Chapter 5

Elara

I woke to the sound of my ringtone blaring beside my ear.

Groaning, I rolled over and groped around blindly with one hand, refusing to open my eyes. My fingers finally wrapped around my phone, and I dragged it to my face without checking the screen.

“Mmmhello?” I croaked.

“Elara!” Mara’s voice exploded through the speaker. “I swear to the gods, if you ghosted me after getting a job in a mansion, I will walk there barefoot and haunt you.”

I winced, eyes finally fluttering open. “Mara?”

“No, it’s the ghost of your future regret. Of course it’s me! Why haven’t you called me yet? You promised!”

I sat up, running a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry. I crashed the moment I got to my room. I didn’t even mean to fall asleep.”

“You mean you’re in already?!” she gasped. “Girl! So? Did you get the job or not?”

“I did,” I said with a sleepy smile.

There was a long pause.

Then a scream so loud I had to pull the phone away from my ear.

“AHHHHHH! I knew it! I told you! Didn’t I tell you? I should become a fortune teller. They’d call me Madam Mara the All-Knowing.”

I laughed. “Please don’t. You’d scare people away with your dramatic entrances.”

“Oh, come on. You’re literally in a mansion right now. You’re like a gothic Cinderella.”

“I don’t think Cinderella had to lie to escape a basement.”

“Love that for you. What about the people? Is the boss hot? Rich? Evil? Tell me you’re living in one of those spicy books I keep sending you.”

I snorted. “Stop. I haven’t even settled in. I only met the little boy I’m supposed to nanny. His name’s Auron. He’s… actually sweet.”

“Auron? That sounds like the name of a dark prince or a dragon or something.”

“Well, he’s about six, so not quite.”

“Still. Plot twist. I love it.”

I smiled at her nonsense, heart warming a little. “Thanks, Mara. For everything. Really.”

“Duh. You’re my best friend. I’d fight your evil stepmother with a flip-flop if I had to.”

“You almost did,” I reminded her.

“And I’ll do it again. Just say the word.”

We both laughed, and for a moment, everything felt normal again.

Then I glanced at the time.

“I should go. I don’t want to get in trouble on my first day.”

“Ugh, fine. But call me tonight, okay? I want every detail.”

“Promise.”

“Bye, future mansion queen.”

She hung up and I was still smiling.

I shook my head and set the phone down beside me, then glanced at the screen 7:52 p.m.

My eyes widened. “Oh, crap.”

A few more minutes and I would’ve slept straight through the evening. That would’ve been a fantastic first impression. Thank God for Mara’s perfect timing.

I sat up quickly, smoothing my hair back with my fingers and blinking the sleep from my eyes. My blouse had a faint crease down the front, but nothing too embarrassing. I walked over to the mirror and checked myself, hair a little wild, eyes still heavy with sleep, but I looked… okay. Presentable, at least. Sort of.

I took a breath, patted my cheeks for some color, then grabbed my phone and headed for the door.

Before going downstairs, I paused in front of Auron’s room. It was mostly quiet, but I felt the need to check on him.

I knocked gently. “Auron?” I whispered, then slowly opened the door.

Empty.

His room was neat, lights dimmed, the bed untouched since earlier. I blinked, half expecting him to be there with a book or that same quiet stare from before. But there was no sign of him.

Guess he was already downstairs.

I closed the door gently behind me and made my way to the staircase.

I reached the landing and followed the faint sounds of clinking silverware and muffled conversation. The scent of food grew stronger with each step, roasted meat and something buttery, maybe garlic. My stomach twisted again, reminding me how long it had been since I last ate.

I turned a corner and there it was, the dining room.

Caelum's eyes was already on me like he’d sensed my arrival before I entered. Auron was seated beside him, legs swinging a little beneath his chair, already halfway through his food.

But that wasn’t what surprised me.

Another man sat with them.

He was dressed in all black, casually so, but nothing about him felt casual. His presence was sharp, like walking into a room and spotting the wolf before it bares its teeth.

I straightened myself quickly.

"Good evening... sirs," I said, inwardly cringing at how awkward it sounded.

