Chapter 3
MIA POV
After one week, Nina called me, sharing the news of my selection. Overjoyed, I packed my bags in anticipation of my stay. Saying goodbye to my teary-eyed mom and little brother, I couldn't contain my excitement.
Upon arriving at the mansion's entrance, the guard allowed me inside. Nina led me to a small room assigned for my stay and introduced me to everyone. Some were friendly, while others gave me wary glances for reasons unknown.
Smiling at everyone, I followed Nina as she pulled me aside into a quiet corner, a serious expression on her face. "Mia, I need to talk to you about something important."
I looked at Nina with wide eyes and a nervous demeanor, sensing the gravity of the situation. "What's wrong, Nina? Did I do something? I don't want to be fired at the start of my job."
Nina sighed, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "No, it's not about you, dear. It's about the young master, Mr. Sinclair. You need to be careful around him. He's not like any other employer we've had."
Confused, I furrowed my brows. "What do you mean? Is he strict?"
Nina's eyes darkened. "Strict is an understatement, Mia. Mr. Sinclair is ruthless. He doesn't forgive even the smallest mistakes. Once you're on his bad side, it's nearly impossible to get back in his good graces."
Fear crept into my eyes as I whispered, "But why? What should I be careful about?"
Nina took a deep breath. "He has his reasons, Mia, but we don't question them. Just remember this – stay away from him as much as possible. Don't get on his wrong side, and you'll be safe. Follow his orders without hesitation."
Nodding, my anxiety grew. "I'll be careful, Nina. I don't want any trouble."
"That's good to hear, Mia," Nina said, her tone softening. "Now, I have a special task for you today. The young master is out of the country, so you'll be cleaning his study. Everything must be in perfect order when he returns. Do it diligently, and hopefully, he won't notice you."
Gulping nervously, I replied, "His study? Okay, I'll do my best, Nina."
As I entered the grand study with a dust cloth in hand, trepidation filled me. The room exuded authority, with dark wood furniture and shelves lined with intimidating volumes. Moving cautiously, I focused on every detail, feeling as if the room held the secret to Mr. Sinclair's ruthlessness.
Meticulously dusting the study, I traced the edges of antique furniture and polished surfaces. The rhythmic swish of the dust cloth accompanied a soft, almost involuntary hum that escaped my lips. The melody, a bittersweet tune from my childhood, provided solace during the mundane tasks.
Reaching the towering bookshelves, I marveled at the collection of tomes. Mr. Sinclair's study was a sanctuary of knowledge, a realm of sophistication I had only dreamed of. My heart fluttered with a longing I couldn't quite articulate.
Fixating on a particular book, its ornate cover promised tales of enchantment and mystery. "Whispers of the Forgotten" — the title called out to me, and a desire to delve into its pages took hold. Realizing such treasures were beyond my reach, with meager wages covering only essentials, I sighed wistfully.
The allure proved too strong. With a furtive glance around, I plucked the book from its place, cradling it like a precious jewel. Finding a quiet corner near the window, I allowed myself a stolen moment of respite.
I looked around the study room to find a comfortable place to sit and read the book because i was almost finished with dusting and cleaning the study but this book attracted me like a moth. I decided to sat on the soft single seated near the window and looked at the book.
As the first page turned, I entered a world where worries melted away. Characters came alive, and the story unfolded. Unbeknownst to me, the forgotten song lingered, accompanying me on this clandestine journey.
Lost in the enchantment, I barely noticed approaching footsteps. The creak of the door caught my attention, and I looked up to see a handsome man with a chiseled jaw and sharp features standing at the entrance, his figure concealed by a dark hood.
He was looking dangerously handsome in the dim light but i didn't his features because of his eyes. They were dangerous. I was looking here and there when i felt that i hadn't placed the book yet in the shelf. I was too embarrassed to do anything while he was looking at me up and down, making me afraid of his presence.
Caught off guard, I stammered, attempting to return the book. "I-I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to... I was just cleaning, and..."
The handsome man's piercing gaze held me in place. "Continue," he said with a voice that sent a shiver down my spine.
Embarrassment flooded through me as I resumed cleaning, avoiding eye contact. "I-I didn't mean to intrude, sir. I was just...curious."
His hooded eyes never left me, tension palpable. "Curiosity can be a dangerous trait, Miss. Some stories are better left unread," he uttered cryptically.
Nodding unconsciously, my heart pounded, the stolen moment replaced by vulnerability.
"But you need punishment for touching something without permission, don't you?" the man asked, no longer appearing handsome.
"Look, you... You are no one to punish me. I know the young master is not here, but I was just checking the book," I explained with a protruding lip, noticing his gaze darkening. The next second, he was in front of me.
"You are such a small little thing," he said in his husky voice near my ear, making me shiver. I shuddered. "I am not small; I am 20 years old, mister," I said confidently, still unable to look into his eyes.
"Then you deserve a punishment." With that, he put his hand on my face, tracing it towards my lips while rubbing his thumb pad against my lower lip.