Finally. Alone at last, in a sweet soft bed. Ooh, and feather-stuffed pillows. Come to Mama. I was so doggone tired I didn't even bother changing into my pajamas although to be honest, it was more of a mental than physical exhaustion. But lying in my bra and underwear in an unfamiliar place didn't feel comfortable so I reluctantly got up to put on a slip. It was one of those sexy royal-blue lace pieces, a secret gift from Trini to me on my eighteenth birthday. Mom doesn't know it exists in my wardrobe. I smiled to myself as I put it on. No one would ever see it but, at least I had the satisfaction of wearing something—mischievous. I imagined Kevin seeing me in it once we got married and lived happily ever after but... sigh, maybe if I ever go home again.

I thought once more about Mom's hot chocolate and suddenly a wave of homesickness hit me. I let out a sigh, trying to suppress it. I missed home so damn much.

I pulled out my phone and considered calling Mom. I didn't want to go to bed with what I said to them ringing in my ears. But maybe it was too soon; they were probably still disappointed in me. I wiped my eyes and sent Mom and Dad a text instead. They should get it—it was about lunchtime in Venice.

I miss you. Love you. It's night here so... goodnight. That should ease my guilt, at least towards them. Tony didn't deserve it yet.

I pulled on my silky kimono robe to hide my scandalous outfit as I was heading downstairs. I needed a hot chocolate like my life depended on it and I was going to get one myself.

I snuck out of my room, flinching every time I heard a sound. I didn't want to be found; I'd had enough of trivial small talk and wanted this to be my little secret. I just had to find that kitchen—

"Miss Alyssa?" Bealey's voice sounded. I turned and saw him coming out of a set of double doors leading to the kitchen. Score!

"Yeah, um, do you mind not telling anybody you saw me?" I asked hesitantly. He smiled.

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me," he whispered amiably. I smiled.

"Thanks."

"Not at all, Miss. Did you need something?"

"You wouldn't happen to have some cocoa lying around, would you?"

"Plenty of it, Miss. I don't usually make it because Lady Westrope can't stand it. But my nephew who works here occasionally loves having it so I always keep some on hand."

"Oh, you have a nephew working here?" I followed him into the kitchen. He put on the kettle and I sat on the kitchen island while he took out a mug.

"Usually. He stays here during the holidays and helps out. He was supposed to show up tonight, but..." again that look of worry crossed his face before he hid it.

"I guess it helps having an extra hand around here," I observed. "Must be a lot to attend to the whole house plus my grandmother."

"There are servants who come by during the day." He turned around. "It's not that difficult, if I'm being honest. Only the chauffeur happened to be off today and I needed a little extra help with the dinner—" he stopped abruptly as though biting his tongue.

"Forgive me, Miss, I shouldn't be complaining." He sounded so repentant I felt bad for him.

"Hey, don't worry about it. If you ever need an ear to vent to, just lemme know." He stared at me peculiarly.

"What?" I asked. He smiled wistfully.

"You remind me a lot of your dear mother, Miss. She always had a kind word for me every time she dropped by the kitchen."

"You know my Mom?"

"Of course. I've seen her grow from a wee toddler. A ray of sunshine she was, around the house," he recalled fondly. He looked at me with a smile. "I'm—grateful for the company."

"Oh, no prob. I'm glad to finally talk to someone normal," I said with a laugh. He chuckled too.

"Glad an old butler like me could oblige." He took the kettle off, poured it into a cup and added the cocoa and honey at my request. Then he spooned in some milk.

"Thanks," I said, accepting the cup from him. I inhaled it before taking a sip—I almost groaned at how delicious it was. Yummy! I turned to Bealey. "Thanks, Bealey, that hits the spot. You know, I can make my own cocoa now that I know where everything is. Of course, I'll buy some more—"

"No need, Miss!" He intervened hurriedly. "I take care of all the shopping. I'll stock up some extra cocoa for you but until then please, help yourself to the cocoa and anything else you like in the kitchen."

"Won't your nephew mind?"

"Goodness no, not at all," he smiled kindly at me. He pushed a tin into my hand.

