Episode 6: Under One Roof
855 Words
The shrill sound of the security alarm echoed through the King mansion.
Guards rushed across the marble floors while others searched every corner of the estate. Flashlights cut through the darkness as security dogs were released into the gardens.
Arthur's face remained calm, but his eyes were ice-cold.
"No one leaves the property," he ordered.
"Search every inch of the estate."
"Yes, sir!"
Daniel hurried away, barking orders into his radio.
Elena stood frozen near the staircase, still shaken by the threatening note.
Arthur walked toward her.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"Good."
His eyes scanned her from head to toe, making sure she wasn't injured.
Only after satisfying himself did he turn away.
Elena noticed.
"You were worried."
"I was being cautious."
She smiled faintly.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
He ignored the comment.
---
An hour later...
Daniel returned with disappointing news.
"The intruder escaped before our guards reached the gate."
Arthur frowned.
"Cameras?"
"The person wore a hood and mask."
"No clear face."
"The brick?"
Daniel handed him a sealed evidence bag.
"We're checking for fingerprints."
Arthur looked at the black cloth tied around the brick.
"This wasn't random."
Daniel nodded.
"It was meant to send a message."
Arthur glanced toward Elena.
"And it succeeded."
---
The next morning...
Arthur cancelled every non-essential meeting.
Elena looked surprised.
"I thought your company couldn't survive without you."
"It can."
"So you're staying home?"
"For today."
She blinked.
"Because of me?"
"Because of the threat."
She folded her arms.
"That's not exactly an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting."
---
Later that morning, a security consultant arrived.
The mansion was upgraded with facial recognition systems, additional cameras, and reinforced glass.
Elena watched workers moving around the house.
"This feels excessive."
Arthur stood beside her.
"It isn't."
"You always expect the worst."
"I prepare for it."
She looked at him thoughtfully.
"It must be lonely."
For the first time...
Arthur didn't have an immediate response.
---
Meanwhile...
Inside a luxury hotel suite...
Victor King poured himself a glass of expensive whiskey.
One of his associates entered the room.
"The warning frightened them."
Victor smirked.
"Good."
"But Arthur increased security."
Victor laughed.
"I expected that."
"The real attack hasn't started."
His associate hesitated.
"What if someone discovers you're involved?"
Victor's smile disappeared.
"They won't."
---
That afternoon...
Elena received another phone call from her mother.
"Sweetheart..."
Her mother's voice sounded brighter this time.
"The reporters are gone."
Elena sighed with relief.
"That's good."
"Mr. Arthur sent security officers."
"They've been helping everyone."
Elena froze.
"He did?"
"Yes."
"They even repaired our broken gate."
Tears filled Elena's eyes.
She hadn't known.
Arthur never mentioned any of it.
After ending the call, she found him working in the library.
Stacks of business files surrounded him.
"You helped my family."
Arthur continued reading.
"They needed assistance."
"You didn't tell me."
"It wasn't necessary."
"It mattered to me."
He finally looked up.
"They're your family."
The simple sentence lingered in the air.
Before Elena realized it, she smiled.
"Thank you."
Arthur gave a small nod before returning to work.
But for some reason...
He found it difficult to concentrate.
---
That evening...
Rain poured heavily outside.
Lightning illuminated the mansion every few seconds.
The lights suddenly flickered.
Then everything went dark.
The entire mansion lost power.
"What happened?" Elena called.
Emergency lights activated, bathing the halls in a dim red glow.
Daniel's voice came through the intercom.
"The backup generator isn't responding!"
Arthur immediately stood.
"Stay here."
"I'm coming with you."
"No."
"I can help."
"This isn't a debate."
She frowned.
"You really like giving orders."
"And you really like ignoring them."
Before either could argue further...
A loud scream echoed from downstairs.
One of the housemaids.
Arthur sprinted toward the sound.
Elena followed despite his warning.
They found the frightened maid pointing toward the wall.
Someone had painted six large words in bright red across the white marble.
YOU CAN'T PROTECT HER FOREVER.
The room fell silent.
Arthur's expression darkened.
He turned to Daniel.
"Seal the mansion."
"No one enters."
"No one leaves."
Then he looked directly at Elena.
"You'll stay with me from now on."
She blinked.
"What?"
"Until we know who's behind this."
"You mean..."
"Our rooms are on separate floors."
"They are."
"So?"
"So you're moving into the room next to mine."
Elena stared at him.
"The cold, emotionless billionaire wants me close?"
"It's a security decision."
She couldn't resist smiling.
"Of course it is."
Arthur sighed.
"Don't make this difficult."
"I wasn't planning to."
She walked past him with a teasing grin.
"But I might enjoy watching you pretend this is only about security."
For the first time in years...
Arthur almost smiled.
Almost.
But hidden in the darkness outside the mansion gates...
A shadow watched every movement.
The mysterious figure lowered a pair of binoculars.
"So..."
"They're getting closer."
The figure quietly disappeared into the storm before the guards noticed.
Far away, Victor received a text message.
Phase Two complete.
He smiled.
"Now..."
"Let's see what happens when two strangers are forced to live under one roof."
To be continued!!!
- Writer
