Elic consoled her. The next day, he said, "Pack your luggage. As I promised your grandfather, you are my responsibility. From now on, you will live with me under one roof."
Deni hesitated. "I don't want to be a burden on you, sir. You are my boss, and it's already a great favor that you didn't fire me. I truly appreciate your care and support—it means a lot to me. But I can manage on my own, so please don't worry about me."
Elic sighed. "Listen, Deni. Your grandfather knew what was best for you. He has seen this world far more than you have, and there must be a strong reason why he entrusted me with your responsibility. You know well that a girl can't live alone in this cruel world. Yes, there are many good people, but there are also bad ones, and you can't always recognize them at first glance. By the time you do, it might be too late, and you could end up hurt. You need to protect yourself first. I promise you, I will not harm you. I gave my word to your grandfather, and I never break my promises. As long as I am alive, I will protect you. And to do that, you need to stay where I can keep an eye on you. Do you understand now?"
Deni silently nodded and went to her room to pack.
Elic waited outside, pacing back and forth. As he glanced around, he noticed how empty the house was—there was no furniture except for a single bed that had belonged to Deni's grandfather. There was no proper kitchen, just an old stove in the corner of the room.
Curious, he stepped into Deni's room and was stunned. The space was so small that two people could barely stand in it. There was no bed, no furniture at all. Deni was kneeling on the floor, closing a small, worn-out bag.
Elic frowned. "Is that all the luggage you're taking?"
Deni nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Let's go."
---
When they arrived at Elic's home, Deni was visibly nervous. She kept her gaze lowered, silently following his steps. Her mind was filled with thoughts of her grandfather. Her eyes remained wet with unshed tears.
Elic broke the silence. "Which room do you like?"
Deni didn't answer.
Elic turned to her. "Deni, are you okay?"
She quickly wiped her tears. "Yes, sir. I'm fine."
"Then choose a room. These three are right in front of mine. If you need anything—if you want to talk—you can come to my room anytime. There aren't many servants here, just one old man who takes care of the house. I trust him, which is why there are no others. Come here, this room is the best among them—you should take it."
Deni hesitated as she stepped inside. The room was massive, with an entire wall made of glass, offering a full view of the lawn outside. Golden curtains covered part of the glass, and the furniture—a bed, a sofa set—was a luxurious blend of gold and deep purple. She had never seen a room like this before. Though she had briefly visited this house two days ago, she hadn't paid attention then. The walls were adorned with paintings—some abstract, some so lifelike they could be mistaken for real scenes.
Deni whispered, "This room is too big. I can't stay here."
Elic crossed his arms. "What kind of room do you want, then?"
"I can stay in the servant's quarters."
Elic raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh, so you want to take that old man's house? How generous of you, Deni."
His words carried a hint of sarcasm. Then, in a firm voice, he continued, "I am your boss, and from now on, I am also your guardian. You have to obey my orders. My order is that you will stay in this room—whether you like it or not. Unpack your things, rest for a while, and then we'll meet in the dining room for dinner."
Deni wanted to say something but stopped herself.
Elic noticed. "Say it. What's on your mind?"
She shook her head. "Nothing, sir."
Elic sighed. "Deni, listen. You are my responsibility now. You have no one else to talk to or rely on. Like it or not, I'm the only person who can look out for you. And, to be honest, I have spoken more to you in these past two days than I have with anyone else in years. That's strange for me, too. But I suppose we're in the same situation now. So, if there's something on your mind, you can share it."
Deni hesitated before finally speaking. "Sir, it's dark outside, and this place is unfamiliar to me. If you leave me alone here, I will be afraid. I also have… a psychological issue. When I'm in the dark, I struggle to breathe. I used to sleep on the floor in my grandfather's room. That way, I could take care of him and also feel safe."
Elic ran a hand through his hair. "Deni, you need to grow up. You're not a child anymore. Come, sit down."
Tears welled up in Deni's eyes, and she started crying.
Elic softened his tone. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. But, Deni, your grandfather is no longer here. He is with you in your heart, in your memories. And tell me—how can I keep you company? You know we can't share a room, and you are mature enough to understand why. Stop crying, Deni. If you have a solution, tell me."
Deni looked up, struggling to find words.
To be continued…