Chapter 10: Dangerous curiosity
1167 Words
The next few days passed quietly in the mansion.
At least on the surface.
To anyone observing from the outside, everything appeared perfectly normal. Leo continued leaving early for work and returning late at night. The staff maintained the house as usual, moving silently through the large halls and polished floors.
And Ava carried out her daily routines.
But beneath that calm routine, something had begun to change.
Ava noticed it in small ways at first.
It started with a feeling.
A strange awareness she couldn’t quite explain.
Sometimes, while walking through the house, she felt as though someone was watching her.
Not in an uncomfortable way.
Just… observing.
The feeling followed her through the halls, through the garden, even when she sat quietly in the library reading.
She tried to ignore it.
But the more she ignored it, the more obvious it became.
Jed was paying attention.
That morning, Ava sat in the library again, determined to finally finish the book she had started days earlier.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting soft golden light across the wooden shelves filled with books.
The peaceful silence helped her relax.
For once, her mind stayed focused on the story in front of her.
Until she heard the faint sound of footsteps.
She didn’t look up immediately.
Instead, she tried to pretend she hadn’t noticed.
But the footsteps stopped near the doorway.
A moment later, Jed’s voice broke the silence.
“You really do spend a lot of time in here.”
Ava sighed softly and closed the book.
“I enjoy reading.”
Jed stepped further into the room.
“I can see that.”
He glanced around the large library before his gaze returned to her.
“Did you finish the book yet?”
“Almost.”
“That must be a good one.”
“It is.”
Jed leaned lightly against one of the shelves.
“What’s it about?”
Ava hesitated.
“It’s a romance novel.”
Jed’s lips curved slightly.
“That explains why you’re so focused.”
Ava raised an eyebrow.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing,” Jed said with a faint grin. “Just interesting.”
Ava studied him for a moment.
“You seem to appear everywhere these days.”
Jed shrugged.
“This is my brother’s house too.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
Ava paused.
She couldn’t exactly accuse him of watching her.
So she simply looked back down at her book.
“Nothing.”
Jed remained silent for a moment.
Then he said casually, “You know, people usually read romance novels when they want something they don’t have.”
Ava’s eyes lifted slowly.
“That’s a very bold assumption.”
Jed didn’t look embarrassed.
“Just an observation.”
“You observe too much.”
“And you hide too much.”
The words hung quietly in the air.
Ava felt a strange tension settle in her chest again.
She closed the book and stood up.
“I should go check on the preparations for the gathering.”
Jed didn’t move from the shelf.
“But the gathering isn’t until tomorrow.”
“I still have things to do.”
She walked past him toward the door.
But just as she reached it, Jed spoke again.
“You know something, Ava?”
She paused without turning.
“You’re the only person I’ve met who tries this hard to pretend they’re not interesting.”
Ava finally turned around.
“And you’re the only person I’ve met who enjoys making unnecessary comments.”
Jed laughed softly.
The sound echoed slightly in the quiet library.
Ava shook her head and left the room.
But even as she walked down the hallway, she could still feel his gaze lingering.
Later that afternoon, Ava stood in the main hall overseeing the final decorations for the small charity gathering scheduled for the following evening.
The house staff carefully arranged flowers and candles across the large tables.
Ava moved slowly through the room, adjusting small details here and there.
“Place those flowers closer to the window,” she instructed one of the staff members gently.
“Yes, madam.”
As she stepped back to examine the arrangement, she suddenly felt that familiar awareness again.
Someone watching.
She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
Jed stood near the staircase, leaning casually against the railing.
His arms were crossed as he observed the activity in the hall.
Or more specifically…
her.
Ava tried to ignore him.
But after a few moments, she sighed and walked toward him.
“Is there something you need?” she asked.
Jed straightened slightly.
“No.”
“Then why are you standing here?”
He glanced around the decorated hall.
“I’m admiring your work.”
Ava frowned slightly.
“You’ve been watching me for the past ten minutes.”
Jed didn’t deny it.
“Maybe I have.”
“Why?”
Jed considered the question briefly.
Then he answered honestly.
“Because you’re interesting to watch.”
Ava stared at him.
“You really need a hobby.”
Jed chuckled.
“Maybe.”
Then his expression became slightly more thoughtful.
“But I think you’re just not used to someone paying attention to you.”
That statement struck deeper than Ava expected.
Her response came quickly.
“That’s not true.”
Jed tilted his head slightly.
“Then why does it make you nervous?”
Ava opened her mouth to respond but stopped.
Because she realized something.
He was right.
It did make her nervous.
She quickly looked away.
“I have work to do,” she said.
But before she could leave, Jed spoke again.
“Ava.”
She stopped.
“I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable.”
His tone was calmer now.
“I’m just curious.”
“About what?”
“About you.”
Ava felt her heart beat slightly faster again.
“You shouldn’t be.”
Jed’s lips curved faintly.
“Too late.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ava finally turned and walked back toward the hall.
But the strange feeling inside her chest didn’t disappear.
Because now it was obvious.
Jed wasn’t just noticing her occasionally anymore.
He was watching her deliberately.
And somehow…
That made everything far more dangerous.
That night, Ava stood by the window in her bedroom again.
The house had grown quiet.
Leo still hadn’t returned from work.
She folded her arms as she looked out at the dark garden below.
Jed’s words replayed softly in her mind.
“You’re interesting to watch.”
Ava sighed quietly.
“This is getting complicated,” she whispered.
Because deep down, she had begun to realize something unsettling.
The more she tried to avoid Jed’s attention…
the more aware she became of it.
And the more aware she became…
the harder it was to pretend it didn’t affect her.
- Writer
