The Cursed Proposal

Chapter 10: Under The Protection of Wisteria

The piercing sound of an alarm dragged Kaya from her sleep. Groggy and disoriented, she fumbled with her hand, searching for her phone on the nightstand. Instead, her fingers brushed against a cool, unfamiliar surface—an ornate clock. Confusion flooded her senses as she bolted upright, her vision swimming, her head pounding from the sudden movement. This wasn't her room. The bed was too soft, the sheets too luxurious, and the air too still. Panic bubbled up, but she forced herself to breathe, scanning the elegant surroundings as her heart raced.

"Are you alright, my lady?" The voice was gentle, yet it startled her. Kaya blinked rapidly, her vision slowly stabilizing from a blur that felt like the aftermath of an earthquake. Standing before her was an older man in a perfectly pressed tuxedo, his brow furrowed with genuine concern. His presence was both comforting and bewildering—like she had stepped into a scene from a movie.

"Yeah, I'm fine sir. Where am I?" Kaya asked thinking she must be dreaming. The bedroom she was sleeping in was way too beautiful to be a reality. Kaya's eyes roamed the room, taking in the opulence that surrounded her. The bed beneath her was unlike anything she'd ever slept on—firm yet yielding, wrapped in sheets so soft they felt like silk against her skin. She ran her fingers over them, half-expecting them to vanish like a dream. To her right, a pair of grand bookshelves stretched towards the ceiling, filled with leather-bound volumes that looked too perfect to be real. A plush armchair and a standing lamp added a touch of quiet elegance. On her left, tall French windows framed by sheer, billowing curtains let in a gentle breeze that whispered through the room. Every detail was a testament to wealth and taste—subtle, yet undeniably luxurious.

"You are in the Blackwood mansion, my lady. Do you remember what happened yesterday?" the old man asked, handing her a glass of water. Kaya accepted it, her mind reaching back to piece together the fragmented memories. As the scenes replayed in her mind, her tears began to fall, each drop reflecting the overwhelming emotions tied to her last memory of meeting Sebastian at the supermarket.

Fear etched itself on her face, her lips trembling as though she were cold, though the room was comfortably warm. She wasn't afraid of the reporters per se, but the feeling of being surrounded—like a lone deer facing down a pack of wolves—clung to her. The old man, noticing her distress, quickly offered her a tissue and took the empty glass from her hand.

"Thank you, I'm sorry. I don't know why my tears won't stop," Kaya said, her voice thick as she tried to stifle the sobs.

"There's no need to apologize, my lady. You are safe here," the old man assured her, his voice warm and soothing like a lullaby. He offered her a reassuring smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, radiating a quiet kindness. "My master will see to it that you are always protected under this roof. My name is Penn, my lady. Arthur Penn."

"I'm Kaya," she replied, her voice catching as tears welled up. "Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Penn."

Mr. Penn nodded, then helped Kaya to her feet and offered her a pair of indoor slippers. She walked to the large French windows nearby, where a gentle breeze carried a sweet, captivating fragrance. Kaya breathed deeply, her eyes closing as she savored the scent.

"That's the gardenias, jasmine, and wisteria you're smelling, my lady," Mr. Penn said with a soft smile. He gestured toward the garden outside, where clusters of white gardenias contrasted against vibrant green foliage, jasmine vines trailed elegantly along the trellises, and cascades of wisteria hung in soft purple and white.

Kaya leaned closer to the window, enchanted by the sight and scent. "It's beautiful. Do they always bloom like this together?"

Mr. Penn nodded, pride evident in his voice. "Indeed, they do, though it takes a bit of work. My master values the harmony and beauty of a well-kept garden."

He glanced at Kaya, noting her serene expression as she admired the garden. "It's a bit of a metaphor for the mansion itself—everything here is crafted to create a sense of calm and balance. A place where one can feel safe and at peace, surrounded by beauty. That's what my master wanted his future madam to feel when she came to live here."

