Chapter 10
652 Words
Night slowly fell over the mansion.
After spending several hours resting alone in her room, Elena finally decided to head downstairs.
The mansion remained quiet as usual.
Too quiet.
Elena wandered into the kitchen before stopping near the counter awkwardly.
The maids were already preparing dinner for the night, but somehow...
She suddenly felt guilty.
Everyone here had been helping her since the moment she arrived. Meanwhile, she had done absolutely nothing.
“I can help,” Elena offered softly.
“No, Miss Elena!” one of them said quickly.
The maids immediately looked horrified.
“Young Master Ryder will be angry if he finds out.”
Elena blinked in confusion.
“Why would he get angry?”
The maids exchanged nervous looks.
Still—
Elena stubbornly refused to leave the kitchen.
In the end, the maids had no choice but to let her help prepare dinner.
A while later, the delicious smell of food slowly filled the mansion.
Elena stood near the counter, wearing a simple apron while carefully placing the last dish onto the table.
That was when footsteps suddenly echoed from the entrance.
Ryder had returned.
The moment he stepped into the dining room, his eyes immediately landed on Elena.
And paused.
She looked strangely... domestic.
Standing there in his kitchen while wearing an apron almost made the mansion feel less cold than usual.
Ryder slowly pulled out a chair before sitting down.
“Why are you cooking?” he asked calmly.
“Where are the maids?”
Elena looked slightly embarrassed.
“I just wanted to help.”
“You’re a guest here.”
Elena immediately shook her head.
“That’s exactly why I feel bad,” she admitted softly. “I’m staying here for free while you and your brother are helping me with everything.”
For a moment, Ryder stared at her quietly.
Then he leaned back slightly in his chair.
“You don’t owe us anything, Elena.”
But Elena remained stubborn.
“At least let me help with dinner.”
A faint amused look briefly crossed Ryder’s face.
Stubborn.
Interesting.
Soon, the food was finally served on the table.
Elena carefully sat beside Ryder while the atmosphere between them remained strangely comfortable.
But after a few minutes, Elena suddenly realized something.
“Where’s Luca?” she asked softly.
Ryder took a slow sip of his drink before answering casually.
“He won’t be home for a few days.”
Elena blinked.
“He has business outside the city,” Ryder continued. “It’ll probably be another week before he comes back.”
“Oh...”
For some reason, the mansion suddenly felt quieter after hearing that.
The two continued eating peacefully for a while before Ryder suddenly spoke again.
“Tonight, I have something important to handle outside.”
Elena slowly looked at him.
“I probably won’t come home tonight.”
The atmosphere instantly shifted.
Ryder placed his glass down on the table before continuing calmly.
“So stay here for now. If you need anything, tell the maids or the guards outside.”
His dark eyes slowly lifted toward her.
“And if you want to go somewhere...” his voice became firmer.
“Wait until I come back first.”
Elena stayed silent.
“The situation isn’t safe yet,” Ryder continued quietly. “Your ex-boyfriend could still be looking for you.”
A cold feeling slowly crept into Elena’s chest again.
Then Ryder leaned back slightly before adding one last thing—
“And besides...” his eyes locked onto hers.
“You have already entered my house and my world.”
Something dangerous flickered behind his calm expression.
“So now you will listen to everything I say.”
Silence.
Elena immediately nodded nervously.
“U-understood.”
For some reason...
That should have sounded controlling.
But instead—
It made her feel strangely safe.
To be continued.
- Writer
