-

't care less; she seemed rather dull anyway. I

beside it. Outrage bubbled within me as I realized I had been conversing with and feelin

EY'S

workers, busy vacuuming and replacing the

quilt I was changing, I could fee

re," Rhea whispered as s

to face him. A cold chill ran through my bone

lose my job? A flood of possibilities raced through my mind. Des

ased as he raised his hand in a complimentary gesture. "I'm elated, Aubrey! You've

ws shot up in surprise. Rhea stood silen

, I'm proud of you," h

his brown trousers, he stared at me for a moment befo

dering, and I noticed him struggling wit

my lips at the news, and I was about to

from all room duties. You'll

eyebrows knit together in shock,

. Brown?" I asked, my vo

lp asking. The widening grin on his face was both unset

he one serving Mr. Hunts..." He paused mid-sentence and sighed deeply. "I tru

Mr. Hunts' maid sent shivers down my spine. Heaven knows what

e, though his tone turned firm. "But I won't tolerate any idl

up as Mr. Hunts' personal maid? Being a room attendant was challenging

he had already terrified

ut I also detected a flicker of jealousy in her eyes. She had always dreamed of an opportun

bout Mr. Hunts, and he isn't even from he

nterrupted from across the room. She had always compet

promoted to be Mr. Hunts' personal ma

r grating. "She's probably dying to crawl under his ar

're just jealous," Rhea snapped, st

ging into my skin. "Stay away from Mr. Hunts, Aubrey. He's out of your league, and you

h unshed tears. But I refused to give h

elle refused, Rhea slapped her hard across the face, th

glare unwavering. Danielle and her cronies quickly re

worry, Aubrey. I'll always be here for you," she

-

o calm myself down, but my though

ts want me as hi

Why would a man of his status want me by his side? I was nobody, nowhere near his level. I had heard rumors about th

hey're asking you to commit murder,

iving room, clutching my chest,

ghetti. She set it down on the table and crossed her arms. "You shouldn't panic like this. It's going to be

y. "Rhea, you're impossible. When will you accept that Mr

i into her mouth and smirked.

er," I muttered, a soft

ways managed to make me listen. I chose to igno

-

hors

leaning against the balcony railing. Despite his irritation, his

aged once I'm

ice firm yet affectionate. "Alexa is a nice girl. If you marry her, y

hands. "A political marriage? You're suggesting

y. "This isn't just a political marriage but a union that was agreed u

tened slightly as she gazed at her small pot of lilies. "H

iles onto the table. "Did you se

uld you have gone if I'

the door shut. "You lied to me, Grandma! M

ot, the company runs. But I'm getting old, and I won't always be here. You need a partn

nded of the Hunts' family traditions-allianc

gritted teeth. "I'll agree to t

mphant gleam in her eyes. "A

ntil I'm back," he stated fi

ions bore down on him. He thought of his mother, whose arranged marriage

emerged from the bathroom, exhaustion had overtaken him. Crawling into bed, he glanced at the cl

-

ey's P

the apartment. My heart was heavy, my mind restless. For t

e how quiet Rhea had become. Her confidence seemed to f

dbye," she said softly, her sm

essional appearance only added to my unease. When I glanced ba

sed, pulling her into a tight hug. She respond

k it would be this hard to say goodby

let go of each other. My luggage

said, giving her one last wave

called out, her voice

ng her figure grow smaller in the distance. I raised a hand

-