The next day 1

Lucy felt a rush of cold air against her skin, causing her to instinctively roll to the other side of the bed. She was barely awake when she became aware of an unfamiliar weight, someone's arm draped around her waist. The blinding sunlight pierced through the curtains, forcing her to squint as her mind slowly woke up. A sharp headache pulsed through her skull, her hands instinctively pressing against her temples as fragments of last night rushed back to her.

The events of the previous evening were a blur memories scrambled, flashes of danger and adrenaline mixing with confusion. Lucy's heart raced as she realized she wasn't alone. Her eyes darted to the person lying next to her, the stranger who had saved her, now asleep with his arm still loosely around her. Her gaze traveled lower, she froze under the covers, she was naked. Panic flooded her senses, and she quickly removed his arm, clutching the blanket tightly around herself.

She surveyed the room. It wasn't hers. The spacious layout and modern decor told her she was in someone's mansion, somewhere luxurious, but foreign to her. Anxiety gnawed at her as her gaze settled back on the sleeping figure. How did she end up here? And more importantly, who was he?

Quietly, she slipped out of the bed, wrapping the blanket around her as she moved toward the bathroom. The moment the door shut behind her, Lucy exhaled in relief. She took a few minutes to freshen up, the cool water on her face helping her think clearly. As she dried herself with a white towel, she couldn't shake the image of the man in the bed from her mind. He had a face that was oddly familiar, a face she had seen before. But where?

She re-entered the bedroom, towel wrapped around her chest and hair, she paused at the foot of the bed, drying her hair absentmindedly while studying him. The more she looked at him, the more the pieces clicked into place. His tousled dark hair and chiseled features made him strikingly handsome too handsome. Then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit her. She had heard his name before. "Dizerta... or Diceta," she muttered to herself, recalling how her friend Miranda had gushed about him. The infamous musician and the son of a powerful CEO. A man whose presence could make women swoon.

Lucy's blood boiled. What was he playing at? Was he trying to ruin her reputation? Her hands clenched as she considered the possibility, but she needed answers before she acted. She took a step closer to the bed, reaching out to shift his hair for a better look when suddenly, his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist.

Her heart jumped in her chest. He was awake.

Diceta slowly opened his eyes, his grip firm but calm as he raised himself up against the bedpost. His sharp gaze locked onto hers, curiosity flickering in his dark eyes as he took in the sight of her, standing there in nothing but a towel.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was calm but commanding, like someone used to having the upper hand in any situation.

Lucy's anger flared at his audacity. What am I doing here? She should be asking him that! But before she could form a response, Diceta stood, his towering frame closing the distance between them. He moved with a predatory grace, and Lucy instinctively backed up until she felt the cool press of the wall against her back.

Diceta's arms caged her in, his hands on either side of her against the wall. His eyes were studying her carefully, as if trying to piece together what had happened when his eyes sight his demon mark on her neck them all his memory return to him. "You're the reporter," he murmured, his expression shifting as a flash of recognition crossed his face. "Lucy... Vanessa. You were investigating me."

Lucy's breath hitched. So he knew who she was. The realization brought a fresh wave of anger, but before she could respond, the door creaked open, and a tall man with sharp features walked in, his eyes glued to his phone. "Mr. Diceta, you have a meeting at noon today," the man said absentmindedly.

The man Axel, Diceta's assistant looked up from his phone and froze, his eyes widening at the sight before him. Lucy still pinned against the wall, wrapped in a towel, and Diceta standing half-naked, his broad chest bare except for the towel around his waist.

"I'll... just leave," Axel said awkwardly, backing out of the room as fast as he could.

The moment the door clicked shut, Lucy pushed Diceta away with a surprising amount of force, her frustration boiling over. She hastily gathered her clothes from the floor, but Diceta stopped her with a calm, almost amused expression.

"I'll have something more suitable brought up for you," he said, his voice neutral, but there was an undertone of something she couldn't place.

Lucy huffed but remained silent. She wasn't about to parade around in the clothes from last night, so she reluctantly agreed. Diceta disappeared into the bathroom to freshen up, Lucy walked over to the closet. When she opened it, her breath caught. Rows upon rows of expensive-looking women's clothes hung there dresses, casual wear, shoes...

Who else has he brought here? she thought bitterly, grabbing a pair of black jeans, a pink oversized shirt, and some boots. She dressed quickly and went over to the vanity to fix her hair and add some makeup. As she picked up a brush, she noticed a stunning diamond necklace lying there, catching the light. For a brief moment, she was tempted to wear it, but decided against it.

When Diceta emerged from the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist, his gaze swept over her. Without a word, he picked up the necklace and approached her. Before she could protest, he gently lifted her hair and clasped the necklace around her neck, his fingers brushing her skin.

Lucy's heart pounded, but she wasn't about to let his charm distract her. When he was done, Diceta stepped back, admiring his handiwork. "You look like a model," he mused, though his voice lacked the playful arrogance it had before. There was something softer, more contemplative about him now.

Lucy, however, wasn't buying it. "This doesn't change anything between us," she said sharply, turning away from him.

Diceta's lips twitched into a small smile, but he said nothing. He went to the other closet and dressed quickly while Lucy stood awkwardly by the door, unsure of what to say or do. When he was finished, she muttered a quiet "thank you" before turning to leave.

She wandered through the vast mansion, still processing everything, she heard a voice behind her. "Miss, are you lost?"

She turned to see Axel, now looking much more composed. His friendly smile eased some of her tension. "No, I'm just... looking around," she replied.

Axel extended his hand. "I'm Smith Axel, Diceta's personal assistant. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lucy."

Lucy shook his hand, her mind still spinning. "Nice to meet you, too," she said, trying to sound casual.

"Would you like to join us for breakfast?" Axel offered.

Lucy's stomach growled loudly, betraying her. They both laughed, breaking the awkwardness. "I'd love to," she said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Axel led her to the dining room, where they shared a light conversation, poking fun at Diceta's moodiness. When they arrived, Diceta was already seated at the head of the table, his expression unreadable as Axel pulled out a chair for Lucy. As they ate, Diceta remained mostly silent, his eyes occasionally flickering to Lucy.

After breakfast, Axel reminded Diceta of his noon meeting, and Diceta's mood shifted. He approached Lucy, intending to speak to her privately, but Lucy stood her ground, refusing to follow him back to the room.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," she said firmly.

Diceta's expression darkened, but before she could protest further, he placed a hand on her forehead telling her to sleep, and a wave of drowsiness hit her. She barely had time to react before she slipped into unconsciousness.

Diceta caught her just before she fell, lifting her effortlessly and carrying her back to the room. His jaw tightened as he locked the door behind him. With Lucy safely out of sight, he turned and headed to his meeting, his thoughts consumed by the strange, fiery journalist who had unknowingly entered his dangerous world.