Rose's POV
I finally gave up trying to sleep after hours of struggle. I noticed a machine operating; perhaps it was the washing machine. I jumped awake, startled. It took me a few seconds to realize I was in Adam's place. Since the drapes were closed, I was unable to tell the time. I hurried to grab my phone from the study table where it was charging. It was tweleve in the afternoon. In a panic, I dashed into the living room. I couldn't find anyone, so Adam most likely departed. Plates were placed on the countertop, as I could see. Pancakes, juice, and fresh fruit were prepared along with a letter that said, "Good morning, rest today."
I was unable to contain my smile. I went to my room to get my laptop. I ate breakfast and checked the mail upon getting back. After I was done, I washed and stored the plates. Adam wasn't here today, so taking advantage of this, Why not first explore his home. After entering the first two rooms, I noticed that they were typical guest rooms. I smelled the musty odor permeating the entire room as soon as I walked into the third one. The room was large and furnished in white and black. This was Adam's room. I figured I should start with his drawers. I searched his desk and drawers, but I was unable to find anything significant. I made my way over to his enormous walk-in closet, which held everything and more a man could ever need.
There were collections of clothing, shoes, and watches for all kinds of activities. A tiny drawer was situated in the room's corner. Upon opening it, I discovered a tiny black safe inside that had numbers attached to it. I felt a string of lightning contact my finger as soon as my fingertips touched the keypad. I heard the front door being opened. I ran towards the door in a panic. In no time, I was in the hallway. I gathered myself and made my way over to the living area. I noticed a blonde woman seated on the couch with her back to me. "Pardon me," I said. "Oh, you are here; prepare me coffee with no sugar ," she said.
"Excuse me. Do it yourself," I replied. "Unbelievable, are you the new house help?" the blonde woman asked. "Sorry for your disappointment. I am the temporary house guest," I scoffed, ready to go back to my room. She must be whom Adam is doing these days. " Houseguest! I wasn't informed about this, she yelled. She looked into her phone, calling someone. I took this an opportunity to excuse myself from this drama.
It was evening when I got up from my short nap. I heard commotion outside. I freshened up and went to see. I saw Adam standing and talking to the blonde woman. He was explaining something to her from where I saw; he was gesturing from his hands.
To let them know I was here, I gave a little cough. "Hi there, Princess? This is my friend Kathy." Adam responded, pointing with his palms at the blonde. "Friend my foot, I'm engaged to Adam," she gloated. I wasn't anticipating this. "You were to be married soon? I had no idea." Glancing at Adam, I inquired. He clarified, "I'm not; she's simply a friend, not my fiance. "Alright, how about coffee? I said, "I'm making some for myself."
Kathy answered, "No, thank you. We have dinner plans today," and walked out of the front door. Giving me a quick glance, Adam followed the blonde out of sight. I spent some time sitting on the couch before Amanda came to make me dinner. I had fish and chips that she barbecued. I devoured it in no time. After folding the earlier wash, amanda left.
I took this as a chance to check the room that was left earlier. When I went to open it, it was locked with a passcode. I stood there for some time trying to figure out what could be inside. Nothing came to my mind. I left frustated to my room. I had nothing to do. I locked my door and sat on the bed. My father's soul pendant was embedded under the skin of my right forearm. I recite my ancient spell to make it visible and out on my palm. It was round, shining bright with a hue of red at the rim. I have tried to awaken my powers with the help of it, but it was a futile attempt. I need the ancient encryption, which contains the method to do so. If I ask Adam, he will know I am up to something. May be he has the book. I heard a knock on my bedroom door. I panicked , putting the soul pendant back from where I retrieved it. I calmed myself and went to open the door. It was Adam"Were you practicing spells?" he asked. "How do you know that? I questioned. "I can feel the energy in the whole house; that's why I came to check up on you," he said. I smiled without responding. "Ok, good night then; we will talk tomorrow." He left, closing the door behind him.
He could have caught me; I have to be more vigilant from now on. I heard some women talking outside my door. I went to my door to eavesdrop, but suddenly everything went silent. I heard retrieving footsteps. I thought to go check on it but withheld myself. Why poke my nose somewhere I am not needed? Considering the house rules, it was not appropriate. Ignoring the chitter chatter outside, which lasted till midnight, I finally gave up and slept.
I heard a loud bang and jolted up from my sleep abruptly. I checked the time on my phone; it was three in the morning. I got up to check what was happening. As I was in the hallway passing by the other guest rooms, it was destroyed to pieces; from the bed to the furnishing everything was wrecked.
The coffee table made of glass was completely shattered. Since I was barefoot, I attempted to cross the corridor from the opposite direction. However, a single glass fragment entered my foot, causing me to scream. I took a seat on the ground, contemplating my decision to check.
I heard footsteps approaching me. "Are you alright?" Adam asked, coming near me to inspect. He touched my wound to take the glass out, and the next second he was at the end of the hallway. I looked at him skeptically. "I will get the first aid",he said and left rather abruptly. It was some time before he returned.
He assisted me in dressing my injuries. And the bleeding stopped. He helped me up,but the pain was too intense; I had fallen back.
He offered his hands this time, and when I looked at him, his eyes were crimson red; they were deep and captivating. "May I?" asked Adam. And I just nodded for him to go ahead. He picked me up in his arms.His muscles were palpable beneath my thigh. My body was startled into wakefulness as soon as I felt his sideways touch. I couldn't take my eyes off of him; his jaw was as sharp as a razor, which, my god, made him flawless.
There were creases on his forehead and small lines on his lips. I accidentally touched his forehead to make the worry go since I felt the strong need to ease it. He was astonished by this, but his grip on me became firmer. His glance was inquiring as he gazed at me. Without responding, I cast a glance down. He carried me to my room and placed me on my bed. He left and returned a little later with a glass of water as I began to get relaxed. He now had a more composed and poised demeanor. "What caused the disturbance earlier?" I enquired. "Not too serious; let's just say Kathy wasn't thrilled with our living situation." "So she's your fiancée then?" Grinning, I asked him.
"No, she likes to think that in spite of me denying her millions of times now," Adam replied. "Okay, we have a stalker then," I questioned. "No, she is a friend. She has been there with me for half a century now." Adam answered. "And what happened to the room?" I asked. "Oh, that she thrashed it to get my attention." Adam said. I didn't inquire further because he was not being very clear for the previously asked questions.
By the time everything calmed down, it was five in the morning. Adam departed not long after our chat. The itching in my forearm, where the soul pendant was, made it impossible for me to sleep, even though I tried. It has never occurred before. To ease the itching, I got up and gave my arm a wash in cold water. I noticed my foot pain was disappeared, the skin looked flawless as new when I took off the bandage to check if the wound had healed. My environment briefly took on a fiery tone as light burst from my forearm in an unexpected flash. But it was gone the next second. Outside, I heard footsteps.