“No,” she confirmed.
Was it too much to ask for a little freedom in this universe? I wondered, my frustration growing as I took in my surroundings.
“Don’t tell me you’re terrified?” she teased, her voice dripping with amusement. A faint smile curved her lips as her blue eyes locked onto me, expectant. She seemed far too entertained by the possibility of my fear. Her face—sharp, elegant, with glasses resting delicately on her nose—was a mask of mockery.
If I said no, it would be a lie. If I said yes, I’d seem weak. Silence felt like the only option. I could’ve lied, but I was too drained. My mouth was dry, and a dull headache throbbed behind my eyes.
“Hey!” she snapped, her voice slicing through the air. “Don’t play dumb with me.” She adjusted her glasses with a sharp push, the gesture more intimidating than it had any right to be.
I had been terrified earlier, but now the fear had faded. How could I be scared in a well-ventilated living room, with two people in pajamas, acting like they were in the middle of a late-night disagreement over tea? I was tied to a chair, yes, but there was no urgency. This didn’t feel like a kidnapping—it felt like a joke.
I sighed, glancing at the strange plant beside her. “What do you want from me?” My voice came out small, resigned. Exhaustion seeped through every word. I blew a strand of hair from my eyes. “I’m new here. I don’t have a place to stay and—”
“So?” she cut me off, cold and indifferent, leaning back with her arms crossed.
“Please, let me go!” I snapped, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
“Bold of you to speak to me like that,” she said, her smile widening though her eyes stayed sharp.
The man on the couch stirred. “That’s enough!” He stood quickly, moving with purpose toward me. But before he could reach me, the girl blocked his path, arms spread wide.
“Ivan!” she warned, though he gently lowered her arms. “You’re taking this too far. I’ve got work in the morning.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “No way!”
“Yes, way,” Ivan said, exasperation seeping into his voice like he’d had this argument a thousand times.
She glared at him, then me, before storming out, her footsteps heavy with irritation.
Ivan sighed, shoulders relaxing. “Let me untie you, and we’ll figure this out.” His tone was light, almost amused, like this was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Relief mixed with unease. Yes, I was about to be freed, but why had they held me here in the first place?
Ivan knelt down, his shaggy hair falling into his eyes as he worked to untie the ropes. “Sorry about that. Iris can be... intense. I’m Ivan, by the way, and the firestorm that just left is my sister.”
He moved swiftly to untie my wrists. “We found you unconscious in the street. Some thugs were about to grab you, but a friend of mine—he’s a cop—scared them off. We brought you here to keep you safe.”
His eyes met mine briefly, before I looked away, unsure of how to feel. “What’s your side of the story? Why were they after you?”
I hesitated, then the whole story spilled out as he finished untying me and led me toward the kitchen.
The kitchen was sleek, with stainless steel appliances and the faint scent of coffee lingering in the air. Ivan handed me a bottle of cold water.
“Here, drink.”
I nodded, drinking greedily. The cool water was a relief after what felt like hours of dehydration. I wiped my mouth, exhaling deeply.
“So, you met some random guy at an apartment building?” Ivan asked, leaning casually against the counter.
“Yeah,” I tossed the empty bottle into the trash. “What time is it?”
Ivan checked his phone. “1:45 AM. You were out for about two and a half hours.”
The mention of time jolted me. My phone. I pulled it out, finding the screen cracked and unresponsive. Perfect.
“You’re looking for this?” Ivan’s voice cut through my frustration. He gestured to the living room, where my suitcase sat beside a large bookshelf.
Relief washed over me. At least they hadn’t taken anything. But still, something didn’t sit right. Why were they helping me?
Noticing my discomfort, Ivan rested a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay. I know this seems weird, but we’re not here to hurt you. If something happens to you, I’m the one in trouble.”
His sincerity was disarming, but I wasn’t fully convinced. Too many unanswered questions hovered in the air.
“I’ll show you to a room,” Ivan said, yawning. “You can stay the night.”
I blinked, surprised. “Wait, I’m staying?”
“Yeah,” he said with a tired yawn. “I’m stuck babysitting tonight, so I don’t have much of a choice.”
With no better option, I quietly followed him down the elegantly decorated hallway, my footsteps muffled by the plush carpet beneath us.
I hope I’m not going to regret this.
The hot water cascaded over me in the shower, soothing every aching muscle. Each droplet felt like a warm cocoon, melting away the tension I hadn’t realized I was carrying. I wanted to stay there forever, letting the day dissolve, but my thoughts kept creeping back.
Lucien knew Mr. Lu. That in itself was unsettling. How did they know each other? What kind of connection did they share? The questions circled in my mind, as persistent as the steam that clouded the bathroom mirror. I tried to focus on the water, hoping it would wash away my worries, but they clung to me like a second skin. Ivan had offered his room for the night, and while I appreciated the gesture, it couldn’t chase away the nagging unease. My head throbbed, each pulse a reminder of the questions I couldn’t answer.
When I finally stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, I noticed a folded pair of clothes on the bed. A small note rested on top: I don't know if these will work, but feel free to use them for the night.
A small smile tugged at my lips—a moment of warmth amidst the confusion. The clothes were oversized—sweatpants and a loose shirt that draped over my slim frame—but the softness was comforting. It felt like a temporary shield from the chaos outside.
Exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed. The mattress cradled me, and the pillow beneath my head promised a brief escape from everything weighing on me. My eyes shut almost immediately, and for a moment, all the tension, questions, and unease melted away. Sleep had always been my refuge, and tonight, it felt like the only place where I could truly find peace.
Wrapped in the soft blankets, I felt myself drifting off, the rhythm of my breathing slow and steady, carrying me deeper into sleep. The world around me blurred, the night’s quiet hum fading into the background as I slipped into dreams.
But then, a faint voice broke through the haze, calling my name. I ignored it, trying to sink deeper into sleep, desperate to stay in this escape just a little longer.
The voice came again, this time more insistent, accompanied by a gentle tap on my leg. With a groan, I forced my eyes open. Blinking against the dim light, I saw Mr. Lu standing there, his figure silhouetted against the backdrop of the room.
"Wake up, Sleep Head," he teased, his voice playful but with a sense of urgency.
YOU ARE READING
Happiness
Teen FictionHe always did what was expected of him-obedient, loyal, and following the path his father laid out. But when his dream of becoming a fashion designer was crushed, he made a daring choice, fleeing to Rymara with his uncle's help. At last, he believed...
