We have officially reached the 20th chapter... But still no review. It's honestly not encouraging because I don't know what you're thinking or how you feel about the novel. So please if you could just leave a review that would be very helpful.
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It was midnight.
Oakley tossed and turned on the bed, unable to fall back asleep ever since she had woken up for the past ten minutes.
She felt so suffocated. Like the mansion's silence had a choking hold on her neck – like it was pressing her down, forcing her to lay paralyzed.
Pushing herself out of bed, she walked towards the window – it had automatically become her favorite spot in the room; a place where she could relax and think without feeling watched.
She looked out into the garden, thankful to have the best view of it.
Maybe a little fresh air will help calm her down.
She quietly opened opened the door – thankfully it was not locked – stepping into the hallway barefoot. The floor was cold, her breathing slowed. She moved quietly, like a shadow to avoid making any noise that would attract attention.
....
She slips out into the garden, breathing in the cool, fresh air. Somehow, the garden was even more serene at night when she couldn't see everything clearly – when no one could see her clearly. Hopefully.
The light from the moon travelled to the earth, brushing her skin in gentle caresses. This was how freedom felt like. Although it was temporary, she did not stop herself from reeling in the moment. Just for a little while.
After a while, Oakley decided it was time to go back into the house. As she walks back, her eyes fall on the main gate. Large, tall, steel-black. And unguarded.
Strange. Almost... convenient. Like it was giving her a once in a lifetime chance to escape and never look back. To leave and pretend like this was all a dream. A nightmare that she had finally woken up from.
It was tempting, but suspicious. Enticing, but she couldn't help the hesitation that brewed within her.
What if it was a trap? A test?
Still, a tiny voice in her head told her to take a leap of fate. Maybe she was just overthinking everything...?
She walks up to it, heart drumming loudly against her ribs, fingers trembling at her sides. This was such a nerve-racking situation.
Slowly, she reaches out, her hand hovering over the cold metal.
This was it. Her freedom–
"I'm not sure escaping is a good idea." A voice, cold enough to freeze her entire being, cuts in behind her.
She stiffens.
She doesn't dare to turn around.
It didn't sound like Anthony... Or Daniel. Could it be...?
"T- That's not what I'm doing." She lies quickly, stammering.
Silence.
"Of course it isn't." He says.
Ok, he was clearly judging her even though it sounded like he wasn't. His voice was just calm. Icy.
Slowly, she turns around afraid of what would come next. Would she be in trouble?
There he was.
Him. Her Owner – she was sure of it.
Black shirt, dark pants. His expression unreadable. It was like he could kill without mercy, or let things slide like it never happened in the first place – depending on his mood.
And right now, she had no idea which mood he was in.
His hand stretched out and she quickly shut her eyes. He was going to hit her. She was in trouble. She knew it. But instead, she heard a creak behind her.
She opened her eyes, looking to see what it was. He had opened the gate.
"The gate is always open, but it's hard to tell if you can survive outside this mansion." He said, cold gaze on her.
"Curiousty is a dangerous thing here." He was warning her. She could already envision the consequences of her actions if she were to disobey him.
He didn't move to hurt her.
Didn't raise his voice.
He just stood there, owning the night like he was carved from it. Oakley didn't wait to see what he would do next.
She ran back into the house like she was being chased by a wild animal, still feeling his chilling gaze on her.