I typed quickly, my fingers still unsteady.
Me: Trust me… I went to hell and back.
I sent the message while walking into the house, dropping onto the kitchen counter like my legs had finally given up on me.
My phone buzzed almost immediately.
Li Wei: Deer… are you alright? What happened?
I stared at the screen for a second too long before replying.
Me: Trust me… you don't want to know. But I'm okay.
Almost instantly, another message came in.
Li Wei: As long as you're okay… I wouldn't want to lose you.
That made me pause.
My chest tightened slightly—something soft, unfamiliar… unsettling.
I let out a small breath.
Me: Umm… hehehe… I'm speechless.
I placed the phone on the counter and stood up, walking to the fridge for strawberry milk.
Maybe I just needed something normal.
Something simple.
But normal didn't last long.
On my way back, I bumped into Greyson.
Too close.
Too sudden.
His hand settled on my lower back, steadying me before I could step away.
But he didn't move.
Neither did I.
For a second, the air shifted—thick, charged, like something unspoken had wrapped itself around us.
My breath hitched.
Slowly, I stepped back, breaking the moment, and returned to the kitchen counter.
Clearing his throat, he said,
"W-what would you like for dinner, Miss Vicenza?"
I lifted my eyes slightly—and immediately regretted it.
Greyson stood there in black sweatpants and a fitted black T-shirt that clung to him in all the right ways.
I quickly looked away, taking a sip of my milk like it could save me from my thoughts.
"Just use what's in the pantry and make something decent," I said, trying to sound normal. "I usually order takeout, so I'm not sure what groceries are even there."
My cheeks felt warm.
Too warm.
I stood up quickly and moved to the living room before he could say anything else.
The moment I sat down, my phone buzzed again.
A video.
From Li Wei.
I tilted my head slightly.
"What now…" I muttered.
I opened it.
And immediately—
I choked on my strawberry milk.
Across the kitchen, Greyson's eyes snapped toward me.
A sharp glare followed.
I coughed, covering my mouth, trying to act normal like my soul hadn't just left my body.
On the screen—
Li Wei stood in front of the camera, shirtless, his hair wet, water still trailing down his shoulders. Soft music played in the background as he casually ran a hand through his hair like this was the most normal thing in the world.
My brain completely stopped working.
A message popped up right after.
Li Wei: Thought I'd share my night routine before I go to bed.
I stared at the screen, then typed slowly.
Me: Shirtless?
Almost immediately—
Li Wei: Is that the only thing you noticed?
Laughing emojis followed.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as I covered my face with my hand.
Me: I didn't— I mean… I just—
I stopped, deleted it, and sent laughing emojis instead.
That was… embarrassing.
Wait.
If it's 7 p.m. here… then it's 12 a.m. there.
Is he a night owl?
I rested my head against the arm of the couch, my thoughts slowly drifting…
And before I knew it—
I fell asleep.
A soft touch against my face pulled me back.
My eyes fluttered open.
Greyson was crouched beside me.
Too close again.
"Food is ready, Miss Vicenza," he said, standing up almost immediately and walking back toward the kitchen.
For a second, I just sat there, trying to shake off the lingering haze of sleep.
Then I followed him.
I sat down at the counter.
The aroma alone made my stomach tighten in anticipation.
I took a bite.
And froze.
The flavors melted perfectly—rich, balanced… addictive.
My taste buds were having a full celebration.
He's ridiculously handsome… and he has chef skills?
What more could a woman possibly ask for?
I kept my expression neutral, though, refusing to give him the satisfaction.
"Who were they…?" I asked between bites.
Silence.
No response.
"As I said—none of your business," he replied coldly, his gaze fixed on his plate.
I exhaled slowly.
"I was the one who got kidnapped… so it is my business," I said calmly, holding back the urge to snap.
Even though…
he was the reason I ended up in that situation in the first place.
My phone buzzed on the counter, lighting up with Li Wei's name.
Greyson's eyes flickered to it.
His jaw tightened.
"Who is he?" he asked.
I looked up at him.
"Excuse me?"
"The one texting you," he said, his tone sharper now.
I held his gaze.
"That's none of your business."
The words came out steady.
A mirror of his own.
For a moment, silence stretched between us.
Then he exhaled deeply.
"Those people… are from my past," he said, standing up and taking his plate to the sink.
I frowned.
"Your past?"
"I've already said enough."
And this time…
I didn't push.
I followed him to the sink.
"Move. You've done enough," I said, nudging him slightly with my shoulder. "I'll wash the dishes."
"…Miss, I am hired to be your butler—to take care of you," he said, gently taking the sponge from my hand. "I can't allow you to work while I'm here."
Our fingers brushed.
A spark.
Small—but unmistakable.
My breath caught.
That's when I noticed it.
A small cut on his neck.
Red.
Fresh.
Without thinking, I stepped closer.
My fingers moved to the collar of his T shirt, pulling it aside slightly.
His breath hitched.
I could feel it.
The faint rise and fall of his chest.
His heartbeat… faster now.
"There's a cut," I murmured softly.
He reached for my wrist.
"I'm fine, Miss Vicenza. It happened during the fight."
But I didn't stop.
I lifted my other hand, brushing lightly against the wound.
He winced.
Just slightly.
That's when his grip tightened.
Both my wrists—captured in one of his hands.
Firm.
Controlled.
My breath hitched.
The world suddenly felt… smaller.
Quieter.
Closer.
His other hand rose slowly.
And touched my cheek.
Gentle.
Too gentle for someone like him.
My heart started racing.
Loud.
Unsteady.
Confusing.
His eyes locked onto mine—dark, intense… unreadable.
And then—
"You know, Miss Vicenza…" his voice dropped, softer now, but heavier.
"I am a man too."
Everything inside me stilled.
My breath caught in my throat.
For a second—
I couldn't think.
Couldn't move.
Did he mean—
No.
That wasn't—
But the way he was looking at me…
The way his hand lingered on my skin…
My heart pounded harder.
Heat spread through me—unwanted, unfamiliar… dangerous.
Because I understood.
And that scared me.
Before I could say anything—
He let go.
Just like that.
Like the moment had never existed.
He turned and walked out, heading toward the servants' quarters.
Leaving me standing there—
completely shaken.
I stood there for a long moment.
My stomach twisted.
My heart refused to slow down.
"I am a man too…"
What did he mean?
Why did it feel like that meant everything?
I grabbed my phone and went upstairs to my room, sitting on the bed as my thoughts spiraled.
Was he talking about the fight?
Or…
No.
No, it couldn't be that. I have always been invisible to him.
My mind drifted to the way he had looked at me.
The way he had held me.
The way his voice had changed.
My heart skipped again.
This was bad.
Very bad.
My phone buzzed.
Li Wei.
Li Wei: Are you asleep?
I blinked, grounding myself.
Me: No. I thought you'd be asleep by now. It's pretty late in your country.
Li Wei: Did you think I would go to bed without saying goodnight to you, Deer?
My chest softened again.
Then another message came in.
Li Wei: Can I video call you?
I stared at the screen.
My heart…
still hadn't calmed down.
And suddenly—
I didn't know which part of my world was more dangerous anymore.