Day After One Night

a's

a single mother who barely scraped by, felt like distant memories she preferred not to revisit. She had learned early on to fend for her

he prying eyes of judgment and the shackles of her past-was a beacon she couldn't resist. The job was as a housekeepe

ell, they had their own lives, their own worlds. Lena remained mostly in the background, blendi

eyes that seemed to see right through her. Max was different from the others. While the family and guests treated her like a shadow, he treated her as if she matt

more in his gaze. It unsettled her. Lena knew the risks of becoming entangled with someone like him. Men like

athering. Max stood across the room, a glass of whiskey in hand, talking to a group of well-dressed guests. He looked so out of place

eparing to leave for the night. The house was quiet, the guests had started to t

tall frame casting a shadow against the walls. His gaze locked

he asked, his voice

e of what to say.

nce suddenly overwhelming. "

say? Thank you for noticing? Or p

x continued, his voice almost to

en

a. It's nice to meet you properly." He hesitated, his hand brushing

omething about the way he looked at her-like she wasn't just another servant in his house, like

y, the words slipped out.

ing up with something that

-

x's

n the crowded rooms filled with people who adored him, he often felt like an outsid

ith someone else-it had shattered something deep inside him. Max had always prided himself on his ability to read people, to see beyond their ma

ion, a way to keep his mind occupied. But no amount of alcohol or forced

hen he saw

seen, moving with the precision of well-oiled machines. But Lena-she wasn't like that. She had a presence. A quiet strengt

ft glow of the chandelier. Her dark hair fell in waves around her face, and her

standing near the exit, preparing to leave for the night. He hadn't expected to find her alone,

d, his voice betrayin

but quickly composed hers

ere always bracing herself for something. Lena wasn't just another face in the crow

oticed," he said, his

er everything that had happened with his ex, he should have been wary of getting close to anyone. But Lena... there was something different about her. She

of why he was doing it. "

en

pening. He smiled, his curiosity growing

y she looked at him, the way she stood, so calm and composed. It

r a drink?" he asked before h

. She was thinking about it, weighing her

. Just o