chapter 10

**Chapter 10**

**Lisa’s POV**

The sun shone brighter than usual, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of spring flowers as I stepped out of the mansion gates with Clara beside me. Our day off. I had been looking forward to it all week, especially after the emotionally exhausting few days I’d just had — and after what happened in the hallway. My heart still hadn’t recovered.

Clara had been humming a happy tune since morning, clearly excited to get away from the mansion. I envied her carefree spirit. Me? I was a mess inside. I smiled, I nodded, I laughed — but my thoughts kept circling back to one man. Vincent Lucas Ford Jnr.

Stop it, Lisa. You’re just a maid. He’s your boss — and married.

“Alright, Miss Grumpy,” Clara nudged me playfully as we walked toward the bus stop. “Can we pretend you’re not overthinking the entire universe and just have fun today?”

I gave her a weak smile. “I’m not overthinking.”

She rolled her eyes. “Sure, and I’m not beautiful.”

We both laughed, and I felt the heaviness in my chest ease just a little. The town was lively when we arrived. Children playing near the bakery, couples walking hand in hand, and vendors shouting out their best offers. Clara dragged me into one shop after another, trying on sunglasses, holding up dresses she couldn't afford, and dancing to the music playing from a street band.

We ended up sitting at a cozy little café that had the best view of the fountain in the square. I ordered a cold drink and tried to let go of my thoughts — but of course, Clara wasn’t going to make that easy.

“You know who I didn’t expect to look that good?” she said, sipping from her straw, eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Who?” I asked absently, stirring my drink.

“The master’s friend… Nickolas, I think. That man has charm written all over him. The way he smiled at you the other day? Girl, he looked like he wanted to eat you up.”

I nearly choked on my drink. “Clara!”

“What?” she said innocently. “You’re gorgeous, and he’s got eyes. I’m just saying,

I chuckled, shaking my head. “You’re impossible.”

“Say what you want,” Clara smirked, leaning back in her chair. “But I saw the way Nick was looking at you. And you? You didn’t exactly look away either.”

I didn’t reply. Not because she was wrong… but because she wasn’t completely right either.

Just then, I saw a sleek black car pull up near the café, and my heart instantly sank. There was only one man I knew who drove something that elegant out here. My body stiffened as the car door opened, and Vincent stepped out, dressed casually in dark jeans and a black shirt that somehow made him even more intimidating. My breath caught.

Why was he here?

Clara noticed my sudden silence. “Lisa? What’s wrong?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My eyes were locked on him. He hadn’t seen me yet. His head was turned toward someone behind him — and then, as if things couldn’t get worse, Nickolas stepped out of the passenger side.

Clara gasped. “Oh, damn. Speak of the devil — or should I say, devils.”

I turned away quickly, trying to look as invisible as possible. “Let’s go.”

“What? Are you serious? That’s the most drama this town has seen in weeks.”

“I mean it, Clara.”

But before I could grab my bag and flee, I heard footsteps approaching. My stomach flipped.

“Ladies,” came Nickolas’ smooth voice. “What a surprise.”

Clara beamed. “Sir What are you doing in town?”

“We came to check on some properties,” he replied, his eyes flickering to me. “Didn’t expect to run into you both. Pleasant surprise.”

I forced a polite smile. “Hello.”

“Lisa,” came another voice, deeper, colder… and much more dangerous to my soul.

Vincent.

I turned slowly, meeting his piercing green eyes. My breath left me again.

“Good afternoon, sir,” I managed.

His gaze lingered on me longer than it should have, unreadable and intense. I tried to look away, but the weight of his stare held me in place. His eyes moved over me slowly — not inappropriately, but with a quiet kind of hunger. My skin burned under his gaze.

“We were just enjoying our day off,” Clara chimed in, breaking the tension.

“I see,” Vincent replied, still watching me.

The silence between us was suffocating. Nickolas gave me a small smile. “Mind if we join you?”

Before I could protest, Clara had already said, “Not at all!”

I sat there, feeling like I was caught in a storm I couldn’t escape. Vincent didn’t say much, but his eyes never stopped observing. Every time Nickolas said something that made me smile or laugh, I felt his gaze sharpen. He wasn’t happy. And I didn’t know what scared me more — the idea that he cared… or that I wanted him to...