Chapter 20 Chapter 20
"What a beautiful golden cage," Luna remarked as she strolled through the resplendent garden, its lush greenery and vibrant blossoms stretching as far as the eye could see
She took a spot under a small tree. She could not remain in that beautiful room. Her eyes stared aimlessly at the lush greenery that stretched ahead as her mind put the events of last night on a loop.
Once the haziness subsided, a sharp look surfaced within her eyes. Her lips tilted into an insightful smile.
"I am not going to trust you. Not so easily."
After he had kissed her, she had been shocked. Too shocked to think or say anything.
"This is the reason you are here." His voice was devoid of emotion. The kiss was nothing more than a small peck. No feelings. Nothing. Just cold lips touching.
But perhaps he didn't know.
It was her first kiss.
She had been with Ethan for years, but their relationship never exceeded the point of holding hands. When it came to physical stuff, she was still a clueless teenager.
First time she had been touched by a man.
Luna's heart had picked up its pace. Her first reaction was to push him away, get off of him. She pushed him. Or so she tried.
He still had a muscular, unyielding arm wrapped around her waist, imprisoning her on his lap. Luna's delicate arms didn't have the strength to fight him. So she gave up after one try.
She went silent. Waited. Looked into his eyes and tried to gauge his expression. But his impassive face wouldn't give away anything.
"I won't force myself on you." He responded while looking into her eyes. His words were slow, spaced adequately so Luna would get that he really meant it. And for some reason, she believed him. It was as if a boulder had been lifted off her shoulders. She almost let out a sigh of relief. "But you must know to whom you belong." He made a simple statement with simple words. His mesmerising eyes lingered on her face for a moment longer.
His eyes dropped to her slightly parted lips for a moment, and Luna picked up a slight flicker of desire in them. But before that desire could grow into something bigger, he let go of her, dropping her gently on the sofa.
Without saying anything or waiting for any words from her, he walked out, leaving her alone. Alone and confused with no one but her thoughts.
That night, she found it very difficult to fall asleep. Her mind kept replaying what happened.The fear of the unfamiliar face and the possibility of the unexpected kept her tossing and turning till late hours of the night. She was half expecting to be called in the middle of the night or for someone to drop by her room.
But that didn't happen.
Nothing happened.
She was safe.
After the kiss, he didn't even touch her.
No one came to bother her.
Not even maids.
What was the exact meaning behind his words?
What did it mean that she should know to whom she belonged? The contract bound her to him. Would she still think that she belonged to someone else?
Or was it her heart that he was after?
"I will give you a piece of advice." Suddenly, a voice came from her left, startling Luna out of her thoughts. She stood up and got on her feet, and faced the person.
"You are...?"
The person looked no older than twenty-two. Youthful and disciplined. He stood at an appropriate distance from her, observing strict formality. He wore a pair of spectacles. He was well-maintained, dressed impeccably from top to bottom and wore a serious expression.
"The name's Jack." He introduced himself. "CSO. Chief security officer of the estate. I oversee all the intel, networks and cameras."
"You look too young to be on this post", Luna remarked without thinking, then quickly apologised. "I'm sorry. I'm Luna. Luna Hart. I recently arrived. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Jack?"
"Jack Steverson. And I know your name." He replied. "Actually, everyone does."
"Everyone?" Luna was taken aback.
"Yes, you have stirred a frenzy of rumours even before your arrival inside the estate. I have been instructed to pay special attention to your daily activities," He revealed a small smile. "After all, you are a first."
Learning that her each and every moment was being watched by, God knew, how many people, Luna didn't know how to feel about that. She felt a sense of suffocation arising in her chest. Suppressing her feelings, she focused on the important matter. "Can you explain what you meant by 'I'm a first?'"
"You are the first. There hasn't been a woman, let alone a mistress, here before."
Luna eyed him sceptically. "That's impossible. Daimen is almost thirty." He must have had countless affairs. And what about all those rumours that he kept many women and caged them later in his properties? She couldn't believe that she was the only one.
"Yes, and Mr Blackwell had been happily married to his work."
A brief pause of silence overtook them. Luna contemplated whether to trust this stranger or not. Then something came back to her.
"About what you said earlier, what piece of advice did you have for me?"
"It's very simple," Jack flashed her a smile as if he was waiting for her to ask. "If you want to survive in the place, you need to play the game. You can't avoid it."
"The game? I'm not avoiding it."
"Yes, you are."
"How?"
"You just arrived. The iron is still hot. Instead of wasting your time strolling away in the garden, you should be looking for Daimen."
"And why would I look for him?"
"Do you want to spend the rest of your days caged within these walls, forgotten, or do you still desire freedom?"
Luna's heart ached at the word. "Freedom. Is that still possible?"
"Everything is possible. If you have a heart to try." He winked at her
Luna was sent into a frenzy of chaotic thoughts. The hope she had given up long ago took roots again. Was there really a way>
Meanwhile, Jack turned away from her and adjusted his glasses. "I understand you must have some deep-seated resentment against Daimen for the downfall of your family that must be holding you back from taking an initiative."
"Am I not allowed to hold a grudge?" Luna asked defensively. "And what initiative are you speaking of?"
"You are allowed to hold a grudge, but only if it is based on facts," Jack replied. "And the initiative that would pave the way for your survival and maybe your eventual freedom here."
"My family business went bankrupt because of him." Luna made the statement with certainty. There was no other explanation. How could Jack deny it and say that her grudge was not based on facts?
At this, Jack finally revealed the truth he had come to spill since the beginning.
"The decline of your family had nothing to do with Daimen." He declared. "In fact, he is the one who extended an aiding hand and prevented the fall. And I have evidence to prove it"
Luna didn't believe him.