Chapter 11 : Leonard's house

Fiona alighted in front of a large, white building surrounded by a green garden with various manicured trees and shrubs. At the front of the house, there is a fountain pool made of luxurious polished European style. The sound of running water occasionally filled the void.

Several maids in compact uniforms came out from the double doors at the front of the house. Fiona stared at the building in front of her. Is this home? More like a palace. An old servant approached Leonard who followed behind. Housemaids stood in a row to welcome the host. Fiona was still in her pajamas standing slightly apart beside Leonard, but the boy pulled her close easily. Unable to resist, Fiona was locked in the boy's embrace.

"Sir, your father is waiting." The old man in a formal suit said quietly.

Leonard's hands dropped from Fiona's open shoulders to the girl's waist. Fiona got goosebumps, she wanted to get away but couldn't.

"Wait for me for ten minutes. I have to take care of my girl first."

Her girl? Hearing that Fiona stepped on Leonard's shoes until he winced.

"You’re crazy! Am I a whore? I'm not your girl!"

The old man ignored Fiona's violent reaction. While Leonard pulled Fiona's chin and grinned a little, "Your status won't be that low. Don't worry," Leonard stroked Fiona's smooth cheek and kissed her gently. Making the girl shudder and wipe her lips there. Just as she was about to reply to Leonard's words, the old man interrupted her.

"Please come, sir."

Fiona ended up being pulled by force and walked hand in hand into the big house.

The first thing Fiona saw when she entered the front room was a cream horse statue. The wall paint of this house is all beige and white. The floor was polished until it was clear. The interior style and furniture arrangement are very minimalist and aesthetic. Jars of gold in the corners of the room, pillar boxes mediating the access room, everything is made of luxury. The brass-plated pendant lamp casts a warm yellow light. Fiona had forgotten that she was still wearing a short nightgown, with Leonard's hand holding her waist and leading her into the house.

They passed a large circular staircase with little horse statues at the end of the banister. When she reached the second floor, Leonard parted ways with the man and led her down a long hallway. At one of the bedroom doors, they stopped.

Leonard pushed the door open, revealing a luxurious and minimalist room.

"From today you live here." Leonard released his grip and allowed Fiona to explore the room.

This is no ordinary luxury room. Fiona often vacationed in several places in Paris but seeing this room was enough to make her feel like she was in Paris. She was once tricked by the charm of this room, but Fiona was not caught off guard.

She turned and glared at Leonard.

"What do you really want? There are lots of girls out there who are prettier, sexier than me. Why did you have to choose me? Have you ever thought that I don't suit you at all? Have you ever thought that we've never even met each other? You asked me easily to be your fiancee just like you said, ‘you were crazy over me’. That doesn't make any sense at all."

Fiona had thought about this many times. If there really is a rare human-like Leonard, it means she is really unlucky. Going on vacation abroad hoping to calm your mind, now she has a new problem.

Leonard stepped closer slowly. Fiona was about to step back but she chose to challenge herself and wasn't afraid. She locked her eyes on him. With a sensual gesture, Leonard touched Fiona's shoulder. He dropped her pajama straps and bent down to kiss her on the shoulder.

Fiona clicked her tongue and pushed Leonard backward. But the boy held her hand and whispered in her ear.

"Fiona…there are many forms of love. I thought I used to be crazy about your sexy body, but it turns out I was wrong…" Leonard stared into Fiona's burning eyes waiting for the continuation, "Turns out I fell for more than just your charm. But your way of thinking."

"You're just using me, Leonard. From the start, you didn't think I was a good girl at all. Nonsense."

Leonard smiled, he pulled Fiona closer to his face. They were only inches apart, "We'll see. Whoever survives wins."

"But I hate you. Until whenever that feeling won't change."

"Oh yeah? Then I'll try harder." Leonard looked down then pressed his lips on Fiona's. He bit slowly as if he wanted to tell that his words weren't just in his mouth. But really Fiona could feel it.

Leonard let go of the kiss and stroked Fiona's hair gently. "After taking a shower. Tonight we will have dinner at my father's reception."

After saying that Leonard turned around and closed the door. Silence creeps cold. Where she stood, Fiona felt her heart churning like a stomach in the earth's core that was about to erupt. She stared at Leonard's footprints.

Leonard is not going to get what he wants. Fiona must escape!

*

Just as Fiona thought she would run away, a second later a group of maids dressed in white shirts and black knee-length skirts emerged from the door. One of the long-haired young women tied together approached the surprised Fiona.

“Good afternoon, Miss Fiona. Introduce me, Yulia. Starting today I will be your primary servant while at home. If there is any desire or help, please let me know. Now, please, Miss, follow the procedure that Sir Leonard has directed. Here are some clothes, shoes, jewelry, makeup, bags, and other accessories that you might be interested in. Please have a look.” The maid who claimed to be Yulia, showed the ten crates that the group of maids had brought with them.

Still in shock, Fiona mourned all the women who were now kneeling next to the large crate next to them. She looked at Yulia who bowed obediently like a palace servant.

Oh god, is this all really happening?

Fiona groaned as she lay down on the soft bed.

"Miss, are you all right?" Yulia asked, a little worried. Fiona's head was throbbing. Even though she doesn't care what she looks like now, sitting in this unfamiliar room is enough to absorb her energy and mentality. She doesn't want to be here. She wants to come back. But how can Fiona get rid of these maids? Will Fiona be able to return to the next life?

Of course, she can.

A spirited sentence full of ambition flashed through her mind. She woke up and looked at Yulia who looked at her worriedly.

"You said earlier that Leonard told you to bring all this here?" asked Fiona.

"Yes, that's right, Miss."

Fiona got up, then walked over to the window at the side of the room. The glass windows are wide and there is a small balcony that opens onto the large garden at the side of the building. To be honest, Fiona was a bit taken aback by the sight. The skyline is directly adjacent to the lush trees that spread behind the large garden. The palace still seems to be spread out for acres to the side and back of the grounds. Make it look like a city of its own.

It's too broad. Fiona didn't know she could find a way out either. It takes a big plan to get out of this house effectively. Maybe at night, she could think about this secretly. While the maids slept, she could sneak out. But before that, she had to find out how tightly guarded this house was.

Correct.

It was good that she had such detailed thoughts. Fiona feels fortunate that she is a writer, so she always designs and plots a story quietly.

The room itself is on the third floor. She counted the two windows below. While the white walls of the building extend to the rear. Fiona had no idea how large this building was, but below the balcony was just a grass garden and a cobbled path that sided with the house. The path curves and just might lead to an exit.

Fiona turned around and then back to the maids who looked at her confused.

"Miss, what's wrong?"

Fiona glanced at Yulia. The woman had a small face and was quite pretty. She looks young too. And most importantly, she seems difficult to work with.

"It's okay."

"Good. Then, please choose the first outfit you wear for lunch today.”

***