A Dance with Danger

Chapter Eleven

**Estelle's POV**

The cool evening air greeted me like a long-lost friend as I stepped out of the car, the sound of the engine fading behind me as I shut the door with a soft click. My body felt tense, still holding on to the residual weight of the day, but I hoped that walking through the gates and back into the house would offer some respite from the chaos swirling in my mind.

The food court had been a temporary distraction-a small reprieve from the turmoil that had become a constant companion.

Spending the afternoon with the girls had been soothing in its own way. We talked about everything and nothing, filling the space with laughter, gossip, and stories. The energy had been light, carefree. But as soon as I'd left them behind, as soon as I set foot on the property that was supposed to be my sanctuary, the tension crept back into my chest.

I barely made it past the gates when I saw it. A sleek, black car rolling slowly up the long driveway, its dark silhouette unmistakable. Tiberius. My heart stuttered in my chest before it resumed its regular rhythm, though with a slightly quicker pulse.

I knew it was him before I even saw his face. That car was his, and his presence always preceded him, a shadow that loomed just out of sight, lurking just beneath the surface of everything I tried to escape.

His vehicle came to a slow stop, just before the front steps. I could almost feel his gaze on me, even from behind the tinted windows. For a moment, I considered stopping-pausing in my tracks, giving him the satisfaction of locking eyes with me as I always did. That unspoken, unreadable exchange that we always had. But no.

I didn't stop.

I kept walking, my steps purposeful, my face forward, determined not to acknowledge him. It was easier this way. Easier to act like he had no hold over me. Easier to pretend like his presence didn't affect me the way it did, twisting everything into something I didn't recognize.

My heart beat faster, but I didn't falter. Let him think he still had power over me. Let him think that his presence still had an effect on my world. Inside, I was trying to shield myself, to push all of the old feelings into a box I could lock away, at least for tonight.

The car continued on, its sleek body gliding past me, and I forced myself not to glance back. I kept walking, my head high, shoulders straight, my movements a carefully constructed façade of indifference.

I didn't hear his door open, didn't hear his steps on the gravel, but I felt him there, just behind me.

I could still feel the weight of his presence as I crossed the threshold into the house, the smell of polished wood and floral perfume filling my senses. This was my refuge, the only place where I could try to find some peace amid the constant pressure of my life. I needed this-needed to get away from it all, if only for a few minutes.

"Good evening, Miss Estelle," Elijah greeted me, his calm, composed voice like a balm to my frayed nerves as he opened the door. His presence was steady and unshakable, a reminder that there were still constants in my life, no matter how complicated things became.

"Evening, Elijah," I replied, offering him a small, tight-lipped smile, grateful for his unspoken understanding. He could always tell when something was wrong. He never asked, but his eyes-those soft, kind eyes-always conveyed a quiet empathy.

"How's everything?" I asked, hoping to push the weight from my shoulders, even if just for a moment.

"Elijah, as usual, everything is in order," he said smoothly, his tone not changing. "Dinner is being prepared, and the house remains in its usual tranquility. Is there anything I can assist you with?"

I hesitated, biting back the words that wanted to spill out. The questions. The confusion. The uncertainty. But I knew Elijah didn't need to be burdened with that. Not now. Not tonight. "No, nothing for now," I replied, my voice quieter than I intended. "I'm just going to freshen up. I'll be downstairs shortly."

"Very well," Elijah nodded, his face the very picture of professionalism and calm. "I'll inform you when dinner is ready." His gaze lingered for a moment, perceptive as always, but he said nothing more. There were some things we didn't need to speak about.

I nodded, turning toward the grand staircase. My feet felt heavy as I climbed the stairs, one step after the other, each one taking me further away from the tension that seemed to grip me whenever Tiberius was near. It was hard to shake that feeling, no matter how hard I tried. He was always lurking, somewhere, in the back of my mind.

As I reached the top of the staircase, I paused by the large windows that framed the sprawling estate below. The sky was darkening, casting the grounds in a soft, dusky glow.

The shape of Tiberius' car still lingered near the front of the house. He hadn't parked far from the entrance, which meant he wasn't here for a long stay. It didn't matter. The fact that he was here at all was enough to send a rush of tension through my veins.

I let out a quiet sigh and turned away from the window. His presence stirred up something deep inside me, a mixture of confusion and frustration. I didn't know why he was here.

Maybe it was another business meeting. Maybe something else entirely. But whatever the reason, it didn't matter. Tiberius had a way of making everything more complicated than it needed to be, and I couldn't keep letting him pull me into his orbit.

I moved toward my room, kicking off my shoes as I entered. My feet ached, the heels I'd worn all day now a distant memory of discomfort. I glanced at my reflection in the vanity mirror. My eyes were tired, the weariness of the day etched in the lines of my face. My hair was slightly tousled from the wind, and my expression, though soft, held a hardness I hadn't noticed before.

What was I becoming? Was this really the life I wanted?

Tiberius had managed to complicate everything. He wasn't just a part of my world; he was a constant presence, a force that I couldn't seem to shake off no matter how much I wanted to.

I wasn't sure if I hated him or if I still... felt something more. But whatever it was, it was tangled in a mess of contradictions-ruthless yet charming, cruel yet kind, morally gray in a way that kept me second-guessing my every reaction.

I peeled off my clothes and stepped into the bathroom, letting the hot water of the shower soothe my sore muscles. The steam enveloped me, clouding my thoughts for just a moment. It was only when I stood there, letting the heat sink into my skin, that I realized I couldn't escape the thoughts of him. He lingered, just beneath the surface, and I had no idea how to push him away.

Minutes later, I stepped out of the shower and got dressed. I slipped into a simple dress-nothing extravagant, but it was enough to remind me that I still had control over something, even if it was just my appearance. I ran a brush through my damp hair, the motion soothing, and then headed back downstairs.

As I descended the stairs, a familiar voice rang out from below.

"Dinner is serving soon," Tiberius said, his voice carrying up to me just as I reached the fourth step.

I froze, not turning to look at him. He was standing near the base of the staircase, his figure tall and imposing, though not without a certain ease. I could feel his gaze on me, even if I wasn't looking at him.

"I'll be eating in my room," I said, my voice colder than I intended as I continued my descent. I didn't wait for a response as I made my way back up the stairs. He could stay downstairs, and I could stay as far away from him as possible. The tension between us was too much to bear right now.

There was no point in pretending we didn't both feel it. I had better things to worry like my charity ball tomorrow night.