My House

Chapter 26 - My House

At nine o’clock the next morning, Leena knocked on Torin’s bedroom door with the signed contract held against her chest. She had spent most of the night thinking about the decision, but eventually she had made up her mind. She would become Torin’s secretary.

Torin opened the door and took the folder from her. He quickly checked the signatures before closing it.

“You signed everything?”

“I did. I even read the entire contract twice, so if there’s something terrible hidden in there, I’m blaming you.”

“There’s nothing hidden.”

“That sounds exactly like something a man hiding something would say.”

Torin gave her a brief look before handing the contract back. “Good. You’re officially my secretary.”

Leena waited. “That’s it? No welcome to the team?”

“You’re the entire team.”

She sighed. “That explains the salary.”

Torin walked into the living room and pointed toward a large black bag beside the sofa. “Take that and get ready.”

Leena opened it and found several formal outfits, a fitted black blazer, black heels, a leather handbag, and a brand-new tablet. Beneath the clothes was a sleek black bank card.

She picked it up. “What’s this?”

“Company expenses.”

“We don’t have a company.”

“We will.”

“You keep saying that.”

“Because it’s going to happen.”

She studied him for a moment before carrying everything into the side room.

Twenty minutes later, she stepped out wearing a black pencil skirt, sheer stockings, polished heels, a crisp white shirt, and a fitted blazer. Her hair was tied neatly behind her head, and red lipstick gave her otherwise professional appearance a sharper edge.

Torin looked up from his phone and paused for a moment.

Leena noticed. “What?”

“I was checking whether the clothes fit.”

“You could have just asked.”

“They fit.”

“That wasn't a question.”

“It wasn't supposed to be.”

She shook her head. “You're going to be a difficult employer.”

“You're free to quit.”

“I just signed the contract.”

“Exactly.”

Before she could respond, Torin walked over to Gia, who was sitting on the sofa wrapped in a blanket.

“I’m leaving. I should be back tonight.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Gia caught his sleeve. “Don't forget the chocolate.”

After a moment, Torin gave in. “Fine.”

Leena watched quietly. It was strange seeing the same man who fucked her like a dog become so patient with Gia.

A few minutes later, they stepped outside.

A second-hand black sedan waited at the curb. It was several years old, with faded paint and a small crack across one headlight, but it was clean and reliable. Torin had bought it cheaply with help from Gia’s father.

Leena climbed into the passenger seat while Torin started the engine.

As they drove toward the city center, she opened the tablet and found everything already configured: company email, calendar, document software, and contact folders.

“You prepared all this before I signed?”

“I was prepared for either answer.”

“You really believe this business is going to work.”

“I don't need to believe it. I need to make it work.”

Leena looked at him for a moment before returning her attention to the tablet.

After fifteen minutes, Torin turned away from the crowded streets and into a wealthy neighborhood. Large houses stood behind iron gates, expensive cars filled driveways, and carefully maintained gardens lined the quiet roads.

Then he slowed.

A small, old house stood between two much larger properties. The bricks were faded, the garden slightly overgrown, and the wooden door had clearly been repainted several times. Compared with the houses around it, the place looked almost forgotten.

Torin parked.

Leena glanced at him. “Is this our first property?”

“No.”

He stared through the windshield.

“This was my house.”

Leena looked back at the building. She immediately understood what that meant. This was where Torin had grown up, where his family had lived, and where the tragedy involving his older sister had happened.

“You never told me you were coming here.”

“I didn't know if I would.”

“Then why did you?”

Torin kept his eyes on the house. “I need to see something.”

Before she could ask what, he opened the door.

“Stay in the car.”

Leena watched him walk toward the house. “Torin, if this has something to do with your sister, you don't have to go inside alone.”

He stopped but didn't turn around. “This isn't about what I have to do. It's about what I need to do.”

He reached the front door and tried the handle.

It opened.

Torin stepped inside. A few seconds later, he stopped.

The smell reached him first: old alcohol, sweat, and something metallic underneath.

Blood.

From deeper inside came a muffled cry, followed by a heavy impact. Torin stepped back outside and closed the door.

Leena lowered the window. “What happened?”

“I don't know.”

“Then why are you looking like that?”

Torin walked toward the trunk. “Lock the doors.”

He opened it and pulled out a baseball bat.

Leena's expression changed immediately. She had seen that bat before. “You're taking that inside?”

“Yes.”

“You don't even know who's in there.”

“I know someone is hurt.”

Another muffled cry came from inside. Torin rolled up his sleeves and tightened his grip around the bat.

“Stay here. If I don't come back in ten minutes, call the police.”

“Ten minutes? That's your plan?”

“It's the only one I have.” He turned toward the house.

“Torin.” He stopped.

Leena looked at him through the window. “Be careful.”

His expression softened slightly. “I will.”

He climbed the steps, pushed the door open, and disappeared inside.

Leena locked the car and stared at the house. The street remained strangely peaceful, with only the distant sound of traffic and a sprinkler clicking somewhere nearby.

Then a man's voice shouted from inside. A heavy crash followed, shaking the silence.

Leena tightened her grip around the tablet as another scream echoed through the house.

Whatever was happening inside had nothing to do with the business they had planned for the day. Torin had come here expecting to confront his past, but something inside the house had been waiting for him.

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