keeping my gaze lowered.
“This is not your home.”
His voice cut through the air instantly.
Cold. Sharp. Unchanged.
My chest tightened.
“I—I’m sorry…”
I didn’t dare look at him.
But I could feel his eyes on me.
Scanning.
Judging.
Measuring.
“Nicole, you didn’t tell me you had someone staying here.”
A female voice.
I froze.
Slowly, I looked up.
And saw her.
She was beautiful.
Effortlessly so.
Soft features, confident posture, the kind of presence that made it obvious she belonged in his world.
Unlike me.
“She won’t be here long, Tammy,” he said dismissively.
Tammy.
I felt something shift slightly in my chest.
“Why are you standing?” he added, stepping closer. “I thought you were getting comfortable playing house.”
I took a small step back instinctively.
“I was just about to clear the table—”
A hand gently stopped me.
“Oh no, don’t go,” Tammy said brightly. “I’d love for us to eat together.”
I hesitated.
Everything in me wanted to leave.
But I nodded.
“Okay.”
⸻
Sitting there felt… wrong.
I could feel him beside me.
Too close.
Too aware.
I kept my eyes on my plate, barely touching the food.
“So,” Tammy said, smiling, “what’s your name?”
I looked up slowly.
“Rory.”
Her face lit up instantly.
“That’s such a pretty name!”
I wasn’t used to compliments.
I didn’t know how to respond.
“Thank you.”
“You’re even prettier than your name,” she added casually.
I blinked, caught off guard.
“Don’t let it get to your head,” Nicole said flatly as he stood up. “Beauty doesn’t make you valuable.”
The words hit harder than they should have.
Tammy frowned. “That’s rude.”
He ignored her.
And walked away.
Just like that.
⸻
“Ignore him,” Tammy said, moving into his seat beside me. “He’s always been like that.”
I stayed quiet.
“He didn’t tell you about me, did he?” she asked.
I shook my head.
She laughed lightly. “Typical.”
Then she leaned closer.
“I’m Tammy. His sister.”
I nodded slowly.
“That explains… a lot,” I murmured.
“Come on,” she suddenly said, grabbing my hand. “Let’s go to your room. I want to talk to you properly.”
Before I could protest, she was already pulling me upstairs.
⸻
I didn’t know what to do with her energy.
It was warm.
Too warm.
Unfamiliar.
No one had ever been this… interested in me before.
As we entered my room, she looked around, impressed.
“Not bad,” she said. “He didn’t completely neglect you.”
I let out a small, humorless laugh.
“That depends on your definition of neglect.”
She turned to me.
And something in her expression softened.
“Hey,” she said gently. “I know how he can be.”
I looked away.
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t have to pretend with me,” she replied.
That almost broke something in me.
“I’ll be your friend,” she added. “During this contract… and even after.”
Friend.
The word felt foreign.
Dangerous.
Hopeful.
“I—thank you,” I said quietly.
⸻
The door suddenly opened.
We both turned.
Nicole stood there.
His presence instantly shifted the air in the room.
Cold. Dominating.
Threatening.
“What exactly are you doing?” he asked, his gaze fixed on me.
I immediately stood up, creating distance.
“Nothing—”
“With my sister,” he continued, his voice laced with sarcasm, “when I’m right here… Kitten”
My chest tightened.
I met his eyes for a brief second.
And just like before—
There was nothing there.
No warmth.
No curiosity.
Just cold, unyielding distance.
And for some reason…
That hurt more than before.
- Writer
