Viella’s POV

Reaching home, I stormed into my room. First step: shower. Second step: food. Third step: eternal sleep to forget this cursed day ever happened.

The warm water helped a bit. Once dressed in my second set of comfy pajamas, I floated down like a ghost to the dining room.

Ah... Finally, some peace. No snakes. No Dead flag. No demon brother trying to enslave me.

Just me and my food.

If heaven had a flavor, it was the creamy pasta and garlic bread that melted in my mouth. If only the people around me were half as comforting as this meal, I’d be living the dream. Instead, I’m living a cursed Wattpad Chapter with mafia men and snakes.

I finished eating like I hadn’t been fed in 10 years, patted my happy tummy, and marched back upstairs. Few more days until I can sneak that bracelet back from Lucians hands and pretend like nothing happened. And after that? I’m gone. Done. Not just from the plot-no no-I’m packing my things and relocating to Mars. Let Alina and Dante do whatever they want. I’ll be watching from space with popcorn and peace.

With that I fell asleep

---

Midnight

My breath caught in my throat.

Darkness wrapped around me. Not normal darkness- I could feel someone’s presence swallowing me

And then I saw it.

A figure. Shadowy. Tall. Hands wrapping around my neck.

"You’re not Viella..."

The voice was not human. It was hollow.

"She’s no more."

"Who are you?"

"Tell me!"

I tried to scream, to fight, to breathe

But I couldn’t.

---

I woke up with a loud gasp, clutching my throat as if it still remembered the pressure. My skin was clammy, my hair sticking to my forehead. My chest heaved with panic.

Was I... dreaming?

I fumbled for the bell and called my maid immediately.

"Has anyone come into my room?" I asked her, voice sharp and trembling.

She shook her head with wide eyes. "No, milady. I have been right outside."

I dismissed her and leaned back, heart pounding. I grabbed my phone and checked the time: 3:03 AM.

Of course.

Why do nightmares love that cursed hour?

Sleep was impossible now. I needed air-or possibly an exorcist.

I stepped onto my balcony and let the early morning wind cool the sweat off my neck.

Looking around, my gaze landed on the mansion beside mine.

the lights were on. Someone had moved in.

"Rich people really just spawn out of nowhere, huh?" I muttered.

The mansion made ours look like an expensive doghouse. Whoever they were, they were loaded. Probably richer than Viella.

And Viella already had Daddy’s money.

"Damn. Viella, are you just a side character in someone else’s rich arc now?" I whispered to myself.

The thought didn’t help.

I slumped against the balcony rail, brain buzzing, heart still unsettled.

And somewhere in the wind, I swore I heard it again.

That voice from the dream. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"You’re not Viella."

My hands clenched the railing.

What did that mean?

And why did it feel like someone-or something-was watching me, even now?

Because there was indeed someone watching her...

---

After finishing the last bite of food, I grabbed my bag and rushed outside. My car was waiting.

But just as I opened the door, something caught my eye.

Or... someone.

Across the driveway, my new neighbor was out walking his dog.

And oh. My. God.

Even though I didn’t got to see his face but I knew he’s handsome.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Side profile sculpted by Greek gods. Wind slightly tousling his hair like he was in a shampoo commercial.

Even his dog looked expensive.

Focus, Viella.

This is how people die in horror stories-gawking at hot strangers and forgetting the plot.

I snapped myself back to reality and drove off to Lucian’s mansion, still slightly dazed. The mysterious neighbor definitely did something to my neurons. Hope I don’t run into him when I’m in one of my chaotic moods.

By the time I reached Lucian’s house, I was already regretting life again. I climbed the stairs and barged into his room because knocking is for side characters.

He was still sleeping.

Pfft. Figures.

He actually looked kinda decent with his hair messy and eyes closed. The kind of decent that made you pause and reconsider why you hate someone.

I stood next to his bed, arms crossed, staring at him.

Just staring.

Plotting.

What would happen if I poured ice water on him right now? Or maybe glued his hand to his forehead? Or taped his mouth shut for once?

As I was imagining beautiful new ways to bully him, his eyes suddenly fluttered open.

