Within 31 days

"If you have any preferences or alterations in mind, please don't hesitate to let me know, Miss," the butler offered, to which Abi swiftly shook her head.

"No, everything is absolutely beautiful as it is. Thank you."

"I'm delighted that you find it to your liking, Miss."

The room was undeniably spacious! Directly in front of her was a cozy lounge area, adorned with lounge chairs and a coffee table. To her right, a towering floor-to-ceiling bookshelf spanned the entire wall, each shelf filled with an array of books. On the left side of the lounge area, her gaze settled upon a big four-poster canopy bed. Delicate, light-yellow chiffon curtains gracefully hung from the posts, their fabric gathered and tied to the sides to unveil the luxurious bed within. A regal king-size bed adorned with floral-yellow designed sheets, blankets, and duvets awaited her. The pillows nestled in matching pillowcases seemed to beckon with their comfort. The sight was so inviting that Abi felt an almost childlike urge to climb onto the bed and indulge in a playful jump.

Further to the right, she saw a couple of doors which she presumed would probably be the bathroom and closet but she didn't investigate those. There would be plenty of time to do that later on.

As she looked around, she noticed that her luggage was already in the room causing her to look at the butler in surprise. She didn't see anyone pass them by as they were climbing up the grand staircase so how come her luggage was already here?!

The butler seemed to have understood the questions and surprise in her eyes and he smiled.

"I forgot to tell you, Miss, but there is an elevator. If you get tired of using the stairs, you can always use it."

Abi's mouth could only form an 'O' before she nodded at him.

"Well then, Miss. You have a rest now, too. You must be tired. Please just call me if you need anything." He smiled politely before he slightly bowed to her and headed towards the door.

Abi followed him to the door and as the old butler stepped out, he pointed to the next room.

"Miss Lee, that's the master's bedroom," he said. The doors of the room he pointed out were even bigger than hers! It was the biggest of all the rooms inside this house and it was located in the center. If this was a palace, his room would be the King's! She was glad that at least, it was easy to tell which room was his so she wouldn't just wander off into it by accident.

When the butler was gone, Abi just stood there, staring at the huge door of Alexander Qinn's room. 

Throughout the taxi ride, Abi's mind had been occupied by Alexander's description of his world as a "hellish" one. She had imagined all kinds of things, from the kind of home he had and the kinds of people who were around him and that he might be living in a cold, dark, chaotic and dangerous place. However, to her surprise, this was where she ended up, which was the furthest thing from her imagination as it could be. 

Abigail shook her head as she entered her room. She already knew there had to be some reasons why Alexander Qinn kept telling her that he was dangerous but right now Abi wanted to believe that everything was alright.

Looking around again, Abigail couldn't help but think of how many girlfriends Alexander Qinn had brought in this room before her. 

Abi's mind was flooded with questions, but she decided to set them aside. She hadn't come here to add bug herself about these thoughts. She came here today because of her limited timeframe. She wasn't going to waste the very first day just asking questions that might never be answered.

Sitting on the bed, Abi brought out her small notebook. She had listed a number of things she wanted to do with him within 31 days.

She was smiling as she read the lists in her mind. These were like the daily wishes she wanted to experience and surprisingly, she didn't find it hard to imagine doing all these things with Alexander Qinn.

However, how would she make him agree to do all these things with her? 

Remembering his ice cold gazes and the smirk on his lips, Abigail couldn't help but heave a long sigh. She could already tell that this won't be easy but after a moment, determination blazed in her eyes again. She was going to do this! Hell or high water - bring it on!