Chapter 4: Behind the Lock
285 Words
Felicity’s nerves buzzed as she polished silverware in the dim pantry, the clink of metal her only company. Trent’s note, now hidden in her sock drawer, gnawed at her thoughts. Jarden’s cryptic warning yesterday—some doors stay shut for a reason—had only stoked her need to know. Why her? Why this job? The east wing’s locked door called like a siren.
Late that night, the mansion hushed, she crept down the hallway, her sneakers silent on the smooth floor. Moonlight slipped through tall windows, casting long shadows. The east wing door loomed, its brass lock cold under her touch. She’d swiped a hairpin from Elara’s desk earlier, a reckless move. Kneeling, she fumbled, heart pounding, until a soft click sounded.
The door creaked open. Inside, a narrow corridor stretched, lined with shelves of dusty files. A faint hum pulsed from deeper within. She stepped forward, then froze—footsteps behind her.
“Curiosity’s dangerous, Felicity.” Jarden’s voice, low and warm, sent a shiver down her spine. He stood close, his silhouette sharp in the faint light. “But I like that about you.”
She spun, cheeks hot. “Why hire me? You know something about me, don’t you?”
His smile was slow, disarming. “You’re not wrong. But answers come at a cost.” He stepped closer, his hand brushing hers, deliberate. “Trust me a little longer.”
Before she could speak, a sharp cough echoed—Elara, watching from the hall’s end, her face unreadable. “Sir, you’re needed elsewhere.”
Jarden’s gaze lingered, then he nodded. “We’ll talk soon, Felicity.”
Alone, her pulse raced. The open door beckoned, but s
o did his touch.
- Writer
