Just as she was starting to enjoy the warm welcome, she heard a faint noise behind her. She turned to see Mark standing in the doorway, a hesitant smile on his face.
Their eyes locking on, and for a moment, time stood still. Diana's heart skipped a beat as she searched for answers in Mark's gaze.
Charles, oblivious to the tension, boomed out, "And here's Mr Mark! Pls Mr Mark, join the party!"
Mark's smile faltered for a moment before he stepped forward, his eyes never leaving Diana's face. "Hey, everyone. Sorry I'm late."
Diana's cheeks flushed as Mark approached her, his presence sending shivers down her spine. She couldn't read his expression, but his eyes seemed to hold a mixture of emotions - guilt, concern, and something else she couldn't quite define.
As Mark reached her side, he whispered, "Welcome home, Diana. I'm glad you're back." He was so excited but hiding it inside him.
Diana's voice barely above a whisper, she replied, "Thanks, Mark. I'm glad to be back."
The party continued, but Diana's attention was fixed on Mark, trying to decipher the enigma that was his expression. She knew she had to confront him, to demand answers, but for now, she just smiled and played along, all the while her mind racing with questions.
Just as Diana was starting to enjoy the warm welcome, she heard a faint noise behind her. She turned to see Mark standing in the doorway, a hesitant smile on his face.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, time stood still. Diana's heart skipped a beat as she searched for answers in Mark's gaze.
Charles, oblivious to the tension, boomed out, "And here's Mr Mark! please join the party!"
Mark's smile faltered for a moment before he stepped forward, his eyes never leaving Diana's face. "Hey, everyone. Sorry I'm late."
Diana's cheeks flushed as Mark approached her, his presence sending shivers down her spine. She couldn't read his expression, but his eyes seemed to hold a mixture of emotions - guilt, concern, and something else she couldn't quite define.
As Mark reached her side, he whispered, "Welcome home, Diana. I'm glad you're back."
Diana's voice barely above a whisper, she replied, "Thanks, Mark. I'm glad to be back."
The party continued, but Diana's attention was fixed on Mark, trying to decipher the enigma that was his expression. She knew she had to confront him, to demand answers, but for now, she just smiled and played along, all the while her mind racing with questions.
As the party wound down, Diana found herself alone with Mark in the grand foyer. The others had retired to their quarters, exhausted from the celebration.
Mark turned to her, his eyes gleaming with warmth. "Diana, I'm so glad you're back. I've missed you."
Diana's heart skipped a beat as she searched his gaze, hoping to find sincerity. "I've missed you too, Mark."
For a moment, they just looked at each other, the air thick with unspoken emotions.
But then, Mark's expression changed. His eyes turned cold, his smile faltering. "I mean, it's good to have you back, Diana. The mansion was... quiet without you."
Diana's heart sank, feeling like she'd been punched in the gut. "Oh," she said, trying to hide her disappointment.
Mark turned away, his voice dripping with indifference. "I should go. I have work to do."
Diana watched him walk away, feeling a chill run down her spine. What had just happened? One minute he was warm and caring, the next he was cold and distant.
She shook her head, trying to clear the confusion. Maybe she had just imagined the whole thing. Maybe Mark had never really cared for her at all.
But deep down, Diana knew what she saw. She saw the real Mark, the one he tried to hide. And she was determined to find out why he was pretending to be someone he's not.
Mark turned to face her, his expression cold and detached. "Now that you're recovering, Diana, it's time for you to return to your duties."
Diana's eyes narrowed, feeling a surge of anger. "My duties?"
Mark's voice was firm. "Yes, your duties as a cleaner. You're not needed elsewhere in the mansion. Your place is among the staff."
Diana's heart sank, feeling like she'd been slapped. "So, that's all I am to you? A cleaner?"
Mark's expression didn't change. "You're a valued member of the staff, Diana. Don't forget your place."
Diana's anger boiled over, but she bit back her retort. She knew she had to play along, for now.
"When do you expect me to return to work?" she asked, her voice tight.
Mark's eyes flicked over her. "When the doctor clears you, of course. You're not to exert yourself until then."
Diana nodded, feeling a sense of determination. She would play along, but she would not be silenced. She would uncover the truth, no matter what.
Diana's mind raced as she walked away from Mark, her thoughts swirling with confusion and anger. Why was Mark treating her like this? One moment he was warm and caring, the next he was cold and distant. It didn't make sense.
She thought back to their conversations, trying to pinpoint what had changed. Had she done something to upset him? No, she was sure she hadn't.
As she walked, Diana's thoughts turned to her father. Was Mark's behavior somehow connected to him? Was he following orders, or was there something more sinister at play?
Diana's heart ached as she realized that Mark's words had hurt her deeply. She had begun to trust him, to believe that he cared for her. But now, she wondered if it had all been an act.
She stopped in front of a window, staring out at the gardens below. Why was she so drawn to Mark, despite his treatment of her? Was it because she saw something in him that no one else did? Or was it because she was desperate for connection, for love?
Diana's thoughts were a jumble of emotions and questions, but one thing was clear: she couldn't keep living like this, trapped in a web of secrets and lies. She needed answers, and she needed them now.
Diana's thoughts were interrupted by Charles' gentle voice, "Diana, dear, we're going to watch the stars outside. Would you like to join us?"
Diana hesitated for a moment, still lost in her thoughts. But the prospect of escaping the mansion's oppressive atmosphere and clearing her mind under the night sky was too enticing to resist.
She followed Charles to the garden, where the others were already gathered, lying on blankets and gazing up at the stars. The night air was cool and crisp, filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.
As she settled in beside them, Diana felt a sense of peace wash over her. The stars twinkled above, a reminder of the vastness and mystery of the universe.
Charles handed her a pair of binoculars, "Look, Diana, you can see the constellation of Orion."
Diana took the binoculars, focusing on the stars. For a moment, she forgot about Mark's treatment, her father's secrets, and the mysteries of the mansion. All that mattered was the beauty of the night sky.
But as she gazed up at the stars, Diana couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She turned to see Mark standing in the shadows, his eyes fixed on her.