Falling For The Enemy

CHAPTER1

Rain soaked through my sleeves as I clutched the brown paper bag tightly, careful not to let the

medicine get wet.

The Cortez Mansion loomed ahead, all glass and stone, glowing softly under the grey sky.

I kept my head down as I slipped through the side gate.

People like me are not allowed to use the main entrance.

A sleek black car rolled to the stop just as I reached the steps. The engine purred, low and

expensive.

I was surprised and curious. No one has ever visited the mansion since the death of Mr Cortez.

His son whom I never knew was also taken away by his uncle and they left the city.

My mom and the security guards were the only ones who stepped their foot on the mansion.

One of the guards stepped forward, umbrella in hand, just as the back door opened, Boots hit

the pavement. Then long legs, a dark coat, sharp jaw, and no smile.

Who was this man? I had never seen him before. He was tall and broad shouldered.

His inky dark hair looked like it was combed by his fingers.

He didn't look at me. Not right away.

He turned slowly, his eyes sweeping the space like he owned the world. They landed on me for

a second - no half a second. Long enough to make me forget how cold my fingers were.

I looked away first.

His footsteps faded as he entered the house. I didn't move. Not until the guard gave me a

sideways glance, like I was somewhere I shouldn't be.

He wasn't wrong.

I made my way toward the service corridor where mama worked, clutching the medicine tight in

my hand.

There she was, kneeling by the floor, wiping the corner with a rag. Her tired eyes met mine, and

a weak smile flickered on her lips.

“Elora, you didn't have to come,” she said softly, taking the medicine.

“I'm here now,” I whispered, brushing stray hair from her face.

After my dad died things changed.

I kept wondering why he would abandon us the way he did.

“You need to rest,” I said to mom.

She shook her head gently. “Not while there's work to do.”

A chill ran down my spine, reminding me of the unspoken rules that kept us both invisible in this

grand house.

Mom’s hands trembled slightly as she uncapped the medicine bottle.

“Thank you Elora.” She said to me, “But mom there's no need to thank me ” I said softly as I

forced a smile on my face.

I just couldn't stop worrying about my mom. This wasn't just about the medicine, it was about the

walls between us, the lives we lived so close yet so far apart.

“ Just promise you'll take it properly please,” I said to mom.

She nodded, then looked up toward the grand staircase, where footsteps echoed faintly. We

both froze.

The footsteps got louder - someone was coming.

“ Mom I saw someone outside, who's he?” I couldn't resist the urge to ask mom.

“The son of Mr Cortez is back. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to tell you. But that aside, don't

forget that you must stay away from him.” Mom warned.

Although his return was very surprising…It didn't bother me. I obviously didn't get the chance to

know him when we were kids. I was always told to stay away from him. And he too was always

inside his room. I didn't even know his name or what he really looked like.

I quickly stepped back, pulling mom to her feet. “ I have to go,” I whispered.

She squeezed my hand. “Be careful.”

I slipped out through the side door, heart pounding.

Outside the rain had stopped. But inside me, a storm was just beginning.

I was almost at the gate when a voice cut through the silence.

“ You're not allowed back here without clearance.”

I froze.

His voice was low, commanding the kind that didn't ask questions, just expected obedience. I

slowly turned. He stood a few feet away.

“ I'm just here to drop something for my mother,” I said, holding the brown paper bag. “ She

works here.”

His eyes flickered to the bag, then back to me. “ Are you the cleaner’s daughter ?”

There was no malice in his tone. Just indifference. Like he was identifying a stain on glass.

“Yes,” I said, avoiding his gaze, “ But there's honestly no need to call her a cleaner,” I said

feeling brave and scared at the same time.

His eyes narrowed and then, he moved his feet, walking closer to me.

Every step he took felt like a ticking time bomb to me.

He then stopped just less than a foot away from me.

“Go home,” he said, voice low but final. Then without another word, he turned and walked away.

I hadn't realized I'd been holding my breath until it left me in a shaky exhale.

I stood there, stunned, watching his broad back as he walked away - like he'd just put a period

on a conversation I never started.

But something inside me - curiosity, defiance, or maybe something worse rose to my throat

before I could stop it.

“Wait,” I called out, my voice soft but clear.

He paused. His back stiffened slightly but he didn't turn.

“ What's your name?” I asked, more breaths than words.

A bit of silence.

Finally, he turned his head just enough for me to see the edge of his sharp jawline under the

dark lights.

“Damien,” he said simply.

Just that. No last name. No expression.

Before I could respond, he added almost begrudgingly

“ What's your name?”

“Elora.”

A beat passed.

“Elora,” he called, his voice low and almost reluctant, like the name felt unfamiliar on his tongue.

But there was something else too. Curiosity?.

“ Go home,” he said, voice flat as stone.

And then he was gone, swallowed by the Mansion's shadows, leaving me drizzled and silent.

The guard cleared his throat behind me, muttering, “ you heard him.”

I nodded and finally began to walk. But even with my back to the door, I could still hear the way

he said it.

Elora..

