CHAPTER 3 — THE FIRST COLLISION
1080 Words
💭 ELLIE’S THOUGHTS
Ellie stood still for a second after he walked past her.
Her heart was still racing — not from fear exactly…
But from the sharp intensity in his eyes.
What’s wrong with him…?
She adjusted her clothes quickly, trying to regain her composure.
From behind her, his voice came again — without turning back.
“Your room is upstairs. Second hallway.”
Ellie blinked.
He knew?
But before she could ask anything—
He was already gone.
Ellie stood there for a moment in silence.
Then slowly turned toward the stairs.
And for the first time since entering the Walters mansion…
She realized something clearly.
This house wasn’t just big.
It was full of people who didn’t plan on making her stay easy.
And for the first time since entering the Walters mansion…
She realized something clearly.
This house wasn’t just big.
It was full of people who didn’t plan on making her stay easy.
“I don’t need help,” she muttered under her breath, glancing down the long hallway.
The mansion was too big, too quiet, too perfect.
Every door looked expensive. Every corner felt identical.
Ellie frowned.
“…Second hallway upstairs,” she repeated.
Then she started walking.
💭 ELLIE’S THOUGHTS
As she climbed the stairs, her mind wouldn’t stay still.
This house is insane…
And that guy… he didn’t even apologize properly.
And the way he looked at me like he was about to devour me.
She shook her head slightly.
Why do I even care? I just got here.
But somehow, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this place was already watching her more closely than she expected.
Ellie walked slowly, scanning the doors.
“Second hallway…” she whispered.
But before she could take another step—
A door opened suddenly.
Ellie turned too quickly—
And bumped straight into someone again.
“Ah—!”
She stumbled back, this time catching herself quickly on the wall.
Her eyes snapped up instantly.
And froze.
It was him again.
The same cold brother.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
He stood there, one hand still on the door handle, looking at her like she had interrupted something important.
Ellie straightened quickly. “You again…”
His expression didn’t change.
“You’re walking around like you own the place,” he said flatly.
Ellie frowned. “I’m trying to find my room.”
A pause.
Then he stepped slightly aside, finally pointing down the hallway without looking at her properly.
“Second door. Left.”
Ellie blinked.
“…You could’ve just said that earlier.”
No response.
Of course.
He was already turning away again.
Ellie hesitated for a second.
Then looked at him.
“Do you always talk like you hate everyone?”
That made him stop briefly.
But he didn’t turn around.
“…Depends who it is,” he said coldly.
Then he walked away.
Ellie stood there for a moment.
Then slowly shook her head.
What is wrong with this family…
And continued walking toward her room.
Ellie stopped in front of the second door on the left.
For a moment, she just stared at it.
This is it…
She took a slow breath, then pushed it open.
The moment she stepped inside, Ellie froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
The room was huge — far bigger than anything she had ever had in her life.
Soft cream walls. A massive bed with silk bedding. A private balcony with glass doors. A wardrobe that looked like it belonged in a fashion store.
Everything was too perfect.
Too expensive.
Too unreal.
⸻
Ellie slowly walked in, her footsteps soft against the carpet.
“…This is my room?” she whispered.
Her voice almost didn’t feel real in the space.
She reached the center of the room and stopped.
For a moment, she just stood there.
Quiet.
Still.
And then her chest tightened slightly.
This is what my life is now?
Her father’s shouting flashed in her memory.
The fear.
The nights she couldn’t sleep.
And now…
A mansion.
Silence.
Luxury.
But no peace.
Ellie sat slowly on the edge of the bed.
Her hands trembled slightly.
“I’m supposed to be okay now…” she whispered to herself.
But her voice cracked at the end.
She quickly looked away, blinking fast.
Get it together, Ellie.
But deep down…
She didn’t feel okay.
Not yet.
Suddenly—
A faint knock came from the balcony door.
Ellie’s head snapped up immediately.
“…Hello?”
No answer.
Then—
The balcony door slid open slightly on its own.
Ellie stood up quickly, her heart racing.
And then she saw him.
He leaned casually against the balcony frame like he belonged there.
Hands in his pockets.
Slight smirk on his face.
Unlike the first brother, this one didn’t look cold.
He looked… amused.
Too calm.
Too confident.
His eyes met hers instantly.
And stayed there.
⸻
“Relax,” he said smoothly. “I’m not here to scare you.”
Ellie frowned slightly. “You broke into my room?”
A soft chuckle left him.
“This house has more entrances than you think.”
He pushed himself off the frame and stepped inside
He looked around the room briefly, then back at her.
“So,” he said, tilting his head slightly, “you’re the new girl.”
Ellie crossed her arms. “And you are?”
A small smile appeared.
“The one you should probably stay away from.”
A pause.
Then he added casually:
“…but you won’t.”
Ellie narrowed her eyes slightly.
“I don’t even know you.”
He smiled a little wider.
“That’s the fun part.”
Ellie didn’t reply immediately.
Something about him felt different.
Not cold like the first one.
Not distant like the third.
But dangerous in a way that was harder to read.
Like he already knew how people reacted to him…
And enjoyed it.
He glanced toward the door.
“I’ll see you around, Ellie.”
She stiffened slightly.
“How do you know my name?”
But he was already walking back toward the balcony.
“Everyone knows things in this house,” he said lightly.
Then he stepped out and disappeared.
Ellie stood still in her room again.
Two brothers.
Two completely different energies.
And she had only just arrived.
And somehow….
She already knew.
This house was going to change her life more than she ever expected
- Writer