Kaya offered a slightly awkward smile, uncertain how to respond to Mr. Penn's last comment. Still, her earlier worries were momentarily eased by the gentle sway of the wisteria and the comforting scent of the flowers. After the storm she'd been through, she finally felt like she could breathe; the weight of her fears lifting slightly, carried away by the fragrant breeze.

Mr. Penn later guided Kaya to the dining room and met with the other staff of the mansion. "Everyone, please let me introduce you to our special guest, Ms. Kaya Lane," The old man said.

The staff welcomed Kaya with genuine warmth, their polite greetings and friendly smiles making her feel as if she were at home. Their hospitality uplifted her mood, and she found herself smiling through their cheerful small talk as they prepared breakfast.

Sebastian emerged not long after, looking dashing in a steel blue suit that accentuated his refined taste. The way he casually put his hands in his pockets and grinned had a boyish charm that contrasted with the tailored elegance of his attire. Kaya noticed that his relaxed demeanor seemed to puzzle the staff, who wore perplexed expressions.

After having breakfast together, and advising Kaya to remain in the mansion and assuring her that Mr. Penn would be at her service, Sebastian left Kaya in Mr. Penn's care for the rest of the day.

"So, What should we do today Mr. Penn? I'm on house arrest according to your master order," Kaya said in a playful tone. Mr. Penn chuckled and suggested Kaya to allow him to give a tour around the mansion to ease the boredom of being on house arrest per his master's order.

As Mr. Penn guided her through the mansion, Kaya listened intently to the stories of its history and Sebastian's childhood, captivated by the grandeur and personal anecdotes. The tour concluded, as Kaya settled into the guest room, and Mr. Penn gave her belongings back to her.

After freshening up, Kaya checked her messages and called Emily. Before Kaya could explain anything, Emily's anxious voice filled the line—she had been frantic trying to reach Kaya. Kaya explained the situation and asked if Emily could go to her place and pack a bag of clothes for her, so she'd have something to wear while staying at Sebastian's house.

Kaya then called her mother, Sophia, to give her an update. Though her mom was calmer this time, there was still a hint of anxiety in her voice, especially when she spoke about Sebastian's character. Apparently, Sophia had been digging through old news articles about him.

"Is something the matter?" Mr. Penn asked gently as he noticed Kaya's lifeless expression when she emerged from the guest room. He led her to the kitchen and offered her a seat. A slice of chocolate cake was placed in front of her, and Kaya managed a faint smile as she picked up the fork.

"My parents are a bit worried about everything," Kaya admitted. "My mom thinks Sebastian is a bad man because she found some old news about him. I told her that the reporters exaggerated, but she doesn't believe me."

"And what do you believe, my lady?" Mr. Penn asked, his expression unreadable, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes—curiosity, perhaps. Kaya hesitated, sensing the weight of her words. She knew instinctively that the staff here didn't just work for Sebastian—they stood by him, fiercely loyal, a silent force around him. Saying anything less than what she truly felt might shift the warmth in the room to a chill.

"I believe in what I told my mother," Kaya said quietly, but with conviction. "Sebastian isn't a bad man. He's been hurt, yes, but he carries on, holding everything dear to him with unyielding strength. He's calm and steadfast, and despite everything, he's still capable of protecting others. I admire that about him." As she spoke, Kaya felt the truth of her words settle within her, reinforcing the faith she held in him, no matter the whispers of scandal.

Mr. Penn smiled and gently steered the conversation toward lighter topics, hoping to distract Kaya from her worries. They chatted until Emily arrived, accompanied by her husband—Kaya's former boss, Alexander Carter.

Alex offered a truce, explaining that Sebastian was gathering the five of them to help address the rumors circulating around. Kaya accepted the truce when Mr. Penn announced that Sebastian, Ethan, Liam, and Jackson had arrived.

To be Continued.