pte

os swirling inside my head. His strong jawline was noticeable, accentuated by the way he talked, his voice deep and confident. Sharp cheekbones framed his face, giving him

to step out and make some sort of joke like, "Ta

further with every passing second. I watched him, and for a fleeting moment, I questioned why I hadn't taken the time

a household like this. And I stood there, frozen, unable to move, unable to form words. He tur

yes. Stunning.

nsettling yet captivating sensation. I wasn't sure what to make of it, or what to think

. He didn't even acknowledge me. Well... that was the welcome I was expecting. I had played it out in my mind a hundred times, imag

didn't know eac

y breath as I turned and walked toward the house, m

she ignored it and followed me inside. It was clear she wasn't the least bit fazed by his indifference. She seemed to

small room, with plush furniture and a warm atmosphere, but to me, it felt like a prison. I spent so much time he

hair and kind eyes. To me, she had always felt more like a mother than just a maid. She had t

at ease. "Dinner will be served soon. Don't worry, dear, you a

beside me, her optimistic nature in full swing, as always. But I didn'

ted I call her from the moment I arrived. Margret was my mother in every sen

arie. The lad might not like you doing the chores and helping out anym

It was a sign of weakness, a breach of protocol. But the truth was, it was one of the few things that kept me

had set up for us. The small, quiet private dining room felt like a far cry from the grand, extravagant din

on growing with every passing second. Finally, as the clock struck six, the door creaked open. He walked

ho brings fi

a greeting, but instead, he went straight to the table and set the f

f this was the most natural thing in the world. "Oh, he's just busy,

Did he always act like this? Was he

ut his detachment that made me uneasy. I didn't know what I had expected, but this wasn't it. I didn'

was oppressive, thick with unspoken words. I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. Cou