..."Daniel's POV"...

I found myself driving back home, eager to reach the comfort of my own abode. However, my journey was hindered by the blockage of the roads due to heavy snowfall. The biting cold weather added to my exhaustion and restlessness, leaving me yearning to arrive home as quickly as possible.

To my dismay, the snowfall intensified, further testing my patience. My mood turned grumpy and irritated, prompting me to increase my car's speed. Unfortunately, my impatience led to a disastrous outcome as I ended up crashing my car into a tree.

Frustration flooded over me as I lamented the decision that brought me to this troublesome place. Stepping out of the car, I was struck by the realization that I had not only damaged a tree but also stumbled upon a distraught young girl. She was weeping and trembling in the deadly cold.

In that moment, shock gripped me. The sight of her clad in a thin sweater, offering no protection against the harsh elements, broke my heart. Covered in a layer of snow, she seemed thoroughly soaked, her face silently pleading for mercy.

Overwhelmed by empathy, I instinctively wrapped my arms around her, lifting her gently into the warmth of my car. Sensing her distress, I quickly removed my coat and enveloped her in its comforting embrace, shielding her from the cold.

Fear flickered in her eyes as they met mine. I realized that my mere presence seemed to unnerve her, although my intentions were far from menacing.

As I glanced down at my attire, which appeared perfectly ordinary to me, I followed her gaze and understood the source of her fear: the gun in my hand. A mischievous smirk played on my lips as I comprehended the effect it had on her.

She looked absolutely stunning in her vulnerability, her eyes shimmering with a mix of cold and fear. It was a sight that captivated me, despite the circumstances.

With a deep, chilling voice, I addressed her, fully aware of the effect my words would have:

"Are you afraid, little girl?"

The words successfully startled her once again, causing her to instinctively draw away from me and futilely attempt to open the car door, which I had already locked.

As she looked at me with questioning eyes, silently pleading for her life, I decided to set aside the gun, recognizing the need to establish trust. Adopting a calmer tone, I asked her once more,

..."What's your name, little girl?"...

However, she remained unresponsive, keeping her gaze downcast, avoiding eye contact as she grappled with her emotions.

"It seems you're quite a stubborn kitten, Snowflakes," I commented, surprising her with the endearing nickname. Unbeknownst to me, a genuine smile tugged at the corners of my lips, moved by her reaction. Once again, I called out to her in my deep, husky voice.

"My Snowflake."

My words left her utterly stunned, her thoughts transparently displayed on her face. Witnessing her reaction, I couldn't help but find it incredibly endearing.

......TO BE CONTINUE... ......

..."At Home"...

I settled her on the couch and promptly instructed the maids to bring hot drinks. Throughout the entire journey back to my home, she remained silent, her gaze fixated downwards, still shivering from the cold. I handed her a warm blanket, which she immediately wrapped around herself.

As the maids served her the hot drink, she attempted to take a sip but ended up burning her tongue. I held the bowl, positioned myself on my knees, and took the spoon in hand.

Carefully stirring the soup, I scooped up a small spoonful, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it near her lips. She stared at me for a few moments before finally taking a sip.

I proceeded to feed her the entire bowl of soup and then gently lifted her into my arms. To my surprise, she didn't resist in the slightest and cooperated with me willingly. This raised suspicions in my mind—was she genuine?

..."In the Guest Room"...

I carried her to the guest room and placed her on the bed. She continued to look at me with her searching eyes, filled with numerous questions. However, more than her inquiries, I was eager to discover who she really was.

"Can you speak?" I asked, seeking confirmation regarding her ability to communicate.

She nodded in reply. This provoked a slight anger within me—If she could speak, then why wasn't she responding? Nonetheless, I suppressed my frustration and calmly asked her once again, ensuring she wouldn't be further frightened by me.

"What's your name, Snowflake?" I queried. However, she simply stared at me, and the irritation within me grew.

But then, I heard her voice, so gentle and captivating.

..."Aria."...

Her voice mesmerized me. It felt as though a goddess herself had spoken from the heavens. In my eyes, she was a goddess, her beauty beyond words. I gazed at her and unknowingly smiled.

"Aria," I repeated her name, peering into her honey brown eyes. But before I could become lost in those eyes, I quickly averted my gaze and rose from the bed.

"Who are you, and why did you step in front of my car? And what are you doing out in this treacherous weather? Do you realize it could lead to your death?"

I spoke in a frustrated tone, flooded with numerous questions. However, instead of receiving answers, I found myself faced with more questions.

"Who are you, sir?" she asked in her trembling, shivering voice, her innocent face turned towards me.

