His Crode Clutches

His orders!

Author Pov

Rosa followed the lady, her steps hesitant as she entered the garden.

For a moment, she stilled.

Was this even a garden? Or just a vast, empty ground?

No flowers.

Just endless stretches of grass swaying under the dull sky. Nothing else.

Lilia had offered to give her a tour of the Mansion. After all, Rosa would be staying here now, though she had no idea for how long.

Rosa stared at the vast ground, her eyes trailing over the endless stretch of grass. It felt empty. Almost lifeless.

No flowers, no colors, just an open space swallowed by silence.

After that, Lilia continued showing Rosa the interiors of the mansion, chatting casually as they walked. Lilia pointed out various rooms, describing their purpose with a smile. She mentioned that she was new here too, so she didn’t know much, while Rosa barely processed the details.

At one point, Rosa’s steps slowed as her gaze locked onto an unfamiliar door.

It stood at the far end of the hallway, beside the staircase, different from the others. Silent and eerie. Almost out of place.

Beside the door, a narrow staircase spiraled downward into pure darkness.

Her round eyes lingered on the shadows with curiosity. Why does it feel strange?

Rosa looked at Lilia, who was walking ahead. Why wasn’t she saying anything about this place?

“Hey.” Rosa’s voice was barely above a whisper. Lilia paused and turned back, her gaze softening as she approached the girl.

“What happened, dear?” she asked gently, her voice full of concern.

Rosa hesitated, her eyes flickering nervously toward the strange door ahead. “Y-you didn’t tell me about this... room.” she stammered, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Lilia looked toward the place. “This room…” she paused, trying to remember if the guards had mentioned anything about it.

“I’m new here too, so I don’t know much. The guards told me not to come to this area. I don’t know why, but I think it’s just a room left unused.”

She glanced at the door again. Rosa made a small ‘o’ face.

“This mansion has lots of rooms. Maybe the master never uses this one, so it’s just been left like that, getting old.”

She gave a reassuring smile. “Let’s go, shall we?”

Rosa nodded, completely shaking off the thoughts, and followed Lilia.

---

Killian’s eyebrows raised slightly as he skimmed through the file, his sharp gaze fixed on its contents.

“Send this.” he ordered in his usual calm yet authoritative tone, passing the file to Chris, his most trusted man and perhaps, his only friend.

Chris nodded, his movements swift and precise and he handed the file to a guard who was standing nearby. The guard bowed low before quickly exiting the room.

Once the guard left, Chris turned his attention back to Killian. “I have something to talk about.” he said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of urgency.

Killian lifted his gaze, his expression calm and he waited for Chris to continue. Chris took a seat across Killian, eyes steady and he began to speak.

“We found the duplicate signature from the investigation. It matches with the document we intercepted earlier.”

Killian’s gaze narrowed as he processed the information. “Who’s behind it?” he asked, his tone sharp.

Chris hesitated for a moment before responding. “We’re still working on it. But it’s clear someone inside is involved. We’ve tied him in the underground.”

Killian’s eyes glinted with cold, calculating intensity as he absorbed Chris’s words. “Tied in the underground?” Killian repeated, his tone devoid of emotion.

Chris nodded. “Yes, we’ve secured him in one of the holding cells. No way out.”

Killian’s jaw tightened slightly. He walked to the window, his back to Chris, as he contemplated the situation. “Good. Keep him there. I’ll deal with him personally.”

Chris hesitated, but knowing better than to question his boss, he simply nodded again. “Understood.”

“And another thing,” Chris began, his tone calm and professional as he glanced at Killian’s back, waiting for a sign to continue.

Killian didn’t turn, but his voice remained calm. “What is it?” he asked, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his posture rigid as if anticipating something important.

Chris sighed, his gaze never leaving Killian’s still form. “Are you going to keep her?” he asked, his voice low.

Killian’s eyes remained focused on the glass wall before him, his jaw set in a hard line.

“Why do you ask?” he finally replied, still facing away, his voice colder than before, laced with a hint of something darker.

Chris’s voice was calm. “Because it’s not just about keeping her, is it?”

Killian didn’t reply, nor did he move. He stood still, and Chris knew better than anyone, he wasn’t getting any answers.

Chris sighed. “I gotta go.” With that, he walked out.

