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Greyson's pov
I saw Vicenza walk through the grand gates of the mansion fifteen minutes later than usual.
For anyone else, fifteen minutes would mean nothing.
But for me?
It was enough to make my mind spiral into the worst possibilities.
I had been pacing near the entrance for the past ten minutes, my jaw tight, my phone clenched in my hand as I debated whether to go look for her myself.
When she finally appeared beneath the warm golden lights of the driveway, I felt the tension in my chest loosen slightly.
She looked exhausted.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
Like the weight of the world sat quietly on her shoulders.
I had watched her grow up in this house since she was a teenager. Back then she used to hide behind books, oversized hoodies, and silence.
But now?
Now she had become dangerous without realizing it.
Tall.
Elegant.
Beautiful in a way that drew attention effortlessly.
Her wavy hair framed her face perfectly, and even with exhaustion clouding her features, she still looked like someone who belonged on magazine covers rather than walking through lonely hallways carrying invisible sadness.
And I hated that other men noticed it too.
I stepped toward her, intending to ask if she had eaten—
But her phone buzzed.
Instantly, her expression softened.
Her eyes glistened in a way I had never seen before.
And I hated it.
Not because I disliked her happiness.
But because I wished I was the reason behind it.
I wished she looked at me like that.
But I couldn't.
I had rules.
Walls.
Boundaries carefully built over years.
I was her butler.
Nothing more.
So I swallowed everything down and stood there in silence as she smiled at the message.
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End of pov
I walked into the mansion and dropped my tote bag onto the couch before pulling out my phone.
Li Wei: Hii deer, how was your day?
A smile appeared on my face before I could stop it.
Me: It was fine. Just got back from school.
His reply came almost instantly, almost like he had been waiting beside his phone the entire time.
Li Wei: So how many suitors approached you today? 😂
My eyes widened slightly.
Wait…
Was that his indirect way of asking whether I had a boyfriend?
I smirked.
Me: A few. But none meet my standards hahaha.
The typing dots appeared immediately.
Li Wei: Then who does meet your standards?
I bit my lip, fingers hovering over the keyboard.
Me: You 😂
The typing dots stopped.
Silence.
And suddenly my heart started racing.
Maybe I shouldn't have sent that.
Then—
Li Wei: Careful, Deer. I might turn your fantasy into reality.
My stomach flipped violently.
Was he serious?
Me: Just messing with you hahaha
Li Wei: And I'm dead serious. I wouldn't mind having a beautiful girl like you as my girlfriend.
Heat rushed straight to my cheeks.
Me: Ahhh 😂
I quickly tossed my phone onto the couch before my brain could completely malfunction and headed upstairs toward the bathroom.
Warm water cascaded down my skin as I stood beneath the shower, closing my eyes.
But instead of relaxing—
My mind replayed Greyson's voice.
"You know, Miss Vicenza… I am a man too."
My breath caught slightly.
Why was I even thinking about that now?
I groaned softly, dragging my hands down my face.
"Get a grip, Vicenza," I muttered to myself.
I stepped out of the shower and slipped into silky butterfly shorts and a thin tank top. The weather was unbearably humid tonight, and besides—
I was alone.
Or so I thought.
Suddenly, an idea crossed my mind.
The basement.
My old artwork was probably still down there somewhere.
And yes…
I liked drawing.
Which officially certified me as a complete nerd.
The basement smelled like dust and forgotten memories.
Cobwebs brushed against my face as I descended the creaking wooden stairs. Tiny squeaks echoed from the corners, making me shiver slightly.
"Why does this place feel like a horror movie set?" I muttered.
Then I spotted them.
Stacks of sketchbooks and canvases shoved near an old shelf.
My eyes widened.
I hurried toward them, excitement replacing my nervousness.
Maybe I could actually sell some of these someday.
Not because I needed money—
My parents practically drowned me in it.
But because I wanted something that belonged to me.
Something earned by my own hands.
I grabbed one of the canvases and pulled hard.
Too hard.
The entire stack suddenly came loose.
"Wait—"
THUD.
I crashed onto the floor.
And something furry landed directly on my chest.
A mouse.
I let out the loudest scream of my life.
I shot upstairs without dignity, panic completely taking over me.
Halfway down the hallway, I slammed into a solid chest.
Strong arms caught my waist before I could fall again.
My breathing was uneven as I looked up.
Greyson.
His sharp eyes scanned me immediately.
"Miss Vicenza?" His voice was low and controlled. "Are you hurt?"
"I-it was a rat!" I blurted out. "It jumped on me!"
For one second—
Greyson stared at me silently.
Then suddenly—
A soft laugh escaped him.
I froze.
Because I had never heard Greyson laugh before.
Ever.
And somehow…
It changed his entire face.
His usual cold expression softened, revealing the faintest gummy smile that made my heart do something embarrassingly stupid inside my chest.
"You laughed," I whispered in disbelief.
His expression immediately returned to professionalism.
"My apologies, Miss Vicenza," he said, clearing his throat. "I will arrange for the basement to be fumigated tomorrow morning."
But I could still see the ghost of amusement lingering in his eyes.
Then suddenly—
His gaze shifted downward.
And lingered.
Too long.
The air changed instantly.
His jaw tightened slightly before he looked away.
"Do you always dress this… skimpily around the house?" he asked quietly.
My eyes widened.
Oh my God.
I looked down at myself and nearly combusted.
The silk shorts barely reached mid-thigh, and the tank top clung to my body from the humidity.
"I-I mean…" I stammered. "It's my parents' house. I can dress however I want.besides I am alone "
Greyson's eyes slowly lifted back to mine.
"What about me?" he asked softly.
My breath caught.
"Aren't I someone too?"
The question hit harder than it should have.
"I didn't expect you to be here," I admitted weakly.
"Yet here I am."
He stepped closer.
And instinctively—
I stepped backward.
Again.
And again.
Until my back hit the wall.
My heartbeat became deafening.
Greyson placed one hand beside my head, trapping me effortlessly between him and the wall.
His expression remained calm.
Controlled.
But his eyes?
His eyes were dangerous tonight.
"G-Greyson…" I whispered.
"What are you doing?"
His hand slid slowly to my waist, pulling me closer until barely any space remained between us.
My breath hitched sharply.
"Remember what I told you?" he murmured.
His head lowered slightly.
"I am a man too."
His face moved closer to my neck.
I felt his breath against my skin.
Warm.
Slow.
Deadly.
A soft sound escaped his throat as if he was losing control of himself.
And my entire body betrayed me.
My knees weakened.
My heart pounded violently against my ribs.
Part of me wanted to push him away.
But another part—
A terrifying part—
Wanted him closer.
Greyson's grip tightened slightly on my waist as his nose brushed against my neck.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing to me, Miss Vicenza?" he asked quietly.
My breath completely stopped.
Because his voice no longer sounded cold.
It sounded hungry.
And before I could even process that thought—
My phone suddenly buzzed loudly from across the hall in the living room.
The sound shattered the moment instantly.
Greyson froze.
Reality crashed back into his expression.
His jaw tightened.
Slowly, he stepped away from me.
Too quickly.
Too suddenly.
As though he regretted every second of it.
"I'm sorry," he said coldly, his professional mask sliding back into place. "Forget it ever happened"
Then he turned and walked away without another word.
Leaving me standing there breathless…
Shaking…
And completely unable to forget the way he almost kissed me.