Leah sipped her coffee, eyes twinkling as she watched me fiddle with the sleeve of my jacket.

Leah wasn't just a friend, to me she was the kind of person who would showed up with two cups

of coffee even when you said you didn't want any.

The kind who remembers your mom's clinic days, your bad dreams, and the exact date you

stopped believing in happy endings.

She has been by my side since we were both eight, back then our biggest problem was whose

turn it was to wash the dishes.

But things are different now.

She has made a very good life for herself.

Her father left her his inheritance before he passed away in which she used to start her own

business.

Apart from my mom she was the only person who understands me.

She's able to tell when I'm happy and when I'm sad.

And any time I'm sad she refuses to let me drown alone.

“Okay, I need you to say something,” Leah said , propping her chin on her hand as she stirred

her tea.

“You've been quiet. What's going on in your head?”.

I blinked. “Have I?”

“Yes. You were looking out the window, I'm sure something is on your mind.

I didn't answer right away. I shrugged, trying to sound casual.

“Something strange happened last night.” I said finally.

Leah looked up at me. “Strange how?

Did something happen to your mom?” She asked, looking worried.

“No…Nothing happened to mom.

Mom's perfectly fine.

It's just that I met someone strange at the mansion.”

Leah let out a sigh of relief but still curious. “Who?” She asked as she picked up her makeup

bag, one brow raised.

“Damien.”

“Damien?” She asked, pausing mid-swipe of eyeliner.

I nodded.

She dropped the eyeliner and walked closer to me. “Elora…. this is the first time I'm seeing you

lost in thoughts because of a man, you know?”

Leah's brow lifted again. She looked so damn intrigued and looked like she was very much

happier than me about this.

I looked down at my Coffee.

“I find him strange, there's something about him I can't comprehend. Although he's super

handsome.”

Leah's fingers tapped the table as she gaped at me.

“Wow, now I'm dying with curiosity. This is the first time you praised a man's looks.”

Leah was happy and for some reason, proud, like a happy mother.

“It doesn't mean anything.” I whispered.

“It could mean something.”

Smiled softly and walked over to the vanity.

“Just be careful,” Leah said, handing me a sealed envelope.

“What's this?” I asked Leah.

She leaned against the vanity, arms crossed, a knowing smile on her face. “Just open it.”

I tore it open carefully, eyes scanning the printed paper. My hands still.

“Leah…. This is a job interview letter.”

She nodded. “You've been working too hard for too little at that coffee shop. I spoke to Alex, and

he pulled a few strings. There's a position open at the company he works for. They're expecting

you at 10 a.m tomorrow.”

I blinked, still processing. You've got me an interview?”

“We got you an interview,” she corrected with a grin.

“ Alex has connections, and I told him how talented and reliable you are. I sent him your resume

last week.”

My throat tightened. “Leah….I don't even know what to say.”

“Say you'll show up.” she said walking over and squeezing my hand. “Say you'll try. You deserve

more Elora. And this..? It's just a start.”

Tears pricked the corner of my eyes.

“You didn't have to.”

“But I wanted to.”

We sat in silence for a beat, the envelope still in my lap.

“I wish Dad was here to see me get this job, and tomorrow I'll give Mom the good news.” I said

with what seemed like a sorrowful joy.

“Elora, your dad must be very proud of you in heaven. Tomorrow, you'll walk in there and show

them who you are.” Leah said with a smile on her face trying to cheer me up.

“ And tonight..? You'll show up like the goddess you are.”

“Leah…”

“Nope. You're not backing out this time, now put something on, let's just go for a drink, we have

to celebrate your win.”

I got dressed and we left.

We had so much fun.

The shrill ring of any alarm pierced the silence, but it was the sunlight streaming directly into my

face that woke me up.

My eyes flew open. “No no no….” I scrambled upright, heart racing as I snatched my phone off

the nightstand. 9:30 Am.

The interview was for 10:00.

“Oh God.” I flung the sheets aside and jumped off the bed, nearly tripping over the tangled

blanket. My hair was a mess, and I hadn't even arranged my outfit. “Oh God, Leah's going to kill

me.”

I immediately threw on the white blouse and pencil skirt Leah picked out for me, tugged a comb

through my tangled hair, and dabbed on the lightest bit of powder. There's no time for makeup.I

shoved my feet into my flats before grabbing my bag and leaving the apartment.

The rain had turned the streets into chaos, and by the time I reached the building, I was damped

and breathless.

The receptionist glanced at me with mild judgement as I stumbled into the lobby.

“Interview?” She asked.

I nodded, trying to catch my breath. “For the secretary position.”

She gave me a once-over, picked up the phone, then said, “Top floor. You're the last.”

As the elevator doors closed, I tried to compose myself. This was important. Life changing. I

needed this job.

When the doors opened, I stepped out, smoothed my blouse, and pushed open the office door.

Then I froze.

He was there. Sitting behind the glass desk.

Damien.

His eyes met mine, the same unreachable ones from the mansion….

“Elora?”

Just the way he said my name sent shivers down my spine.