Chapter 5 I Am His Father, Little One

(Rosalie Gaston POV)

When we entered the mansion, clothes still damp and dirty from the street water, the guard greeted us with respect. I tried to hide my shock at the beauty of the place, pressing my excitement down into my chest.

I followed Daniel with slow steps, too distracted by the elegance of the building to walk faster. On the left, a green garden stretched wide, and above it, a long, shimmering pool caught my eyes.

"You've already fallen in love with this place before even seeing what's inside, haven't you?"

I nodded dreamily, not taking my eyes away. "You're right. It's the first time I've ever let myself feel like I'm inside the kind of world I've only seen in movies."

He held the door open for me, hand brushing mine, his voice soft. "After you, my lady."

His kindness made me smile. But before I could lose myself in it, a young woman appeared, her face bright, her gaze sharp and sly. She looked stunning-tall, slender, her beauty striking in a way that could not be ignored.

"And who is this gorgeous girl you brought into our mansion?"

Her eyes scanned our dirty clothes suspiciously. Daniel answered calmly, "This is Rosalie, Sally. We got splashed by a car driving too fast."

Sally frowned. "Your friend is absolutely beautiful. What a shame she had to suffer that while with you."

Her mood switched fast as she stretched her hand toward me, smile flashing. "I'm Sally Ricardo. Daniel's aunt. Lovely to meet you, pretty girl."

I shook her hand, smiling back. "I'm Rosalie Gaston. Nice to meet you too."

Before I could say more, Daniel cut in, "Let her change quickly before we're late. I need a shower too."

Sally shot him an annoyed look. "She'll shower as well. Those clothes need more than a change."

My face burned hot with embarrassment. "No, I'll just change. I don't need a shower."

But Daniel didn't argue with his aunt. "Take a shower, Rosalie. Sally's right."

He left me behind, climbing the long staircase. Sally slipped her arm around my neck-towering over me easily-and pulled me toward the opposite direction.

"How old are you, Rosalie?"

I spoke softly, trying to keep up with her pace. "Eighteen."

She gasped in delight. "Still so young. You should use that beauty to charm the richest, handsomest men. Promise me?"

I frowned. "I'm not that beautiful."

She tapped my shoulder like she was scolding me. "Yes, you are. Forget that little bruise. It'll fade."

Her way of ignoring my flaws felt strangely comforting, especially because she didn't ask about the bruise at all.

"Everything you need is inside. When you're done, don't forget to bring the pink towels with you."

She walked away, and I quickly slipped into the bathroom. The hot water felt heavenly, washing away the dirt and tension, leaving me with a strange sense of calm I never felt back home.

"Today wasn't as bad as I thought... except for what happened on the street."

I wrapped a black towel tightly around my chest and waist. Looking at myself in the long mirror, my expression hardened when I saw the bruise at the corner of my mouth.

"How could Sally call me beautiful?"

I didn't want to linger in a stranger's bathroom, so I dried my hair and wrapped it in another towel, the same color. Then I searched carefully for the pink towels she mentioned.

I found them stacked neatly. I tried gathering them all into my arms, stretching up to grab the last one so it wouldn't fall.

"Please don't slip from my hands now."

I managed to open the door while balancing the pile, eyes glued to the floor to keep steady. From below, a deep male voice echoed-rough, nothing like Daniel's.

"Oh God. I don't want to run into a stranger. Hurry, Rosalie!"

I walked down the wide hallway, my steps uneven, but soon I realized I had no idea where Sally's room was.

"I saw her go right... so why did I walk the wrong way like an idiot?"

I muttered under my breath, spinning around too quickly. Suddenly, I crashed into someone's chest. My eyes widened in fear.

"Who are you?"

The tower of towels blocked my view. I tilted my head, trying to see him, but my balance wavered.

"Who are you?" I asked nervously from behind the towels.

In one swift move, he took them from my arms, freeing my face. And then I saw him.

A man-tall, impossibly handsome, his sharp jawline, straight nose, and dark brows carved with perfection.

"Who are you?" he repeated, his eyes roaming over my features with fascination, like he was trying to read my secrets through them.

"Are you Sally's little friend?"

Heat rose to my face. I shook my head quickly. "I'm Daniel's friend. And I'm not a child. I'm a girl."

He tilted his head slowly, eyes dragging over me from head to toe.

"Don't you have showers in your own home, little one?"

I had no idea who this man was. Maybe one of Daniel's friends. Or Sally's lover.

"I was forced to shower here so I could change before going out. And it's none of your business."

He turned, carrying the towels with ease-far easier than I had. "I only wanted to know who you are. Because you're inside my mansion."

I froze. My heart stuttered. Inside... his mansion?

"Wait. Are you Daniel's brother? He told me he was an only child!"

The man turned slowly, his eyes locking on mine with a wicked glint I had never seen before.

"I'm his father, little one."

My breath caught. My cheeks burned red as I stood there, stunned, face hot with disbelief.

"I... I didn't expect that, Mr. Leonardo."

I lowered my head in shame. But he caught my chin between his strong fingers, lifting it gently until my eyes met his again.

"Because you're just a little girl."

The space between his brows tightened as his gaze fell on the bruise at the corner of my mouth. His thumb brushed it softly, careful not to hurt me, and for the first time, I felt the weight of his attention pressing down on me.