Fear

22 • Changes and tensions

I woke up slowly, my senses gradually adjusting. The first thing I noticed was the bed beneath me - nothing like the operating table come bed that I'd been used to. I blinked, my eyes first noticing the ceiling. It was different, not dark and low, but tall and light. A warm yellow light filled the room, a stark contrast to the conditions I'd been subjected to before. I immediately sat up in confusion.

The room was a vision of luxury, adorned with beautiful golden furnishings that glinted in the light. It felt like I had stepped into a completely different world, as if I was dreaming. I pinched myself and it hurt. I was stunned.

The bed I lay in was a king-sized four-poster, the posts carved with ornate designs. I felt small as if the room was swallowing me up, and I pulled the covers up around me. I took a deep breath, the air scented with something subtle and expensive.

As I sat up in confusion and awe, my gaze wandered to the other side of the room, where a plush armchair sat next to a small, polished table. A vase of red roses added a touch of colour. Everything about the room spoke of wealth and taste.

I had no idea where I was. It seemed as though I was in a hotel, or a penthouse, or a luxury condo. My mind buzzed with questions.

Just as I was beginning to piece together my surroundings, the door creaked open, and Tyler awkwardly stepped in, holding a cup of coffee. My eyes widened in surprise. He walked over and offered it to me, but without a word. I took it hesitantly, my confusion evident as I tried to make sense of the situation.

"W-Where am I?" I asked quietly.

Tyler hesitated, seeming unsure of his own answer. "My room," he finally said, his voice low. "You'll be staying here from now on."

I blinked in surprise. "W... What?"

He avoided my gaze, staring at a point somewhere over my shoulder. "It's better this way," he muttered.

"Wait... I'm confused. And... where will you sleep?"

He shifted uncomfortably, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. "I was thinking... we could... share."

The suggestion caught me off guard, and for a moment, I could only stare at him wide-eyed. "Are you okay?" I asked softly, noting the tension in his posture.

Tyler didn't respond immediately. He just looked at me with a strange, uncomfortable expression before glancing away. The silence was awkward. Finally, he spoke, his voice sounding distant.
"I'll find you something to wear."

He left the room, and I sat there, the coffee warming my hands but not doing much to settle the torrent of questions in my mind. When he returned, he was carrying two dress bags. He placed them on the bed in front of me, his eyes avoiding mine.

"Choose one," he said simply. "Meet me in the dining room down the corridor, second left."
Then he left again.

I stared at the dress bags for a moment before unzipping one. Inside was a stunning royal blue dress, the kind you see on red carpets. It looked so expensive, far beyond anything I'd ever worn. I opened the second bag and found another beautiful dress, this one a long, red, body-con gown. It was more than breathtaking. I swear I stood for a long minute with my hand over my mouth in shock.

As I held the red dress up, admiring it, Tyler knocked on the door before entering once again. This time, he carried a shoebox, which he placed on the bed without a word.

I opened the box to find a pair of elegant heels that matched the dress perfectly. My mind was spinning.

"Ty... I..." I couldn't even formulate a sentence. I sat back down on the edge of the bed and stared at the floor as I said, calmly, "Why are you doing this?"