Beneath The Golden Gaze

Chapter Thirteen Shadows of the Past

After a grueling month in the hospital, Heaven finally felt the weight of her confinement lifting. The dull beeping of machines and the antiseptic smell that clung to the walls were behind her. She was finally free, but a jagged scar on her thigh was a stark reminder that her battle was far from over. It was just the beginning.

As she sat on the edge of the hospital bed, a nurse came in with a stack of discharge papers. “You’re cleared to go, Heaven,” the nurse said with a warm smile. “Just remember to take it easy for a while.”

“Take it easy?” Heaven chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “I’m not exactly known for taking things easy.” She stood, wincing slightly at the sensation of the scar. “I’ll be fine.”

Just then, the door swung open, and there stood Alexander, leaning casually against the frame. His presence filled the room, a mix of concern and authority in his demeanor. “Ready to go?” he asked, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

“I guess,” Heaven replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but the butterflies in her stomach betrayed her. “What’s the plan? A grand escape?”

He chuckled, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief. “More like a controlled relocation. You’re moving in with me.”

“What?” Heaven’s eyes widened. “You can’t be serious!”

“Dead serious. Your family house isn’t safe anymore, and you need someone to look out for you. Plus, it’ll give me peace of mind.” His tone was firm, leaving little room for argument.

“Right, because living with you is going to be so peaceful,” she retorted, crossing her arms defiantly. But deep down, she felt a thrill at the idea of being close to him again.

---

Once they arrived back in town, the atmosphere felt charged. Heaven stepped into Alexander’s luxurious penthouse, the elegant decor contrasting sharply with the chaos she’d left behind. She was still processing everything when her phone buzzed with a message.

“Guess who’s making headlines?” Kate said in a group chat.

Heaven quickly opened it to find a link to an article about Sara, her aunt’s eldest daughter, who had become a popular actress in town. The headline read: “Sara Takes Hollywood by Storm!”

“Great. Just what I need,” Heaven muttered under her breath. She could already envision Sara’s smug face, filled with jealousy and spite whenever they crossed paths.

---

Days turned into weeks, and living with Alexander had its own unique rhythm. His penthouse was a whirlwind of activity, and Heaven found herself swept up in his world—meetings, charity events, and late-night brainstorming sessions for projects that only fueled her curiosity about him.

Yet, amidst the chaos, there were moments of undeniable chemistry. Late at night, as they sat in his office poring over plans, their knees would brush against each other, sending jolts of electricity through the air.

“Focus, Heaven,” he’d tease, his voice low and gravelly, teasing her when she became distracted by the tension between them.

“Easy for you to say,” she shot back, a playful smirk on her lips. “You’re the one who makes it impossible to concentrate.”

---
One evening, after a long day of meetings, Heaven found herself in the kitchen, preparing dinner. The aroma of garlic and herbs filled the air as she stirred a pot of sauce. Just then, Alexander strolled in, his shirt slightly wrinkled, and the air around him exuding a rugged charm.

“Need help?” he asked, leaning against the counter, his arms crossed, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“No, I’m good,” Heaven replied, trying to maintain her focus as her heart raced at the sight of him. “You just stand there looking handsome.”

“Oh, I see how it is,” he smirked, stepping closer. “You’re just using me for my looks now?”

“Definitely,” she shot back, a laugh escaping her lips. But then, the mood shifted. The kitchen felt charged with unspoken words, and their laughter faded into an electric silence.
He stepped closer, his gaze locking onto hers, the playful banter giving way to something deeper. “You know,” he murmured, his voice dropping an octave, “you’re lucky I decided to take you in. Otherwise, you’d be stuck with your aunt and her charming family.”

“Charming is one word for it,” Heaven replied, rolling her eyes. “More like living hell. I can’t believe I’m stuck with Sara’s ego now.”
As if on cue, her phone buzzed again, and she groaned as she read another message from her aunt demanding to know Heaven’s whereabouts. “See? I can’t even have a moment of peace!”

“Let me handle her,” Alexander said, a smirk returning to his lips. “I’ll just tell her you’ve been abducted by aliens or something.”

“Perfect! That’ll give me some time to breathe.” Heaven laughed, feeling the warmth between them returning, the connection stronger than ever.

That evening, as they settled onto the couch after dinner, Heaven curled up with a glass of wine, feeling unusually bold. “So, are you going to tell me why you’re really keeping me here?”

Alexander’s expression shifted, a flicker of something serious behind his playful exterior. “Because I care, Heaven. I don’t want you out there, especially with your past creeping back up. You have to know that.”

Heaven felt her heart race. “And you think moving in with you is the answer?”

“It’s a start,” he replied, his gaze piercing into hers. “But don’t think I’m going to let you off easy. You’re still on a quest for revenge, and I intend to keep you safe while you figure it out.”

“Great. Just what I need. A babysitter,” she teased, though there was an undercurrent of seriousness in her tone.

“I prefer the term ‘protector,’” he shot back, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Besides, I’m pretty good at it.”

As the evening wore on, the banter continued, their chemistry palpable in every lingering glance and playful jab. Heaven felt herself drawn to him, a magnetic pull that left her breathless.

“Let’s make a deal,” she suggested, her heart pounding. “You keep me safe, and I’ll keep you entertained.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips. “Oh? And how do you plan to do that?”

With a mischievous grin, Heaven leaned in closer, her breath catching in her throat. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Their eyes locked, and for a heartbeat, the world around them disappeared, leaving just the two of them and the charged air thick with unspoken desires. She could feel the tension simmering, daring to spill over into something more.

But just then, a loud crash echoed from the living room, pulling them back to reality. Heaven jumped, her heart racing.

“What was that?” she exclaimed.

Alexander shot her a sideways glance, his expression amused. “Looks like your entertainment is about to begin.”

Heaven groaned, realizing that her life with Alexander would be anything but boring. She was ready for the challenges ahead, and the undeniable chemistry between them would only make it all the more interesting.