She scans him up and down. He does not look like thief from any angle. He is wearing all black outfit concealing him under the cover of rain.
The man in front of her has black hair and dark brown eyes which is ordinary, but his facial features make him stand out.
He ignored her questions and looked around the room. "You were watching a horror movie? No wonder, you shouted so loud." He walks past her to the armchair and picks up the remote to resume the movie," Why are you still standing sit down?"
She stared at his actions with gritted teeth. For a moment, she even doubted whether this is her home or his? She walked to the sofa but did not sit down, "What do you want?"
He looked at her and ignored her question instead asked a question which left her baffled, "What is your name?" He even had the audacity to smile at her.
"What?" Is this guy a runway from a mental hospital? How could he not know the name of the person whose house he broke in?
Their eyes connected in the moment she was thinking of finding a way to report to mental hospital. He met her eyes and stared at her for a few seconds, slowly his smile falter.
Suddenly he stands up, his movement startled her. She wanted to run but he does not give her a chance to act upon her wish.
She takes two steps back, but the back of knee hits the sofa, and she falls back, her head hit the cushioned armrest. The vase slipped from her hands and rolled away.
Before she could get back up, he rested his hand beside her and leaned forward trapping her in between his arms.
"What? What are you doing? If you do anything to me, my family will not let you off."
She pushes her head into the cushion as much as possible. His breath approached her and turned her head away. She knew her threats will not work but she can't help herself. The man gripped her chin, squished cheeks and turned her to face him. He stared into her eyes as she wonders what he is trying to do.
A few seconds later, the smile completely slips away from his face, "You-"
"What?" She bite back in harsh tone.
He stopped without completing his sentence. He looked thoughtful for a moment before smile appears back on his face as if he had made a decision. His eyes carry a hint of playfulness.
"I see." He releases her chin and moves away from the sofa, settling himself back on his previous position.
Verene rubbed her chin and sat up glaring at him. The series of action that can't be explained makes her already confused mind more confused.
What is he trying to do?
This time she went straight to the point, "What do you want? Do you want money? If you want money, you better go to the second to last room on the second floor. Take the person in that room hostage and ask my father for money."
"Do I look short of money?"
Verena fall silent. As a person who spends a lot of time in clothing stores, of course she could tell at a glance that his clothes are high-end.
Then what is his purpose? If not for the money, why is he here? Other options does not look good for her.
Thinking of her words, he chuckled which made her look at him puzzled, "It looks like your parents care about your sister more than you." His voice slightly mocking.
"I never had a sister. You must have misunderstood." She deadpanned.
"Then whose room were you asking me to go to?"
"If you don't want money, why are you here?" Verena changed the subject. She actually has many guesses, a person could break into her house for many reasons, especially for a family like hers. If not money, it could be to threaten, for information or for even revenge, any of these options put her at risk.
Instead of answering her, he surveys the room.
"Are you looking for something?" She asks after watching his action.
Not even for a second, she did not dismiss that idea that he wants something from her because he remained undetected with all the security and magicians. If he can enter the mansion without alerting anyone, shouldn't he be able to retrieve whatever he wants? He could avoid others why couldn't he avoid her too?
Unless it was on purpose.
"Why? Will you help me to look for it if I am searching for something?" He stood up and began roaming around the room. Verena remained calm, her face showing no nervousness but her body remain tensed.
He stopped walking and looked over his shoulder, curious about her answer.
"I can help you as long as you don't harm me."
"You look used to being threatened?"
Verena snorts. He is right, she was used to it. She was kidnapped once when she was child and threatened multiple times later in life. Later she became used to it and found the money was the best way to deal with these people easily. The police caught them later and she got back all her money.
She understood then, the ones not after money after the trickiest ones.
"Thank you, but I can do it myself." He smiles at her gently once she snaps out of the daze.
Despite saying this, he makes no move to leave instead sat down again. Verena shoots him an irritated glance, why is he still not leaving?
To make him leave, she utters the classic line she forgot to add, "I will not tell anyone about you." There is no movement from the side which made Verena wonder, is he not convinced?
Slowly, she raised her head and saw him not even looking at her, instead he is watching the movie !
No, something is wrong. Why is still lingering around without doing anything to her? Suddenly, she becomes sure of her guess, "You will not harm me."
Unanticipated sentence caught his attention, he glanced at her. Her tone was firm yet hesitant. He suppresses the real smile that almost appeared in his face and motions her to continue. Verena grew more confident on seeing his reaction. "If you wanted to kill me or threaten me, you would have done it already."
This man can enter her room without a trace, he can kill her and no one will able to find him. Since he is still lingering here, he might still want something from her.
It is exactly as she thought, he never intended to harm her. It never crossed his mind and it would be too much trouble.
"What do you want?"
He doesn't answer immediately.
Five second later, he folds his hands and lean back, "Oath."
"Oath?" It was unexpected yet expected answer. "What type of oath?"
"Life Oath, to keep silent about my appearance today, I hope you understand my situation."
Her lips twitch. Understand his situation? Does he mean breaking into her room and scaring her? And now asking her to take an oath?
Life Oath can't be form without a magician. It is bounded under the power of magic to one's life and can't be unbounded at any circumstances. Verena realized, this man is a magician.
"I will not tell anyone about your appearance." Taking an oath is not a small matter, it will last for a life time. She really does not want to take this oath; she wants to report him as soon as he leaves but how could she do it if she makes an oath?
"Isn't it easier to cut off the root of the problem than to trust others?" He continues as if seeing all her hidden thoughts, "I can kill you; it would be over. No one would know about me. The choice is yours."