CHAPTER FIVE — TREATMENT AND PLEASURE??
853 Words
Three massage and acupuncture sessions later, he finally drifted off.
I stayed on the floor beside the bed, my thoughts looping endlessly until sleep tugged me under too.
A few hours passed.
A sharp, almost violent kick jerked me awake.
Pain shot up my side. My face went cold, blood draining instantly. I tried to stand, but my legs buckled — no surprise, considering I’d slept curled up on the ground all night.
A scornful voice snapped above me.
“Tsk. I didn’t realize you were this shameless. Married to the elder brother and already trying to seduce the younger?”
I blinked, disoriented.
“What?”
She clicked her tongue. “Drop the act. You’ll only enter Duncan’s bed in your dreams.”
Her words finally clicked.
I was married — supposedly — to the elder brother I had never even seen.
And the man I treated last night, the one who helped me involuntarily, was the second young master. And his name was Duncan.
I let out a humorless laugh.
“I am trying to find a way out of this place, not a way into anyone’s bed. He’s my patient — nothing more. You can keep your wild fantasies to yourself.”
I exhaled shakily. “Help me up?”
She hesitated, eyes narrowing. But she offered her hand. I was halfway upright when she suddenly let go.
I hit the floor with a pained gasp.
“Ah—!”
Right then, Duncan walked in.
“What’s going on?”
His deep voice carried enough weight to freeze the room. The maid opened her mouth, words tripping over each other, but I spoke first — calm, steady — explaining everything.
His expression darkened.
For a second, I thought he didn’t believe me.
“I swear that’s the truth,” I added quickly. “If I’m lying, let me be struck by lightning right away.”
He barely glanced my way.
“Dimitri.”
A figure stepped out from the shadows. My heart jumped — how long had he been there and who was he?
Duncan’s tone was cold. “Break both legs. Pay her wages. Send her back to wherever she came from.”
The maid crumpled. “Second young master, please— I have a family— please spare me!”
Her pleas didn’t move him. She was simply dragged out.
“Thank you,” I murmured. “For standing up for me.”
He finally turned his eyes on me.
“You’re still useful.”
That was all he said before walking away.
I scurried back to my room, took a long shower and I changed quickly and barely had time to breathe before Dinah appeared.
“The second young master demands your presence.”
I scoffed under my breath. “Demands? Sounds more like the ancient era.”
Back in his room, an elderly man was seated across him. I recognized him instantly — Alexandra, the owner of the top Chinese medicine house. My mind flicked back to last night, and a chill ran down my spine. What kind of power-drunk twisted family had I stumbled into?
They spoke briefly. Alexandra gave me a tiny, sympathetic smile before leaving — as if wishing me luck.
When it was just the two of us, Duncan’s gaze lifted.
“You’re not here to stare at me, are you?”
I moved toward the herbs, ignoring the dry edge in his voice. The scent hit me — rich, earthy.
Dried mugwort.
I took it to the kitchen. Dinah and the maids were busy preparing lunch.
“Can I use the kitchen for a few minutes?” I asked.
Dinah shot me a disdainful look. “You dare interrupt the second master’s lunch preparations? Can you take responsibility for that?”
I didn’t flinch. “These herbs are for the second master. Will you take responsibility for delaying his treatment?”
Her expression twisted, but she stepped aside.
“Just don’t mess up. Or else…”
She left with the others.
Apparently, even the first young master didn’t command the fear Duncan did.
What kind of mess had I fallen into?
I prepared the herbs and returned upstairs. I lit the mugwort scented incense, the mugwort aroma filled the air, warm and soothing.
Duncan lay back after drinking the decoction. I massaged his head carefully until he slipped into sleep again.
I was just about to leave when he suddenly pulled me down.
I fell straight into his arms.
He held me too tight for comfort — solid, unyielding — like his body refused to let go even while asleep.
I stiffened immediately, discomfort crawling up my spine. But he nuzzled closer, tucking his face into the crook of my neck with the quiet stubbornness of a restless cat.
Internally, I groaned.
Why do the strangest things happen to me?
I tried to wriggle free, but his grip only tightened.
Eventually, I gave up and lay still, breathing slowly.
Only then did he relax, not making another move — just holding on to me, as if that alone steadied him.
- Writer
