Chương 25: Chapter 25: Secrets in the Shadows
Taylor watched from a distance as Misha's car pulled up to the sprawling estate of the Smith family. Ensuring that no one followed them, he discreetly made his way toward the Ravenscroft mansion, his thoughts heavy with the troubling events that had unfolded in the woods earlier that night.
---
Inside the Ravenscroft mansion, Lucas sat at his study desk, his brow furrowed as he sifted through stacks of documents. His mind, however, wasn't on the papers in front of him. The image of Julie—the girl with green eyes, the one who had somehow managed to draw him in—kept distracting him. The pull between them, undeniable and strange, gnawed at him.
A knock on the door broke his reverie. Taylor entered, his usually composed demeanor giving way to a slight unease. Lucas raised an eyebrow at him, silently questioning what had brought him here instead of following orders to keep an eye on Julie.
"Sir," Taylor said, bowing his head in respect. "There was an incident tonight. I followed Julie to the woods, as ordered, and I saw something... unnatural."
Lucas stiffened at the mention of the woods. He set down the papers, his attention now fully on Taylor. "What happened?"
"A dark witch," Taylor continued, his voice tinged with urgency. "She was trying to lure Julie deeper into the forest. I tried to confront her, but she disappeared before I could act. Julie saw me and I told her I work for the Ravenscroft family to keep her calm. She didn't ask too many questions, but..." Taylor hesitated. "She's staying at the Smith mansion with her friends for the weekend."
Lucas's jaw tightened. The thought of Julie being in danger, especially after drawing the attention of a dark witch, filled him with a protective instinct he couldn't ignore. "This is not good," he muttered under his breath.
Taylor nodded. "I haven't explained anything to her. She doesn't know the full extent of what's going on."
"Good," Lucas said, his voice clipped. "She's human, Taylor. She doesn't know about our world yet. And I'm not ready for her to. You did well keeping things from her. Make sure she doesn't get caught up in situations like this again."
Taylor bowed his head once more. "Of course, sir."
Lucas dismissed him with a wave, his mind swirling with thoughts of Julie. As he sat back in his chair, he pulled out his phone and stared at her number. His men had gathered information on her—details about her life, her history. When he'd found her phone number in the records, he'd saved it, though he hadn't labeled it. Instead, there was just an angel's wing emoji next to her name.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he recalled the first time he met Julie. She had fallen into his arms like a fallen angel. He couldn't quite explain why he felt compelled to save her number like that. But as much as he wanted to fight it, something about her felt... destined.
---
Meanwhile, across town at the Smith mansion, Julie found herself mesmerized by the grandeur of the estate as she stepped out of Misha's car. The mansion stood proudly before her, an imposing yet elegant structure surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowerbeds. A stone fountain bubbled in the center of the front garden, its water sparkling under the moonlight. Julie couldn't help but be in awe of the sheer beauty of the place.
"This place is amazing," she said, her voice full of admiration. "It's so beautiful!"
Misha grinned. "You should see it from the inside. Mom decorated the whole place herself." She waved to a housekeeper who greeted them warmly and offered to take Julie's bag. As Misha led her inside, Julie couldn't help but feel like she was stepping into a different world—a world far removed from her own modest dorm room.
The interior of the mansion was just as breathtaking as the outside. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork, and the air smelled faintly of lavender. The furniture was luxurious yet understated, with soft lighting that created a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The hallway opened into a spacious living room, where Misha's mother and older sister, Olivia, were sipping tea and chatting about the upcoming anniversary party.
Misha's mother, a woman with an air of grace and kindness, stood up to greet them as they entered. "Julie, welcome!" she said, her voice warm and inviting. "Please, call me Aunty. Mrs. Smith makes me feel old."
Julie smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Aunty," she replied, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. She was instantly at ease in the presence of Misha's family, feeling an unexpected sense of belonging.
Olivia, Misha's older sister, gave her a friendly smile and introduced herself. "It's great to meet you, Julie. If Misha gives you any trouble, you just let me know," she said, teasing her younger sister. "I'll teach her a lesson."
Julie laughed, feeling a surge of warmth toward Misha's family. Misha, the more mischievous of the two, seemed to be the perfect foil for Olivia's more responsible and protective nature.
After the initial greetings, Misha eagerly showed Julie around the mansion. As they walked through the large, airy rooms, Julie marveled at the elegant but minimalist design. The kitchen was open and bright, with a sleek island in the center and polished counters. The hallway led to the grand staircase that spiraled upward, its polished wood gleaming in the soft light.
At last, Misha led Julie to her room. The door opened to reveal a space that was chaotic, yet strangely endearing. Posters of boy bands and racing bikes plastered the walls, while mismatched furniture and clothes lay scattered across the floor. Misha's bed, a large, unmade mattress, took up most of the space, and a cluttered study table sat beneath the window. There were also a few dresses hanging in the closet, pristine and untouched, a stark contrast to the rest of the room.
"Sorry about the mess," Misha said, grinning sheepishly. "I'm not really the 'tidy' type. My mom and sister always try to get me to wear these dresses, but I never do. I'm more into jeans and band tees."
Olivia, who had followed them into the room, laughed. "It's like living with a little brother instead of a sister. I swear, I never know what to buy you anymore."
Julie chuckled, feeling a sense of comfort in the chaos. It was clear that Misha was loved here, accepted for who she was, and in that moment, Julie realized how much she valued the friendship they had quickly formed.
As they continued to explore, Julie's thoughts drifted away from the mysterious encounter in the woods. She had already decided to keep it to herself, dismissing it as nothing more than an odd coincidence. But the warmth of Misha's home, the genuine smiles from her family, and the sense of belonging she felt in that moment made her forget about the strange events of the past few days. For the first time in a while, she allowed herself to relax.
Misha, noticing Julie's smile, grinned. "I'm glad you're here. I think you'll fit right in."
Julie couldn't help but agree. It felt like she was finally starting to find a place for herself.
But even as she laughed with her new friends and soaked in the warmth of Misha's family, a strange feeling gnawed at the back of her mind—an unspoken tension, a sense that something was still lurking in the shadows, just beyond her reach.
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