5

CHAPTER 5

Five days later, Oliver still isn’t working in the kitchen, though I’m pretty much enjoying my job as the days go by.

Ever since I started writing notes to the elusive Brandon Lucien, I’m beginning to feel his presence—like I’m actually cooking for a person. He isn’t so invisible anymore. He’s actually, and peculiarly, responding to my notes.

For today’s lunch, I heartily make him a marinated and smoked chicken with tzatziki sauce. This time, I make him brownies for dessert.

I write him a note again.

“Try the food with a glass of champagne. It tastes better.”

Ms. Lennie doesn’t seem to mind me anymore, but she always tastes the food before serving it to our boss. As usual, I never expect a reaction from her. When she returns, I find another note from him, and this time he provides a note clipper.

However, the brownie box went back untouched.

I read his note.

You’re right. A glass of champagne does make it taste better. But weren’t you told not to improvise? I don’t eat brownies.

I laugh at his answer. I’d already started improvising, and he was eating it anyway.

“Someone’s happy.” Oliver’s soothing voice snaps me out of my thoughts. He is leaning on the doorframe with arms crossed over his chest, looking regal in his bespoke three-piece gray suit. I don’t usually see him in very formal business attire.

“Hi,” I greet him. “I’m making a savory pie.”

His eyes gleam. “Oh, wow. Would you give me some?”

“Sure. Let this cool for a second.” I briefly stop mincing the garlic and move over the crockery to grab a plate. I put two slices on the plate and carefully set it in front of him.

“Thank you.” He picks up a slice and takes a bite. “So, how’s your day?”

“It’s getting better.” I grin. “How are you?”

“The crucial days in the office are over,” he says. “I can work here again, but as I can see, you’re getting used to it.” Oliver flashes a smile and looks at me meaningfully.

“We’re talking now,” I say proudly and smile back.

“Yes, I heard about the notes.” He takes another slice of pie. “But how did you manage to pull that one, hmm?”

“I guess he’s telling you about it. I don’t know.” I shrug. “I just tried to write to him, but I didn’t expect that he would respond.”

“That’s progress, and since Lennie is already up to her neck with house chores, I really needed someone I could count on whenever I’m absent. Like you.”

“Right, but Ms. Lennie is still someone you can count on. She’s just a bit busier than everyone,” I comment. “I’m glad to work with you.”

“Are you?” he teases, and he’s got a playful smile on his lips again.

“You’ve been a good friend too.”

His smile widens. “I wish to be friends with you too, Alayna.” He puts down the fork on the side of the empty plate. “Thank you for this. I enjoyed the food.”

“You’re most welcome.”

“I’ll cook Brandon’s dinner tonight,” he offers and glances at the fish fillets on the prep area, then back at me. “You’ve been busy for the past few weeks. Why don’t you go to my shelf now and grab my booklet?”

“Is it all right?”

“Yes, so we can start your next lesson. I have dishes I want to share with you.”

I grin. “Thank you.”

“I’ll be right here.”

I wash my hands thoroughly and take off my apron. Eager to see another one of Oliver’s recipe collections, I hurry out of the kitchen and head to the library.

I only want to take the booklet, but the library is so tempting to explore, I decide to stroll around. I go to the library’s second floor to check for more books, but the section is all about computers, systems, information technology—which isn’t my thing. However, it makes sense since Grethe and Elga Enterprises is a leading technology company in New York.

I wander some more and find another door. I open it, thinking it could be the library’s extension. But to my surprise, I stumble into another room with a king-sized bed. It isn’t the library’s extension at all! I’m in someone’s room.

However, there’s no sign of life inside, so I calm down, step back and find another door. Wanting to get out, I open the door, only to find out it isn’t the exit I’m expecting.

A sound of running water coming from a shower catches my attention. My eyes widen in shock to find the broad, ripped back of a tall man. He has a slim waist, and his back has defined muscle cuts. I stagger back, but my eyes trail down to the most perfect, round butt I’ve ever seen in my life.

Every hair on the back of my neck stands at the sight of him. It isn’t my first time seeing a man’s butt—I’ve seen plenty, actually—but this man’s ass is undeniably different from any I have seen before. He’s incredibly sexy.

Oh my! Is that him?

I turn quickly, realizing I’m trespassing on someone else’s privacy.

“Who’s there?”

This is asked in an angry shout. I swiftly run out of the room until I miraculously find the door where I came from and escape through it. The stairway toward the mansion’s left wing catches my view, and Ms. Lennie is waiting at the bottom. I’m even more nervous now. She is glaring at me, her arms crossed over her chest. When did she get there?

“Miss Hart.” Her voice is tight. “Are you clueless, or can you simply not follow directions?” This is the first time in weeks that I’m getting the stern tone from her.

“I was in the library, and then—” I try to explain. “I got lost. I’m sorry.” I stop and catch my breath.

“It’s been a little more than a month, and you’re already making trouble. I understand that this house is huge, bigger than you can imagine. What’s unacceptable is your disobedience of my number one rule.”

“What did I do?”

“The Master called me. He said someone was in his room.”

Oh, gosh. Of course, it’s him. Who else could it have been?

“You are the newbie here, so I believe it was you,” she continues. “Mr. Katrakis had high hopes of you and he’s never wrong, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.”

“I understand...” I answer humbly.

God, I don’t want to disappoint Oliver now. Our working relationship is doing so well. What would he think about me now? He even entrusted me access to the library; surely, none of the employees could go there freely.

“I admit it, but like I said, I got lost! I will never deny my mistake, but I was hoping you would understand.”

“I don’t like the way you answered me. Follow me,” she says with caution. She doesn’t seem to like anything I do. Maybe she doesn’t even like the fact that I’m breathing.

“Um, where are we going?”

“He wants to talk to the person who invaded his room. It’s also the first time an employee gets fired on her first month.”

“What? What do you mean, fired? This is crazy! I didn’t mean to go into his room,” I insist guiltily while walking fast behind her. My thoughts hover to millions of ways to convince her not to take me to our boss. I have a bad feeling about this. I’m not actually ready to see him yet.

But being ready wouldn’t matter to him. And, well, I’ve already seen him. Not all of him, just his back. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to see his face.

However, the scene keeps playing in my mind. He is tall, with broad shoulders. His arms were spread wide, which made his triceps flex. He has ample legs that make me wonder how it would feel to be wrapped around them—

I shut my eyes. I have completely lost my mind.

“Miss Hart, it’s time that you finally meet him.” She spins around and finally faces me. “And just so you know, you don’t need to see him to be able to talk to him.”

Uh, what?