Lisa flushed a deep shade of red, scrambling to her feet.
Lowering her head shyly, she murmured, "I'm sorry… I must have embarrassed myself."
Since the advent of the apocalypse and the subsequent Ice Age, Lisa hadn't removed her clothes in weeks. The sudden warmth of this haven had disarmed her completely.
"You're not finished," Miles said nonchalantly, reclining on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other. "Take everything off."
The comforting warmth that had lulled Lisa moments ago was instantly replaced by a jarring clarity.
Her current predicament rushed back to her, stark and unforgiving.
This might feel like paradise, but to reside in paradise came at a price.
Though she had mentally wrestled with this reality long before coming here, the act of disrobing in front of a stranger brought a wave of overwhelming internal conflict.
Exposing her most private self to a man she barely knew—this was a humiliation no woman could easily endure.
Unless, of course, survival left her no choice.
Lisa understood one thing clearly: she had no room to negotiate.
If she dared to anger Miles, he wouldn't hesitate to cast her out.
And out there? She would rather face death than the merciless cold again.
Standing stiffly, she squeezed her eyes shut.
Piece by piece, her undergarments fell away—first her top, then her pants, until there was nothing left to shed.
Miles's gaze locked onto the snowy white expanse of her skin, momentarily rendering him motionless.
He coughed lightly, his voice gravelly, "Continue."
Under the soft amber light, the delicate lace of her lingerie traced the curves of her body, teasingly framing the pale contours of her skin.
Lisa bent slightly, her hands trembling as they reached her waist. Slowly, she slid down the last remaining fabric.
The shy, hidden valley was like a blushing secret, unwilling to fully reveal itself.
When it was over, Lisa carefully set her clothes aside, ensuring they were placed at a distance.
She hadn't bathed in over two weeks, and the sweat from her nervous exertion had already made her clothes emit an unpleasant stench. She feared Miles would be disgusted by her.
"All done?" Miles's voice was hoarse, thick with unspoken tension. Unconsciously, he shifted in his seat as an unfamiliar heat stirred within him.
"Wait…"
Lisa flinched at his sudden movement, instinctively taking a step back.
"What is it?" he asked, puzzled by her reaction.
"Could I… take a shower first?" Lisa whispered, her voice trembling. Her entire body seemed to sag under the weight of vulnerability, and a faint sheen of tears shimmered in her eyes.
"Of… of course," Miles stammered, gesturing toward the adjoining bedroom where a private bathroom awaited.
The villa had another bathroom just off the main hall, but it lacked the privacy of frosted glass.
Without a word, Lisa darted into the bathroom and locked the door tightly behind her. Even after thirty minutes had passed, the sound of running water continued unabated.
Impatient, Miles knocked on the door.
The water stopped abruptly, followed by a startled yelp. "Don't come in! I'm not finished yet!"
After a moment of silence, Lisa's voice softened, tinged with guilt. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to waste so much water. I'll hurry up…"
Miles chuckled softly outside the door. "Relax. I just wanted to tell you I threw out your filthy clothes. There's a fresh set waiting for you by the door."
"Oh…" Her voice carried a note of relief.
Miles shook his head with a small smile. "As if I'm that stingy," he muttered to himself.
To Lisa, water was a precious and scarce resource. But to Miles, with his ample reserves and state-of-the-art filtration system, water was the least of his concerns. Even melted snow could be purified into fresh drinking water with his villa's technology.
Fifteen minutes later, the bathroom door creaked open slightly. A pale, slender arm darted out, snatching the clothing before retreating as quickly as it had appeared.
A few moments later, Lisa emerged, clad in a loose, comfortable set of loungewear, her delicate feet encased in translucent slippers. Her long, alabaster legs caught the light, reflecting a faint sheen that was almost hypnotic.
Her beauty was understated, pure yet captivating. Not provocative like Ella or ostentatious like Zeki, but a quiet elegance that was difficult to ignore.
For a fleeting moment, Miles was stunned.
But the memory of his tragic past flashed in his mind, snapping him back to reality.
With a faintly bitter smile, he thought, Damn it, have I learned nothing from my last life?
Lisa noticed his wary gaze and instinctively glanced over her shoulder.
Miles let out a soft laugh. "Come, have a seat."
Blushing furiously, Lisa perched on the edge of the sofa, her knees pressed tightly together, as though afraid of losing control.
Miles observed her for a moment, then his tone turned serious. "I hope you understand what I told you before. Between us, there is no transaction—only grace, or charity, if you prefer."
A faint shadow of disappointment crossed Lisa's delicate features, but she quickly nodded in acknowledgment.
"So, from now on, my words are law. Whatever I ask of you, you will obey without question. Should you fail to comply, you will lose the grace you've been granted. Is that clear?"
"Yes…" Lisa's voice was barely audible.
"Don't bother putting on that pitiful act in front of me," Miles continued, his voice tinged with disdain. "To you, I've given hope. To me, I've received nothing in return. So spare me your pity—it only makes you more irksome to me."
"And one more thing," he added, gesturing toward the ceiling. "This villa is my billion-dollar fortress. Surveillance covers every corner. I see and know everything you do."
"If you abide by my rules, I might consider letting you stay. But should you harbor any ill intent…" His gaze hardened. "That zombie in the courtyard will be your fate."