Chapter Five – The Little Boy Who Liked Her

Nora had been working at the Sterling mansion for three days. And somehow, she was beginning to get used to it.

Not the size of the house. She doubted she would ever get used to that.

But the silence. The polished marble floors. The staff moving quietly through the corridors.

And, most unexpectedly, Leo. The little boy had made it his personal mission to find her whenever she came to the house.

On Monday, he had brought her a drawing. On Tuesday, he had asked her to help him choose between two shades of blue for his bedroom.

Today, he appeared beside her while she was examining samples of fabric.

“Miss Nora.” Nora looked down and smiled. “Yes, Leo?” “Why do you always call me Leo?”

Nora laughed softly.“Because that's your name.” He shook his head.

“No. I mean why don't you call me Young Master like Mrs. Collins does?” Nora raised an eyebrow.

“Would you like me to call you Young Master?” Leo thought about it for a moment. “No.”

“Then I think Leo is better.” He nodded. “Okay.” Nora smiled. “Now, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see what you're doing.”“I'm working.” “What are those?” “Fabric samples.”

“What are they for?” “Curtains.” Leo picked up one of the samples and examined it carefully.

“Which one do you like?” Nora held up two pieces. “This one.” Leo immediately shook his head. “I don't like it.”

Nora looked at him. “Why?” “It looks boring.” She stared at him for a second before laughing.

“You're five.” “So?” Nora smiled.“Nothing.” Leo pointed at another sample.

“I like that one.” “That one?” “Yes.” “It's too bright.” “But I like it.” Nora looked at the boy's serious expression.

Then she smiled. “Alright. I'll consider it.” Leo grinned. “You're nice.” Nora's smile faded slightly. The words were simple.

Yet something about them touched a place inside her she hadn't expected. She quickly looked away. “Shouldn't you be with Mrs. Collins?”

“I don't want to.” “Why?” “Because she's making me read.” Nora laughed. “Reading is good.” “I know. But I want to stay here.”

“Why?” Leo shrugged. “Because I like you.” Nora didn't know what to say to that. She simply smiled. “Go and play for a little while. I'll be done soon.”

“Can I stay?” Nora hesitated. Then nodded. “Fine. But don't touch my drawings.” Leo smiled happily and pulled a chair closer.

Nora returned to her work. For the next few minutes, the room was quiet. She tried to concentrate on the samples in front of her.

But she couldn't help noticing the little boy sitting nearby. There was something strangely comforting about his presence.

She didn't understand it. And she didn't want to. She had already spent too much time thinking about things she couldn't explain.

A few minutes later, footsteps sounded in the hallway. Nora looked up. Adrian stood at the entrance. His eyes moved from her to Leo.

“What are you doing here?” Leo looked up. “Helping Nora.” Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Is that what you're calling it?” “Yes.”

Nora smiled. “He's been helping me choose fabrics.” Adrian looked at the samples. “Since when does he know anything about interior design?”

Leo answered immediately. “I know everything.” Adrian looked at his son. “Clearly.” Nora noticed something then.

Adrian looked tired. Not physically exhausted. Something deeper. His shoulders were tense, and there was a crease between his brows that hadn't been there the previous day.

“Long day?” she asked before she could stop herself. Adrian looked at her. “Yes.” Nora nodded. “You should probably rest when you can.”

His eyes lingered on her for a moment. Then he looked away. “I'll try.” It was the first time Nora had heard something almost human in his voice.

She returned her attention to the fabric samples. “Do you need anything?” “No.” Adrian looked at Leo.

“Come with me.” Leo immediately shook his head. “I want to stay with Nora.” Adrian's gaze shifted back to Nora.

She looked slightly uncomfortable. “It's alright,” she said. “I'll be leaving soon anyway.” Leo frowned. “When?”

“After I finish this.” “Are you coming tomorrow?” Nora smiled. “Yes.” Leo looked satisfied. “Okay.” Adrian said nothing. He simply watched the exchange.

There was something about the way his son had accepted Nora that he couldn't quite understand.

Leo wasn't usually this comfortable with people he had just met. And Nora didn't seem to be trying to win his affection.

It simply happened. Adrian turned toward the door. “Leo, five minutes.” “Okay.” He left. Nora watched him disappear.

She didn't know why, but she found herself wondering what had made the man look so exhausted.

She quickly pushed the thought aside. It wasn't her business. She had a job to do. Nothing more.

***

That evening, Nora met Mia at their usual café. Mia had barely sat down before she asked, “So?”

Nora looked at her. “So what?” “You're working three days a week in the Sterling mansion now.”

Nora blinked. “How did you know?” “You told me.” “I did?” “Yes. Yesterday.”

