[
BONUS
Chapter
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[EVE]
Cole still had his mask on, and with his hair temporarily dyed midnight blue, he was almost unrecognizable.
Even without his usual cap, the change was so drastic that he looked nothing like the real Cole. I was confident that as long as he kept his face covered, no one would suspect a thing.
Riri leaned in close to , whispering excitedly in my ear. "Your bodyguard is pretty handso too, don't you think? It's hard to tell behind the mask, but he's tall, has this regal posture, and this intense, aloof aura. There's sothing about him—more intense than even Daniel."
I forced a smile, glancing at Cole, who was busy pretending not to listen.
Riri was definitely soone who easily fell for good-looking guys. I couldn't help but wonder if she always got this excited over every handso face she ca across.
"I guess so," I muttered, sounding indifferent. "He's definitely got a certain vibe." Of course, I was really thinking about his worst qualities.
Riri giggled again, clearly enjoying her little daydream. It was nice to see her so bubbly and carefree. The drive felt lighter, her energy making the trip seem shorter as we continued our way to Lily's Vacation House.
After a little over an hour of traveling, we finally arrived at our destination. The journey itself was breathtaking, with snow-covered mountains and frosted trees creating a picturesque winter wonderland outside our windows.
It felt like we were driving through a scene from a holiday postcard, the kind of beauty that takes your breath away and makes you montarily forget the biting cold outside.
As we approached the Ashford family's vacation house, I couldn't help but be impressed.
The mansion was a stunning sight—an elegant, two-story structure in shades of white and gray, standing proudly against the backdrop of the snow-dusted forest.
It had a tiless, almost magical quality, like sothing straight out of a fairytale.
Beyond the mansion, I spotted a wide, frozen lake stretching out behind the house, its surface shimring under the pale winter sun.
The entire property was surrounded by towering pine trees and rugged mountains, giving it a secluded, serene feel. It was the perfect spot for a weekend getaway—quiet, remote, and undeniably beautiful.
As our van pulled up to the entrance, a line of neatly dressed servants were already waiting for us. They stood in a row, their breath visible in the crisp morning air, ready to assist us with our luggage and welco us inside.
I took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, icy air while Cole effortlessly pulled down our luggage from the trunk. It was freezing, but there was sothing refreshing about the cold biting at my cheeks.
"This servant will show you to your rooms," Lily said in a sugary sweet tone that made want to roll my eyes. "Make yourselves comfortable, and let's et in the study room in thirty minutes, okay?"
Riri and I exchanged a quick look. I could tell she was already sensing the tension in the air.
anwhile, Cole casually slung our bags over his shoulder as if they weighed nothing more than a feather. He looked like a mover—albeit a very fashionable one with that temporary midnight blue hair.
The servants led us inside, taking us down several hallways. We walked and walked, and just when I thought we'd be going up to the second floor like everyone else, we started heading downstairs.
When we reached the basent, I couldn't help but notice the stark difference in accommodations. The room was small, with a single bunk bed shoved into the corner, a tiny cabinet, and one lonely bedside table. It felt like a slightly upgraded storage room.
"Wow," Riri said, trying to find the silver lining as she tossed her bag onto the lower bunk. "At least it has a heater. I thought we might be sleeping in an icebox."
I couldn't help but snicker. "Yeah, luxury living at its finest," I said, plopping down on the top bunk. The mattress squeaked under my weight.
Just then, the servant turned to Cole. "Your quarters are further north, sir," she said timidly, pointing down the hall.
Cole, however, didn't budge. He crossed his arms, his expression calm yet firm. "My room will be adjacent to theirs," he stated in a voice that left no room for debate.
The servant hesitated, clearly flustered. "Uhm . . . All the bodyguards' rooms are located further north. It's . . . it's the designated area."
Cole raised an eyebrow. "And what's this room here?" he asked, pointing to a door just across from ours.
"That's . . . that's our quarters," the poor girl stamred.
Cole gave her a casual shrug. "Perfect. You guys can take the rooms up north. I'm staying here."
I pinched the bridge of my nose, already feeling a headache coming on. "Stop making this poor girl's life harder," I said, glaring at him. "Just go to your assigned room and quit stirring up drama."
Cole t my gaze, and we slipped into one of our classic silent standoffs. I glared at him, he glared right back, his eyes narrowing like he was trying to out-stubborn with just a look.
"This room isn't fit for you," he finally muttered, his voice low but firm.
I rolled my eyes. "Well, I'm not even complaining, so maybe you should stop," I shot back.
Cole huffed, crossing his arms as if that would make him look more intimidating. "You deserve better than a basent broom closet."
I couldn't help but smirk. "Oh please, Cole. I've slept in worse places." I waved a hand dismissively. "Plus, I expected this. It's not a big deal."
We continued staring at each other, both refusing to back down. It felt like a silent competition to see who would blink first.
Riri, watching us like it was her favorite TV show, finally burst out laughing. "You two look like you're having a staring contest. Should I start timing it?"
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Might as well, Riri. I think I'm winning."
Cole's lip twitched, and for a split second, I thought he might actually smile. Instead, he just shook his head and gave one last look, muttering under his breath, "You're impossible."
"And yet, you're still here," I teased with a sweet, mocking smile. "Feel free to quit anyti now."
Cole huffed again but didn't deny it.
Finally, he sighed, his shoulders dropping in defeat.
"Fine," he muttered, turning his attention back to the servant. "Lead the way."
The poor girl let out a shaky breath and nodded, looking like she had narrowly escaped from certain death.
Even in this freezing vacation house, Cole's icy deanor was still enough to send chills down anyone's spine.
Riri, already unpacking her clothes, gave a playful nudge. "Your bodyguard is seriously intense, Eve. No wonder people are terrified of him."
"You have no idea," I sighed, flopping back onto the bed. "It's his special talent."
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