Killian asked me, "Will you come to Switzerland with me for two weeks?"
What would you have said, bestie? I wanted to say yes, but I already knew that doing so meant choosing Killian—and my heart, my entire body, would miss Lucius too.
Just as I was about to give my answer, standing before that perfect man, breathing heavily like a teenager and pressing his body against mine to push me into a decision, both our phones suddenly started blowing up with messages.
Killian read them with a serious expression, but then he smiled.
"My brother is clever. He's played his cards."
Confused, I grabbed my phone and started reading. The first message was from Mr. Longfield. My decision didn't matter; it was a direct order: "Tomorrow, you are to accompany Annia back to her home and stay there for two weeks at her request. Prepare yourself and do not let the agreement fall through. She must marry Killian."
The next message was from Lucius. Proud of his own cleverness, he wrote with a touch of irony: "I heard from my father that Killian was going to take you both to Annia's house and then 'coincidentally' travel to Switzerland on business for two weeks. Well, I spoke with him, and there have been some changes. My brother will only be there for the first seven days before returning to the mansion. I'll be going to Switzerland the second week to close those deals myself, and I'll be staying with you. Because I already know, my girl, that Annia and Killian made an agreement. Try not to fall in love with him during that first week—that would be very, very bad behavior."
Killian looked at me.
"Lucius knows me too well. My father just told me it'll only be one week in Switzerland because my brother wants to handle the deals personally, and I have to come back."
Inside, I smiled. First, because I had never been on a plane before, and honestly, I was excited. But more importantly, I wasn't ready to choose between them yet. The chance to be alone with both of them, far from Longfield, would make things much clearer for me. And the third reason? They were fighting over me in a game of chess that had long gone beyond a simple rivalry over a girl they liked... I think they love me. I don't know why—I don't understand it. Maybe Mr. Longfield is right. Maybe there's something about me that draws people in.
Killian kissed me passionately and said something beautiful:
"We're going to enjoy that week. I promise I'll leave such beautiful memories in your mind that, if life ever separates us, we'll still carry a part of each other inside. Don't worry about Lucius—he's my brother, and he always will be. When you choose me, I want you to never look back and feel like you missed out on something by not being with him."
I hugged him and left. A while later, Ursula arrived. She told me I had to keep Annia happy and willing to marry Killian at all costs, but she warned me:
"Listen carefully, Carmilla. They're not like us. They get what they want and move on to the next conquest. But it's even worse once they set their sights on something else—another woman, a business, anything they desire. If you oppose them, if you even dare to protest, they'll see you as an obstacle. And do you know what they do with obstacles? They remove them instantly, like a reflex, without guilt. They'll simply send you away somewhere they never have to see you again."
I thought about what she said. It was clear she was talking about herself. I'm sure Ursula had something with Mr. Longfield, and when it ended—when he cast her aside—she followed her own advice and never fought back. She simply accepted it. And I'm not criticizing her; I respect that choice. Instead of leaving, she stayed close to the man she loves, even if it isn't reciprocated. She's a beautiful, elegant woman. I hope that never happens to me. And like Killian said, if our paths ever separate, at least I'll have those memories—and them—deep inside me to remind me that this was real.
Oh my God! My new room is huge—at least three times bigger than the previous one. The furniture is all antique and luxurious, with high ceilings and chandeliers. There's a large mirror, a table with six chairs, and thank God, the bathroom has an incredible clawfoot tub, because I truly loved the one in my old room.
Across from me is the room of the "cloned blondes"—three identical rooms. One of them stepped out and looked at me like I was a cockroach, but she forced a fake smile and walked away. At least they're not running anymore.
But do you know what I loved most? The small balcony outside my main window... and not just because of the delicate flowers I'll place there, but because... it connects directly to Lucius's study. I could take a single step and, as long as I don't fall to my death, end up in his office. Walking through the hallway to their rooms is a bit more complicated—there's a guard at the entrance to Mr. Longfield's residence. Even from a distance, I doubt he's blind, and it won't take him long to notice how often Killian and Lucius sneak into my room.
While I was unpacking, Annia and Evangelina came to my door. They both hugged me and congratulated me on the room, but then looked at the ceilings and walls and said in unison:
"Outdated. We need to redecorate everything."
As Evangelina admired herself in the mirror, adjusting her lingerie beneath the English green blazer she was wearing, Annia and I just stared at her, mouths open. She's unbelievably beautiful—being near her feels almost magical, like you just want to touch her hair and stay close to her eyes.