Caelum gave a faint smirk, rising slightly from his seat in a small gesture of welcome. “Elara, this is Lucien.”

Lucien.

Of course that was his name.

He didn’t stand. Just watched me a second longer before offering a small smile. “You don’t have to be so formal,” he said smoothly. “Just Lucien is fine.”

“Oh. Alright,” I nodded, trying to ignore the heat that crawled up the back of my neck. “Thank you.”

Caelum gestured to the empty seat beside Auron. “Come. Eat.”

I moved quickly, grateful for the invitation and even more grateful when Auron gave me the most adorable grin as I sat down. Without a word, he scooted his chair just a little closer to mine.

“Hungry?” I asked him gently, reaching for the serving spoons.

He gave a small nod, eyes shining, and I began to fill his plate.

He dug in immediately. We still hadn’t exchanged more than a few words, but somehow, it felt like we understood each other.

I focused on Auron, pretending I didn’t feel the weight of Lucien’s eyes on me.

But I did.

Even as I helped Auron finish his meal.

Eventually, the plates were cleared, and I reached to gather the dishes, hoping to do something useful, but Caelum gently stopped me with a shake of his head. “The maids will handle it."

I opened my mouth to protest but thought better of it. Instead, I gave a small nod.

Then Auron yawned dramatically, rubbing at his eyes. “I’m sleepy,” he mumbled.

Thank God.

I stood quickly. “I’ll take him to bed.”

Caelum nodded once, and Lucien said nothing, though I could feel his stare trail after me as I gently guided Auron out of the dining room.

After brushing his teeth, he padded back to his room in his tiny socks, still sleepy but clearly fighting it. I helped him into his pajamas and tucked him in, smoothing the blanket over him.

“Want a bedtime story?” I asked, settling on the edge of the bed.

He shook his head. “Sing to me.”

“Okay,” I whispered, brushing his hair back.

I sang a soft lullaby my mother used to sing to me, I had almost forgotten, but it came back in pieces, flowing from my lips gently. His eyes drifted shut before I finished the second verse, and his breathing even.

Once I was sure he was asleep, I crept out of the room and closed the door quietly behind me.

Back in my own room, I stepped into the bathroom for the first time. The tiles were warm underfoot, and it smelled faintly of lavender. I peeled off my clothes and stepped under the shower letting the hot water pour over me. Sighing as the tension melted from my shoulders, I stayed under the stream until my fingers wrinkled.

Wrapped in a fluffy towel, I collapsed on the bed, still slightly damp, and finally pulled out my phone.

I didn’t even have to dial.

Mara called me first.

“Finally!” she yelled. “Why didn’t you call me earlier?! I’ve been losing my mind thinking you got kidnapped by rich psychos!”

Yep. Trust Mara to be overly dramatic.

“I’m fine,” I said, laughing softly. “I was just… tired.”

“YES! Okay, now tell me everything. What’s the mansion like? Are the beds made of clouds? Did they feed you gold dusted strawberries? Spill!”

I rolled onto my side, smiling. “It’s huge. Like, unnecessarily huge. And yes, the bed is definitely cloud adjacent. No strawberries though.”

“Ugh, missed opportunity. Anyway, what are they like? Your boss?”

I sighed. “I have two bosses.”

“Really? Are they hot?”

I face palmed. “Mara-”

“Don’t Mara me. Answer the question.”

I had to admit they are both very handsome, it's like they were custom made by God.

I sighed, already regretting this. “Fine. Yes. They’re both… very attractive.”

“Details, woman.”

I gave in, chuckling. “Caelum’s the calm, collected one. Sharp jaw, dark blond hair, eyes that could cut through steel.”

“And Lucien, he’s… intense. Quiet, but not in a shy way. More like the kind of quiet that watches everything. Dark hair, darker eyes. The kind that makes you forget how to breathe.”

Mara let out a dramatic gasp. “Oh no. You’re already doomed.”

I laughed, sinking deeper into the blankets. “Shut up.”

“Just saying. Rich. Handsome. Mysterious. I’m already planning your wedding dress.”

“Goodnight, Mara.”

“Night, future billionaire’s wife.”

I hung up with a smile.