Chapter 17: Welcome to Luxury
Raelynn sat quietly in the room, the silence making everything feel heavy. Kade had left, and now the space felt far too large, far too quiet. Her fingers played absentmindedly with the edge of her jeans as she glanced around the lavish room. Everything about this place screamed wealth, and she couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place.
Before she could dwell on it further, the door opened with a soft knock. Startled, she looked up to see a woman stepping in, dressed in a neatly pressed uniform.
"Miss Moore?" the woman greeted with a warm yet formal smile.
Raelynn blinked, feeling a bit awkward under the woman's polite gaze. "Uh… yes?"
The woman stepped forward and gave a slight bow. "My name is Hera. I've been assigned as your personal maid by Mr. Vaelorian."
"Oh," Raelynn said, feeling a little taken aback. She quickly stood up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Kade mentioned you earlier. Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine, Miss Moore," Hera replied, keeping her tone friendly yet professional. She straightened and added, "Shall I take you to your room now?"
"Yes, that'd be great," Raelynn said, nodding.
Hera moved toward the luggage Raelynn had left near the couch. With one hand, she picked up the suitcase as if it weighed nothing at all. Raelynn's eyes widened slightly, and she couldn't help but marvel silently. Wow, she's really strong. I needed both hands and a good amount of effort to carry that.
As Hera turned toward the door, Raelynn stepped forward, intending to help. "I can—"
"It's fine," Hera interrupted gently, as if she had anticipated Raelynn's offer. She smiled, a small but kind expression. "I've got it. Please, follow me."
Raelynn hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay… thank you."
Hera turned and began walking out of the room, her steps light and precise. Raelynn followed, her sneakers squeaking faintly against the polished floors.
They reached an elevator tucked discreetly into the side of the hallway. Raelynn's mouth fell open slightly as Hera pressed a button and the doors slid open silently.
"There's an elevator?" Raelynn couldn't help but blurt out.
Hera turned her head slightly, her smile amused. "Yes, Miss Moore. The mansion is quite large, and the elevator makes it easier to move between floors."
Raelynn stepped inside, her curiosity getting the better of her as she glanced at the sleek interior of the elevator. It was lined with dark wood and gold accents, far fancier than any elevator she'd ever seen.
As the elevator hummed softly, Raelynn found herself wondering how many floors the mansion had. The ride was smooth, and before she could ask, the doors slid open again with a gentle chime.
Hera stepped out, carrying the luggage with ease, and Raelynn followed close behind. They walked down another elegant hallway, with walls decorated with nice artwork and soft lighting that made the place feel warm.
Finally, Hera stopped in front of a large, double-door entrance. She shifted the suitcase to one hand and opened the door with the other, moving smoothly and without hesitation. Stepping aside, she gestured politely. "Welcome to your room, Miss Moore."
Raelynn stepped inside, and the sight before her made her jaw drop.
The room was massive. It was easily the size of her entire apartment—maybe even bigger. The centerpiece was a grand bed, complete with an fancy wooden frame and plush bedding that looked so comfortable you could just fall into it. A couch and armchairs were arranged in one corner, surrounding a low glass coffee table. To the side, a large window stretched almost floor-to-ceiling, flooding the room with natural light and offering a stunning view of the sprawling gardens outside.
Raelynn took a hesitant step further in, her eyes sweeping over every detail. The walls were painted a soft cream, accented with gold trim, and the floor was covered with a thick, luxurious rug. The air smelled faintly of lavender and vanilla, a subtle but calming scent.
"This is… my room?" she asked, not quite believing it.
"Yes," Hera confirmed with a nod, stepping inside and placing the luggage down gently.
Raelynn wandered to the right, her gaze landing on a door. She pushed it open cautiously and found herself staring into a bathroom that could rival a five-star spa. The marble floors gleamed, and a large bathtub sat beneath another window, offering a view of the sky. A spacious glass-enclosed shower stood nearby, complete with sleek, modern fixtures.
"Wow," Raelynn breathed, running her fingers lightly along the edge of the marble countertop. "This bathroom is bigger than my old bedroom."
Hera smiled and stepped toward another door. "And this," she said, opening it, "is your walk-in closet."
Raelynn peeked inside and almost gasped. The closet was lined with shelves, racks, and drawers, all neatly arranged and waiting to be filled. A small chandelier hung from the ceiling, gently lighting up the space.
Turning back to Hera, Raelynn shook her head in disbelief. "This is incredible. I mean… this room alone could fit ten people—or more! Are you sure it's just for me?"
Hera nodded, her expression patient. "Yes, Miss Moore. This room is yours. Mr. Vaelorian wanted you to be comfortable."
Raelynn let out a small, disbelieving laugh. "Comfortable? I feel like I've stepped into a dream."
Hera smiled again, watching as Raelynn took a few more steps around the room, her awe evident in every movement. After a moment, Hera cleared her throat gently.
"Now, if you're ready," she began, "I'd like to give you a brief tour of the mansion. It's quite large, and it's important to familiarize yourself with the layout."
Raelynn turned back to her, a hint of nervousness in her eyes. "A tour? Yeah, okay. I think I'm ready."
Hera nodded and gestured toward the door. "Whenever you are, Miss Moore."
Raelynn took one last look around the room before following Hera out, her mind racing with all the luxury around her.
This isn't so bad…