His Dangerous Embrace

New World

Chapter 6

"In a cruel world, kindness is often the first casualty."

Esme stood in front of the mirror, her fingers trembling slightly as she smoothed down the dress Elsa had left for her. It was a simple yet elegant gown, far more luxurious than anything she had ever worn before. The fabric felt soft against her skin, a stark contrast to the rough, worn clothes she was used to. Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady her nerves, but the anxiety gnawed at her, making her heart race.

With hesitant steps, she left the room and made her way down the grand staircase, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the spacious hallway. The house was enormous, almost intimidating in its opulence, with marble floors and walls adorned with expensive art. Each step she took felt heavier, her nervousness growing as she approached the large dining area where Elsa had told her he would be waiting.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, her eyes fell on the vast dining table that seemed to stretch endlessly across the room. Seated at the head of the table was Kai, the man who had saved her. He was dressed in a dark, impeccably tailored suit, his presence commanding the entire space. He looked up as she approached, his gaze sharp and unreadable, making her stomach twist with uncertainty.

Esme's breath hitched as she neared the table, her legs feeling like they might give out beneath her. Her hands fidgeted at her sides, and she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, the nervousness almost overwhelming her. She hadn't felt this vulnerable in a long time, not since before her life had turned into a series of escapes and close calls.

Kai watched her with a calm intensity, his expression revealing nothing of what he might be thinking. Esme finally reached the table, standing awkwardly across from him. She forced herself to meet his gaze, though it took every ounce of courage she had.

Esme stood at the far end of the table, nerves fraying as she took in the opulent surroundings. The grandeur of the room, with its polished surfaces and lavish decor, made her feel like an intruder in a world she didn't belong to. Her eyes darted to Elsa, the poised woman standing there all ready to fulfill any request her master might make, her demeanor reflecting the elegance of the space. Elsa caught Esme's hesitant gaze and, with a subtle shift of her eyes, encouraged her to take a seat. But Esme remained rooted in place, paralyzed by the fear of misstepping.

"Do you need an invitation to sit?" Kai's voice sliced through the thick air, calm yet edged with an unmistakable authority. His face, a mask of unreadable calm, gave away nothing.

Swallowing hard, Esme finally settled into the chair, her movements as tentative as a fawn finding its legs. Elsa began to serve her, the clink of fine china the only sound breaking the tense silence but not without giving Esme a look that seemed to silently chastise her for hesitating earlier. Elsa responded with a nod, silently urging her to eat.

Esme managed a small, nervous smile before turning her attention to the plate in front of her. She knew she should be grateful, but the tension in the room made it difficult to relax. Gathering her courage, she cleared her throat to break the silence, hoping to express her gratitude to the man who had saved her.

"Umm... Thank you so much, sir, for saving me yesterday," she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced up at him.

Kai didn't respond immediately. He continued eating with an almost unsettling focus, his eyes occasionally flicking over to her.

When he finally deigned to look at her fully, his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, freezing her in place. His dark, neatly groomed hair, and the immaculate blue suit he wore, only served to accentuate the stark contrast between his cold demeanor and his dangerously handsome appearance. Esme found herself lost in the stormy depths of his eyes, her cheeks flushing when she realized she had been staring.

"Why were those men after you?" Kai's voice cut through her thoughts, his tone devoid of warmth or concern, dismissing her gratitude as if it were nothing more than background noise.

The question hit Esme like a cold splash of water, bringing her crashing back to the precariousness of her situation. Her heart fluttered in her chest, a frantic bird trapped in a cage, and she hesitated, uncertain of how much she should reveal. Yet under the weight of his unyielding gaze, she knew she had no choice but to answer, her fate seemingly hanging on her words.

"M-My aunt sold me to those men, but I found out and ran away. That's why they were following me." The words tumbled from Esme's lips, fragile yet heavy with the weight of betrayal. Each syllable was laced with the bitter taste of abandonment, the reality of her situation sinking in deeper with every breath she took. As she spoke, the memory of her aunt's treachery twisted like a knife in her heart, the pain raw and unyielding.

Kai's face remained impassive, a stoic mask that betrayed nothing of what he might be thinking. It was as though her confession had bounced off a wall of indifference, unable to penetrate the fortress of his emotions. Across the room, Elsa let out a small gasp, her shock palpable in the sudden widening of her eyes. The very idea that someone could sell their own blood was unfathomable to her, and the horror of it was written plainly across her face.

Esme couldn't bear to look at either of them. Her appetite evaporated, replaced by a hollow ache in the pit of her stomach. She stared down at her plate, the once-inviting meal now an unwelcome reminder of the harsh reality she faced. Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress, the tension in her body a silent struggle to keep her emotions from spilling over. The room, with all its luxury and refinement, suddenly felt like a gilded cage—beautiful, but suffocating.

Kai observed the conflicting emotions that played across Esme's face and decided against pressing her further. He gracefully set down his cutlery, wiped his hands and mouth, and stood, preparing to leave. But before he could depart, she spoke again, her voice laced with apprehension.

"I... I don't want to trouble you anymore, so I've decided to leave today," she informed him, her tone suggesting both gratitude and an unwillingness to impose further.

Kai turned back to her, his gaze intense, stirring those unfamiliar emotions she had come to associate only with him.

"It's still not safe outside, especially when you don't know if they will try to get their hands on you again. So I suggest you stay here, for your own good." His last words were delivered with a subtle warning, causing a shiver to run down her spine.

He was right—what if they attempted to kidnap her again? She wouldn't be fortunate enough to escape a second time, and the reality hit her hard: she had nowhere else to go, no safe haven to retreat to, what will she do beg on streets?, she shook her head at her thought.

Resigned, she nodded. "Fine, I'll stay here, but I—" She hesitated, drawing a deep breath as he arched a perfect brow, waiting for her to continue. "I want to do something here," she added, not wanting to be a burden or seem like she was taking advantage of his kindness.

"There's no need for that," he dismissed her request, but she pressed on.

"Please... I'll get bored without anything to do," she insisted, trying to persuade him with a different angle.

He paused, then relented. "Fine. Elsa, find the madam some work she's willing to do," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. Elsa quickly nodded in acknowledgment as Kai turned and exited the room, leaving Esme and Elsa alone.

When he left, Elsa quickly took the chair beside Esme and asked, "Your aunt really did that to you?" Her tone was laced with disbelief.

Esme sighed, nodding her head as she shared further, "Even I couldn't believe it when I heard her on the phone. She sold me for $30,000."

Elsa's expression shifted from disbelief to pity. "This world is really cruel," she whispered, shaking her head in sorrow at the harsh reality Esme had faced.

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