"This must be the place," Cherry whispered to herself, her eyes fixed on the grand mansion before her. She was dressed in a casual yet stylish outfit, consisting of a pair of blue jean trousers, a white shirt, and a black hoodie that she had left unzipped, revealing a glimpse of her sleek, light brown hair tied up in a bun. Her small bag, which only held her phone, was slung over her shoulder, and she clutched a pen and jotter in her other hand. As she summoned the courage to press the doorbell, she couldn't help but admire the majestic beauty of the mansion. The sprawling compound was a sight to behold, complete with a stunning fountain at its center, surrounded by lush trees, vibrant flowers, and immaculately manicured grass that seemed to glow with an eternal vibrancy. The mansion's design was a testament to its rich history, its classic architecture evoking the grandeur of a bygone era, perhaps even a manor from a forgotten time.
A few minutes passed before a lady in a black dress and white apron approached the gate. "Miss Keller?" she inquired, awaiting a response. "Yes," Cherry replied. The lady's next words piqued her interest.
"We rarely receive visitors. Sir didn't expect you to accept his invitation."
Cherry's mind raced,"Did she just call him 'sir'?" Aloud, she simply said, "Well, I'm here."
The lady smiled and opened the gates, ushering Cherry into the manor's eerie silence. Even the birds seemed to chirp cautiously. As they walked, Cherry marveled at the opulent decorations, her footsteps careful to avoid damaging anything. The portraits on the walls seemed priceless, potentially worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
As they reached the library door, the lady announced, "She's here, sir." A low, smooth voice replied, "Let her in." The lady opened the door, and Cherry entered, her eyes adjusting to the warm, dim light. Troy sat at the far end of a long table, surrounded by books and a beautifully set tea service, complete with strawberry cream-covered donuts. He invited her to sit beside him, and she did, her pen and jotter at the ready. "Shall we begin the interview, Miss Keller?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Please, call me Cherry," she replied, her phone recording their conversation.
"You've been at our school for two years, yet no one has seen your parents. Are they elsewhere?
"They're deceased."
Cherry's eyes widened, but he continued, his tone unemotional. "My elder brother inherited the property, but he chose to pass it to me."
. She scribbled some notes, curiosity piqued. "How do you manage the estate, and pay the staff?"
"My brother handles all that."
. Cherry moved on, her next question teasing a smile from Troy, "Your pale complexion only adds to your striking looks. What's your beauty secret?" He chuckled, his eyes glinting. "A beauty secret is never revealed".
Cherry sighed, defeated, but Troy offered a consolation, "Please, help yourself to donuts and tea."
Here's a revised version with a more polished tone:
"I'm fine, thank you," Cherry said, hesitant to accept the offer, but Troy's repeated invitation came with a commanding tone that was hard to refuse. She found herself nervously devouring two donuts at once and carefully pouring a cup of tea from the antique teapot. Her hands trembled slightly as she held the delicate cup, fearful of breaking it. After a brief sip, she placed it back on the table, her eyes locked on Troy.
"Your extraordinary strength and speed are well-documented," she continued, her voice steady. "What's the secret behind your remarkable abilities?" Troy's response was dismissive, "I work out a lot."
Cherry's eyes narrowed, skeptical. "That can't be the only explanation. You once stopped a truck from hitting a bus, a feat that defies human capability."
Troy's expression turned cold, his voice firm. "I didn't, and you can't prove it." Cherry paused, her gaze locked on his, before reaching for her phone to search for a specific video.
"I can prove it, actually," Cherry said, handing him her phone with the video. Troy watched it, his expression unreadable, before returning the phone to her. She resumed recording the conversation.
"Can you confirm that was you in the video?" she asked, her eyes locked on his. Troy nodded, his voice simple: "Yes." Cherry pressed on, curiosity piqued. "Can you explain how you managed to stop that truck?"
"Not all questions have answers." Cherry's eyes narrowed, sensing a mystery behind his words.
"Why do you always miss school during the blood moon week?" she asked, her pen poised over her notebook. "Coincidence, I suppose. I usually fall ill around that time." Cherry's gaze lingered on him, her mind working overtime to unravel the secrets behind his answers.
"You're never seen without sunglasses, even during soccer games," she observed, her pen tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Do you have a reason for that? "
"My eyes have a sun allergy. Without sunglasses, I'd be unable to see properly." Cherry's eyes sparkled with intrigue, her mind racing with theories and questions.
As Cherry sipped her tea, she felt a sudden, unsettling sensation crawling up her leg. She jerked in surprise, accidentally dropping the cup, which shattered on the floor. Troy's intense gaze fixed on the broken pieces, his expression unreadable.
"That was my mother's," he said, his voice low and even.
Cherry's apology trembled on her lips as she stared at the fragments, her mind racing with the value of the antique cup. "I'm so sorry, Troy. How much was it? I'll find a way to pay you back."
Troy's eyes never left the broken cup as he handed her a napkin to clean the spill. "Five thousand dollars." The sum hung in the air like a challenge.
Cherry's fear escalated as she realized the impossibility of paying such a huge amount. "I'll find a way, I promise," she stammered, her voice barely audible.
"That won't be necessary. I've answered enough questions for today. You need to leave now, Miss Keller."
Cherry hastened to her feet, eager to escape the tense atmosphere. "I'm sorry again, Troy.
As she hurried out of the room, Troy's sigh of relief was audible. "Thank goodness it worked, Chomp," he whispered, his eyes fixed on the tiny black creature emerging from under the table. The creature's strange appearance and eerie sounds could scare anyone who managed to get a glimpse of it, fortunately, Cherry was gone.