Nora frowned. “I don't remember.” Mia laughed. “Because you were too busy talking about Leo.”

Nora rolled her eyes. “I was not.” “You were.” “I mentioned him once.” “Once?” Mia stared at her. “Nora, you spent five minutes telling me how he thinks he knows everything about interior design.”

Nora couldn't help laughing. “He does.” “See?” Nora shook her head. Mia picked up her coffee. “So, how do you feel about working there three days a week?”

Nora leaned back. “I'm not sure yet.” “Because of Adrian?” Nora was quiet. “Partly.” “And because of Leo?”

Nora looked down at the table. “Maybe.” Mia's expression softened. “You're getting attached.” “I know.”

“You don't have to be.” “I know that too.” Nora sighed. “It's just strange.” “What is?” “He's so comfortable around me.”

Mia waited. Nora continued. “He looks for me when I come in. He asks when I'm coming back. Today, he told me he likes me.”

Mia smiled. “That sounds sweet.” “It is.” “Then what's wrong?” Nora hesitated. “I don't know.”

She looked out through the café window.Maybe I'm afraid of getting attached to him.” Mia understood immediately.

“Because of your son.” Nora nodded..She swallowed. “I don't want to start seeing things that aren't there.”

Mia reached across the table and held her hand. “Then don't force yourself to see anything.” Nora looked at her.

“Just let things be what they are.” Nora smiled faintly. “You always make everything sound simple.” “That's because I'm brilliant.”

Nora laughed. “There she is.” Mia grinned. “Now tell me about Adrian.” Nora groaned. “There is nothing to tell.”

“Nothing?” “Nothing.” “You're working in his house three days a week.” “Because it's a job.” “You're spending time with a handsome billionaire.”

“Mia.” “What?” Nora shook her head. “He's difficult.” “That's not a denial.” “He's my boss.” “Technically, he's your client.”

“Whatever.” Mia laughed. “Fine. I won't tease you.”“Thank you.” “For now.”

Nora smiled.But when the laughter faded, her mind returned to the mansion.

To Leo. To Adrian.nAnd to the uncomfortable feeling that spending three days a week in that house might make it much harder to keep her past where she had buried it.

***

Later that night, Adrian sat alone in his office at Sterling Enterprises.

The city stretched beneath the glass walls of his office, glowing with thousands of lights.

His laptop was open. Reports were scattered across his desk. He had spent most of the afternoon dealing with a major acquisition.

Three executives had argued against his decision. Adrian had overruled all of them. He wasn't interested in making everyone comfortable.

He was interested in making the right decision. The door opened. Daniel walked in. “You're still here.”

Adrian didn't look up. “So are you.”“I work for you.” “And?” Daniel placed a folder on the desk.“I brought what you asked for.”

Adrian finally looked up. The folder was thin. Too thin. “What is this?” “Everything I could find on Nora Hayes.”

Adrian opened it. Her university records. Employment history. Address history. A few photographs. Nothing unusual.

He turned another page. Then stopped. A section of the file was almost completely blank. Adrian's eyes narrowed. “What's missing?”

Daniel sat down. “That's what I'm trying to find out.” “How long was the gap?”

“Almost a year.” “Five years ago?” Daniel nodded. Adrian leaned back.

“And the hospital?” “I'm still waiting for confirmation.” Adrian closed the folder. “Keep looking.” Daniel hesitated.

“Adrian.” “What?” “You're becoming very interested in this woman.” Adrian's expression hardened.

“She works in my house.” “That isn't what I meant.” Adrian stared at him. Daniel raised both hands. “I'm just saying.”

“Don't.” Daniel nodded. “Alright.” He stood. As he reached the door, Adrian spoke.

“Daniel.” “Yes?” “Find out who was responsible for the hospital records during that period.” Daniel's expression became serious.

“I'll look into it.” He left. Adrian turned toward the window. He didn't know why he couldn't let it go.

Maybe it was simply instinct. Maybe there really was nothing unusual about Nora Hayes. But then he remembered the way she had looked at Leo.

There had been something in her eyes. Something he couldn't explain. Adrian picked up the photograph from the file.

Nora was standing outside her university. She was smiling. Young. Happy. Before whatever had happened five years ago changed her life.

He stared at the photograph for a long moment. Then his phone rang. It was an unknown number. Adrian answered.

“Hello?” There was silence. “Who is this?” A man's voice finally came through. “You should stop asking questions about Nora Hayes.”

Adrian's expression changed. “Who are you?” The line went dead. Adrian slowly lowered the phone.

His eyes hardened. For the first time, this was no longer simply curiosity. Someone was watching. And someone didn't want him looking into Nora's past.