_Chapter 6: The Guardian_
Maya spent the next few days settling into the mansion, trying to make sense of her new reality. Chase was always nearby, watching over her with an intensity that made her feel both safe and uneasy.
One evening, as they sat down to dinner, Maya asked, "Chase, why are you doing this? Why are you protecting me?"
Chase's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with a fierce determination. "Because I owe it to your family, Maya. And to myself. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Maya's heart skipped a beat. What did he mean? What debt could he possibly owe her family?
As the days passed, Maya found herself growing more and more dependent on Chase. He was her guardian, her protector, and her only link to the outside world. She began to realize that she couldn't imagine her life without him.
But as their bond deepened, Maya sensed that Chase was hiding something from her. Something big.
"Chase, what's going on?" she asked one night, as they stood on the mansion's balcony, gazing out at the stars. "What's really going on?"
Chase's expression turned enigmatic, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "All in good time, Maya," he whispered. "All in good time."
And with that, he pulled her close, his lips brushing against hers in a whisper-soft kiss.
_To be continued..._