Inside, Black was lounging behind his computer, a smirk already on his face as I entered. He looked up, eyes narrowing. "Zhan," he says, his voice smooth, but laced with something dangerous. "You're late."
I swallow hard, my gaze dropping. I force myself to stand taller, refusing to let him see my troubles. "Had things to do."
He narrows his eyes. "Things to do?" He leans forward, his fingers tapping on the desk, each tap loud in the quiet. "Do you think I'm someone to be kept waiting?"
"Sorry! I got carried away with what I was doing." I reply.
"Thought you'd be hiding with that old lady forever." he hissed.
"I wasn't hiding," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. "I was just helping my grandmother."
Black laughed a dark sound that sent chills through me. "Helping, huh? You belong here. I don't like you going off without me knowing where you are."
I bit my lip, forcing myself to stay calm. "I can't just drop everything every time you call. I have a life too, you know?"
The smirk disappeared, and his eyes hardened. He leaned forward, his fingers tapping against his knee. "You think you have a choice? After what your mother did, I own you. Or did you forget that little detail?"
I felt the familiar surge of anger and hurt rise, but I swallowed it down, knowing better than to argue. "No," I said quietly, my gaze dropping to the floor. "I haven't forgotten."
"Good," he replied, his voice smooth and satisfied. "Because if I have to remind you, it won't be pretty. Just ask your mother what happens when people don't pay their debts."
I clenched my fists at my sides, fighting back the urge to scream. This wasn't a life, it was a trap, a cage that felt like it was closing in tighter every day. I hated him, hated the way he looked at me like I was a possession, something he could control. But I had to keep that hatred buried, hidden, because showing it would only make things worse.
Black leaned back, his smile returning. "I want you to stay here tonight."
I shook my head, summoning every ounce of courage I had left. I need to get back. Grandma's expecting me. I opened my mouth to tell him the truth, but the thought of his mocking smile stopped me. The silence felt safer.
He scowled, annoyance flickering across his face. "I don't care what she's expecting. You're staying here." His tone was final, cold.
Panic surged in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. "Please, Black. She's old, and I don't want her worrying. I'll come back tomorrow, I promise."
"Freshen up and get dressed, I have a party and I want you to be my plus-one. If you behave, I'll drop you at home," Black says, his tone commanding yet casual.
I don't answer him. I simply open the door to his room, step inside, and head straight for the bathroom. I can hear his soft chuckle, but it doesn't matter. The water from the shower hits my skin like a gentle reminder of all the things I've been running from lately. I finish, towel dry, and pull on the fresh clothes laid out on the bed for me. They fit perfectly, yet they're the kind of clothes that make me feel out of place. Stylish, yes, but I'm not sure they suit me. Nevertheless, I look in the mirror, steady myself, and walk toward the office.
When I step into the office, Black looks up from his phone. His lips curl into a smile. "You look good," he says, standing up and walking toward me. He places his hand on my chest, a soft gesture that doesn't quite match the intensity in his eyes.
I don't respond, only mutter, "I'm hungry."
Black smirks and raises an eyebrow. "There's enough food at the party."
Without waiting for me to respond, he pulls me toward the door. I'm already at the point where I just let him lead.
His driver is waiting outside, we slide in and the car zooms off into the night. I rest my head against the cool window, staring out at the blur of lights as we move through the city. But my mind is elsewhere, lost in thoughts of my grandmother. It's hard to escape the nagging worry gnawing at me.
As we drive past rows of beautiful houses, I can't help but stare. Some are grand, others simple, but they all have a charm to them. I catch sight of one house in particular, and a chill runs down my spine. It's the house I jumped into the day I first saw Yu Bin. The lights are on, and the house almost seems to pulse with an eerie magnetism, drawing my eyes and my thoughts back to that fateful evening.
Ten minutes later, the car screeched to a halt. As we step out, the beat of the music hits me hard. I glance around, taking in the scene. The mansion is sprawling, surrounded by tall, iron gates, and spotlights flash across the lush grounds. The security team looks like they're ready for war, with fierce dogs on alert by their sides, leashed but tense. People are swarming in through the entrance, all of them dressed in sharp, luxurious attire, some already clutching drinks and laughing a little too loudly.
Black grabs my arm. "Stick close to me," he says, voice low. "Don't wander off." He looks at me, his gaze intense, almost like he's searching for something beyond my expression.
I nod, my stomach knotting with nerves. This isn't my scene, and I feel like I've been thrown into someone else's dream, or maybe their nightmare. As we step further into the crowd, I can't shake the feeling that everyone's eyes are on us. People glance our way, some with envy or even a touch of suspicion. I try to ignore it, but my mind keeps drifting back to my grandmother. What would she think of me being here? She's probably worried, wondering where I am, and I hate that I couldn't call her.
