Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 90(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 90(@200wpm)___ 72(@250wpm)___ 60(@300wpm)
“I have to go into the city for a few hours,” he says, his voice low and comforting, though it’s clear he’s reluctant to leave. “There’s some business I need to handle. You’ll be safe here.”
I blink up at him, still dazed from the night we shared. “What kind of business?”
He gives me a half-smile, something dark and teasing behind his eyes. “I own a few companies. Finance, investments, tech... it keeps me busy.”
I feel my breath catch. Of course he does. Of course he’s brilliant on top of everything else. “That’s... amazing,” I murmur, shaking my head in awe. “I can’t even imagine.”
Nathan laughs softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “You don’t need to. I’ve got it covered.”
As he begins to dress, I watch him move—so confident, so sure of everything. He pauses at the door, looking back at me. “There’s no need to worry about anything today. I’ll have Theresa show you around the house. She’ll take care of anything you need. You should relax, maybe get a massage.”
I blink. “A massage?”
Nathan smiles, stepping closer and brushing his lips against mine. “Enjoy yourself, Isabella. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Before I can even process the idea, he’s already calling for the housekeeper, and when Theresa enters the room, she’s all business. Her efficient movements and quiet demeanor make me feel like I’m already a part of Nathan’s world.
“Shall I arrange for the masseuse to come?” Theresa asks, her voice calm but professional.
I nod slowly, my heart fluttering at how easy everything seems. “Yes... that would be nice.”
Theresa picks up the phone immediately. “She’ll be here in thirty minutes,” she says smoothly. “Anything else I can get for you?”
“No... that’s fine. Thank you,” I reply, my voice barely audible. This world feels so far from my own—like a fantasy that could evaporate at any moment.
Alone in the guest bedroom once more, I savor the warmth of Nathan’s bed that still clings to my skin as I sit at the vanity, running a brush through my hair. My mind swirls with everything that’s happened. I’m still reeling from the night we shared, from the way he touched me like I was something precious. But underneath it all is a gnawing feeling I can’t shake—the feeling that this isn’t real. That this is all a fantasy, and at any moment, it could come crashing down.
I glance at my phone, my stomach tightening as I remember the break-in from yesterday. Ralph, the creep who lived across the hall, has always been there, lurking, watching. He was the reason I fled my apartment in the first place. And now, even though I’m safe in Nathan’s mansion, I can’t help but feel like Ralph is still watching me, still waiting.
The phone buzzes, and I freeze. It’s a call—unknown number. My heart races, my hands trembling as I answer.
“Hello?”
There’s a pause on the other end, and then I hear his voice—low, mocking.
“You didn’t think you could get away from me, did you?”
My blood runs cold. It’s Ralph.
“How... how did you find me?” I whisper, my voice shaking.
He laughs, the sound cruel and twisted. “I’ve always known where you were. I put a tracker on your purse, sweetheart.”
I stand up, my body trembling as I frantically search through my ratty old bag. And there it is—a small, hidden device. My heart sinks. He’s been watching me the whole time.
I hang up, my hands shaking as I stare at the tracker in my hand. I know Ralph can’t get to me here—not in Nathan’s mansion, not with all the security. But how long will this last? How long will this fantasy with Nathan last? I’m just a girl from nowhere, clinging to a dream that isn’t mine.
I can’t let Nathan find out. I can’t drag him into this mess. He’s already given me more than I ever deserved. I don’t want him to see how broken I am.
The massage room is breathtaking. The walls are draped with rich fabrics, soft velvet curtains cascading down to the floor, and the air is thick with the scent of lavender, eucalyptus, and a hint of something more exotic that I can’t place. The lighting is dim, casting a warm glow over everything, and for a moment, it feels like I’ve stepped into another world—a world far removed from the one I grew up in.
I lie down on the massage table, my body sinking into the plush surface as the masseuse starts her work. Her hands are skilled, moving in slow, deliberate strokes, and I can feel my muscles beginning to unwind under her touch. But even as my body relaxes, my mind is anything but calm.
I glance at the masseuse—her sleek dark hair pulled into a neat bun, her skin glowing under the soft light. She’s beautiful. Too beautiful. And for some reason, that makes me feel uneasy. I can’t help but wonder if she is the on-call masseuse for this estate, how familiar is Nathan with her?