C8 The First Time of My Life

The car made its way up to a villa nestled halfway up the mountain before coming to a halt. The driver, not daring to look back, kept his gaze fixed forward and respectfully announced, "Mr. Walton, we've arrived."

Kimball slowly opened his eyes and murmured a soft acknowledgment, "Mhm."

The driver, seeing this, promptly exited the vehicle and opened the door for Kimball.

Kimball glanced at Hilda and commanded, "Get out."

Once Hilda had followed him out, Kimball silently made his way into the villa.

The villa wasn't particularly large, but it boasted an elegant and meticulous decor. Each window framed a unique view, and while the design seemed simple, a change in perspective revealed a whole new charm.

However, Hilda was in no state of mind to appreciate these details. She followed Kimball in silence, up to the second floor, and stopped before a room.

Kimball, without a trace of emotion, pushed the door open and stated, "This is your room."

"Am I to live here?" Hilda asked in surprise, only to be met with a disapproving squint from Kimball. She quickly fell silent, asking no further questions.

"I need you to be readily available; living too far away would be inconvenient. Aside from the housekeeping staff who clean the villa every other day, no one else comes here. You're free to move about anywhere except my room and the study across the way." After saying this, Kimball glanced at Hilda's attire and frowned slightly, "Go take a shower. You're dirty."

Hilda nodded and entered the room, breathing a sigh of relief only after Kimball had turned and left. She then cautiously took out the check. With this money, she could escape the James family with her mother after a year, putting an end to their mistreatment.

When Hilda emerged from the shower, Kimball was already seated in her room. He tossed a folder to her as she appeared, "Sign this."

It was a contract.

Hilda scanned it briefly and silently signed her name.

Kimball took the folder without looking and tossed it onto a nearby table. He then fixed his gaze on Hilda and commanded, "Come here."

At his words, Hilda's body tensed, her anxiety so palpable that even her breathing slowed.

"Don't make me repeat myself."

Hilda took measured steps toward Kimball, fully aware of what was to come. As Kimball's warm hand rested on her waist, she involuntarily shuddered.

"Are you afraid of me?" Kimball asked, gazing down at Hilda.

"...No, no," she stammered.

Without a word, Kimball lifted the ring hanging around Hilda's neck with his index finger, gently rubbing it before finally breaking the silence. "Where were you five years ago?"

"It's been too long. I can't remember," Hilda replied.

At her response, Kimball's hand froze, and his gaze sharpened. "Then how did you come by this ring?"

Four years prior, Hilda had fallen gravely ill due to her family's misfortunes and her mother's sickness. She had a high fever for two days that went unnoticed. By the time she was rescued, her memory had become a blur.

"It's a long story," Hilda said dismissively. "I don't know. Does it matter? If you like it, take it."

She wasn't sure what set Kimball off, but suddenly, she found herself pinned beneath him.

Hilda had often imagined her first time, yet she never envisioned it would be filled with such coldness and brutality. The only things she could recall were the stark white ceiling and the piercingly bright light that brought tears to her eyes.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly until darkness overtook her, and she passed out. It was only then that she felt a sense of release. And throughout it all, she never caught a glimpse of the complexity hidden in Kimball's eyes.