Episode 4 : First day of work

Great. First day of work and I freaking overslept.

If I were back home, the rooster would’ve screamed its throat raw from nonstop cock-a-doodle-doo-ing, but nope—I’m still in bed like it’s a weekend. I forgot to set my alarm last night. What a perfect way to start the day, Amara.

I shot up like a zombie late for judgment day and rushed to the bathroom. I was literally brushing my teeth while scrubbing my arms with soap—don’t judge. I had zero time to be cute.

Since I didn’t have my uniform yet (they said they’d tailor it today), I threw on a plain red dress and called it a day.

The landline started ringing and my heart legit dropped. They were totally looking for me already. I picked it up fast.

“Amelia, I’ve been waiting for you. You were supposed to be here by 5.”

"I'm so sorry, Miss. I’m on my way right now!"

As soon as the call ended, I bolted out of my room and sprinted through the servant’s hallway. When I reached the main hall, there she was—the older lady from last night—waiting by a trolley with food trays. She looked at her watch again with that disappointed-teacher look moms give when you mess up.

Ugh. Day one and I’m already on the verge of getting fired. Great job, Amara.

I ran up to her like a panicking intern.

“I’m really sorry, Miss. I didn’t mean to oversleep. I forgot to set my alarm last night,” I apologized, trying to sound as sincere as possible.

She gave me a sharp look but sighed. “Fine. I’ll let it slide this once—it is your first day. But don’t let it happen again. Now come on, we’ve got less than 30 minutes ‘til it’s 6:30. I’m sure the Master’s already waiting for his breakfast.”

Yup, I’m totally dead. If I wasn’t stressed before, now I’m spiraling because that means I have to face him again.

We reached the stairs leading to the second floor. Miss Serious parked the trolley at the foot of the steps and handed me the tray. Dang, it was heavier than I expected.

“I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself last night,” she said as we started heading up. “I’m Penelope. You can call me Miss Pen. That’s what everyone here calls me.”

I just nodded. Honestly, I was too focused on not tripping while carrying the tray on these glass stairs. I could see the floor below getting smaller as we climbed, and it was seriously making my knees weak. I forced myself to look forward and not down.

“Just so you know, this is the only time I’ll walk you to the Master’s room. After this, you’re on your own,” she added.

Awesome. I was already sweating, and now she drops that on me. Great. Love that for me.

We entered a wide corridor with barely any lights on. Half the curtains were still closed, so everything looked lowkey haunted.

Miss Pen stopped and pointed around.

“That way on the left are the guest rooms. Every floor has its own lounge. This middle hallway is kind of the central space on the second floor. The Master’s room is to the right.”

Still nodding like a bobblehead.

“Is it always this… dark here?” I asked, trying not to sound freaked out.

“They open the curtains at 8, once the Master’s left,” she replied casually.

Uhh… what?

Why do they wait for him to leave before letting sunlight in?

What is he, a vampire? An actual bloodsucker?

“Amelia. We’re here.”

Her voice yanked me out of my thoughts.

We were standing in front of this huge white door. She was already next to it, waiting. I glanced around and noticed the walls had these black designs that looked like tattoos or something. Was that art or a spell? I dunno. Creepy, though.

“Knock three times,” she whispered.

I inhaled like I was about to enter a haunted house, then did what she said.

“Tell him his breakfast is here,” she added softly.

My hand trembled as I gripped the doorknob. I swear it felt like I was walking straight into a demon’s lair. But whatever—YOLO. I opened the door.

Surprisingly, no weird candles this time.

Just a super quiet, chill room.

There was a porcelain vase by the door, a fancy coat stand, and a wooden cabinet partially blocking the view of the bed. On top of the cabinet? A freakin’ stack of Rubik’s cubes. Different shapes, different colors. Random.

To the left was a huge flatscreen TV, a DVD player, and a Bluetooth speaker. A black coffee table sat in the middle, surrounded by an all-black sofa with two cushy pillows. I walked over and carefully placed the tray down.

The room was bright—his curtains and windows were open, unlike the rest of the mansion.

I peeked at the bed. Empty.

Then I heard the water running.

Shower.

Welp. Time to dip.

I turned to leave—

But paused when I saw clothes scattered on the floor.

Ugh. Seriously? I sighed, picked them up, folded them quickly, and laid them neatly on the sofa.

I turned around to go—

But something near the door caught my eye.

A black curtain. Covering what looked like another room... with no door?

Two feet away from the exit, but this thing pulled at my curiosity.

I swear I saw someone’s silhouette behind the curtain.

Okay, this was weird. I stepped closer and reached out to pull it aside—

But before I could, a hand yanked the curtain open from the inside.

And holy crap.

I froze.

Standing right there was him.

Ryoushin Castillian.

Dripping wet.

With just a towel around his waist.

His skin was pale but smooth, chest broad as hell, and those abs? Sharp enough to cut glass.

And oh my god, there was hair peeking out from below the towel—

“What the h*ll are you doing?”

His deep voice cut through the air and made my knees wobble.

My hand was still halfway up like I was about to touch the curtain.

I looked down—huge mistake.

I saw the whole line of his torso and my brain short-circuited.

“Quit staring, Ms. Castillo.”

His voice dropped even lower, and I swear my heart did a full backflip.

I instantly looked away, biting my lip so hard it hurt.

Amara, you IDIOT!

I nervously fidgeted with my hands, lowkey wanting to melt into the floor.

“I—I’m so sorry!” I stammered, keeping my eyes locked on the tiles.

I backed up so fast I didn’t realize I hit the door.

Then I heard his footsteps getting closer.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Please don’t murder me. Please don’t fire me. Please don’t—

Then click.

The doorknob behind me turned.

I opened my eyes. He was right in front of me now. Still mostly naked. Still terrifyingly hot.

“Why are you still standing there? You wanna watch me get dressed or something, Miss Castillo?”

His voice was soft… but cold enough to slap me into next week.

My heart? Still not okay.

Me? Mortified.