He had been watching her ever since, lingering at the edge of her sight. Stepping slightly into the open, Henzal finally got a clear view of him. He stood around six foot one, and Henzal, at five foot five, felt small and fragile in front of him. His green eyes pierced into her brown ones, holding her captive in their intensity.
Henzal swallowed hard. He was undeniably handsome—but there was something dangerous about him. The gaze he held on her carried a deep, husky tone that seemed to echo directly into her ears, pulling her back into the world from the daze she hadn't realized she'd fallen into.
"Miss," the man said, folding his hands together gracefully.
Henzal drew a quick breath and replied, "I'm Henzal Heelshire. Nice to see you… you are Aaron, right?"
As the words left her lips in a single breath, a smile slowly spread across his face. But it wasn't a warm, friendly smile. It was the kind of smile that belonged to a hungry predator who had finally found its prey.
He said nothing, merely gesturing for Henzal to come inside. Taking a steadying breath, she composed herself and stepped into the house.
The interior was commanding—black and navy blue hues lending it a sense of royal elegance. Henzal's eyes swept across the entire living hall, taking in every detail with cautious fascination.
Henzal looked at him, searching his face, and found his greenish eyes fixed on hers. Nervously, she asked, "You… you live here?"
He stepped closer, and she swallowed hard, trying to steady herself.
"Yeah… actually," he said, stopping just in front of her.
"Aunty told me about you, but I never saw you after you came here, so I didn't recognize you at first," she replied,
"You've changed a lot too… more beautiful, more delicate," he said, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.
Henzal looked at him, studying his face. There was an emotion there she couldn't quite place—something unfamiliar, intense, and undeniably commanding.
Then, with a deliberate, gentle motion, he brushed the hair at the back of her head forward, tucking it behind her shoulders.
Henzal felt a jolt, as if electricity had passed through her, her body reacting instantly to the touch.
"Ahm… Aaron, can you… please tell me where my room is?" she asked nervously.
He looked at her for a moment, his gaze lingering, before replying, "Upstairs, on the left. There's a room—that's yours."
Henzal nodded and picked up her suitcase, starting to walk toward the staircase. Every step she took, she could feel his eyes following her, a weighty presence that made her heart race and her skin tingle.
Henzal climbed the stairs slowly, her suitcase rolling softly behind her. The closer she got to her room, the more aware she became of the weight of his gaze on her back. It was as if every step she took made him watch her even more intently, and she couldn't help the flutter in her chest.
Finally, she reached her room. Her fingers trembled slightly as she turned the handle, her mind still replaying the intensity of his eyes and the sound of his voice. Once inside, she closed the door quietly, leaning against it for a moment, trying to calm herself.
Her room was simple yet elegant—soft cream walls, a large window letting in the afternoon light, and a neatly made bed. But despite the calm surroundings, her thoughts kept returning to him.
He's Aaron… she reminded herself. It's just that he's… different now. More intense. More… commanding.
Henzal placed her suitcase down and tried to collect herself, smoothing her hair and adjusting her clothes. Yet, even as she tried to calm her racing heart, the memory of his green eyes, the way he had brushed her hair, and that deep, husky voice kept echoing in her mind.
Outside, the house was quiet, but she could still feel him there, just beyond the walls, and a small, unspoken part of her was drawn to him, even as her nerves kept her on edge.
Henzal went to her room, intending to take a shower. She picked out a dress, changed, and stepped into the bathroom. The warm water began to cascade over her, and she hummed softly to herself, letting the sound fill the room.
Unbeknownst to her, the door creaked open. It was him. He stepped inside the room, careful not to make a sound, and pressed his ear lightly to the bathroom door, listening to her soft humming.
After a few moments, he quietly left the bathroom, moving toward her bed. He picked up her cellphone, glanced briefly back at the bathroom door, and then slipped out of the room as silently as he had entered.
Henzal remained blissfully unaware, lost in the music and the warmth of the water, not knowing she had just been watched.
After some time, Henzal stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel that covered only her torso. Her long legs were exposed, and her wet hair hung freely over her shoulders, droplets clinging to her skin. She moved carefully, her bare feet silent against the floor, unaware of the lingering presence in the house.
Henzal was about to remove the towel when the door suddenly swung open. Aaron stood there.
Her eyes widened in shock. Instinctively, she clutched the towel tightly around herself and looked down, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Aaron's eyes softened slightly as he spoke, his voice calm. "Sorry… actually, I came to ask you for dinner," he said, glancing down to avoid her gaze.
Henzal nodded quickly, still clutching the towel around her.
"Okay… I'll be waiting downstairs," he added, then turned and left, closing the door quietly behind him.
Henzal exhaled shakily, pressing her back against the door for a moment, her heart still racing from the sudden encounter.
Henzal dressed in a soft nightdress, leaving her hair open as it was still damp. She stepped quietly downstairs.
As she descended, she saw Aaron at the dining table, carefully lighting a candle. The flickering glow illuminated his sharp features, and when his eyes lifted to meet hers, a strange sensation stirred within her—something she knew she shouldn't feel, yet couldn't ignore.
He smiled faintly. "Welcome back," Aaron said.
Henzal forced a small smile of her own. "Thank you," she replied, her voice steady despite the memory of what had happened moments earlier in the bedroom.
Inside, she silently thanked him for trying to make things normal again, and she, too, resolved to act as though nothing had happened.
Aaron pulled out a chair for her like a gentleman, and Henzal sat down. He took the seat beside her, serving food carefully onto her plate. She glanced at him, unable to stop her eyes from tracing the sharp line of his jaw, the veins running along his hands—details that somehow mesmerized her.
When her gaze lingered too long, he looked back at her. "So, how was your flight?" he asked casually.
"It was slightly tiring," she replied softly.
He studied her for a moment, then she chuckled lightly and said, "You've grown much taller than me."
His eyes darkened, predator-like, as he leaned back slightly. "Yeah… enough to cage you," he muttered under his breath.
Henzal blinked, confused. "What?"
He smiled faintly, covering the weight of his words. "Ah, yes… I've grown taller. And you're still under me," he added with a low chuckle, deep enough to make her chest tighten.
Author's Note:Things are starting to get intense between Henzal and Aaron 👀 Their first dinner together may look normal, but trust me, there's so much more happening beneath the surface. The mystery is only beginning… stay tuned! .... bye take care all ;) and don't forget to vote 🖤