The Thirteen Shadows / SEVENTEEN FF

Chapter 17: Testing Boundaries

Maya's POV

I could still hear Seungcheol's cold words echoing in my head. No more working at the cafe. No more leaving the mansion. It wasn't a suggestion; it was an order. The fact that he had already called my boss without telling me left a bitter taste in my mouth.

What now?

I glanced around the large room, the opulence suddenly feeling suffocating. How long could I keep playing this this role? Pretending that I was 'content' being Seungcheol's caged bird was getting harder, especially when I didn't even understand the full scope of the game I was a part of. Seungcheol was keeping things from me, and I needed to know why.

My mind wandered back to my conversation with Aera earlier. Something seemed off, as if there was something missing...

But first, I had to deal with my own situation. I wasn't going to sit here and obey like some dog. I needed answers, and if Seungcheol wasn't going to give them to me, I'd find them myself.

I stood up, slipping into a pair of soft slippers as I quietly opened my door. The mansion was eerily quiet today. Perfect. I wouldn't need to avoid as many eyes. I decided to start by exploring places I hadn't ventured before—places I'd been told to avoid.

The hallway stretched before me like a maze. Every time I walked down these corridors, I felt like there was something just out of reach, some secret waiting to be uncovered. My footsteps were light as I made my way toward the east wing. I'd never really bothered going there before—it always seemed empty, almost abandoned. That's exactly why it interested me now.

I passed by several closed doors, occasionally glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one was around. My heart raced with excitement, a mixture of adrenaline and rebellion thrumming through my veins. What am I even looking for? I asked myself, knowing full well I didn't have an exact plan.

I stopped at a door that looked different from the others—more reinforced, like it was hiding something important. This is it. I reached for the handle, expecting it to be locked, but to my surprise, it clicked open.

The room was dimly lit, only a few rays of sunlight filtering through the heavy curtains. I stepped inside, quickly scanning the space. It was an office, much like Seungcheol's, but it felt less lived-in, almost like someone had vacated it recently. Papers were scattered across the desk, a few files left open. I leaned over, squinting at one of the documents.

It didn't make much sense at first—a bunch of numbers, codes, and names that I didn't recognize. But one thing caught my eye: Ateez...

Before I could get a closer look, a shadow fell over me, making my heart lurch in my chest.

"Maya."

I turned sharply, finding Seungcheol standing in the doorway. His expression was unreadable, but there was something dangerous simmering beneath the surface. My stomach twisted.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was calm, too calm.

I straightened up, casually sliding the papers away as if I hadn't been snooping. "Just exploring," I said lightly, trying to maintain my innocent act. "You told me I couldn't leave the mansion, so I figured I'd see what else it had to offer."

His eyes darkened, and I could feel the tension growing between us. "This isn't a part of the mansion you should be wandering around in."

I bit back a sarcastic reply, realizing I needed to tread carefully. "I was curious. It feels like you're hiding things from me, Seungcheol. Like there's more going on here than you're letting me see."