The next morning, Liora woke up at eight o'clock.
At first, she was confused about her surroundings, but then the events of the previous night came rushing back. She remembered the strange surge of energy that had coursed through her body while walking home from the hotel. She remembered the pain, an agony so intense it felt like her head was going to explode, and how she had collapsed onto the street before being hit by a car.
But now, Liora couldn't tell if that horror had actually happened or if it was just a vivid hallucination. In the next moment, she found herself unharmed in the guest room of Mr. Brown, one of England's most famous businessmen.
A shy smile spread across Liora's face as she recalled the scenes that followed inside the mansion. She wanted to find Mr. Brown and ask him how exactly she had ended up there, but when she glanced at her wristwatch, panic set in.
"Oh shit, it's eight o'clock! I have to go to uni!" Liora muttered to herself.
She quickly scrambled out of bed, grabbed her bag from the table, and hurried out of the room. However, she felt it was rude to leave without informing Mr. Brown, or Ronan. But since this was her first time in the massive mansion, she had no idea where to go. She stood in the corridor, hesitating, until luck intervened and Miss Scott appeared.
"Oh, Miss, you're awake? I was just coming to check on you. You didn't eat anything last night. Let's get you some breakfast." Miss Scott said kindly.
"Oh, don't worry about that. I'm already late for university. I'll grab something on the way. Thank you for asking." Liora said, bowing her head politely. "Um... where is Mr. Brown right now? Can I see him? I really need to tell him something before I go."
Miss Scott smiled apologetically. "The Young Master is still asleep. He is not a morning person, and trying to wake him now would just make him bite my head off. I'll tell him later that you had to leave."
"Oh, is that so?" Liora's face fell with sadness.
She had really wanted to see the handsome CEO again. To say she wasn't attracted to Ronan, and the comforting scent she had inhaled while in his arms last night, would be a lie. Liora sighed.
"Could you show me the way out? I'm afraid I'll get lost in this house." Liora asked with a sheepish laugh.
"Come this way, Miss." Miss Scott said, leading the way down the corridor. Liora followed silently behind her.
"I don't know if you mind me asking... but who are you? What is your relationship with our Young Master?" Miss Scott asked as they walked.
"Oh, it's okay. I'm Liora. You can just call me Liora, Auntie. And... I have no relationship with Mr. Brown at all."
"Damn," Miss Scott sighed audibly.
"Wh-what?"
"Ah, no, I just meant it would be really nice if there was a relationship, Li-Lio..."
"Liora."
"Oh yes, Liora."
"Why would you say that?" Liora asked, confused.
"Our Young Master is a loner." Miss Scott explained, her voice turning wistful. "The only friend he has is Mr. Michael, and he's just like him, a tough guy. So that doesn't really help. But I saw a change in his face last night. A good change. And it's because of you, darling. So if possible, for this old lady... I'm practically like your grandma, right?" Miss Scott paused for a moment and laughed softly before continuing seriously. "If you can change our Young Master for this old lady... that would be a huge thing. He has never received what people call love."
Miss Scott sighed sadly.
Liora's eyes widened at the request. It was a very strange thing to ask. No one had ever asked her to do something like that before. Had Ronan really never experienced love? So, instead of asking him to change, Miss Scott was asking her to love Ronan?
Liora blushed at the thought. She felt a mix of sadness and curiosity about Ronan. Unable to think of a proper response, she quickly changed the subject.
"Um... can you tell me how I got here?" Liora asked.
"The Young Master picked you up when you were unconscious and brought you here. That's all I know." Miss Scott replied.
"Oh, really?" Liora asked, still confused. She glanced at her watch again. "Oh, I'm really late! I have to go, Grandma. Thank you very much for everything!"
Liora bowed to Miss Scott one last time and sprinted out of the mansion.
Just then, Michael was entering the property. Liora, running at full speed, didn't see him in time. She slammed into him.
To her shock, the collision didn't just knock him down, it sent Michael flying several meters backward. Liora froze, terrified and amazed at the same time. She quickly ran over to Michael and helped him up.
"Oh, sorry, sir! I'm so sorry, that was my mistake!" Liora cried, bowing her head frantically.
Before Michael could even respond, Liora turned and bolted toward the gate, panicked about the time.
Michael stood there, eyes wide, watching her disappear. Then, as if remembering something urgent, he sprinted into the mansion.
"Oh, Mr. Micha-" Miss Scott started.
"Where is Ron?"
"Sleeping in his room. But-"
Before Miss Scott could finish, Michael rushed upstairs and burst into Ronan's room. He grabbed the sleeping figure and shook him violently.
"Ron!! Ron...!! Get up!!"
Ronan woke up in a panic, startled by Michael's screaming.
"Why?! What's wrong?" Ronan shouted back angrily.
"Who was that girl who just left the house? What's her connection to you? Why did she come to this house?!" Michael asked anxiously, his voice rising.
Ronan frowned, annoyed by the interrogation. But then, his eyes widened as he realized what Michael was saying.
"What?! Did that girl leave? Shit! I told her we needed to talk about what happened yesterday," Ronan muttered, gritting his teeth.
"What happened yesterday? Tell me everything, Ron." Michael demanded.
Ronan glared at him. "What the hell is wrong with you this morning? You know I hate being bombarded with questions. And what concern is it of yours who she was or what relationship she has with me?" Ronan shouted back.
"So you're starting to hide things from me now, Ron?"
When Michael said that, Ronan frowned and rubbed his forehead with his fingers. He had already decided not to tell Michael about the supernatural incident until he could figure out the truth himself.
