Chapter 14
"Mr. Vale told me to tell you anything you need to know about this occasion," she said, her lips curving into a small, confident smile.
I sat opposite her, her poise almost unsettling. She crossed her legs gracefully, her back straight, her presence radiating an authority that didn't need to be spoken. For a moment, I studied her face—calm, polished, and sure of itself.
I returned her smile politely. "Oh, that's nice," I said, softening my tone with warmth. "May I start by knowing your name?"
Her eyes widened slightly, as though she had just realized her mistake. "Oh, of course." She laughed, though the sound carried a strange awkwardness. "How rude of me. Stephanie."
I nodded, and before I could speak again, she leaned forward with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"You can call me Ruby Rose when we're in public."
"Ruby Rose…" I touched my chin thoughtfully. "That's an interesting name."
Her lips curled again into that mysterious smile. "Thank you, Miss Juliet." She locked her icy-blue eyes with mine. "If you may know, this isn't like any business trip or occasion. It's built with rules and deeper secrets that few are allowed to behold."
Her voice lowered as she slowly tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, her gaze never leaving me. Something about her made my skin prickle—an uneasy feeling I couldn't quite put into words.
I forced a small smile, though my voice betrayed a hint of tension. "May I know what is so special about this trip?"
Her eyes gleamed knowingly, as if she was enjoying my discomfort. "You must be very special to Mr. Vale, for him to bring you here." She tilted her head slightly, her tone playful yet sharp. "Well… let's just say the reason is a secret."
I clenched my hands in my lap, trying to control the spark of anger rising inside me. "If you don't want to tell me about the occasion, then why did you even come here?"
Her smile only widened, as though she could see right through me. "I came because I'll be your guide," she said smoothly. "You'll be by my side every second of the day. Twenty-four… seven. We wouldn't want someone as pretty as you getting into trouble, would we?"
The way she said it made my stomach twist. Before I could reply, she rose elegantly to her feet, brushing down the sides of her sleek dress. With deliberate steps, she walked toward the door.
I watched her silently, my eyes narrowing. She paused at the doorway and turned her head back to me, her smile still intact.
"I'll be waiting for you in the car," she said, her voice light but edged with command. "And Juliet… don't waste time."
She left, closing the door softly behind her. I blinked twice, trying to shake off the unease lingering in the air. Suddenly, my phone rang from the table.
I walked over quickly and picked it up, my lips curling into a half-smile as I saw the name flashing on the screen: Elena. A surge of relief and irritation washed over me at the same time.
I answered immediately, not giving her the chance to speak first. "Where the hell have you been, Elena? Where the fuck did you keep your phone?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, my frustration boiling over.
Her soft laugh carried through the line, followed by her apologetic tone. "Sorry, love… I had such a busy day yesterday. The company work, and you know now that my dad puts everything in my hands. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"
I sank into the chair with a sigh, rubbing my temple. "Well, a lot happened yesterday. And when I say a lot, I mean every damn word of it. First, the party—"
"Wait." Her tone rose in shock. "Juliet, you went to a party? When? What happened?"
I pressed my palm against my forehead, frustration bubbling inside me. "Yes… to a fucking night party. And that demon invited me. Oh my God, why did I even go there? Am I crazy or something?"
"Juliet," Elena's voice softened, but it carried authority. "Calm down. Just breathe and tell me everything, okay? You don't need to be frustrated. Start from the beginning—what happened?"
I opened my mouth, but before I could begin, a sudden knock at the door made me freeze. My head turned toward the sound, my heart skipping.
"Elena, I'll call you later," I said quickly.
"Okay, baby. Call me soon, alright? Don't keep me waiting. Bye."
"Bye," I whispered, cutting the call.
I stood and walked toward the door cautiously. The moment I opened it, I felt my breath catch.
Standing there was Maevor, dressed in the sharpest ink-black suit I had ever seen. The fabric hugged his tall, sculpted frame perfectly, and his presence filled the doorway effortlessly. His eyes—deep, glimmering, unreadable—caught mine, and something unexplainable stirred inside me. My heart skipped a beat, betraying me.
He gave me his usual smile, calm yet disarming. "Good morning, Miss Juliet."
I swallowed, trying to steady myself, but smiled back. "Good morning, Maevor."
"Are you ready?" His voice was smooth, carrying a weight that both comforted and unsettled me. "I'll take you with me."
My chest tightened at the sound of his words. "Oh… really? Just give me a minute."
I turned quickly, heading back into the room. I picked up my bag from the table and glanced around one last time. Something about leaving the room felt final, like I was stepping into something bigger than I was prepared for.
With a deep breath, I walked to the door and followed him. His steps were calm, assured, and I trailed behind, my thoughts tangled between fear, curiosity, and the strange pull he had over me.
As we approached the sleek black car waiting outside, I felt a chill run through me. Whatever awaited me on this trip—it was no ordinary journey.