"Gingerbread. They're an excellent accompaniment to the cocoa," he explained. I thanked him profusely and bade him goodnight before traipsing upstairs. I felt much better and more at home after Bealey's company. And his cocoa was as good as Mom's.

Feeling lighter in my mind, I got into bed, taking off my robe. I took out my worn copy of Little Women and began reading by the dim bedside lamp light, sipping my cocoa and munching the cookies. All was quiet until I heard a noise outside—the kind that made my skin prickle. I set the cup aside and got up. I padded to the window and looked out into the moonlit night. Okay, no need to panic, there's a twelve-foot high wall around this place and no one could get through the gate...

Shwoosh! The leaves of the bushes below my window rustled. I was high on the second floor and if a burglar somehow managed to enter here, I'd get ready to scream my lungs out. I cautiously leaned over the window to look down and got the shock of my life. A pair of startled silver eyes embedded in a face hidden by the shadows looked back at me. My eyes widened at the intruder.

"Shit," he breathed in exasperation. I opened my mouth to scream when the intruder threw his hand through the window and I felt it clamp across my mouth. My scream came out too late, it was muffled under his firm palm.

"Don't scream, dammit!" He whispered hurriedly. He flew through the window as agile as an acrobatic.

"Shh! Shush!" He hissed as I continued screaming under his palm even though it could not be heard. I tried to push him back but he pushed me forward trying his hardest to keep my mouth covered. Suddenly I tripped backward on the carpet and fell back on the bed, dragging the intruder with me and knocking my lampshade to the floor, smashing the bulb in the process. I gasped as his hand left my mouth briefly and his body toppled over me—Christ, he was heavy!

"I'm not gonna hurt you!" He whispered urgently, covering my mouth before I could scream again. His face was an inch from mine and I could smell alcohol on his breath. I stared at him in utter shock. I could barely make him out in the dark but from what I saw, he looked young. Twenty, maybe. He had a heart-shaped face, a full lower lip, and ridiculously perfect features. Like, hello, hot intruder. His hair consisted of longish strands flipped back over his forehead; its color was something light, maybe amber, maybe honey. Couldn't make out in the dark. His silver-gray eyes pierced me through the darkness, bright as the moon outside.

"Don't scream, okay? I swear I won't hurt you. I'm gonna remove my hand now," he said, slowly freeing my mouth. I didn't notice it till now, but that British accent sounded intriguing from this intruder's lips. But once I got over my initial curiosity about him, I was furious.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my room?!" I hissed at him. I don't know why I cooperated with him by keeping my voice down, but for some reason I did.

"American? Oh, I forgot!" He cursed softly under his breath, looking away for a second. He suddenly seemed to realize the position we were in and I felt his breath hitch. I also reddened, becoming acutely aware of our bodies pressed flush against each other, chest to chest. And me in my forbidden lingerie. I saw him swallow as his eyes flickered to my rather revealing neckline—I guess he was embarrassed, catching me in such a compromising position. Or turned on, because his eyes lingered on my cleavage for a suspiciously long minute. Dang it, I should've left my robe on.

I was about to furiously ask him to get off me when I heard footsteps outside—so did he from the look of worry that crossed his face. I felt his body stiffen.

"Alyssa, is everything alright? I heard a noise." Shoot, Gwan!

"Everything's fine, I just dropped something!" I said. God knows why I didn't give this guy away but I didn't.

"Alright then, goodnight," I heard her footsteps die down as she left.

"You don't have to worry, the door's locked anyway," I told the intruder since he looked worried. He smiled at me.

"And you're trusting me with that information?" He asked. I rolled my eyes.

"I can still bawl my lungs out if you give me a reason," I said forebodingly. He chuckled a soft sound that made my body warm up. I could even feel his body shake with his mirth. Okay, I had to get this guy off me before things got weird.

"Erm, could you—get off me?" I asked.

"Right, sorry." He slid off me and offered me his hand. I stared at him in disbelief.

