Poison Rose

CH- 15 Here comes the...

Paula rushed out of the Chairman's room early in the morning towards the guest house. Her breathing was heavy with each inhale and exhale. Despite limping out of pain, she forced herself to walk as quickly as possible. Her hands were covered in bruises. She hid them beneath the folds of her shawl.

Each step sent waves of pain through her body, but she endured it with one thought running through her mind- Amara had trusted her with Liora's care, and she had betrayed that trust, all because of the Chairman's demands.

As she neared the guesthouse, her heart raced with anxiety. The night had been a nightmare, and now all she could think about was Liora.

The sun's rays started to filter through the window where Liora slept. Her phone vibrated, gradually pulling her out of her dream world. She reached for it with a fumbling hand and placed it to her ear while cuddling in her blanket.

"Hello?" She murmured in a drowsy voice.

"Good morning, Ora," came Caspian's familiar gentle and teasing voice.

"So soon? Is it already morning?" Liora mumbled with her eyes still closed.

"Ora" This time, Caspian whispered her name most affectionately as softly as a secret shared between lovers, as warmly as the first light of dawn breaking the night.

"Yes?" she replied, half-asleep.

"Never, ever do a video call while changing clothes."

"What?" Liora's sleepy head struggled to process his words. "What are you talking about? When did I even...?"

Suddenly, her eyes flew open as realisation struck her like a bolt of lightning. She sat up abruptly, the blanket falling away from her body.

Caspian bit back a laugh. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he could imagine Liora's cheeks flushing with embarrassment, "I think you're awake now. Have a good day!"

Liora sat there, stunned, her eyes wide open, and her lips slightly parted in disbelief. She slowly lowered the phone, still trying to comprehend what had just happened.

With her thoughts still lingering on Caspian's words, Liora left the room without changing her clothes, walking towards her home in a daze. As she approached, she spotted a figure standing in front of the house, it was Paula who started to run towards her, looking worried.

She wrapped her arms around her tightly. "I'm so sorry I couldn't inform you that I won't be able to come. Were you scared, Liora? Did you sleep in that secret room yesterday? I'm so sorry, Liora, so sorry, my darling!"

Paula's voice was filled with remorse, and her body was trembling with all the pain inflicted on her throughout the night.

Liora gently pulled back her thoughts, and her focus now shifted to Paula. "I'm fine, Paula. Really! I slept in that room safely last night and..." Liora shyly smiled, the handsome face of Caspian flashed in front of her eyes, "and Caspian kept me company through the call. So don't worry. I am alright."

Paula's expression darkened. She couldn't hear anything else Liora was saying about safety and being fine. Her mind could only focus on one word: Caspian Glacier.

She released Liora from her embrace, making a distance between them so she could look into her eyes. "Liora, you're growing into a beautiful woman. Be careful who you're friends with, and don't walk around in such clothes."

Paula wasn't old-fashioned, but she wanted to protect Liora from the men of Glacier Mansion.

Liora's brows knitted together in confusion. She didn't understand Paula's concern. But seeing her so worried, she pinched Paula's cheeks playfully. "I have only a few friends, and they're all very trusted. You worry too much, my dear Paula."