Surrender

Too Many Questions

When we stepped out of the dim basement corridor into the living room, the light from the lamps almost blinded me. I suddenly felt exposed, as if something pure and fragile inside me had been left behind somewhere in that darkness.

Master walked over to the bar and poured himself a glass of whiskey. Then he turned to me and calmly told me to go to my room.

Part of me wanted to run, to hide from everything that had just happened. But another part of me was filled with questions—so many questions—and he was the only one who could answer them.

I went upstairs and headed straight to the bathroom. Opening one of the cabinets, I found neatly arranged bottles—bath salts, oils, fragrant masks, and other luxuries. I filled the bathtub and slowly sank into the warm, foamy water, letting my body relax while my mind returned to the events of the evening.

I replayed every moment, every feeling.

Why hadn’t he touched me?

Why had he sent me away?

Why was he so cold… and what would happen next?

Those thoughts followed me into bed, but sleep wouldn’t come. The mattress was soft, the room quiet, yet something inside me felt heavy and restless. I tossed and turned all night, finally drifting off only at dawn.

A soft knock on the door woke me.

I jolted upright, still half-asleep, not even remembering where I was.

“Come in,” I said quickly.

Lucille stepped inside and gently asked,

“Have you not woken up yet? My apologies. What would you like for breakfast?”

Still disoriented, I said I would come down shortly.

After getting ready and going downstairs, I realized the house felt strangely empty. Voices came from the kitchen, but as soon as the staff noticed me, they fell silent. Their expressions turned serious, and they lowered their heads, returning to their tasks.

Lucille approached me again.

“Miss, do you need anything? Have you decided what you would like for breakfast?”

“Where is Master Alex? Is he home?” I asked quietly.

“No. Master leaves early and won’t return for some time. If you need anything, you may come to me. Would you like to have breakfast in the orangery? Do you prefer coffee or tea?”

When I stepped into the orangery, I was struck by the beauty of it. There was an abundance of plants—lush greenery and delicate flowers in every shade imaginable. It felt like stepping into a hidden garden.

Breakfast was brought quickly, along with a cup of rich, aromatic coffee. Sitting there, surrounded by such beauty, I felt… almost like a princess, if only for a moment.

After eating, I decided to explore the house. I had been allowed to enter any room except Master’s private spaces and his office. My phone and other belongings had been taken, so there was little else to do.

On the second floor, I found a magnificent library. Shelves stretched all the way to the ceiling, filled with countless books—old and new, perfectly arranged. The room felt warm and inviting, with a sofa and a pair of armchairs by the window.

I picked up a few unfamiliar books and began flipping through them. I lost track of time almost immediately. One story caught my attention after just a single page, and I found myself completely absorbed in it.

Page after page, I read, not noticing anything around me—until a voice broke the silence.

“You can keep that one.”

I startled, the book slipping from my lap. Quickly picking it up, I stood, lowering my gaze, unsure of what to say.

“Ask Lucille to bring me coffee to my office,” he said, and left.

I waited while the staff prepared the coffee, then decided to take it myself. Maybe this was a chance to start building some kind of connection with him.

I knocked softly and entered the upstairs office, located just across from the staircase. He glanced at me briefly, then returned to typing on his laptop without a word.

That didn’t work… I thought, pressing my lips together, and quietly left the room.

I spent the rest of the day in my room, and by evening, I was already quite hungry.