"I already proved that I won't bite, haven't I?" He asked with a sly smile. I hesitated for a moment but then accepted it and let him help me up. I grabbed my robe and swathed myself before I did anything else. At least now I was covered up and could stop blushing although I caught a furtive smile on his face as I did. Okay, he's seen enough.

I took a better look at him in the diffused moonlight streaming through the window. He wore jeans, a T-shirt and a black moto jacket not unlike my own. He was tall and thin, but I could make out muscles under his clothes, especially the chiseled curves of his chest through his t-shirt.

"Okay, start talking before I call the cops," I said with my hands on my hips. He chuckled again as though I made a joke.

"You won't have to," he said, going to the window and peering out from a corner. I frowned wondering what he meant—and then I heard it. The indistinct distant sound of police car sirens. They grew a little louder before fading away, indicating they were passing by. My mouth fell open as I put two and two together.

"Are you—an escaped convict?!" I hissed. He turned to me with amused eyes.

"You've got an active imagination, haven't you?" He stated as if to himself. He didn't bother to answer my question but continued to look out the window. I stared at him, torn between exasperation at his nonchalance and struck by how breathtaking he looked with the moonlight gliding over his smooth jawline, dipping down his perfectly sculpted neck which disappeared into his shirt...

"Alright, they're gone." He interrupted my forbidden thoughts, coming away from the window.

"I mean it, if you don't start explaining, I'll scream the house down!" I threatened. He didn't even flinch but walked around the room calmly, taking in my stuff.

"I didn't expect anyone to be in this room..." he said softly. "It's the easiest to climb into to get into the house..." he picked up my copy of Little Women that had fallen on its face on the floor.

"I suppose I gave you a fright... sorry about that," he said in his charming British accent. He laid my book on the bed and continued inventorying the room with his eyes. He picked up my lampshade and placed it on the table before clearing up the shattered glass and dumping them in the dustbin. I frowned.

"Will you stop stalling and tell me who you are and why I shouldn't let everyone know you're invading my room?" I asked, irritated. He turned to look at me before walking towards me. He closed the distance between us in three steps, backing me against the door.

"And how did you know about those cops?" I continued, trying not to be thrown off by his proximity though my voice held a quiver. "Were you running away from them? Are you a crim—" he cut me off, placing a long, white finger on my lips. I stared wide-eyed at his audacity.

"Tell you what, dove. I'll make a deal with you. I'll tell you who I am if you'll keep my little visit a secret." He smiled at me. Dove? Excuse me? Was that the alcohol talking? Because he was definitely a little drunk.

"No way, I have to report you! I can't just let a stranger break in and not let anyone know!" I argued, pushing his finger away from my lips. He exhaled in my face, the strong scent of alcohol swirling around me.

"Oh, but I'm not a stranger, dove. I live here," he smirked at me. I blinked in surprise, wondering whether to believe him.

"If you live here, why didn't you come through the front door?" I asked pointedly.

"Forgot my keys and got locked out," he answered carelessly. "And before you ask, no, I didn't want to wake anyone up." He extended his arms on either side of me, pressing his palms against the door. I was trapped between him and the door and swallowed nervously.

"How can I trust you?" I asked in a small voice. He smiled succulently at me.

"You can't, dove. But since you didn't give me away yet, I'll take it as a sign that you already do. So why stop now?"

"I—I..." Shoot, he was right. I missed my chance to report him the moment he broke in. Now it wouldn't be right. And truth be told, I was burning with curiosity about him; I simply couldn't give him away like that.

"Face it, dove, I've sparked your interest," he crooned while swiping a naughty finger across my cheek. My jaw dropped and I gave him a little push.

"Hello, cocky?" I glared at him. He chuckled and backed away.

"Fine, I'll keep your secret," I conceded. "But you have to promise you'll stop entering the house this way."

"Alright."

"And tell me who you are and why you were being chased by the cops," I insisted.

"Who says I was—"

"I do," I cut him off. He looked stumped.

"I can't answer that last part. But I can assure you I'm not a felon or a convict."

"Prove it," I challenged him. He sighed.