Annia whispered to me:
"I met her at a fashion show three years ago... it was her runway debut. I liked her so much that I made her an offer. I asked her why she worked as a model, and she said to make money. So I asked her what she wanted the money for—what her dream was. She told me she wanted to have her own fashion brand in Milan. The next day, I gave her the keys to the shops and offices she'd need... and a Ferrari Daytona that I parked outside her door. Then I asked her to stay with me. Since then, I wake up next to her every day, and I'm happy... even though I don't think she loves me. No—that's not true. I'm sure she doesn't love me, that she stays for the luxury. But look at her... she's worth the entire world!"
See, bestie? Ursula and Annia have something in common when it comes to love... the resignation of staying close to the person you love, even if that love isn't returned. I truly hope that never happens to me—having to make that choice: walk away and say goodbye forever, or stay and hope that one day they'll look at you differently.
If this were one of those novels I used to read with Carol, Mr. Longfield would come out of his isolation and tell Ursula he finally dared to step outside just to see her again, and she would fall into his arms and they'd get married... or Evangelina, right now, as she opens her blazer and checks her abs in the mirror, would call Annia over, breathe onto the glass, and draw a heart with their initials—E and A. And in those novels, she'd say she learned to love her and never wants to leave her side, that it doesn't matter if they're rich or poor, that she'll never abandon her. But no... this is real life.
And in real life, Evangelina noticed I was staring at her like a hypnotized fool, and through the mirror, she winked at me and smiled with overwhelming sensuality. I felt embarrassed and flushed, but deep down, it made me feel beautiful.
I took a long, luxurious bath as night began to fall.
Message from Lucius: "I'll be back tomorrow, but you'll already be gone. Behave. See you in seven days in Switzerland."
Message from Killian: "Hey, sweetheart. Annia and Evangelina want a night of drinks and music in their room. You should go. We leave at dawn, and I need some sleep. I'll take you all by helicopter to my plane at 4 a.m. Try not to throw up, please. What are you doing?"
I replied: "Naked in the tub, breaking in my new room." As soon as I sent it and reread it, I thought: Not again. Why do I always sound like such a slut when I text him?
A few minutes later, I heard knock, knock, knock... and the door opening. Of course—I hadn't locked it. I didn't rush out of the tub. I knew it was him. I knew he'd come for me, just like that first night. And I was right.
His voice echoed:
"Can I come in? I wanted to tell you something about the trip."
"I'm in the tub. I'll be out in a second and you can tell me then."
"Can I come in?" he asked again, right outside the bathroom door.
"I'm naked," I said.
"Completely naked?" he insisted.
The animal tone in his voice ignited every desire in me, and I answered softly:
"Okay... come in."
He opened the door. He was wearing an aviator jacket and a black T-shirt. He walked over, knelt beside the tub, and kissed me. The foam hid my body, so he slid his hand into the water, not caring that his clothes were getting soaked. I closed my eyes and let him touch me in silence. I let him do whatever he wanted. And just when I was about to tell him to stop—that he was driving me insane—I saw the veins in his neck, his tense jaw, his expression of pure pleasure... and I couldn't hold back. I reached climax, screaming loudly—very loudly. Not a small cry, not at all. When I say loud, I mean it felt like I was releasing a lifetime of suppressed desire.
I wanted more. I wanted him to feel what I felt. I began unbuckling his belt as I knelt in the tub. He lifted his arms and let me, and in that moment—I have to admit it—his shirt rose slightly, revealing perfectly sculpted lower abs, and I completely lost control, but...
Knock, knock, knock...
And a female voice:
"Is everything okay in there? I heard a scream, Carmilla! Answer me—the security guards are coming!"
I quickly put on a bathrobe. Killian stayed silent. When I stepped out, I saw it was one of the clones—and that's when I understood everything. She wasn't concerned at all. She was almost smiling, savoring the situation.
"I heard you scream and thought I saw someone go in earlier, so I called security—they're on their way! Don't worry!" she said loudly.
Then, under her breath, she whispered:
"When Mr. Longfield finds out you and Killian are involved... you'll be out of here in less than a second. Bye-bye, Carmilla."
I heard footsteps in the hallway. Two guards were coming up the stairs, and Mr. Longfield's personal guard was heading straight toward me.
I was shaking. The clone leaned in again:
"You've lost everything. That's why we have contracts in this mansion—to keep trash like you from ruining the family."
Just as I was about to answer, the guards arrived.
"Carmilla Morris, step out immediately! You've been reported for a violation of Clause 7. If Mr. Killian is inside, you will be removed at once by order of Mr. Longfield... Is he inside your room? Answer now, or we will enter by force."