Lucy stepped in slowly, her hands empty for once.
Adrian had refused to let her carry anything.
Again.
"I can at least help—" she started.
"I said no," he replied calmly, walking past her.
She sighed softly but followed him inside.
The moment they entered, some of the staff came forward and took the bags from him immediately.
No one spoke.
No one looked up for too long.
Lucy noticed it.
"…Why does everyone act like that around you?" she asked.
Adrian didn't stop walking.
"They know their jobs."
That wasn't an answer.
Lucy frowned slightly but didn't push.
"I'm going to my room," she said.
He nodded once.
"Stay inside," he added.
She paused.
"…Why?"
He looked at her.
"Just do it."
Lucy got to her room quietly.
She placed the bags on the bed and started arranging everything Adrian had bought for her.
Clothes. Shoes. Small items she didn't even remember picking.
She touched one of the dresses.
"…This is too much," she whispered to herself.
After arranging everything neatly, she sat on the bed and picked up a book.
She tried to read.
Tried to focus.
But something felt off.
The house was too quiet.
No footsteps.
No voices.
No movement from the staff.
Lucy lowered the book slowly.
"…Why is it so quiet?" she murmured.
She listened carefully.
Nothing.
That silence—
It didn't feel normal.
Curiosity slowly replaced her calm.
She stood up and walked to the door.
Opened it.
The hallway was empty.
Lucy stepped out.
"Hello?" she called softly.
No response.
She walked toward the stairs.
Her steps slow.
Careful.
When she got downstairs—
There was no one.
Not a single staff.
Her heartbeat started to rise.
"…Where did everyone go?" she whispered.
Then—
A sound.
Faint.
"…Please… forgive me…"
Lucy froze.
Her head turned toward the hallway.
The voice came again.
Louder this time.
Shaking.
"I'm sorry… please…"
Lucy swallowed.
Her chest tightened.
She hesitated.
Then slowly—
She started walking toward the sound.
Each step felt heavier.
The closer she got—
The louder the crying became.
Her heart pounded in her ears.
Then she saw it.
A big door.
Half open.
Lucy stopped beside it.
Her fingers pressed lightly against the wall.
Slowly—
She leaned slightly and looked inside.
Her breath caught instantly.
Adrian stood there.
His hands—
Covered in blood.
Lucy's eyes widened.
A man was on the floor.
Weak.
Begging.
"Please… I'll do anything… just forgive me…"
Lucy couldn't move.
Her body went cold.
Adrian didn't say anything.
He just looked at the man.
Calm.
Cold.
Like the begging meant nothing.
Lucy's hand slowly moved to her mouth.
Her breathing became uneven.
Then—
It happened.
Fast.
Sudden.
The man's voice stopped.
The room went completely still.
Lucy's eyes shook.
She stepped back slowly.
Careful not to make a sound.
"I need to leave…" she thought.
But her leg hit something.
A small sound escaped.
Not loud.
But enough.
Adrian's head lifted.
"Check," he said calmly.
Lucy's heart dropped.
She looked around quickly.
Nowhere to hide.
Her breathing became faster.
"…What do I do?" she panicked.
Footsteps were coming.
Without thinking—
She ran.
Quickly.
Quietly.
She pushed open a nearby door and slipped inside.
Closing it softly behind her.
She pressed herself against the wall.
Holding her breath.
Outside—
Footsteps passed.
"Anyone there?" one of the men asked.
Silence.
They checked.
Looked around.
Then came back.
"No one, sir."
Lucy shut her eyes tightly.
Please… just leave…
Back in the hallway—
Adrian stood still.
Then a small smile appeared on his face.
"Take the body out," he said.
His voice was calm.
Like nothing happened.
The men moved immediately.
Lucy heard everything from inside the room.
Her hands trembling.
She heard water being poured.
Then his voice again.
Quiet movements.
Her chest felt tight.
After some minutes—
Everything went silent again.
Lucy didn't move.
Not even an inch.
Meanwhile—
Adrian walked out calmly.
He wiped his hands on one of his men's clothes before leaving.
He went straight to his room.
Sat down.
Lit a cigarette.
The smoke filled the air slowly.
He took a drag.
Then paused.
Something clicked.
"…Lucy."
He stood up immediately.
He walked to her room and knocked.
No answer.
He opened the door.
Empty.
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Lucy," he called.
Silence.
He stepped back into the hallway.
"Everyone," he called.
Staff began to gather quickly.
"Where is she?" he asked.
They looked at each other.
Confused.
No one answered.
"I asked a question," he said.
Still—
No answer.
"No one has seen her, sir," one of them said.
Meanwhile—
Lucy was still in the room.
Curled slightly near the wall.
Tears slipping quietly down her face.
She heard voices outside.
Her name being called.
But she didn't move.
"They're looking for me…" she thought.
Her heart pounded harder.
"…What if they want to kill me too?"
Fear held her in place.
She stayed quiet.
Outside—
The guards returned.
"We didn't find her, sir."
Adrian looked at them.
Then smiled.
A slow, dangerous smile.
"So you're telling me…" he said quietly,
"She walked out of this mansion…"
His eyes moved across all of them.
"…without any of you noticing?"
No one spoke.
"And I have over a hundred of you here?"
Silence.
Heavy.
He reached into his jacket.
Pulled out his gun.
And pointed it at them.
Fear spread instantly.
A woman stepped forward quickly.
She dropped to her knees.
"I saw her," she said, her voice shaking.
"She went toward the hallway…"
Adrian looked at her.
Then slowly lowered the gun.
"Go back to your duties," he said.
No one waited.
They scattered immediately.
Adrian turned.
And walked toward the hallway.
A faint smile on his lips.
Slow.
Confident.
Like he already knew.