"It’s alright..." I stated. "It is quite a mess."

"N-No, really, it’s not much, madam. N-Nothing I can’t handle."

It was sweet of her to speak so lightly about a mess like this, even though she had conceded not too long ago.

"I was um..." I cleared my throat, scratching the top of my head. "...looking for something."

Cynthia nodded slowly, trying to follow my words as I spluttered.

She smiled. "I’ll search as I tidy up. What exactly are you looking for, madam?"

"It’s a—"

A quiet meow pulled my attention.

"Shit!" I cussed, speeding to the bed, and I pulled off the sheets I had messed up during my search.

Coco and Boba were beneath, with big blue eyes looking up at me.

"Aww, my babies! I’m so sorry." I scooped them up in my arms, pressing kisses on their foreheads.

"You have cats!" Cynthia gasped, looking at them in marvel.

"Yes, they are my babies," I replied with a faint smile.

"This is rare. Sir doesn’t allow them!"

I blinked in surprise. "What?"

"It would’ve been more lively if Sir allowed little ones like this to roam the manor. I think he doesn’t like the mess that comes with it. One time, master Luca had a puppy, but the next day it was gone."

As Cynthia ranted on, I couldn’t shake my astonishment.

If Zade doesn’t like them, then why did he allow me to bring my babies? He even had Elliot shop for everything I needed to cater them.

"That’s..." I trailed as confusion painted across my face.

"Sir must really love you. He even allowed the one thing he doesn’t like."

I grimaced.

"May I pet them?"

"O-Of course, they love belly rubs mostly from me."

She came closer, a bit careful as she stroked their fur.

I giggled. "They won’t bite."

"They won’t?"

I shook my head. "No."

I nudged Coco to her. He wasn’t as clingy as Boba, so he was a good test subject.

Cynthia squeaked in excitement as she cradled him in her arms, and Coco purred softly.

"I feel like busting in cottons because of how soft they are!"

A huge grin spread across my face. "Well, they have that kind of effect on people."

"Do they usually let anyone hold them?"

I shook my head as my grin slowly disappeared. They were house cats... kittens when my sister had them. They didn’t have the chance to be loved or cared for by anyone else except me.

"This is nice for a change," I murmured.

~☆~

As I strolled the hallways toward the entrance, I heard a loud rattle. Blinking, I shifted my gaze to my left, then to my right.

Maybe it was just my shoes echoing back to me. This manor was fond of that. I resumed walking, but then it came again, louder and closer.

I turned with force, my chest pulsing with rapid breaths. I squinted my eyes as if trying to make out a detail of something looming on the wall.

Was that a shadow?

THUD!

I jumped, turning to the window, blown shut by the wind. Jesus! I placed my head on my chest.

This fucking haunted house! Why the heck would a ghost roam in daylight?!

I exhaled softly, slightly rubbing my chest where my heart still pounded as I made my way out of the manor.

With a few more breaths, I composed myself, climbing down the stone steps. I caught a dark emerald Rolls-Royce Phantom waiting.

The car door was open for me by the chauffeur, revealing Zade inside. Slowly, he turned his head toward my direction, an unlit cigar tucked lazily between his lips.

Dark aviators rested over his eyes, making him look more unreadable than usual. However, I could feel them dragging over me from head to toe.

I had let my long dark hair down with a ribbon pinned behind. I wore an all-white two-piece outfit.

A fitted corset-style crop top with a sweetheart neckline and lace sleeves, matched with a high-waisted mini skirt that flared gently around my thighs. White satin pointed heels and a handbag.

My breath shuddered as Zade lingered for a while. This was the first time we had seen each other since that disaster in his room. I could still feel my hand pulse from gripping that snake’s reproductive system.

"Ahem!" I broke whatever the heck was causing the paused time. "Are you seriously gonna stoop to dirty tricks just to get me out?"

"It works. So I’m fine with it."

I sighed. "Where are we going?"

"Get in."

That authority of his made my skin crawl, so I crossed my arms, not moving an inch. I’m not having a repeat of two nights ago; I need to know what I’m getting myself into.

"You haven’t answered my question," I bit back.

"Get in the car, Anastasia."

My pulse raced at his low tone layered with a dark edge. And when he looked back at me, I could feel the ice through those shades.

I clutched my handbag tightly, stalling, but the more I did, the more I could eerily feel his palm striking my bottom until I broke down in tears.

That jump-started me to get into the car, pondering what the heck just happened. Did I just feel threatened by a fucking spank? Not a gun but a spank?

What’s the matter with me?

"Good girl."

I shot my eyes back to him in surprise, but it seemed as if I had heard things because Zade acted as if he hadn’t said those crude words.

I swallowed thickly, facing ahead as the car got moving. A suffocating silence shrouded the space around us, and he wasn’t even smoking.

I grasped my handbag tighter, using it as a medium to stay grounded, but somehow it got harder to breathe.

My insides screamed at me as I sneaked a peek at Zade, his full concentration on his phone as he scrolled through.

I could almost see his eyes from his angle. A foul feeling settled over me at the thought of wanting to see these gemstones again.

T-There was no reason for it, I’m just a fan of sparkling things.

That’s all.