One step too close

I could sense the car slowing down, and eventually, we came to a halt in front of a tall gate. The gate was surrounded by a massive fence, making it tough to catch a glimpse of the interior.

The driver tapped the steering wheel, and the gate slid open with a smooth motion, giving way for the car to enter.

Two men dressed entirely in black stood beside the gate, giving the impression that this family had a preference for the color. Everything from their boots to their caps was a shade of black. While the driver had a suit like Mr. Robert, these guards wore simple, plain black shirts.

One of the guards approached the car, carefully inspecting every detail before signaling to the other guard with a nod. His stern face transformed into a faint smile, and he motioned for the driver to proceed.

The engine revved back to life, and we entered the large compound. The first thing that caught my attention was the grand fountain at the center. The fountain took the shape of a mermaid holding a little fish, water flowing down from her outstretched hand and the mouth of the fish cradled close to her chest.

Another thing that stood out was the abundance of flowers and trees,beautifully spread out. As I stepped out of the car, my focus shifted to the sound of a middle-aged woman raising her voice at a maid in uniform, her black hair neatly tied up. They stood before the main entrance, the young lady's head bowed, clutching a tray. The older woman, with streaks of gray in her hair, scolded the maid, whose trembling hands betrayed her fear. I couldn't help but wonder what mistake had led to such an outburst.

"Nana!" Owen's voice called out behind me. The stern expression on the woman's face dissolved into a bright smile as she turned to him.

My eyes widened as Owen's face broke into a genuine smile. They embraced tightly before stepping back. Her gaze shifted quickly to me then back at Owen

"And who might this be? Don't tell me you've already found a girlfriend." She playfully poked his chest.

Owen chuckled. "Nah, not at all. This is Piper, the girl Jake mentioned."

Her eyes widened, and she gasped. "You're the girl!" She turned to me. "You're even prettier in person. No wonder Jake fell for you. He's got great taste." Her words flustered me a bit; I was taken aback because our relationship was supposed to be fake, and I hadn't expected his grandmother to know.

I exchanged a puzzled glance with Owen, raising an eyebrow. He shook his head and said, "We're going to see Jake now."

"Sure, go ahead. It's a good thing his parents are away on a trip." She nodded, stepping aside to let us in and I breath out In relief.

As I stepped onto the nearly polished marble floor, the interior of the living room overwhelmed me. It was at least five times the size of mine, giving off an air of elegance. White sofas adorned the center, and a massive TV hung on the wall.

"He's upstairs in his room," the older woman informed, standing behind us. With that, she walked away to another part of the mansion, followed by the maid.

"I need to use the restroom," I told Owen, realizing I'd been holding it in for quite a while.

"Climb the stairs, go straight, and take a right," he directed, pulling out his phone. "I need to make a quick call." He stepped outside, leaving me to navigate alone.

Taking a deep breath, I began ascending the stairs. Each step seemed to reverberate throughout the mansion, the silence making me wonder if anyone even lived here.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, my heart sank as I was greeted by a long corridor with multiple doors. Was it a right turn? I hesitated before taking a right, only to find a series of doors. I needed the restroom.

With no other option, I guessed and turned the knob of the first door I encountered. It clicked open, revealing not the restroom, but a bedroom.

As I moved to close the door, something caught my eye, causing me to look around cautiously before entering.

Without wasting time, I walked toward a display shelf on the wall, which held a special piece. It wasn't just any light stick; it was a customized BLACKPINK light stick used in concerts.

My eyes lit up. I debated whether to touch it or not, as it appeared quite important to whoever owned it. But surely, a quick peek wouldn't hurt. I'd just take a brief look and put it back in its place.

My anticipation progressed through me as I extended my hand toward the light stick. I had never owned one, so holding it was a new experience. I turned it on and raised it in the air, as fans do during concerts.

"What are you doing here?" A voice called out from behind me. A voice I immediately recognized.

I quickly hid the light stick behind me, turning to face Jake, but what I saw was unexpected. There he stood, only clad in a towel around his waist. Water dripped from his hair, and his well-defined abs were exposed. It seemed he had been showering when I entered the room, yet I hadn't heard any water running. The silence was eerie.

"Are you going to answer me or keep staring?" His voice broke my daze, and I realized my gaze was still fixed on his body. I shifted my gaze to the floor, my face flushed.

His footsteps drew closer, and I could feel his warmth as he approached. Instinctively, I took a step back, but he continued moving, closing the distance between us. With nowhere to go, I found myself pinned against the wall.

"Look at me." His voice held authority, and I slowly raised my head to meet his deep brown eyes. He stood so close, and the world around me seemed to shrink. As if sensing my nervousness, he placed his hands on the wall, effectively trapping me. Water droplets from his hair fell, landing on my head.

Why wasn't I screaming or confronting him? I didn't know why. My body felt frozen, especially when his intense gaze shifted from my eyes to my lips. He held that gaze, wordless, before returning to my eyes. Nervously, I bit my lip and closed my eyes, feeling his breath draw nearer.

"I can't do this," I blurted out, pushing my way past him. I took a deep breath, relieved to have put some distance between us.