The sun had set, casting a golden glow over the manor before surrendering to twilight's embrace. Now, as midnight approached, silence filled the empty hallways. I hovered near the grand staircase, my heart—or whatever ethereal equivalent I had—fluttering with anticipation. After years of solitude, this night felt different. A new guest had entered my domain.
I leaned closer to the entrance, peering through the heavy door as it creaked open. There he was—a tall, striking figure stepping inside, his tousled hair catching the dim light. He looked cool and confident, clad in a casual t-shirt and jeans that clung just right, giving him an effortless charm. Quite handsome, I must say.
"Finally," I whispered, excitement bubbling inside me. "A living person to share this manor with!"
He took a moment to breathe in the air thick with wood and dust, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "Well, this is… something," he murmured, his voice low and a tad sarcastic. I couldn't help but giggle softly; his humor was delightful.
As he explored, I pondered how best to introduce myself. Should I go for something classic? A sudden flicker of the lights, perhaps? Or maybe materialize right in front of him, letting out a ghostly "Boo"? But what if he screamed? I didn't want to scare away my new roommate before we even got started.
He moved through the house with a casual grace, admiring the peeling wallpaper and the dust-covered furniture. "This place definitely has character," he muttered, glancing around. I loved that about him—his ability to see beauty where others might see decay.
What a sight he was! The thought made me giggle again, a sound that echoed in the silence of the room. "I could get used to this," I mused, hovering closer to him.
My mind drifted back to the morning's events, replaying them like a favorite song. The way he had stepped inside, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, and the playful banter that had flowed so easily between us. I'd spent the entire day watching him settle into the manor, his movements graceful and relaxed as he explored the dusty corners of my home.
Why was I playing hide-and-seek since morning? I chuckled to myself. Because it was fun, that's why! Watching him had been a delight, but now it was time to make my presence known.
The night wore on, and as the clock struck midnight, I floated back to the bedroom, curiosity tugging at me. He lay sprawled on the bed, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. His tousled hair framed his face, and I couldn't help but admire his features—his strong jawline, the slight smirk lingering on his lips even in sleep.
He stirred slightly, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was dreaming about. Was it adventures, or perhaps… me? I couldn't deny that I was intrigued by him. His charm, his humor—it was all refreshing.
I felt a surge of determination. This was my chance to introduce myself, to break free from the solitude I had known for so long.
But just as I settled near him, his brow furrowed, and he stirred. His lashes fluttered, and he groaned softly, caught in that fragile space between sleep and wakefulness. His eyes cracked open, blinking once, twice, as if trying to chase away the remnants of a dream.
With a flicker of energy, I allowed my form to shimmer into visibility. Leo's eyes fluttered open, and he blinked in disbelief. "Am I dreaming?" he whispered, his gaze sweeping over me, taking in the glowing outline of my ghostly form. "No way… a ghost? And a beautiful one at that!"
I opened my eyes, barely able to distinguish dream from reality. At first, I thought she was just another vision lingering from my sleep, but no—she was real. Right in front of me stood the most mesmerizing figure I'd ever seen, bathed in a soft, silvery glow that seemed to radiate from within her.
I couldn't look away. Her hair flowed like dark silk, framing a face so striking it felt sculpted by moonlight itself. Those eyes—deep, luminous, endless as the night sky—held a glimmer of mystery, and there was a hint of a smile playing on her lips, something playful, almost mischievous, that sent a rush of warmth through me. Her figure was delicate yet captivating, wrapped in a dress that clung to her like mist, swirling around her in a way that felt... heavenly.
Everything about her was otherworldly, an elegance that seemed both untouchable and incredibly near. As I lay there, half-dazed, I could hardly breathe, my mind racing with disbelief and wonder. She was beautiful, ethereal... almost divine—and that cheeky smile made it clear she knew exactly what effect she was having on me.
A slow, awestruck expression crossed his face. His eyes roamed over me, tracing the outline of my form with a look of disbelief and admiration. I could see it in his gaze—the way he looked at me. In that moment, I felt more alive than I had in years.
"Am I… still dreaming?" he murmured, his voice barely a whisper as his gaze remained fixed, lingering on my face, my curves, and the faint glow that lit the room with a surreal, heavenly light.
A playful smile tugged at my lips as I leaned a little closer, my voice gentle and warm. "You're not dreaming," I whispered, my tone carrying just a hint of amusement. "I'm Selene. Welcome to my territory."
He took a moment, his expression shifting as he processed my words. He blinked again, and a faint, mischievous grin began to spread across his face. "Well… that's new," he said, recovering his composure with a slight chuckle. "I'm Leo—Leo Maxwell." He paused, then flashed me a grin, his gaze steady and playful. "And just so you know, I bought this manor, Miss. So if anything, you're the trespasser now."
I arched an eyebrow, folding my arms as I floated a bit closer. "Trespasser, you say?" I echoed, my tone laced with playful defiance. "You might want to reconsider that, Mr. Maxwell. I've been here far longer than you."
He laughed softly, his expression both amused and charmed. "Fair enough," he said, his voice warm.
"Ghost or angel? Because I've never seen a beauty like you before!" He grinned, his eyes sparkling with both mischief and wonder. "I must've stumbled into heaven by accident."
I couldn't help but laugh, the sound echoing through the room like tinkling chimes. "Flattery will get you nowhere, but keep going!" I teased, feeling the lightness of his presence lift the air around us.
"Seriously, this is wild. You could scare anyone else out of their mind, but I'm feeling kind of… lucky right now," he said, leaning back against his pillow. "What were you doing, playing hide-and-seek since morning? Or were you just amazed by my handsomeness?"
A playful grin spread across my face. "A little of both, actually! It's quite fun to watch you, you know. What kind of ghost would I be if I didn't take some time to enjoy the show?" My ghostly heart fluttered at the thought, a sensation so foreign yet exhilarating.
I tilted my head, studying him with curiosity. Leo Maxwell—a name that felt both fresh and exciting in my otherwise endless nights. "So, Leo… What brings you to my manor?" I asked, letting my words linger in the air.
He smirked, shrugging casually, clearly unfazed by the whole 'talking-to-a-ghost' scenario. "Well, let's just say I was looking for something out of the ordinary. A little adventure, maybe." His gaze softened as he looked around the room, then back at me, his eyes still bright with wonder. "And I think I've found it."
I couldn't help but smile back, warmth blooming within me at his words. No one had ever stepped into this house with such ease, such curiosity. Most people either ran or screamed—but Leo was different. He looked at me not as something strange or frightening, but as someone he was genuinely interested in.
"Well, you're certainly in for an adventure then, Leo Maxwell," I replied with a playful glint in my eyes. "This manor holds many secrets… and so do I."
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Is that so? Well, Selene, I'd say I'm up for a challenge." He leaned back, his gaze never leaving mine, as if daring me to reveal more. "What's your story?"
A question I hadn't been asked in years. I hesitated, memories flickering through my mind. There was so much to tell—my past, my solitude, the years spent watching the world change from within these walls. But sharing it all felt daunting, even exhilarating.
"Well… that's something you'll have to earn," I replied, keeping my tone light but laced with mystery. "Maybe, if you stay around long enough, you'll get to know."
His smile widened. "Challenge accepted."
As the night wore on, we talked. About his life outside, the strange allure that had drawn him to my manor, and the mysteries of the world beyond. And though he didn't know it, he was already rekindling something inside me, a spark I'd thought lost long ago.