"I'm Daniel. Your life savior," I replied. She responded with a smile, her cute, cherubic face beaming. She seemed suspicious to me, yet at the same time, I felt an overwhelming urge to shield and protect her.

She gazed at me and softly voiced her gratitude, "Thank you for saving my life. Will you please help me leave this country?"

Her request left me stunned. How could she trust a stranger so easily? Yet, I had also brought a stranger into my home without proper identification.

Were we both simply acting foolishly? Perhaps.

My work had made me inherently suspicious, preventing me from easily trusting anyone. I knew I had to delve into her past to determine if she was truly deserving of my assistance or if her fate... her demise... lay in my hands.

These thoughts filled my mind with sinister intentions, causing a smirk to form on my face as my eyes grew darker, peering deeply into her own.

..."In the Washroom"...

Seeing her still shivering and cold, I instructed her to take a hot bath. Assisting her, I guided her towards the washroom. She appeared incredibly weak. I turned the knob of the shower, allowing warm water to flow.

She stepped into the shower, and I stood by, ensuring she was safe and comfortable. The lukewarm water cascaded over her, providing some much-needed warmth and comfort. I observed her for a moment, my mind filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity. Who was she, and what had led her to this point?

Leaving her to bathe, I decided to give her some privacy, closing the door partially while keeping a watchful eye outside. My thoughts were consumed by the enigma that stood before me. What was her story? What secrets did she hold? And how would they intertwine with my own complicated existence?

As the sound of the water echoed through the bathroom, I couldn't help but wonder how this encounter would alter the course of our lives.

I turned to look at her, only to find her gazing silently back at me. She tightly clutched her blanket, and in that moment, I felt a pang of embarrassment wash over me. Hastily, I averted my gaze and swiftly exited the washroom. What would she think of me? But then again, why should I care? She was just a stranger, someone who "MAY BE" leaving soon anyway.

I waited anxiously inside the room, minutes passing by. Suddenly, I heard her voice from the washroom, requesting something to wear. Anticipating her needs, I had already prepared some clothes for her, ensuring that I would not embarrass her further.

She emerged from the washroom, clad in the clothes I had provided, and bestowed upon me a smile. That smile, so memorable and captivating, seemed to touch my very soul.

What was happening to me? Why was I becoming attracted to a complete stranger? My crew would undoubtedly mock me if they discovered that I had offered shelter to a woman.

But did I care? The answer was no. I never lived by anyone else's rules. The rules were made by me, and the world operated according to my commands.

"Sir, will you help me leave this country?" she asked once again, her voice soft and endearing.

Her question lingered in the air, stirring a whirlwind of thoughts within me. What would be the consequences of aiding her? What would it mean for both of us? As I gazed into her eyes, contemplating the path ahead, I couldn't deny the growing connection between us. There was something about her, something that called to me, urging me to break free from the confines of my own carefully constructed world.

I reached for one of my cigarettes and lit it, inhaling deeply and exhaling a plume of smoke. Taking on a dominant expression, the kind that could instill fear in anyone, I sat on the couch. With a quick glance in her direction, a smirk spread across my face.

She fell silent once again, her gaze cast downwards, waiting for a response to her question. But did she provide me with the answers I sought? Why should I reveal my intentions to help her or not?

She timidly approached me, taking small, hesitant steps, and asked once more in her frail, trembling voice, "Please, will you help me?"

How adorable. She resembled a little rabbit cautiously approaching a formidable predator. But in my world, nothing comes for free. Everyone must pay the price.

"What will I gain in return?" I questioned, my voice cold and commanding, as I blew smoke into the air. Confusion flashed across her face at my statement. I smirked, my eyes gleaming with a devilish intensity.

"Do you believe you can leave without fulfilling your end of the bargain, Snowflake?" I clarified, my words bold and unapologetic. However, her innocent mind seemed to struggle to comprehend my true meaning.

"I don't have money to repay you," she replied, her words revealing her understanding. But baby Snow, money is not what I'm after. Money means nothing when I have the opportunity to possess beauty like yours.

I chuckled darkly at her choice of words, then settled back on the couch, taking another drag of my cigarette, holding it delicately between my middle and index finger.

"Do you think I believe you're incapable of earning money, baby snow?" I questioned, my eyes fixed on her. She looked at me, a frown forming on her forehead as her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. I took pleasure in seeing her perplexed expression, but it was time to clear things up.

"First, let's start with a proper introduction, little snow," I demanded, my voice firm and commanding.

"I've told me your name," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of defiance. How naive she was to think that I was merely interested in her name. I wanted more than that—I wanted her entire history. I wanted to know why she wanted to leave, the circumstances that had brought her to her current situation. Honesty was paramount, for in my world, those who lied deserved only one punishment: death.