He blinked once.

Twice.

Then screamed like I was the demon in his nightmares.

"WTF?! Why do you look like a rotten flesh?!"

"Excuse you?" I frowned.

"You saw your face? Looks like you skipped 10 days of sleep."

Ah. The dark circles. Right.

Yeah okay, I did look like a raccoon who hadn’t known peace since the plot began.

"I was so excited to be here, you know? Couldn’t sleep." I gave a dramatic sigh for extra flair.

He made a disgusted face. "Gross. Anyway, go prepare breakfast."

"Wait-what?"

"You heard me."

"Why me?! You literally have a full kitchen staff! Trained chefs! A guy named Pierre!"

"I know," he shrugged and turned in bed. "But yelling at you is more fun. Now go be useful."

I stood there, blinking.

I hate everyone in this house.

Except maybe Pierre. He gave me snacks.

But Lucian?

Dead. To. Me.

---

So I tried to help in the kitchen.

Keyword: tried.

But somehow, in the process of innocently reaching for a plate, I dropped two. And when I tried to clean it up, I broke another.

That’s three casualties.

Three very fancy, probably-imported-from-somewhere-expensive plates.

Oops?

"It’s fine," I muttered to myself. "He’s rich. He can buy more. Like 500 more. Probably won’t even notice."

The chefs in the kitchen looked like they were watching a horror movie in real life. One of them even dropped a spoon out of sheer fear.

It was honestly hilarious.

Then came Lucian.

He entered like the annoyed CEO he is, saw the destruction I created, and-

...he said nothing.

No yelling. No scolding. Just... a glare.

I blinked. "Hehe. That’s what you get for calling me your maid," I muttered under my breath.

But really? No angry outburst?

Tsk. Where’s the drama?

I need to turn the chaos up a notch.

I waltzed over and sat down beside him as he started eating. His food smelled divine. Probably imported from Heaven itself. My stomach rumbled like it was clapping for that omelette.

He raised an eyebrow. "Do you want some?"

I nodded and helped myself without shame.

Lucian blinked. "Get up."

"Where are we going now? I haven’t finished my toast."

"Office."

I choked on said toast. "Excuse me? Shouldn’t you be the one going?"

"Didn’t I say you’re my personal maid?"

"Only inside the house, right? Right? RIGHT???"

But he was already walking away. I glared at the back of his head and grabbed one more bite of toast before following him.

---

The drive was awkward and silent. I sat there, clutching my invisible dignity.

Once we reached his fancy-rich-person building, his staff bowed to him. Then they looked at me-in my not-so-professional outfit-with fear visible in their eyes.

I smiled sweetly.

They flinched.

Wonderful.

.....

I tried to sit in a comfy-looking chair in his office, but Lucian snapped, "Bring the client files from the ground floor."

"Couldn’t you have brought them on your way up?" I mumbled.

But nope. I went and brought the files.

Then he asked me to go again and bring cold coffee.

I did.

BUT AGAIN! He told me his mood changed and now he wants hot coffee

I squinted at him.

This is revenge, isn’t it?

And then-

"You want your bracelet back or not?"

My eyes sharpened like a hawk’s. "Fine."

I went down again. But as I turned a corner, I spotted someone familiar.

Alina.

HUHHHH?!

Why is she here?! If Alina’s here, that means-

I scanned the hallway.

No. Nope. Nuh-uh. Not today, fate.

I don’t care if the plot demands it-I am not meeting Dante in this building. I’ll move to Antarctica if I have to. I just grabbed the tray of coffee like a scared cat and ran toward the elevator.

Everything was going well.

Until the elevator doors opened.

And there he stood.

Dante.

In his fancy suit.

My hand jerked.

SPLASH.

Hot coffee. All over him.

Oh no. Oh nonononono-

He stared at me like he was deciding whether to exile me, or end me right there.

His suit dripped. The air grew cold.

I smiled nervously. "Ah... hi... dear fiancé... hehe... funny running into you here... sorry about your suit... and your soul..."

He raised an eyebrow.

And I swore I saw the devil smirk.

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TO BE CONTINUED