Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Kai’s penthouse was a paradise.

It was situated toward the hills of a mountain, where thick mist-laden forests stretched out endlessly, and the roads around were bordered by towering timbers at the sides. The drive here had been wearying, but it became worth it the moment we arrived and I saw what the place truly entailed.

The penthouse sat in a spot where a lake surrounded by rocks at its front and valleys in the distance acted as the scenery. Inside, the furniture was crafted from sandalwood and marble, while a beautiful mural painting at the lounge sparked a sense of rejuvenation.

"Is it up to your standards?" Kai asked.

Facing him, he had a daunting smile on his face. He was such a mischief.

"Please..." I waved him off. "Kai, I didn’t think you had such fine taste."

"Well, you’re about to know me." He shrugged, pulling his shoulders together as his hands rooted into his pockets.

We stepped into what Kai called my room. The tall ceiling made my heart thump with excitement. Against the fine dark burgundy wall was a large artistic portrait, accentuating the beauty of the king-sized bed placed there, while the rest of the room stretched toward windows that overlooked the distant valleys and a small study space to the other side, where electronics also sat.

After about thirty minutes of admiring the place, Kai spoke as he stepped out, sharply tweaking his sight away from his phone.

"Something requires my attention, sweet peach. How about you enjoy what my place has got to offer? I’ll be back soon."

"All right..." I trailed off, a smile stretching across my lips.

After Kai left, I wrapped my arms around my chest, taking soft and watchful steps as I admired the rest of the space. As much as I could.

I wished there was a tour guide because I’d like to see the other rooms and what they had to offer. But since we’d been here, I hadn’t seen anyone else. No wonder Kai called this place his secret getaway.

Somehow, I stumbled upon a room with the doors slightly parted and ventured inside.

"Wow," I gasped.

It was a walk in art gallery section, except it was meant for one man.

Many grand oak easels stretched across the room with just as many canvases attached to them, each holding different paintings. Some were complete, some halfway through, and some entirely blank. To the south was a large paint storage shelf, and beside it were the painting tools. Numerous artworks were displayed against the walls, crowding the room yet filling it with utter beauty. As clumsy as the space felt with dried palettes scattered everywhere, I could still sense the coziness.

Then, a presence cleared its throat behind me.

"Hello."

I spun around so sharply I feared my ankle would twist as my hands clutched my chest.

A bald headed man in his late eighties at the very least, with a slightly crooked back, eyes too huge for their sockets, yet skin as smooth as milk, faced me.

"Uh, I’m Alex, Mister."

"Hector, Alex," the man replied in a clean accent. I received a handshake from him before he continued. "Master Kai only approves people who hold the highest esteem to see this side of him."

The man’s eyes caught mine. "I wonder who you are to him."

"Uh, he’d be the one to define that," I replied.

"You’re a smart gentleman." The man chuckled lightly. "I’m the butler of this house. Master Kai has directed me to take care of any needs of yours. In light of that, we’ve prepared your dinner, and a bath will be drawn for you afterwards if you wish."

What? What? What?

My inner voice screeched, waltzing across a ballroom in a long flowing gown like some princess from a faraway land.

"Thank you." My brows furrowed as curiosity settled in, deciding to throw a question at the man. "I didn’t know Kai was into painting."

"Yes, Master Kai is a man of many things. He’s been a painter since he was four, although his duties prevent him from fully exploring such passions. A king could not be known for petty things like that."

I wanted to mewl so badly at that. "But these are so good. It’s like an actual art gallery with various collections, if you will."

"I’m glad you share the same vision."

"Same?" I asked, squinting my eyes at the man. "You do as well, don’t you?"

"Yes, indeed I do," he replied swiftly and gestured toward the exit.

He was leading the way to the dining room, I assumed, when a question bickered at the back of my mind. The words skittered out of me as we turned a corner.

"You seem to know a lot about Kai. His painting and motivations. How long has he owned this place?"

The man was a gentleman. As old as he was, he remained a towering figure. Yet he made sure his long legs weren’t forcing me to run just to keep up with him.

"Every potential Alpha has a cottage of their own," he paused. "If you will, their private penthouse." Then he continued without a second’s delay. "Like every other brother Master Kai had, he has owned this place since he was ten. And he has always known what he wanted. But unfortunate situations harden even the softest man."

The man’s words piqued my curiosity even further. "I really appreciate your trust in me for telling me these things," I said to him, and he scoffed.

"As I said, Master Kai only brings people he trusts. You’ll be the second ever."

Something about that may have ignited a flicker of jealousy in me, but I shoved it back. It would be ridiculous to spoil this moment.

"If I may ask, who was the first?"

"Master Kai’s immediate brother," the man replied. "Although, it was a long time ago."

A long time ago?

This butler spoke in parables that only added more questions to every answer he gave. Something wasn’t clear.

As I tried to piece everything together, making an attempt to understand Kai while this opportunity was still a grace to me, suddenly something tickled down my spine.

"You said every potential Alpha has a penthouse too, but why then is Kai the only potential heir? Where are the others?"

"They are all dead. Master Kai is the only son his father has left."

Two doormen opened the massive double handled doors into a fascinating dining room. Warm aesthetically pleasing decor stretched across the space. An inviting chandelier caught my sight, its ambient glow spilling into every corner and crevice.

I sat on one of the many chairs while staff members removed the lids to reveal grand dishes before me. The air thickened with the vapor of various eclectic meals, some I didn’t even know the names of.

Before I knew it, I dove into the food. Hours later, I had devoured as many dishes as I could, and before my stomach started hurting, I decided to take a break.

Another long period of time later, I wanted to ask Butler Hector where the library was since my phone was charging and I was beginning to get bored, but a part of me felt shy.

Soon, the staff came to pack away the dishes, having the dining room wiped clean, and Butler Hector appeared once again.

"Would you like your bath now?" he asked, and I perked up at him.

"Uh, could I see Kai first? I don’t know if he’s around. I mean..." I blabbed into nothingness, adding awkward fits of laughter to soften my embarrassment.

The man caught on quickly, a soft smile clawing at his demeanor before he nodded. "Yes, he’s in his study. Although he seems busy, I believe it wouldn’t hurt."

Something told me Kai might have informed this man of the prestige he placed on me because otherwise, why else would this man be extraordinarily kind to me?

The path down the hallway filled my stomach with butterflies. My heart fluttered with excitement. I wouldn’t have thought I’d been this happy in a long time. Something about the ambience, about the place itself, and about knowing that I was here with Kai.

Internally, reality nearly settled in, but I pushed it back. I was in a fairytale, and I should treat this getaway as such.

"He’s inside," the man told me, and I nodded.

Airing my entrance, my jaw dropped.