To Impress

      I marched back into the mansion, gripping the empty tray so tightly my knuckles turned white.

      “What was that supposed to mean?” I muttered under my breath. 

      Why did he seem angry?

      How was I supposed to do my job if I wasn’t allowed to answer their questions? I hadn’t even started the conversation, it was Rafael. Yet I was the one getting scolded.

      I let out an exasperated sigh as I entered the kitchen.

      Elizabeth immediately looked up from arranging dinner plates.

      “Finished already?”

      “Yes.” I answered weakly.

      She studied my face for a moment.

      “You seem to be low in spirits.”

      “Don’t worry, I’m fine.” I smiled reassuringly at her.

      She raised an eyebrow but wisely chose not to press further.

      “Then help me prepare dinner.”

      “Yes, Ma’am.”

      For the next hour, I busied myself chopping vegetables, polishing silverware, and setting the dining table.

      I made sure I wouldn’t bump into them again so I can stay away from trouble. However, it seems I don’t really have a choice in that matter.

      “Cassie. Take these drinks to the sitting room.”

      “Umm…” I hesitated scratching my cheeks.

      “Can’t you take it yourself?” I asked sheepishly.

      She narrowed her eyes at me, making me gulp.

      “I would.” She said, then paused for a second, “But it will cost you your job.”

      “…”

      Without another word, I snatched the tray from her hands.

      “My hands suddenly feel incredibly energetic.” I said, forcing a smile.

      Elizabeth merely nodded. “I thought so.”

      I forced an awkward laugh as I hurried away.

      Whew!

      Elizabeth was terrifying in a completely different way.

      

       …

      Laughter echoed through the mansion long before I reached the sitting room.

      The four cousins seemed completely different from Azrael.

      Where he was quiet… They were loud. Where he was reserved… They teased each other without mercy. 

      “I’m telling you,” Logan laughed, “You should’ve seen Zachary’s face when the girl at the party threw juice on his face.”

      “Hey! It wasn’t my fault she was crazy.” Zachary shot back. “Who would even dare resist this face and body? They’re lucky if I’m even interested in them.” He said cockily.

      “Apparently, that girl, Freya, doesn't think you’re worth much.” Rafael smirked. 

      “You really should have kept your hands to yourself.” Noah, who was reading the newspaper, lifted his head and looked at them seriously. “You just broke up with her friend and then you’re suddenly hitting on her. Who wouldn’t be angry?”

      “She was the one who kept looking at me!” Zachary sulked, feeling wronged.

      “Yeah, probably thinking of ways to murder you.” Logan laughed, tapping his shoulder, consoling him.

      I couldn’t help smiling.

      They were surprisingly… normal.

      My eyes instinctively drifted toward Azrael.

      Unlike the others, he remained seated quietly at the far end of the room.

      One leg crossed over the other.

      A stack of documents rested on his lap as he read through them with complete focus, seemingly uninterested in joining the conversation.

      Why invite them over if he wasn’t even going to talk to them?

      Then again… It wasn’t any of my business.

      I quietly placed the tray onto the coffee table.

      “Your refreshments, Sirs.”

      They all looked toward me.

      “Thanks, Cassie.”

      Rafael flashed me the same warm smile as before.

      “You’ve been on your feet all day.”

      He gently pulled out the empty chair beside him.

      “Sit down for a minute.”

      “Oh…”

      I smiled awkwardly.

      “I couldn’t possibly—”

      “No.” 

      The single word cut cleanly through the room.

      I instinctively looked toward Azrael.

      He hadn’t even lifted his eyes from the documents in front of him, yet I already knew he was the one who had spoken.

      Zachary whistled. “There he goes again.”

      “I’m only offering the poor girl a chair.” Rafael muttered.

      “She is working,” Azrael replied without looking up.

      “So?”

      Azrael looked up and glanced at Rafael, “So let her work.” He looked at Rafael in a way that left no room for argument.

      Then his gaze turned to me. “Stand there on the side and serve us.” He said commandingly, making me feel small.

      However, I didn’t dare talk back and just did as I was told.

      “Your temper is really getting out of hand, Azi.” Logan chuckled. 

      “I’ve always been strict.”

      “Not this strict,” Zachary muttered under his breath, earning a quiet snicker from Rafael.

      Before the conversation could continue, Noah tossed a thick folder onto the table.

      “Okay, that is enough chatting about parties and girls.” He adjusted his glasses. “Let’s talk about the Harbor Project.”

      Almost immediately, the atmosphere changed.

      The playful teasing disappeared.

      Zachary groaned but also sat up straight, looking at the papers laid bare on the table.

      The five of them leaned over the documents spread across the table, discussing numbers and proposals that sounded far more serious than anything I’d ever heard.

      I quietly continued pouring drinks while pretending not to listen.

      Truthfully… Their conversation fascinated me. They talked about investments. Construction delays. Profit margins. Supplier contracts.

      Maybe I like it because it felt like solving one giant puzzle. And I always love a good puzzle.

      Once everyone had fresh drinks, I picked up the empty tray and quietly stepped back. 

      I was just about to excuse myself when out of nowhere—

      “Cassie…” I froze. Noah was looking directly at me.

      Did he just call me?

      “What do you think?”

      “Sir?”

      He smiled, his dimples showing, “I noticed you kept looking at the papers. Do you have any opinion in mind?” He asked.

      My eyes widened.

      “Oh…” I shook my head so quickly my ponytail bounced. “No, Sir. I don’t really know much about business.”

      “Oh, come on.” Zachary chimed in, leaning back with a grin. “Noah’s not asking for professional advice. We just want a fresh perspective. If you were in our position… What would you do?”

      I laughed nervously. “I don’t think I’m qualified to answer something like that.”

      Before Zachary could say anything else, Azrael finally looked up.

      “Why the hell are you asking my maid questions?” His voice was calm but full of irritation as he looked at his cousins. 

      I was thankful that he spoke up, but the next words he said left a sour taste in my soul.

      “She wouldn’t know anything about this, if she did she wouldn’t have this job.”

      I don’t know why… But hearing him say that stung a little.

      Rafael shrugged. “Who knows?” He smiled at me. “Maybe she does. The girl looks intelligent.”

      Now everyone was staring at me. Great! I wished the ground would swallow me whole right now.

      “I…” I looked down at the papers scattered across the table. “I really don’t want to embarrass myself.”

      “You won’t,” Rafael encouraged. “We’re genuinely curious.”

      I hesitated. Part of me wanted to leave. The other part… wanted to prove to Azrael that I am not just some stupid maid. 

      That I was capable of something more.