Chapter Fifteen:
As soon as Liza left the shooting range, she made her way back to her room, heart still pounding from the intensity of the experience. She had never fired a gun before, and the rush it gave her was in kterrifying . She shut her door, pressing her back against it and taking a deep breath to steady herself.
Sitting down on her bed, she replayed the events in her mind—the photograph, the key, the shooting range. Everything about Theo's world seemed more and more scary . She tried to push it all aside, telling herself she didn't want anything to do with it.
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the sound of footsteps coming down the hall. Suddenly, there was a light knock on her door, followed by the familiar, cool voice that made her heart skip a beat.
"Phoenixia?" Theo's voice softened, his usual edge replaced by something gentler.
Liza's brow furrowed at the nickname, but before she could respond, the door swung open, and Theo stepped inside, holding a small box of chocolates in his hand. His expression softened as he looked at her, taking in the sight of her perched on the bed, still looking unsettled.
"I thought you might appreciate a little treat," he said, offering her the box.
Liza's face lit up in spite of herself, the sight of chocolate making her feel an unexpected flicker of happiness. She'd always loved sweets, but since her arrival here, they had been rare luxuries. She reached out, her fingers brushing against his as she took the box, her heart skipping again at the brief contact.
"Thank you," she murmured, a genuine smile breaking through her guarded expression. For a moment, the tension between them seemed to dissipate, and Liza allowed herself to savor the warmth of the small gesture.
Theo's eyes held a rare softness as he watched her, his gaze lingering as she opened the box and picked up a chocolate, savoring the sweetness. It was a stark contrast to the intense, possessive side of him she had seen before. She almost felt like she was seeing a different side of him, one that cared in a strange, subtle way.
"You didn't come down to greet me," he remarked lightly, his tone playful, though his gaze held a hint of curiosity.
Liza paused, chocolate in hand, and shrugged. "I didn't know I had to," she replied, a hint of a sarcasticness slipping into her tone.
Theo smirked, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You don't have to," he replied, his voice low and steady. "But I want to see you happy here, Phoenixia, even if it takes a while."
She bit her lip, feeling a mixture of emotions. Part of her resented the idea of finding happiness in a place where she felt trapped. Yet another part of her couldn't deny the small comforts he offered, or the way his gaze softened when he looked at her.