, bathed in soft hues of blue and gray from the early morning light sneaking through the blinds.

ied her hair into a neat ponytail. Her fingers lingered on the nearly invisibl

e can

or. Rico's voice came thr

likes his coffee a

leek, marble hallways. Rico didn't talk much, but his presence carri

nd silent. Rico leaned against the wall,

n roast. Black. No s

ee. It wasn't just about getting it right-it was about not givin

ed the tray to Alessandro's office. Rico opene

he soft hum of classical music in the background. Al

" she said, keepin

and slacks, his presence both elegant and dange

Sophia. Ri

manding, and it sent a str

fee on the desk an

t like gossip. Or noise. I expect silence, effic

he replied, b

ing. So far, so good. But t

to breathe before Rico appeared again, signaling i

his phone. Sophia sat in the front beside Rico, silently studying t

rting out files. Despite her nerves, she impressed Alessandro's team with her precision a

ro disappeared into his study, and Sophia made her way back

caramel skin and a neat bun stepped into v

surprised. "Y

yebrow. "Of course. I

ow come I didn't s

me is Lucia. She only works in the kitchen. Doesn't leave

olite nod. "Ni

meals," Rico continued. "She handles the preparation

ring Lucia a small smile

, then disappeare

nk into the chair beside her desk. She placed her hand

doesn't talk much. Rico is observant. I met the kitch

embling slightly. "I'm try

ay more, a knock e

shut off the line and slippe

she cal

. "Dinner's ready. Just

her blouse and smoothin

ready set. Warm aromas of roasted lamb, garlic, and red wine sauce filled the air

nocke

," came

usual composure. "Sir,

a file and gave a

e could feel his gaze ling

htly in the hallway. She returned to the dining area

omposed as ever. He took his seat at the head o

Sophia before she c

itated.

need so

ible. Every movement he made was measured, precise. The way he cut his meat

around?" Alessand

"Yes, sir. He ga

. "You're observa

if it was a compli

dismissed her with a wave

way to the kitchen corner where a plate of warm f

ious, far more refined than anything she was used to, but her stomach twisted with anx

n slightly and stood by the window. Her fingers brushe

ner. Nothing unusual yet, but he watches every

detailed reports once every two months. Only progress that matters. No flu

s breat

" she whispere

of hanging dresses. Tucked behind the fabric lining was a small compartment. S

ished, a knock

d it to f

dishes ," she said so

. She packed the plates a

rned to leave, then paused. "On

blinked

d in slightly. "This house has too many

t, she vanished i

closed the door and leaned against it, the

s only

the real ga

asting silver streaks across the floor. His fingers drummed agai

ph

d through his estate, she didn't flinch under pressure. She didn't try to impress or seduce like others h

breath and turned

He couldn't afford to b

t happened wi

hat followed. That wound hadn't fully healed, and the scars it left were sti

t a maid. N

nished glass of whiskey on his nightstand, and took a lon

y. A busy one. And the last

lay back against the pillows and clo