My Words Are Law

The Sinister Sundew (3)

The door opened, and a bright, spacious living room greeted her. White walls and floor-to-ceiling glass windows showcased the modern theme of the unit. Beyond the glass enclosure of the living room, she could see a big pool. The waters created caustic reflections on the soffit of an extended cantilever supported by the beam.

She looked at it for a while, admiring the way the reflected light from the pool water slithered on the wooden texture before recalling that she should be looking for the tenant of the unit. Her eyes first focused on the living room. Aside from the stacks of paper on the table and floor, everything was neat and tidy.

It looked like this was where he'd been working, but he was nowhere to be found at the moment.

She hesitated to move from the first step she'd taken after the door closed behind her. It felt like she was intruding on enemy territory. It's nerve-wracking. She doesn't want to go anywhere without Chryses inviting her further in case those documents are classified. What if he were to suddenly accuse her of tampering with them? Or worse. Stealing.

She doesn't want to get in trouble, especially not in Chryses Taylor's home.

She looked around, peeking at the adjacent kitchen and dining room which were all in pristine condition before sweeping her gaze at the empty hallway to her left. Is this really his home..?

"H-Hello?" she managed to croak out.

There was no answer.

She stepped back, feeling wary of the quiet environment. Maybe it was better to go out and wait for him to open the door for her. She turned back and was just about to grab the handle when she heard a voice.

"I'm sorry. I was in the bath, so I couldn't greet you immediately."

She flinched, her hand quickly jumping to her chest in an attempt to ease the small shock that almost sent her to the ER.

"It's okay!" She searched for the source of the voice until a tall black figure came out from behind the kitchen in her peripheral view.

She shifted her eyes in that direction and spoke again. "I just thought-" The rest of her words choked her, making her cough as she shrank back at the sight of Chryses, only clad in a thin black robe.

But why..?

The piece of cloth wasn't even properly fixed to cover his chest and abdomen, revealing the water that was still dripping on the hard planes of his toned body.

"You- That-!" Her eyes shook as she interchangeably looked at his face and his scandalous outfit. How very...-

Madly... Inappropriate of him!

"That's totally okay! I'd better go out for now until you're dressed properly!" She turned her flushed face in embarrassment before mechanically marching out of the unit in a flash.

"You-" Chryses seemed to say something, but she had already stormed off. "..."

His usually serene face rippled as he stared at the door. "How very unpleasant..."

It only took a small while until the door opened, and Chryses, who was now clothed in a comfortable grey sweater and lounge white pants, ushered her inside with an unreadable smile.

It was neither friendly nor threatening, so she decided it was definitely the former.

"The living room is cluttered, so it's better to use the study. Follow me."

"Oh." She nodded, nervously walking behind him after shooting a longing glance at the pool. She wondered if the study also provided a view of the pool. It would help soothe her nerves for the rest of her stay in this unfamiliar place.

With an evil predator.

Alone.

They passed by the kitchen and walked through a corridor behind it. A few steps walking in revealed an open hallway. The left side consisted of massive framed glasses covered by blinds, encompassing rooms. She turned away from it, more interested in the peaceful pool close to their right. She could feel the heat waves coming from the ground, all perfectly neutralized by the wind.

"We're here." The low baritone voice startled her, and she quickly came to a halt. She retrieved her gaze away from the calming view to look in front, only to stumble backwards at the unexpected close proximity between them. She felt flustered and took another step back when she raised her head and found Chryses staring at her.

"Sorry 'bout that. I wasn't paying attention... I almost bumped into you."

"I don't mind. Anyway, come on in," he muttered flippantly before opening the door.

"Oh." She frowned at his response, not making any move. She wanted him to go in first, but it seemed like he was thinking of the exact opposite as he held the door for her with a patient smile. She turned her wary gaze inside the room, away from his masked expression. Amaryllis was expecting a dark, cold space, but it looked unexpectedly cozy. The light-colored wooden bookshelves. The earth-colored rug and even the furniture were complementary. Unexpectedly, the walls weren't plain white, unlike the living room. It looked like it was from a completely different unit.

She glanced back at Chryses as if to ensure he was still there and that the room was real. "Th-then... I'll be going in... first." After which, she proceeded to enter awkwardly, letting her eyes wander around before looking at the view outside the window.

The cityscape was beautiful, catching her in a daze until she finally noticed the massive desk just a few steps away from the lounge furniture. The desk was impressive, but the one behind it immediately caught her attention. The geometric shelf, showcasing different trophies and expensive ceramics with various accessories that reached towards the ceiling, revealed another room behind it through the open-back design.

She slowly rotated her neck until her eyes reached the end of the shelf, to the big opening that framed the view of a... What seems to be –a bed.

A king-sized bed.

The soft clicking of the door made her jump in surprise, and she remained frozen for a while until Chryses' silky voice broke the heavy silence.

"Shall we start?"

Slowly, she turned to face him, unaware of the look of betrayal on her face. This amused Chryses as he tilted his head towards the view she had just discovered.

"Did I forget to mention it was connected to my bedroom?"

Her mind reeled back at his words. Forget..? She could almost hear her brain laughing at her in mockery. Of course, he conveniently forgot!

Her lips twitched as she tried to give him an unbothered smile. "Well... It doesn't matter." They were here to do a project, and it just so happened that it's connected to his bedroom. There's definitely no hidden agenda there!

So she says, but she couldn't help but doubt that logic as the seconds passed. Aunt Rosa's warnings were starting to knock her head to kingdom come.

You must never enter a man's room. Even if he said it was just for a little while. It's a lie. No matter how harmless his reasons are, you must remember that it never is. No man wants a woman to enter his territory casually.

It was great advice, but what if she was tricked into going inside? She glanced at the closed door, not noticing how tight her fingers were clasped around the straps of her bag.

~~~

Aunt Rosa: What if you were tricked?

Author: I'm curious, as well...

Aunt Rosa: Then just go out.

Amaryllis: ...

Author: ...

Auny Rosa: And if he tricks you again despite already being careful, then you're in a lot of trouble... A whole lot...

Author: ...Should we run for the hills, then?

***

A/N: Tips for self-preservation: Never enter a man's room. Period. (Unless the feeling is mutual.😂)

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