"I saw that girl lying unconscious on the street when I was coming home yesterday," Ronan lied smoothly. "I couldn't just leave her on the street, so I brought her here. That's it. There is no other connection."
Hearing this, Michael let out a sigh of relief and slumped into a nearby chair.
"Why did you ask?" Ronan pressed.
"N-No reason. It's just that... someone like that has never been to this house before."
Ronan sighed. "Never mind that. Why are you here so early today?" he asked, eyeing Michael's sharp outfit.
"Um, well... I'm going to the company today. From today on, I'll be going in every day. Working from home is hard; it's easier to be on-site. I thought I'd stop by here before I went," Michael said, trying hard not to blush.
"Oh... I thought you were going to see your new girlfriend," Ronan teased.
Michael didn't respond, he just looked down and smiled shyly.
"I-I'm going. I'm going to be late," Michael stammered, standing up and leaving the room quickly.
Ronan sighed and sat back, his mind drifting to the previous night. He wrapped his own arms around himself and closed his eyes. He desperately wanted to feel that warmth again, the sensation of holding Liora. He was becoming obsessed with these strange feelings he couldn't understand.
While lost in thought about Liora, he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in."
His driver, who had been on leave the previous day, opened the door.
"Sir, I washed and cleaned the car this morning. I found this strange necklace under the passenger seat," the driver said, placing a necklace into Ronan's hand.
Ronan examined it. It was a silver chain with a pendant in the shape of a circle, like a small ring.
It must be that girl's, Ronan thought.
He dismissed the driver. As Ronan prepared to get out of bed, he suddenly stumbled, freezing as if he had seen a ghost. A realization struck him hard.
"Wh-what? I... I didn't have that weird dream last night, did I?"
He stood frozen. Why didn't I have that nightmare last night? I've had it every single night for twenty-one years. Strange things have been happening to me since yesterday... but this is good. That dream really bothers me.
With that thought, Ronan began getting ready to go to his company.
• • • • •
Meanwhile, Liora got off the bus near her apartment. She walked quickly, worried that Sophia must have been terrified by her absence.
But surprisingly, she didn't feel any tiredness or weakness. In fact, she felt incredible. She started running, fueled by an inexplicable joy. After running for a while, Liora realized her speed was unusual; people on the sidewalk were staring at her with confused expressions. She slowed down to a walk.
She was incredibly happy. Usually, she couldn't walk ten steps without feeling exhausted, but today, even after sprinting, she wasn't tired at all. Suddenly, she possessed a remarkable strength.
Liora, practically hopping like a happy rabbit, arrived at the apartment complex. She saw Sophia walking out the front door.
Upon seeing Liora, Sophia's gaze bounced between the apartment building and Liora in utter amazement.
"Where are you coming from? I thought you were in the apartment! didn't you sleep here last night?!" Sophia asked, shocked.
Liora rolled her eyes playfully. "I was thinking you must be searching for me everywhere in a panic. I was ready to beat myself with a stick for worrying you." Liora muttered.
"What?"
"No, nothing. Wait, where were you last night?"
"Ah, I came home really late last night," Sophia admitted. "I thought you were asleep in your room, so I slept on the sofa without making a sound."
"So, where were you?" Sophia asked again.
"Ah, I was... at Mr. Ronan Brown's house."
Liora looked down, trying to hide her blushing face. Sophia, noticing the change in Liora's expression, grew suspicious.
"Do you like him?" Sophia asked, her tone sharp.
"Huh? What? No, no! He's not as bad as you think, but I don't like him at all." Liora denied, frowning.
"What were you doing there? Besides, you have no business at Mr. Brown's house. It's far away. Tell me exactly what happened last night." Sophia demanded.
Liora took a deep breath. She decided to tell the truth, but omitting the supernatural parts to sound sane.
"Yesterday, Samuel bothered me again at uni. Even though Ethan saved me, I was really upset about it. Then, I had a lot of work at the hotel, so I left late. I was tired and upset, thinking I didn't want to live like a weakling anymore, so I just wandered around."
Liora paused, tearing up. Sophia immediately hugged her, tears forming in her own eyes.
"I don't even know where I was walking." Liora continued. "I suddenly lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was at Mr. Brown's house. That's what happened."
Liora stopped crying and laughed a little as the memory of Ronan surfaced.
"Sorry, Liora. I'm useless. I couldn't take care of you. I'm so sorry." Sophia said, biting her lip in guilt.
"Don't think about it, Sophie. I don't want you to worry about me too much. Now smile, hmm?" Liora said brightly.
Sophia looked at Liora and smiled weakly. But then, her expression changed instantly as her eyes dropped to Liora's neck.
"L-Liora? W-where is the necklace?" Sophia asked in shock.
Liora grabbed at her collarbone, fear seizing her.
"O-oh, Sophia... w-where's the necklace? I think it fell at Mr. Brown's house!" Liora cried out, panic rising in her voice. "S-should I go back there again?"
She asked nervously, though a small part of her secretly wanted an excuse to see Ronan again.
"No! No." Sophia said quickly. "I'll look for it. You're already too late for uni. You go now. Remember, I'm a reporter. I'll find it for you, okay?"
Sophia stroked Liora's head soothingly. The smile on Liora's face faded into disappointment.
"O-Okay, then I'll go." Liora smiled awkwardly and walked away sadly.
"You probably haven't eaten, have you?!! Grab something to eat at the university, okay??!" Sophia shouted after her.
"Okay!!" Liora shouted back.
Sophia watched Liora walk away and sighed heavily.
Liora, you have to stay away from him, Sophia thought to herself, worry gnawing at her. You may have a little crush on him, but don't think beyond that. Please... I don't want to hurt your feelings.