Craved by the Wrong Volkov-Chapter 145: Something is in the attic

Braelyn’s POV

"Unless you are the one who doesn’t trust herself around me." He taunted with that knowing smirk. I felt like laughing because of how hilarious this sounded.

I crossed my hands across my chest and stared him down. "Just say you want to share the same bed with me. " I rolled my eyes at him.

He smiled. "Bingo." Lucien chimed. "This place might be haunted, and if I am alone, they might haunt me, but with you, the former owner’s daughter, I would be safe." He gave a self-righteous speech.

"Don’t you have an apartment or place of your own after all, you don’t have to stay in a haunted house." I taunted him walking past him into the master’s bedroom. My eyes darted around the room. There was a subtle frown on my face, realising there wasn’t a single picture of my parents.

It felt like they were trying to erase their existence here. I didn’t understand why Gregor sent me here if there wasn’t anything of theirs.

I was lost in deep thoughts wondering if this was truly the master’s bedroom. Although the property was spacious the main house wasn’t really large. It was a story building with around 5-4 rooms with an attic and a basement.

Did mum and dad use another room? My curiosity piqued. I was lost in my thoughts for a moment and didn’t notice the 192 cm tall man who was brooding and possibly plotting my demise because I suggested he should stay at his place.

"Stop pushing your luck, Viper. I have already compromised enough." Lucien hissed, drawing my attention to him. He pulled off his jacket. There were noticeable black spots under his eyes. I doubt he slept throughout the long flight

I pursed my lips. Lucien brushed his hand through his hair as he strode to bed where he sat.

"We need to be close to each other because of our schedule, and you are technically my assistant on this trip, or rather, partner." He explained it kind of made sense but ...

"What about your actual assistant?" I inquired. We were the only ones who took the trip.

"I trust your abilities better." He said then fell back on the bed. "We need to rest. We have a busy day ahead of us today."

I pursed my lips. Due to his twisted logic, I was going to share the bed with my presumed lover during a business trip.

"This doesn’t feel right," I muttered and he arched his brow at me. Still lying on the bed with his arm under his head.

"What we do doesn’t have to be right? Just come here, it’s not like I will jump at you in your sleep." He said then also grinned.

"We can also send some pictures of us sharing a bed in your parents’ bed, to Raphael and watch how he reacts."

His eyes carried a mischievous look that made me laugh. He was still thinking of how to get on Raphael’s nerves.

"I doubt he would care." I didn’t think Raphael would get jealous of something like this when he practically moved Amelia to our marital bed.

Lucien was staring at the ceiling, "Experience will be the judge of that, after all, he hasn’t been here before." He looked dazed. I’m certain how my mind was filled with mischief.

I shook my head. He felt like a naughty teenager. "Whatever." I sighed

"Just don’t do anything crazy. You should shower before going to bed." I turned to the door. "I want to take a short stroll around the villa."

Lucien immediately sprang up before he could open his mouth. I knew what he was going to say. Gosh he was so clingy

"No you can’t go with me. You look like a panda, try getting some rest." I shut him down immediately. He looked like a deflated balloon. I wasn’t having it either.

"Later." I chimed before walking out the door. A soft laugh slipped out of my lips just remembering the look he had on his face. At times it was hard to believe that Raphael and Lucien were the same age

He kind of reminded me of the days when life was still fun and reckless. I shook my head shoving back everything I thought of Lucien

I started wandering around the villa trying to find clues about my parents. I searched all the bedrooms on the top floor but they were basically the same

Aside from the extra room I had gotten the housekeeper to arrange for Lucien the other rooms were clean, spotless with every piece of furniture covered in plastic wraps to preserve them

The house didn’t seem like somewhere people had resided before. Although the interior was beautiful I felt like something was missing.

"Maybe I should ask the housekeeper where my parents’ stuff is," I said out loud after searching the last room. I was certain all their stuff was probably kept somewhere.

It was close to 6:30 am now, despite the windows being closed, the rooms weren’t dark and eerie as they were earlier, but that cold feeling still crawled on my skin.

I walked towards a window and pulled open the curtains to watch the view. My eyes immediately sparkled, noticing the view behind the villa. There was a lake right behind the villa with a garden in bloom in autumn

I immediately got excited, it looked really pretty from here. They were careful to pick flowers that bloom during autumn to keep the garden ever lively, but I was drawn to the lake.

I rushed out of the room downstairs towards the back entrance. As soon as I stepped out the door, a jolt of cold breeze knocked me out of breath.

It was still a bit misty because of the lake, it now made sense why the villa felt unusually cold. I hugged myself and continued my quest.

I continued down the path towards the lake admiring the dahlias and sunflowers until my feet stopped. The rest of the part was lined with Yellow Chrysanthemums.

My throat went dry. It made sense since it was Mum’s favourite. Luckily I spotted them on time. I immediately took a U-turn, completely forgetting about the lake, although I wanted to have a closer look.

The Yellow Chrysanthemums completely ruined my mood. I rushed back into the villa before I got a whiff of the pollen and made a mental note of never going to the garden.

With a heavy heart, I climbed up the stairs, heading towards the master’s bedroom, until I heard it.

Chills ran down my spine. My head slowly drew up. It was faint but distinct, a ringing sound, like a telephone, and it was coming from above.

My heart beat slowed as Lucien’s comments snuck into my mind, was the villa haunted?

"That is ridiculous." I sneered at myself but the ringing didn’t stop. It was coming from above in the Attic.

I stared at the master’s bedroom, but there wasn’t any movement from Lucien. Was there something upstairs? I wonder.

A normal person would definitely not think of going up there, but something was calling towards the Attic. I found myself heading the opposite direction down the hallway to a door which led to the attic

Out of caution, I sent a message to Lucien that I was heading to the Attic in case the villa was haunted and I got locked there.

There was a single door at the end which led to the attic stairs. I reached for it and twisted the handle

The door creaked open. It was left unlocked. The ringing sound got louder and that cold feeling increased

I felt something touch my shoulder. My head immediately snapped back but there was nothing.

"You are just imagining things," I said, staring at the stairs which led to the attic. The ringing didn’t stop.