Chapter 23 Chapter 23
"You are speaking as if you personally know him," Luna commented.
"He said he wanted to make you regret. And the way I see it, you are given princess treatment here. Why the contradiction?" Sierra pointed out the obvious.
"Well," Luna drawled. "I have had that question gnawing at the back of my head even before you mentioned it."
"Why the heck did he allow me to visit?"
"It wasn't free. He asked something in return."
"What?"
"Tomorrow. He wants me to spend a day with him."
"A day? Is that something like a date?"
"Looks like it." Luna nodded. Upon noticing Sierra's expression progressively getting worried, she put her hand over her. "He is not that bad. You remember Ariana from school days?"
"That nerd on scholarship?"
"Yeah, her brother works as the CSO of the estate. He told me those rumours that Daimen had several mistresses locked away in his properties were a lie. What's more, he told me that it hadn't been Daimen behind the downfall of the Hart family business." Before Sierra could object, Luna quickly added. "With concrete evidence."
"But he is still Daimen's man."
"Yeah, I know. But the evidence was irrefutable. Come on, I'm not some 12-year-old."
"Documents can be forged."
"Sisi!" Luna whined. "I got you here with great difficulty. I know you are concerned about me. But trust me, I still hate him. I'm just playing by his rules in order to survive. Let's not talk about him and make use of the limited time we have. I don't think you would be allowed to stay overnight."
Sierra was reluctant, but upon Luna's resistance, she gave up. Next, the girl chattered like they used to in the past. After a while, Luna took Sierra outside to give her a tour of the estate. She had Harlan guide them. Because honestly, other than the resplendent gardens, she didn't have a heart to check out the rest of the estate.
The estate was magnificent. It was a world of its own, with a private lake, large and still, perfect for boating, and a helipad hidden behind tall cypress trees. a private gold course, a greenhouse, a vineyard, and a training arena with state-of-the-art gym equipment. And much, much more.
It was so much that it could not be covered in a single day.
"Well?"
"I'm tired," Sierra took a seat upon a bench and grasped her legs that were aching.
"I think that's it for today." Luna took a seat beside her and asked in a soft voice. "How's your application for Harrington Ivy College going through?"
Sierra picked up the hurt in her tone. "We planned to apply together for the Arts." Her voice dropped a few notes.
"Don't sound so down. Maybe there's still a way."
Sierra widened her eyes at her. "What do you mean?"
"I had given up hope when I was told I was to be his mistress. But what I have learned so far, as long as I play by his rules, I can gain permission to do things I want. Then maybe, just maybe, one day he would get bored with me and free me."
"I have to remind you he wants to make you regret," Sierra interjected, trying to strengthen the walls Luna had built around her heart.
"Of course, I won't let him get to me. Ever. But I can pretend he has gotten to me, can't I?" Luna winked at Sierra.
"You little—" Sierra gulped down the curses she had in her for Luna. Her Lulu didn't need to be taught anything. She was already in the game. And playing it like a pro.
Unbeknownst to both of them, their every interaction and exchange of conversation was under close scrutiny by a certain someone who had his laptop screen in front of him, displaying each and every moment live. "Pretend?" He chuckled. "Let's see how long you can keep this pretence, little girl."
He liked it. He liked her. The chase of cat and mouse. What the little mouse didn't know it was eventually gonna get caught. But the cat wasn't going to catch it immediately. It was going to take its time enjoying the chase.
...
Evening arrived, and along with it the time to be parted from Sisi. "Why the glum face? Didn't you say I can visit anytime?"
"Yeah, but I don't think you'll be taking two hours off your schedule every day just to travel here." The estate was situated far from the main city. It was an isolated sanctuary or a lonely prison, depending on the person's perspective. Anyway, it was a two-hour drive from the main city.
"When I arrived, I was concerned about how my explosive Lulu would be faring, but after spending a day with you, I've come to the conclusion you are doing much better than expected."
"Misfortune teaches wisdom."
"So, about the university application thing, how confident are you in your ability to get the permission?"
"That's still a long way from where I'm standing," Luna admitted. "But at least I'm not alone. I have Jack with me. He told me to hit the iron while it's still hot." Noticing Sierra's expression worsening, Luna quickly interjected. "I know! I know! I won't trust him blindly. But so far, whatever he had to say brought me benefit." Then, glancing at her sides and finding that they were alone, Luna leaned in and whispered into Sierra's ear.
"I want you to find Ariana and build a bond with her. But you have to be discreet in your actions."
"Unserstood." Sierra gave a nod of acknowledgement, and they didn't discuss this matter anymore.
Watching Sierra's car receding, Luna felt her mood drop.
Once again in the beautiful estate, she was alone.
She sighed, turning around and marching her way back to her bedroom. Knowing that it was the only place where she was not spied upon, she found comfort in privacy.
It wasn't as bad as she had expected.
Her worst imagination included being chained in some underground basement and tortured like an animal. Being dishonoured and abused. But so far, none of such things had happened.
Instead, she spent a carefree day with her best friend.
Things were looking good.
While lost in her thoughts, Luna opened the door to her room and made her way inside. Taking off her blazer, she switched on the lights. She was on her way to her bed to retire to a dreamless sleep when she halted amid her steps.
Someone was sitting on her bed.
Daimen.
He sat like he owned not just the room, but the air she breathed. One leg crossed over the other, back relaxed against her pillows, as if her bed had been made for him alone. The faint light cast a sharp line down the bridge of his nose, shadowing half his face in a way that made his expression unreadable—and unfairly arresting.
Luna's heartbeat lurched. Hard.
"What—" her voice came out thinner than she intended, so she cleared her throat and tried again. "What are you doing here?"
His gaze lifted from her neatly folded blanket to her face, slow and deliberate, like he enjoyed watching her eyes widen, and her jaw drop at his presence. "You came back late."
Emboldened by the taste of freedom and hope, Luna quickly adjusted herself. This time, she came across firmer. "That doesn't answer my question." Not a stuttering mess like before.
She was proud of herself. Her nose rose high.
Daimen found the change intriguing. "I wasn't aware I needed to seek your permission to sit in a room I provided, little girl." His lips curled up into a loop-sided smile.
Her fingers tightened around her discarded blazer. She hated how his voice dominated the room despite being low.
Still, she forced her chin up, keeping up the bravado. "I just didn't expect... this."
"No," he drawled, uncrossing his legs and rising to his full height, "you didn't expect me."
He stepped closer. Luna instinctively stepped back. Her shoulder hit the door.
That's when she realised the little wisp of freedom she gained could be taken back anytime.
With interest.