SHADOW PLAY (SYLUS)

4

Regina went home before heading to university.

Her class started at noon, giving her time to pack her bags for her stay at Sylus's house, starting today. It was hard to believe how quickly everything had changed.

Just a few days ago, she was living her normal routine—now, she was somehow caught up in the dangerous world of the mafia, a world where life and death were at stake.

Regina worked at a convenience store three times a week and at a café four times a week. She planned to quit the convenience store soon since she had to start coming home early to prepare dinner for Sylus.

That morning, he hadn’t mentioned anything about the breakfast she’d made. Perhaps that was a good sign—maybe he was satisfied with her cooking.

Regina felt a small sense of pride. If he’d disliked it, he would have likely made it clear, or worse, thrown her out on the spot.

A man like him had no sympathy. He wouldn't hesitate to kill someone if they became a nuisance.

Chills ran down her spine at the thought of living with someone so dangerous. How was she going to survive under the same roof as a man like that?

......

The warm orange glow of the evening sun touched Regina's face as she wrapped up her day and headed home.

She gathered her belongings from her apartment, her heart heavy with the weight of her new reality, and made her way to Sylus's house.

When she stepped inside, the place was eerily quiet.

No one was there.

He must still be at his office, she thought. She had no idea when he’d be back.

This was her chance.

She dropped her bag on the floor without hesitation and walked toward his room, her heart racing.

Sylus had specifically told her not to enter his room or the one next to it. That only fueled her curiosity.

She reached for the door of the next room and tried to open it, but it was locked.

Her frustration grew as she turned toward his room. When she twisted the doorknob, it clicked open. To her surprise, the door swung inward.

Her heart raced wildly, pounding in her chest.

Just as she was about to step inside, she heard the unmistakable sound of the entrance door clicking shut—Sylus had arrived.

Panic surged through her, and without a second thought, she rushed back to where she had dropped her things, trying to appear as though she had never moved.

“Welcome home,” Regina said quietly, unsure if it was appropriate to greet him.

Sylus shot her a sharp look, barely acknowledging her before walking past her toward his room.

Regina placed a hand on her chest, trying to calm the frantic beating of her heart.

This was more dangerous than she had imagined.

The thought of stealing documents from him felt overwhelming; the mere idea sent her nerves spiraling. She didn’t think she could go through with it.

Regina managed to slip into her room and began unpacking her things.

As she arranged her belongings, it struck her that she hadn’t informed Sylus about choosing this room.

Then again, maybe he didn’t care. After all, he had told her not to speak unless it was about the job.

Once she finished unpacking, Regina headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

She stood in front of the cupboards, scrolling through them to gather what she needed, her mind still racing with thoughts of the danger she was now surrounded by.

Meanwhile, Sylus was in his room, having already taken a shower and changed into a sweater and pants.

As he towel-dried his hair, his mind wandered back to Regina standing in the hallway, nervously greeting him. Something felt off.

Sylus was always hyper-aware of the smallest details—that’s how he had survived for so long.

Her pulse had quickened, as if she’d been running. She must have done something that made her rush back to the hallway.

Determined to find out what, he grabbed his laptop and quickly opened it, intent on uncovering the truth.

Sylus accessed the surveillance footage from the cameras discreetly placed throughout the house. Regina had no idea she was being watched, as the cameras were everywhere—except the bedrooms.

He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the recordings, his hand resting thoughtfully on his lips.

A dark smile tugged at the corner of his mouth when he saw it—Regina trying to open the doors to the two rooms he had specifically forbidden her from entering.

So, she was curious. More than that, she was reckless.

This was going to be interesting.

Sylus found this game more intriguing than any he’d played before.

It was the first time he didn’t know his opponent’s true purpose. Until he uncovered her intentions, he’d indulge her and see where it led.

“I’ll play along with you for now, little bunny,” he murmured to himself, his voice low and amused.

Another wicked smile spread across his face as he watched Regina move around the kitchen, unaware of the predator watching her every move.

.....

Regina prepared smoked salmon and rice with a side of mushroom soup. Everything in Sylus’s kitchen—from the ingredients to the utensils—was of a quality she had never experienced before. It felt surreal to be working with such expensive items.

She had once worked in a restaurant, helping in the kitchen and assisting the chef, and those memories guided her as she navigated the unfamiliar luxury of Sylus’s home.

She moved with a quiet precision, her thoughts still swirling with unease, yet focusing on the task at hand to avoid suspicion.

Dinner had to be ready by 7, and Regina finished just in time, carefully setting the table.

Sylus arrived and sat down without a word. Regina served him the food, feeling an odd sense of pride. A man like Sylus, cold and powerful, eating the meal she had prepared—it made her feel oddly giddy. She had never cooked for anyone outside her family before.

As Sylus ate, he made no sound. His manners were impeccable, every movement precise and elegant.

The way he ate was almost like art, and Regina found herself quietly admiring him, captivated by his refinement despite the fear that lingered beneath.

Sylus caught Regina staring at him and glanced in her direction, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Feeling caught, she quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. Sylus studied her for a moment, noting her reaction, before returning his attention to his meal.

He resumed eating, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he contemplated the layers of intrigue surrounding her.

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