Killian stood tall, his gaze unchanged, like a statue carved from ice.

---

It was afternoon, and Rosa lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in a sea of thoughts. It was unbelievable that she was living in his house, under his mercy, completely out of her element.

She was grateful for his kindness, even though it scared her in some ways. But a part of her couldn’t ignore the weight of the favor she owed him.

She would pay him back one day, she promised herself. Somehow, some way.

Rosa hadn’t gone to the café for the past few days. There was no way she could skip her work any longer. Her responsibility to the café still called her.

She pushed herself off the bed and walked toward the mirror. She looked at her reflection, then at the wardrobe. Stretching her feet, she slowly approached it, hesitating for a moment before pulling the doors open.

Inside, the clothes hung neatly—far more lavish than anything she had ever owned. She felt a strange mix of awe and guilt wash over her. How much had he spent on these clothes?

But she hadn’t brought anything with her. How pathetic.

Such a cruel fate. Such a cruel world.

Pulling out a simple outfit, Rosa quickly changed, tying her hair and she stared at her reflection for a moment.

Does she need to inform him?

Even with the confusion swirling in her mind, she knew she had no choice. She had to go. He wasn’t home anyway.

“I’m getting late.” Rosa murmured to herself and walked down the stairs.

She reached the large door and hesitated, her hand lingered on the cold handle. Slowly, she opened it and peeked outside.

For a moment, Rosa froze, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes scanned the scene before her, and she couldn’t make sense of it. Two men stood on either side of the assess gate.

They were dressed in dark suits.

Security guards?

Rosa wasn’t used to this kind of atmosphere. The silence outside felt suffocating.

Maybe because this is a big mansion? she thought to herself.

She gulped before stepping out and closed the door behind her.

With hesitant steps, Rosa walked toward the large gate. The guards immediately straightened upon noticing her presence.

“Ma’am, you can’t go outside.” one of the guards said, without looking at her.

Rosa hesitated, looking at them with wide eyes, unsure of how to respond.

Why are they stopping me? She wondered.

Rosa glanced back at the mansion—the large doors behind her felt like a barrier between her and the world outside.

She looked back at them, completely clueless.

“Why?” she mumbled, almost in a whisper.

The guard didn’t glance at her, his expression rigid as he stood at attention.

“Orders, ma’am.” he replied briefly, his voice flat.

Rosa’s heart raced as confusion swept over her. Orders?

His orders?

Her mind spun. She was getting late.

“I—” Her voice faltered, and she swallowed hard. “Can I at least... leave for work? Just for a few hours? I have to go.” Her voice almost pleaded.

The guard’s expression didn’t change. “Ma’am, it’s not allowed. Please return inside.”

Rosa’s blinked confusedly.

She was getting late. What should she do now?

Her voice trembled as she tried again. “But I have to go to work. Please let me go.”

The guard didn’t flinch, his face unreadable as stone. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Orders are orders. You cannot leave.” he spoke politely, leaving her in a daze.

Why am I not allowed to go outside? Rosa asked herself.

The guard glanced at his partner, silently communicating something through his eyes. The other man took out his phone and typed something.

Rosa’s fingers nervously fidgeted. “Try to understand. I-I really need to—”

Her voice trailed off as she heard Lilia’s voice from behind.

She looked back as Lilia approached.

“What happened, dear?” Lilia asked with concern.

Rosa stood silent, her eyebrows knitting with tension.

“They’re not letting me go outside.” Rosa murmured, making Lilia glance at the guards before shifting her gaze back to the little girl.

“Where are you going?”

Lilia asked, confusion clear in her voice as she looked between Rosa and the guards, not understanding why Rosa needed to leave at this hour.

“To the café I work at.” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m getting late but—”

The guard glanced at his partner, who didn’t flinch. “Ma’am, we’ve been given strict orders. She cannot leave.”

Lilia understood and looked at her kindly. “Listen, sweetie, why don’t you skip work just for today? You can ask for Mr. Salvatore’s permission when he returns.”

Rosa looked at her, unconvinced. Her little fingers curled into fists, clutching the fabric of her dress. Her eyes dulled, reflecting her helplessness.

There was no way they would let her go now.

“Don’t worry, dear. You can go out once he gives your permission. Now, come inside.” Lilia said with a warm smile before turning back.

Rosa sighed and silently followed her in.