KE

hite mists coming out of my nose and mouth. My partly exposed skin ju

ound myself and peered around

azes. Darn. This thing didn't end! Moonlight was sparse in this

four feet. How'd I even end up trapped in th

nging out somewhere around here in this impressively maintained garden and backyard

lf of my poor excuse of a nightgown while the wind tous

badly needed one? Of course I stupi

gination. Now I was trapped in the most complicated, constricting, and suffocating pathway

ur? If only I knew which one of the hundred freakin'

stupid

next. The leftmost one looked like another long 'L'. The path on the right seemed to form a curve. I couldn't

hick hedge. Leaves and stems rustled against my body.

this place just gave me major creeps. The next second, the hairs on my nape stood whe

se be Miles..." I all

if they were human or not. So I covered my mouth. At the moment, all I could do was shut my eyes and r

e darkness. I protected my head with my arms and hands, and now my face touched

why are yo

est stopped heaving when a tall male figure stood before m

cc

t was just M

?" asked

ont of me instead of some rabid wild animal slowed my heartbeat

d wavy hair. Extending his hand for me, Ricchar helped me up until I fel

again. The tall hedges rustled nonstop. Th

ed. He led me through another path while I gripped his arm as if my life

eavens my claustrophobia no longer threatened to cripple me with fear and exces

een drinking all night, his touch felt cold to my skin. His calloused han

..sure ho

rgot to tell the gardeners to trim the grass around the patio.

my gaze dart around the pat

almost effortless, as if he had night vision or something. He let me follow his lead when the path shrank, narrowing into a few feet in wid

hy

his steps remained straightforward, mine got paused by hesitation. "I

small smile in response to

Ricchar shrugged. "I just don't like the

mean? "Um...in the

suits his mood." Ricchar sighed, his quick legs resuming

ef. My heartbeat hadn't calmed down entirely, thoug

outdoor table. "Have a seat." Ricchar let go of me and sat

the apprehension and eyed the chair, the

warmth of thick covers, I was out here in the middle of t

he and Miles could pass for brothers. Especially with the hair, the identical heig

d the bottles on the table. "Here. Have

y, I picked up the glass and wa

hen grinned when I didn't reply. "I think you're

m.

ou know. Not sure why. Still, I rea

to my lips, but I couldn't

nt family mat

y curious. I thanked him when he handed me his coat that was ha

" Ricchar's voice sounded a tad deeper and more

sponse, I tried not to make a fa

you been

away from the guy'

yea

s hadn't told me to let th

here in Ita

N

ack to N

as Dad doing? I hadn't been able to contact Jill all

't break up

y excuses were running out. Just the worst liar ever

ded as of now." The guy drank some wine. "As you noticed, his paren

, boy. If the

ct upbringing, the restrictive schools, or his relationship with his Mamma and Papp

otic

ed to himself. "Never told me why, but I know he experimented a while back. But that's all i

O

he family calls him that." Ricchar grinned while his dark brows wrinkled. "And

s dad?" I fr

fectionist. Very ambition-driven, you know? Business-minded. And Maxim's...just

I reclined in my

ped out of college, started hanging out with the wro

is and that"? I wondere

d back. That was years before his parents gave him money for that house in Brichese." Then Ricchar sighed and got quiet for a mom

r his words. So, he could also

uncommunicative state.

iles was less sad now because of me?

came with a laugh. "What I'm trying to say is

t the statement. Why exactly was he tel

eave him. Don't b

m.

e point. And he's pitiful when he's lonely." Ricchar's tone turned somber. "Starts doing

're getting at, I

.." Ricchar stared at me, his dark brows wrinkl