The house was unusually quiet that evening, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner. Adrian sat in the living room, his laptop open on the coffee table as he went through work emails. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up to his elbows—a rare, casual look that only enhanced his sharp, masculine features.
Lora watched him from the doorway, her lips curling into a sly smile. She had waited for this moment—Adrian alone, vulnerable, and seemingly distracted.
She adjusted her silk robe, letting it fall just enough to reveal the delicate lace of her lingerie beneath. With slow, deliberate steps, she made her way into the room, her bare feet silent against the polished floor.
"Burning the midnight oil, Mr. Reginald?" she purred, leaning against the edge of the couch.
Adrian didn't look up, his fingers still dancing over the keyboard. "Lora." His voice was cold, indifferent.
She tilted her head, undeterred. "You work too hard, you know. A man like you needs… balance."
Adrian's eyes flicked up to her briefly, his gaze as sharp as ice. "If you have something to say, say it. I'm busy."
Lora's smile widened, unfazed by his tone. She stepped closer, her fingers trailing along the back of the couch until she was standing just behind him. "You don't have to be so serious all the time, Adrian. Relax a little."
Before he could respond, she leaned down, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, "You know, I've always admired you. So composed, so in control. It's… intoxicating."
Adrian closed his laptop with a sharp click and stood, his towering presence forcing her to take a step back. His dark eyes bore into hers, unreadable but undeniably intense.
"What are you doing, Lora?" he asked, his voice low and measured, like a blade sliding from its sheath.
She laughed softly, the sound tinged with nervousness. "I'm just being friendly. You're practically family now, aren't you? Or… do you prefer something more than family?"
Adrian took a deliberate step toward her, closing the distance between them. For a moment, her confidence wavered, but she quickly masked it with a playful grin.
"You're wasting your time," he said flatly, his tone cutting through her pretense. "Whatever game you think you're playing, it won't work on me."
Lora's cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "I'm not playing games," she said defensively, her voice losing its sultry edge.
Adrian leaned in, his face just inches from hers, his cold breath fanning her flushed skin. "Good. Then let me make myself clear—stay out of my way, and don't try this again."
Lora swallowed hard, her confidence shattered. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, her silk robe fluttering behind her.
Adrian exhaled, his jaw tightening as he ran a hand through his hair. He knew Lora wasn't the type to give up easily, and her presence in the house was becoming a nuisance he couldn't ignore.
---
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden patterns on the floor. Adrian stood at the window of the living room, a cup of coffee in hand, his gaze fixed on the sprawling garden beyond. He had spent most of the night working, trying to shake the unsettling encounter with Lora, but his mind kept drifting back to Joi.
She had been unusually quiet over the past few days, her anxiety over Marcus's presence taking a visible toll. The dark circles under her eyes and her hesitant steps spoke volumes. She barely left her room unless coaxed by Emily or Alexander.
Adrian set his cup down on the table, his decision made. Joi needed a change of scenery, even if only for a little while.
When he knocked softly on her door, her muffled voice answered, "Come in."
Adrian pushed the door open, finding her sitting on the edge of the bed, her knees drawn up to her chest. Her locket dangled from her fingers, catching the morning light.
"Adrian," she said, surprised. "Is something wrong?"
"Not exactly," he replied, leaning against the doorframe. "But something needs to change."
She frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You've been cooped up in this house for too long," he said, his tone gentler than usual. "It's not helping you, Joi. I think we should go for a walk—get some air, stretch your legs. It'll do you good."
Joi hesitated, her fingers tightening around the locket. The thought of leaving the relative safety of the house filled her with dread. What if Marcus was lurking somewhere, watching, waiting?
Adrian stepped closer, crouching down in front of her. His dark eyes met hers, steady and reassuring. "I won't let anything happen to you," he said firmly. "Not while I'm here."
Her lower lip trembled, but she nodded. "Okay."
---
They stepped out into the garden together, the crisp air brushing against their skin. Joi clung to Adrian's arm, her gaze darting nervously around the property. He led her toward the tree-lined path that circled the estate, his pace slow and steady to match hers.
"You used to like being outside," Adrian said, breaking the silence. "Do you remember?"
She shook her head. "Not really. But… it feels familiar. Like I should remember."
Adrian nodded, his hand resting over hers where it clung to his arm. "You will. When you're ready."
They walked in silence for a while, the rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds filling the gaps. Slowly, Joi's grip on his arm loosened, and her steps became less hesitant.
"You were right," she said quietly. "This is nice."
Adrian glanced at her, a rare, small smile tugging at his lips. "Told you."
Just as the tension began to ebb away, a faint sound reached them—a rustling in the bushes. Joi froze, her fingers digging into Adrian's arm.
"What was that?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Adrian's gaze darkened, his body tensing as he stepped in front of her protectively. "Stay behind me," he said, his voice low.
The rustling grew louder, and for a heart-stopping moment, Joi was certain Marcus was there, lurking in the shadows.
But then a bird burst from the underbrush, flapping its wings wildly as it took off into the sky.
Joi let out a shaky breath, her legs nearly giving out. Adrian caught her, his arms steady around her trembling form.
"It's okay," he said softly. "It's just a bird."
But the fear lingered, etched into her features as she clung to him. Adrian held her close, his jaw tightening. He couldn't let her live like this—haunted, afraid.
He vowed silently that no matter what it took, he would find a way to end Marcus's shadow over her life.