No Rules
**Sarah**
The presence of Kael Graham has always filled me with disdain, and seeing him in action again, now with someone else involved, was a painful reminder. After Ryan left, I felt even tenser in the armchair where I was seated, full of doubts and uncertainties.
Despite everything that was happening and despite Ryan being Kael's assistant, I didn't see him as an enemy, unlike Kael himself, for whom I would have to be at his service for the next few months. It was inexplicable, but Ryan's presence calmed me and gave me hope amidst the whole situation.
When the driver took me to a luxurious building, my worry increased, but upon seeing that Ryan was waiting for me, a long sigh of relief escaped my lips. It was as if he were a great and cherished friend, and even though we were on opposite sides of the situation, that feeling of complicity continued to grow between us.
"You didn't think I'd leave you to enter the wolf's den alone, did you?" he joked, pulling me into a hug.
I readily accepted that comfort and felt embraced by his reception, something I was certain Kael wouldn't do for me when we faced each other.
"Thank you for coming to meet me," I thanked him when we separated. "I'm very nervous. All of this feels so surreal!"
The situation was so unusual that I couldn't think rationally about it and question the way this agreement was made.
"I've been in this business long enough to assure you that crazy deals like these happen more often than you think, Sarah," Ryan disclosed while holding my hand.
Even with this gesture that could be considered intimate, I didn't believe that Ryan had any kind of romantic or sexual interest in me. I couldn't explain why I thought that way, but that feeling was present.
“But I didn't make any agreement, Ryan!” I protested with indignation.
“But you agreed to pay the price for your frivolous and selfish sister's actions” he reminded me.
Although he made it clear that I had a choice and could have chosen to ignore the situation Rachel got herself into, Ryan didn't seem to judge me or condemn my actions, and that made me feel better for having someone who supported me at that moment, something that didn't happen with my sister.
"Kael is waiting for you, and we better hurry," he warned, looking at me attentively.
"I'll stay here with him, in an apartment?" I asked curiously.
"Yes," he confirmed.
"I thought I would stay on the yacht, or... I don't know!"
The truth was that I had no idea what to expect; everything was so strange and confusing. Would we be living together in the same apartment, or would he just set me up there and visit me whenever he wanted? Were there no clear rules? Would everything be as he pleased, without limits? Would I feel completely at the mercy of that unscrupulous man?
"You can retire to your room," Kael said a few minutes after his assistant left.
That statement surprised and unsettled me even more. I didn't know what to do now because when Ryan mentioned leaving my suitcase in my room, I assumed it would be the room I would be sharing with Kael. However, the way Kael said it gave me the impression that I would have a room all to myself, which truly astonished and shocked me.
"Um... I... I mean, you..." I stammered.
The difficulty in formulating the sentence I wanted frustrated me and made me angry with myself. Besides being in that place against my will, I still had to embarrass myself in front of that heartless man, which was terrible.
"Is there a problem?" he asked.
My cheeks turned warm, and I concluded it would be best not to question further. I silently thanked myself that I wouldn't have to spend more time with that fickle man, at least not that night.
"Good night," I said simply.
If he intended to be rude, I didn't respond in the same manner because it wasn't part of my personality to treat people with disdain. I preferred to bid farewell before getting up to go to my temporary room.
However, as soon as I got up from the sofa, I realized that Ryan had only informed me about the suitcase in the room where I would be staying during my time in that apartment, but he hadn't shown me the place. I was undecided whether to ask Kael for help, but he had his back turned to me, pouring himself a drink, just like Ryan did. I didn't want to have to speak with him again. At least not that night.
"The last door on the left," Kael said without even turning in my direction.
His words relieved me, allowing me to leave without having to talk to him again. I hurriedly walked down the hallway where I had seen Ryan go just a few minutes ago. There were several doors illuminated by decorative chandeliers, and I quickly found the door to my temporary room and opened it carefully, admiring the elegant details.
I tried not to dwell on the memories of what I had lost, as Rachel was doing. I appreciated the beauty of the room, with curtains, carpets, and bedspread in various shades of green. The white furniture included bedside tables, armchairs, and a large flat-screen TV.
I found my suitcase in the spacious closet and looked for a picture frame with a photo of my father. At that moment, I needed his support, even though he wasn't here anymore to help me.
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