The car came to a stop in the circular driveway of the guest house. Kamsi gazed out at the sprawling colonial-style estate, its grandeur muted by the silver glow of the moonlight. Tall windows framed with ivy, antique wooden beams, and the faint creak of the wind through the shutters gave the house an air of elegance and history. But none of that could distract her from the storm brewing in her head.
"Hey." Alexander's calm voice pulled her from her thoughts. He had stepped out of the car and now stood by her door, leaning slightly. His dark hair was tousled from the drive, and his piercing eyes held the kind of ease she envied. "You coming? Or do you need a minute?"
"I'm fine," she mumbled, though the jitter in her voice betrayed her. She stepped out, her legs feeling unsteady after hours on the road.
Alexander's butler, Charles, opened the grand oak doors. He was tall and composed, his silver hair neatly combed, his sharp suit impeccable despite the late hour. His expression, however, faltered slightly when he saw Kamsi step out of the car behind Alexander.
"Sir Alexander," Charles greeted with a slight bow before his eyes darted to Kamsi. "And… your guest?"
"Her name's Kamsi. She'll be staying here tonight," Alexander said casually, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Kamsi shifted uncomfortably, feeling the butler's polite but curious gaze linger. Charles's lips twitched, almost betraying a smile, but he quickly masked it with his usual professionalism. "I see. Very well, sir. It's just… surprising."
Alexander chuckled, patting the butler on the shoulder. "Life's full of surprises, Charles."
Charles stepped aside, gesturing them in. "Welcome to the guest house, Miss Kamsi. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
As they entered, the warmth of the house enveloped her. The wooden floors gleamed under the soft chandelier light, and the scent of aged books and fresh linen filled the air. Kamsi glanced around, momentarily distracted by the sheer beauty of the place, but her nerves quickly returned.
Charles excused himself, leaving Alexander to guide her up the grand staircase. The wooden railing was smooth under her fingers as they ascended. "Your room is here," Alexander said, pushing open a door to reveal a cozy yet elegant bedroom. The queen-sized bed with its plush comforter and the wide window overlooking the fields made it feel like a dream.
"Mine's next door," he added, leaning casually against the doorframe. "If you need anything, just knock."
Kamsi's lips twitched into a small smile. "Thanks, Alex."
He noticed the slight tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers grazed the edge of the bed nervously. "Hey," he said, his voice softer now. "Don't worry. We're going to find her."
"It's not that," she sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed. "It's my mom. She's going to freak if she finds out I'm not home tonight."
Alexander smirked, his teasing tone returning. "Well, if she kicks you out, you can have a permanent room here."
Kamsi glared at him, though the corner of her mouth twitched. "I don't want! Thank you," she said with mock indignation, grabbing a pillow from the bed and chucking it at him.
Alexander laughed, catching the pillow mid-air. "Alright, alright. Get some rest, troublemaker."
She slammed the door playfully behind him as he left, his soft chuckles echoing down the hallway.
---
Meanwhile, in his room, Alexander leaned against the desk, his phone pressed to his ear. "Mr. Maverick, I need you to locate someone for me. Her name's Sophia Eaton. Last known location: somewhere near Middleburg, Virginia." His voice was calm but firm. "Yes, I'll send you the details. I want results quickly."
He hung up, glancing toward the door connecting their rooms. A small smile played on his lips. She'll be fine . We'll figure this out.
Kamsi awoke to the faint hum of activity downstairs and the enticing aroma of something delicious. She blinked against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, a yawn escaping her lips as she stretched. Was that... Cooking?
Curious and a little groggy, she shuffled to the bathroom to freshen up. The cold splash of water jolted her awake, and by the time she made her way down the grand staircase, the smell had grown stronger, richer. It was warm and inviting, like the kind of breakfast she only saw in movies.
She paused at the entrance to the kitchen, her eyes widening in disbelief. There stood Alexander, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly tousled, and entirely focused on flipping something on the stove.
"Oh my God," she blurted, unable to stop the words from spilling out. "I never knew you could cook!"
Alexander glanced over his shoulder, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Good morning to you too, sleepyhead," he teased. "And yeah, I guess I'm full of surprises."
Kamsi leaned against the doorway, her arms folded. "Surprises? That's an understatement. What's next? You're secretly a Michelin-star chef?"
"Don't push it," Alexander replied with a chuckle, turning back to his task.
She moved closer, drawn by both the smell and the rare sight of Alexander in such a domestic setting. His movements were precise yet casual, the kind of effortless grace that only added to his mystique.
Kamsi pulled out a chair and plopped down at the kitchen island, resting her chin on her palm as she watched him. "Morning, Chef," she quipped, a playful glint in her eyes.
Alexander smirked, grabbing a plate and carefully arranging a few items on it. "Not just any breakfast, mind you. This is an Alexander special." He slid the plate in front of her with a flourish.
Kamsi eyed the dish: fluffy scrambled eggs, golden toast with a light sheen of butter, crispy bacon, and a small bowl of fresh fruit on the side. Simple, but it looked like something straight out of a café. "Wow," she muttered, picking up her fork. "This looks amazing."
She took a bite, her eyes widening as the flavors hit her taste buds. "Okay, I take back all my skepticism. This is delicious!"
Alexander leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching her reaction with quiet amusement. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Kamsi nodded enthusiastically, already halfway through her plate. "You should. I didn't know you had this side to you."
For a moment, the room was filled with the soft clinks of her fork against the plate. Alexander's gaze lingered on her, a faint smile playing on his lips. He seemed unusually relaxed, as if the act of cooking had stripped away some of his usual guardedness.
Then, he broke the silence. "Good news, Kamsi."
Her fork paused mid-air as she looked up at him, one brow raised. "Hmm?"
Alexander's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "I found her. Sophia Eton."
Kamsi froze, her heart skipping a beat. "You…what?"
He nodded, his eyes steady on hers. "I had a detective look into it last night. He just got back to me this morning. We know where she is."
Kamsi's breath caught as a wave of relief and disbelief washed over her. Her mind raced, the weight of their search lifting slightly. "You're serious?" she whispered.
Alexander pushed off the counter and walked toward her, his calm demeanor grounding her swirling emotions. "Dead serious," he said, his voice low but resolute.
Kamsi set down her fork, her appetite forgotten as the enormity of his words sank in. She stared up at him, a mixture of gratitude and something she couldn't quite name flickering in her eyes.
"Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alexander tilted his head, a faint smirk returning. "You'll thank me once we actually get her."
She laughed lightly, the tension in her shoulders easing just a fraction. For the first time in days, hope didn't feel so far away.