Black leads us inside, into a grand hall where everything is gleaming. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, reflecting prisms of light. Tables are laid out with platters of food that smell incredible, but there's something hollow about it all. The laughter seems forced, the smiles thin.
"You wanted food?" Black says, pointing toward the buffet with a smirk. "Eat something before you faint."
I give him a small glare but make my way over to the buffet, piling a plate with whatever catches my eye. I barely take a bite before Black nudges me again, pulling me away from my plate of food. "I want you by my side," he mutters, sounding impatient.
As we weave through the crowd, Black stops now and then, exchanging handshakes, nods, and polite smiles. It's clear he's respected here, maybe even feared. People part for him, casting curious glances my way as if to wonder what someone like me is doing by his side.
We find ourselves in a corner, my stomach rumbles, reminding me just how hungry I am. I look at Black, feeling a bit more grounded now. "Why did you bring me here?" I ask, keeping my voice low.
He glances at me, his eyes unreadable. "Maybe I just wanted company. Or maybe," he pauses, smirking, "I wanted to see if you could handle it."
I roll my eyes, about to reply, but just then, I catch sight of someone across the room. He's laughing, talking with someone, looking so at ease that it feels surreal. My heart skips, and I'm frozen, unsure of what to do.
Black notices my stare and follows my gaze. "See anything you like?" he asks with a smirk, his eyes flicking toward a group of people dancing in the centre of the room.
I shrug, unsure how to respond. "I told you I was hungry," I say, more to avoid answering his question than anything else.
He laughs and rolls his eyes. "You'll survive a little longer. There's food out back, but first..." He gestures toward a group of men standing near a balcony, engaged in quiet conversation. "I need to handle some business."
I follow him, keeping my gaze down and my hands in my pockets. My mind drifts to my grandmother again, wondering if she's okay, if she's awake and worried about me. I feel a pang of guilt for being here, surrounded by luxury while she sleeps alone in the small hospital bed.
As Black talks to the men, I drift away a bit, wandering toward the glass doors that lead out to the balcony. When I open them, a blast of fresh air hits me, and I step onto a sprawling patio lined with tables overflowing with food. My stomach growls at the sight of it—trays of appetizers, roasted meats, exotic fruits, and desserts that look like they belong in a magazine spread.
I grab a plate and start piling it with food, savouring each bite as I take in the scene around me. There are groups of people talking, and laughing, and some even swimming in a huge pool on the other side of the yard. It's a surreal contrast to my usual life, a glimpse into a world that feels like it belongs in a movie.
Lost in thought, I almost jump when Black appears beside me. "Having fun?" he asks, his tone softer than before.
I nod, swallowing a piece of meat. "It's... different."
He smirks. "Stick close tonight, alright?" He pauses, his face darkening slightly. "A lot is happening here, and not all of it is safe."
I nod again, trying not to show how his words send a chill through me.
"Come with me," Black says, snatching my plate and dropping it on the table. I blink, caught off guard by his sudden urgency. The air thickens with smoke as he pulls me toward the door, his grip firm yet gentle.
Black gestures towards a long table filled with food as he opens the glass door, and I can't hide my relief. The aroma hits me first, roasted meats, spiced vegetables, and pastries. My stomach growls, reminding me I haven't eaten all day. Black chuckles, giving me a nudge toward the table.
"See? I told you there'd be enough food."
I don't respond, just load a plate with food. He watches me with a slight smirk as if he finds my appetite amusing. But I ignore him, focusing on the food, the one familiar comfort in this strange place.
After I finish eating, Black pulls me towards a group of people deep in conversation. They're talking about investments and markets, throwing around terms I don't understand, and I try to keep my gaze neutral like I belong here. Black occasionally nods, adding a comment that draws appreciative chuckles from the others.
Black nudges me toward the bar. "Grab a drink. Loosen up," he says, and his tone is almost playful, a rare thing for him. I follow his lead, ordering something simple, unsure of what to expect from the night.
As I sip my coke, I catch Black looking around, his gaze sharp, almost calculating. It's like he's sizing up the crowd, mentally cataloguing everyone and everything. I can't help but feel like I'm some accessory to him tonight, a piece to play with in whatever game he's got going on. I shake my head, trying to clear the thought, but it sticks, nagging at me.
Black notices my distraction. "Still thinking about your grandma?" he asks, his voice softer now, almost understanding. The question surprises me, it's rare for him to show that kind of consideration. For a brief moment, the wall he keeps around himself seems to waver.
"Yeah," I admit, looking down. "I just... I just hope she's okay."
He nods, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes before he gestures toward the dance floor. "Let's take your mind off things," he says. "At least for tonight."