ibbon secured my hair in a bun at my nape. I wore no accessories e

e stairs, her lips curving into a

ry day, Mom. It's har

mean it. You real

fresh pink roses picked from Mom's mini garden. S

the fresh ones. After she finished arranging the

bothered. I can eat

or us. You should enjoy the

accept it. "Thank you," I told her, feeling a little embarrassed that,

rk, darling. You shoul

o take your medicine, and don't stay in front of th

er, so don't worry," Celine

. "Call me if somethin

I gently closed t

breathtaking painting. The clouds were the purest

ore I pulled out of the driveway, I took one last glance

ly empty today, no long lines of cars, no stressed drivers ho

lt like the road was all mine. After fifteen minutes of peaceful drivi

al spot empty and waiting. The clock on my dashboard showed I had plenty of t

, I stepped out of the car and made

re I carefully placed my lunch inside while checking my appearance one last time in the small mirror

fter, I joined my coworkers with cleaning tools in hand to

otsteps approaching from behind. I continued to mop, unaware of

someone watchi

Bradford. My husband. My boss

chest, but I forced

essed, hair neatly combed, and those stormy eyes fixed on my every move

ing a bubble of tense space around us. They knew

this part of the hotel this early. The restaurant didn't open for anot

stretched

d leave. Go back to his expensive offic

d feel sweat forming at my temples. Still, I refused to look up. Refused to me

o look up. To speak first. But I wouldn't give him

ly spoke, his thick eyebrows

we talki

yone at La Paraiso could defy the owner and not get fired, it was me. But of course, non

" he ordered, turning his back

rtless CEO of Bradford Hotels, fired employees as if flippin

e, as he paused and turned his head slightly, hi

IP reservations today, and I can't abandon my duties. I'll see y

l over the

found himself at a loss for words. Several emotions flickered across his face in rapid succession. Disbe

ozen in place, their eyes d

ed it again. After what felt like an eternity but was p

ord, he turned on