Episode 5: Uninvited Guests
952 Words
The peaceful atmosphere at the King mansion lasted only one night.
By sunrise, the estate was already under tighter security. Additional guards patrolled the gates while black SUVs lined the driveway. Arthur had personally ordered a full security upgrade after learning that unknown people had been following Elena.
Elena stood by the living room window, watching the guards.
She sighed.
"I feel like I'm living inside a fortress."
Arthur adjusted the cuff of his suit without looking up from his tablet.
"You are."
"I was joking."
"I wasn't."
She turned to face him.
"Do you really think I'm in danger?"
Arthur finally met her eyes.
"I don't take chances."
His calm answer sent a strange warmth through her chest.
Before she could respond, Daniel hurried into the room.
"Sir."
Arthur immediately knew something was wrong.
"What happened?"
Daniel swallowed.
"Your grandmother has arrived."
Arthur's expression hardened.
"And she's not alone."
---
Outside, a convoy of luxury cars rolled through the gates.
The first door opened.
An elegant elderly woman stepped out, dressed in a deep navy outfit with a pearl necklace. Though she looked to be in her seventies, her posture was perfectly straight, and her sharp eyes missed nothing.
Behind her were several members of the King family.
Among them...
Victor King.
A smug smile rested on his lips.
Arthur walked outside with Elena beside him.
"Grandmother."
The old woman looked at Arthur before shifting her gaze to Elena.
"So..."
"This is the woman who secretly married my grandson."
Her voice was calm, but every word carried authority.
Elena politely bowed.
"It's an honor to meet you, Madam."
The old woman studied her from head to toe.
"You have manners."
Victor chuckled.
"For now."
Arthur shot him a warning glance.
"Enough."
Grandmother King raised a hand.
"Let's go inside."
---
The family gathered in the grand sitting room.
Tea was served.
No one touched it.
The silence was suffocating.
Finally, Grandmother King spoke.
"Arthur."
"Why didn't you tell the family you were getting married?"
"It was my decision."
"You embarrassed us."
"I disagree."
Victor leaned back with a fake smile.
"Grandmother, perhaps Cousin Arthur was afraid we'd object."
Arthur ignored him.
Grandmother King's attention shifted to Elena.
"What do your parents do?"
"My mother runs a small food business."
"And your father?"
Elena lowered her eyes.
"He passed away years ago."
The room fell quiet.
The old woman's expression softened ever so slightly.
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
Victor suddenly interrupted.
"That's unfortunate."
"But surely we all know this marriage isn't based on love."
Arthur's eyes turned icy.
"What exactly are you implying?"
Victor shrugged.
"I'm only saying what everyone is thinking."
Elena felt uncomfortable.
She hated being the reason for family conflict.
Before she could speak, Arthur reached for her hand beneath the table.
His grip was firm.
Steady.
A silent reassurance.
She looked at him in surprise.
He didn't look back.
But he didn't let go.
---
After lunch, Grandmother King asked Elena to walk with her through the mansion's garden.
The older woman admired the blooming roses before speaking.
"Arthur has always been difficult."
Elena smiled nervously.
"I've noticed."
Grandmother chuckled.
"When he was ten years old, he tried to organize the entire household with printed schedules."
Elena laughed.
"He still does."
"I know."
The old woman smiled knowingly.
"He works too much."
"He trusts too little."
"And he carries burdens he never shares."
Elena remained silent.
"I don't know why he chose you," Grandmother continued.
"But today..."
She looked directly into Elena's eyes.
"...I saw him protecting you."
"That isn't something Arthur does for just anyone."
Elena's heart skipped a beat.
"It may only be part of our agreement."
Grandmother smiled gently.
"Perhaps."
"Or perhaps not."
---
From the balcony above, Victor watched the conversation with narrowed eyes.
He pulled out his phone.
"Move to the next stage."
A cold voice answered from the other end.
"Understood."
Victor ended the call.
"If Arthur insists on keeping his wife..."
"I'll give him a reason to regret it."
---
That evening, the family prepared to leave.
As Grandmother King stepped into her car, she turned back toward Elena.
"Visit me sometime."
"I'd like that."
She nodded before looking at Arthur.
"Take care of your wife."
Arthur answered quietly,
"I will."
Elena stared at him.
The words sounded natural.
Almost sincere.
The convoy disappeared through the gates.
For the first time all day, the mansion became quiet again.
---
Later that night...
Elena couldn't sleep.
She walked onto the balcony outside her room.
The cool breeze carried the scent of fresh rain.
Across the hall, Arthur stepped onto his own balcony at the same moment.
Their eyes met.
Neither of them spoke.
After a few seconds, Elena smiled.
"Long day?"
Arthur nodded.
"Very."
She leaned against the railing.
"Your grandmother is nice."
"She rarely likes people."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should."
For a moment, they simply stood there, enjoying the silence.
Then—
A loud crash shattered the peaceful night.
Glass exploded downstairs.
The mansion's security alarms screamed.
Guards rushed toward the front entrance.
Daniel's voice echoed through the intercom.
"Sir!"
"We have an intruder!"
Arthur's expression changed instantly.
He looked toward Elena.
"Get inside. Now."
Before she could move, another window shattered.
A brick wrapped in black cloth crashed into the living room.
One of the guards picked it up carefully.
There was a note tied around it.
Daniel unfolded it, his face turning pale.
He handed it to Arthur.
Arthur read the message silently.
His jaw tightened.
Elena stepped closer.
"What does it say?"
Arthur slowly looked at her.
The note contained only six chilling words.
"The game has only begun, Mrs. King."
To be continued!!!
- Writer
