Chapter 3. Curiosity

It was a busy day for Leila. She had received so many texts about ordering cupcakes and cookies. It made her so busy that she almost forgot about what happened to her yesterday. Well, almost, but not quite, for the moment she went to her gate, and she had seen the massive mansion just beside her house – everything just popped into her head like a fleeting mockery to her.

She pouted and let out a deep sigh before shrugging her shoulders. Maybe, she wouldn’t ever forget how he treated her cookies! She’d made sure to avenge her poor cookies when the time came! She chuckled at her own joke and slightly shook her head. She wasn’t that morbid, though. Maybe, she’ll just put some stimulant laxatives in his food – nothing more.

Leila bit her lower lip as her mind drifted towards the man who had occupied her mind the entire night. She let out a frustrated sigh before driving towards the arc where her customers were waiting for her pastries and cupcakes.

“You’re such a talented young woman, Leila. Josefa and Emilio would be so proud if she’s still here with us.” An old woman tenderly told her as she smiled at her.

Leila reciprocated it with a sweet smile. “That was so kind of you, Mrs. Gomez. Thank you.” She softly replied. If her grandparents were still alive, they may have looked like the old woman in front of her. She just missed them so much.

“By the way, I just want you to be careful. You’re living alone and your nearest neighbor was just so snobby and mysterious. Be careful, okay?” Mrs. Gomez worriedly reminded her.

“No worries, Mrs. Gomez. I have my baseball bat with me.” She jokingly stated as she pointed her bat at the back of her bicycle.

The old kind woman giggled at her funny remarks.

“By any means, do you know who the man living in that mansion is?” She curiously asked.

Mrs. Gomez’ forehead creased as she tried to remember something. “Well, I heard his name was Hunter Black and he was just living with his butler named Henry. They were just so aloof that not anyone in this village had always seen them. Anyway, what I know of was they just moved in recently. They didn’t attend to any of the invites that we sent them, so…” Mrs. Gomez shrugged her shoulders. “They were just so distant and mysterious.” She simply added.

Leila just nodded her head. So, the gorgeous rude man’s name was Hunter Black. It suited him well. She bit her lower lip as she remembered how stunningly handsome, he was – if not for his rude behavior. She instantly thanked Mrs. Gomez and went home. She needed to clean up her mess.

She was her last customer for the day. She was so glad, though. She had four of them, which was very satisfied with her pastries. They even told her that they’d recommend her to their relatives.

“Oh, wait, I still have my carrot cake.” She, then, remembered and immediately went to her fridge after cleaning up the mess in her kitchen. Her perfectly baked six-round carrot cake was standing proudly there. And she thought of a bright idea.

She immediately placed the cake into a box. She would try to talk to her rude neighbor once again. Well, she was certainly too persistent that way. Though she wasn’t that heartless, she didn’t put any type of laxative in her cake. She mentally chuckled.

She pressed the doorbell once again, but no one went out. She’s been pressing it thrice, but to no avail.

“What kind of mansion is this? Was no one around?” She suddenly thought as she tried to push the gate, and to her surprise, it was open.

Leila shrugged her shoulders and peeked into the gate. “Hello?” She softly whispered.

She saw a vast lawn with various plants around it. The brightly colored flowers were blooming attractively, and their fragrance filled her nose. She was undeniably awed! Leila was just so amazed and curious that she walked towards the stone pathway that led towards the mansion.

She was just right. It was so beautiful, and the design of the mansion was just so intricate and stunning. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she tried to grasp the magnificence in front of her.

Not until she had heard a loud eerie scream coming from the second floor of the house. She gasped in horror.

A loud painful cry resonated in the entire mansion once again and it made her more worried and scared at the same time.

Did someone need help? – She mentally thought as she felt doubtful whether to go up or just walk away. She went there unannounced anyway.

Leila was so agitated until a loud painful groan echoed throughout the entire mansion once again. With that, she slowly walked towards the grand staircase. Her heart was pounding so loud because of mixed nervousness and concern. She heard a hurtful panting followed by a loud crashing sound and then a painful growl.

Leila swallowed the lump in her throat as she found a huge wooden door where the noise was coming from. She held her breath as she held the doorknob – when someone had grabbed her hand. She flinched and almost screamed out loud if the man didn’t cover her mouth.

“Who are you?” His voice was hoarse – full of unsaid accusation and coldness. It was an old man wearing a black waistcoat over his white long sleeves and tie paired with black trousers and black shiny shoes. A typical uniform for a butler. He must be Henry!

Leila was staring at him with her eyes widened. He was maybe in his mid-fifties, yet still muscular at his age. His gray eyes were like piercing the hell out of her. She bit her lower lip and played with her fingers, the moment he removed his hand in front of her mouth.

“Uh…” Leila couldn’t find the right words to say. Her eyes widened when she heard the loud screams once again. She stared at the closed door and then at the butler standing in front of her. She saw a bit of concern that flashed in his eyes but immediately changed into coldness – as if she was just hallucinating.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” The man strictly interrogated her.

Leila cleared her throat. “Uh, I’m Leila. I live in a bungalow house just beside the mansion. I met Hunter yesterday and I just wanted to give you this – only to find out that the gate wasn’t closed. I heard loud screams that led me here. Your Butler Henry, right?” She swiftly said those words without a pause – as if some horses were tailing her. She took a deep breath right after.

The man held the box that she gave and nodded his head. “Yes. I’m Henry and I think you need to go now, Miss Leila. Master Hunter didn’t want any visitors in the meantime. He was resting.” His hoarse voice sent shivers down her spine.

She looked away because of the embarrassment she felt. Butler Henry led her downstairs. He was just a few inches taller than her – for she had just reached his shoulders.

“Uh, what is h-happening inside? Is someone hurt?” She nosily asked while slowly following him.

The butler’s forehead creased and let out a deep sigh. “Master Hunter likes to watch suspense and thriller movies. His room wasn’t soundproof yet.” Butler Henry simply replied.

Leila just felt her entire face turn bright red because of the pure humiliation she felt. The loud screams were just the sound effects of what Hunter was watching?! What the heck was she thinking anyway?

She harshly bit her lower lip as they reached the gate. And before she even took a step out, she gathered all her strength to face the butler.

“Uh, sorry for barging in.” She sincerely apologized.

The butler just nodded his head, and she immediately went out of the gate. Leila slightly knocked her head twice for the embarrassment she felt.

“So much for being so nosy, Leila.” She lowly whispered and marched towards her house.

On Hunter’s mansion, Butler Henry heaved a deep sigh before proceeding urgently towards the second floor, where the woman named Leila almost caught Hunter’s shifting. He immediately opened the huge wooden door and found Hunter lying naked on the cold floor. He instantly went near him and covered him with a huge blanket.

“I smell someone entered in my territory.” Hunter seriously commented while gritting his teeth.

Butler Henry’s eyes widened. He wanted to hide Miss Leila’s trespassing escapades, but Hunter had advanced senses – even more advanced than their Alpha Hudson, his father, had.

Butler Henry cleared his throat. “Our neighbor went inside the mansion.” He plainly stated. With that, he saw how his deep ocean-blue eyes darkened – because of fury.