"That'll be hard. You're just gonna have to trust me on this one, dove." He spotted my cocoa cup on the bedside table. He picked it up and gulped from it.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" I was upset, that was my cocoa after all.

"Drinking. My uncle Jamie made this for you didn't he? It's made from my stock." Suddenly it dawned on me. His uncle... the cocoa... the fact that he might actually be living here... he must be Bealey's nephew!

"Wait a sec, You're—" I began, but he interrupted me by pulling me away from the door. He unlocked and opened it.

"Thanks for not betraying me, dove. Sweet dreams," he said with a roguish wink at me and shut the door after him. He opened it again suddenly and spoke, "Oh, and er... Sorry for barging in on you like that." His eyes flickered to my figure again and I gasped as I looked down, my robe sash had loosened and I didn't even know! I hurriedly tied it up again, chagrined to my soul. Darn it, he must have been enjoying the view!

He shut the door and left after a cheeky smirk. I continued to stare at the door, speechless. That really just happened, right? I didn't dream it all up? I guess only in London would Peter Pan sneak in through the windows of unsuspecting girls. I glanced at the clock—it was a little after eleven. I quickly locked the door and shut the window tight, just in case there were any more 'lost boys' flying around in the night.

I woke up next morning still wondering if the whole thing had been a dream. Nah, couldn't have been, right? Other than my empty cocoa cup, there was nothing to indicate that it had been one. Well, that and a huge embarrassment being caught in naughty lingerie by a complete stranger. I tried to push that part out of my head.

I kept thinking about Peter Pan as I brushed my teeth. Next, I put on my workout clothes. Dream or not, that guy owes me big time for not giving him away. And he didn't even give me his name. I'll find him and pry it out of him. Or blackmail it out of him. Why? Because much as I hated to admit it, Peter Pan did spark my interest.

I checked my phone, my eyes brightening as I saw three texts. Don't you just love getting heartfelt messages from the people you love? Mom replied with a 'love you too, missing my baby', Dad with a set of teary and heart-eyed emojis, and a group text from Trini and Kevin asking if I reached and claiming they were dying to hear from me. Nothing from Tony. Hmph. I texted Trini back, giving them a brief update and promising to call soon. Then I headed out.

I plodded downstairs with my phone and boom box. I glanced towards the kitchen and shook my head. Peter Pan would have to wait until after I did my daily fifteen-minute morning danceathon. And I know the best place for it.

I skipped along to the ballroom. Damn, the place was huge! Bet it never saw a girl pop and lock it. That was about to change.

Not to brag, but I was a smokin' hot dancer. I learned it from—well, you know. Youtube. And being a cheerleader back in high school, it came naturally. Now I have a ritual every morning where I start the day dropping beats.

So here's my routine—start with k-pop, switch to American pop. I started with BTS's 'Idol' then moved on to Becky G's 'Break a Sweat', then to Taylor's 'Shake It Off'. Seemed fitting, you know, haters gonna hate and—

"What in tarnation in that ear-splitting racket?!" Gwan's shriek actually came over the music and that's saying something because it was pretty loud. I turned and saw her standing at the door, looking cranky as sin. She was still in her night robe. I paused the song.

"Mornin', Gwan. Just doing a little workout. You don't mind, do you?" I asked innocently. She made a sound like an angry horse.

"Must you do it so early?" She complained.

"Gwan, it's eight AM," I replied. She clutched her forehead in frustration.

"Dancing is fine, but haven't you got any music that doesn't make one's eardrums explode? What about a bit of Tchaikovsky?"

"Eh, classical music is great and all, but I'm no ballerina," I said, scrunching my face. Gwan huffed.

"I told your mother to make you learn ballet like your cousin... I see she completely disregarded me..." She looked up at me.

"If you must listen to such dreadful music, at least wear headphones. Much as I dislike those things and believe they're bad for one's ears and—"

"Alright, I got it!" I interrupted her before she could give me a two-hour lecture on the downside of wearing headphones.

"If you've finished, do get changed and come join us for breakfast." She added before leaving. I sighed. That's the end of my morning antics. I wondered how much more of this I could take before cracking.

No,