Title: Falling Through Shadows

Chapter 2: A Desperate Request

Elara's POV

The day wore on, heavy with rejection. Elara had tried everything—small restaurants, shops, and even a few houses. Each time she asked for a job, they looked at her with suspicion, her rumpled clothes and weary face casting her as nothing more than a beggar in their eyes. Exhausted and hungry, she clutched the last few coins in her pocket. She'd saved them for an emergency, but today was testing her resolve. She hadn't eaten since yesterday, yet she kept searching, determined to find work, even if it meant she'd only earn a roof over her head and a scrap of food.

At dusk, she finally came across a sprawling mansion with tall gates and a guard on duty. Steeling herself, she approached the guard, who raised a skeptical eyebrow but listened as she introduced herself, explaining her situation.

"Please," she said softly, "I'm not asking for much...just a job. I don't even need a salary. If I could stay here and eat even a little, I'd be grateful."

The guard studied her with a sad look, clearly sympathetic but bound by protocol. "I don't have the authority to decide something like that," he admitted, "but if you're willing to wait, the boss will be home later tonight. You can ask him yourself."

She nodded, her heart lifting slightly with hope. Sitting on a bench inside the gate, she waited, watching the night settle around her. As the hours passed, her hope faded into fatigue, but she pushed through, knowing this was her best chance. Finally, headlights swept across the driveway, and she watched as a sleek black car pulled up.

Liam's POV

Liam checked the time as he turned into his driveway. 10 p.m. He hadn't meant to stay out so late, but the drinks with his friends had been just enough to make his head feel a little foggy. As he stepped out of his car, he noticed someone sitting on a bench near the gate. Strange, he thought. No one was allowed here without permission.

Curious, he walked over, his footsteps quiet on the gravel. But when he reached the figure, his eyes widened with recognition. Sitting before him was none other than the girl from the hospital—the one who had saved him, only to be insulted in return. Elara.

Elara's POV

Elara looked up, feeling her heart nearly stop as she saw the man she'd saved standing before her. She hadn't expected this. She couldn't believe that, out of all people, he was the one who owned this mansion. For a second, she froze, feeling a mixture of shame and determination rise within her. She needed a place to stay, and she would lower her pride to get it.

Swallowing, she stood and gave a small, respectful bow. "Good evening, sir. I didn't realize...this was your home," she said softly. "But I came here looking for work, just a place to stay and something to eat. I would do anything for a job...even without pay."

His gaze was sharp, a smirk curving his lips. "So, I was right—you really did want something from me." His tone dripped with amusement, and an unsettling gleam filled his eyes.

Elara clenched her fists, steadying herself. "It's not what you think. I didn't come here because it was you. I had no idea," she insisted, her voice low but firm. "I'm here because I have nowhere else to go."

She lowered her head and explained her situation—how she'd lost her job, how her parents had abandoned her, and how she'd been trying to survive on her own. Her voice wavered, but she held her ground, determined to retain some dignity, even as she asked for his help. "I'll work as hard as I can," she finished, "in exchange for a place to stay and a little food."

Liam's smirk only deepened, a look of pity flashing in his eyes. "Fine," he said after a pause. "You can stay. But there are conditions." His voice was steady, almost cold, as if this was a transaction rather than an offer of kindness. "Once you step inside, you're mine to manage. You're not allowed to leave until I say so." His gaze lingered, an almost triumphant look crossing his face.