chapter 1: Where it all began

The gate opened slowly. I followed the agent in, my eyes were wide as I looked around the massive compound.

The house was big, white, and quiet like the kind of place rich people stayed in on TV. I clutched my small bag close to my body and took a deep breath.

“Don’t be nervous,” the agent said, giving me a quick glance. “Just listen to instructions, do your job well, and don’t ask too many questions.”

I nodded, even though my legs were shaking a little. This was my first time working as a live-in maid. I had cleaned houses before, but nothing like this. Nothing this grand or serious.

Inside the house, the cold air touched my skin. The floors were shiny, and the walls looked freshly painted. It didn’t feel like a home, it felt more like a hotel. Because every step I took echoed.

“Wait here,” the agent said when we reached the sitting room. “I’ll call the head of staff.”

He left me standing alone in the middle of the large room. My eyes scanned everything. The big leather chairs, the clean glass table, and a tall shelf full of books and expensive things I didn’t recognize.

A few minutes later, a woman in her late forties walked in. She wore a black dress with her hair in a tight bun. Her face was sharp, and her eyes were serious.

“You’re the new one?” she asked.

“Yes, ma,” I said quickly.

“I’m Mrs. Hart, the head of staff here. You’ll take instructions from me first. If you don’t understand something, ask. But don’t ask about things that don’t concern you.”

“Yes ma,” I said again.

She looked me up and down. “You’re younger than the others. How old are you?”

" I'm twenty,” I said immediately.

She raised one brow. “You’ll be staying in the servants’ quarters behind the house. Breakfast is by six, your uniform must be neat. No loud movements, no phones during work hours, and don’t ever enter any room you’re not asked to clean.”

with her last statement, my heart beat faster. “Yes, ma.” I said.

She nodded slowly. “There’s one more thing, Mr. Grey doesn’t like noise. He’s private, quiet, and doesn’t talk much. Just greet him and move along, Understand?”

I swallowed hard. “Yes.”

She glanced at the clock, “He should be coming down soon. Wait here. He always wants to see new staff on the first day.”

She turned and walked away.

I sat down on the edge of the couch and rubbed my palms together, my heart was still racing.

The silence in the house was too loud, I looked around again and noticed something strange. On the left side of the hallway, almost hidden behind a large painting, was a door. It was dark-colored, different from the others. And it had no handle, just a card slot.

A room? I thought.

Before I could think more about it, I heard footsteps. Slow and steady ones with the sound of polished shoes on hard floor. I quickly stood up.

He entered the room like he owned the world. Mr. Grey was tall and dressed in a dark shirt and trousers. With a strong build and an unreadable face.

His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly brushed back, and his jawline looked sharp enough to cut glass. He didn’t look fifty, Not even close. He looked like power wrapped in quiet danger.

His eyes met mine, and for a second, he didn’t blink. I felt my breath catch. He didn’t smile, not at first. He just studied me, like he was trying to see everything without asking a single question.

“So,” he finally said, his voice was deep and smooth. “You’re the new help.”

“Yes sir,” I said, trying not to let my voice shake.

He took a few steps closer. “What’s your name?”

“Amara.” I said

he nodded and his eyes swept over me. Not in a dirty way, but not exactly clean either. I felt warm all of a sudden, like the air had changed.

then he walked past me, heading toward the hallway. I watched him, trying not to look too curious. But then, instead of going upstairs, he turned toward the strange door.

He pulled out a black card from his pocket, slid it through the slot, and the door clicked open. It was dark inside, I couldn’t see anything.

He stepped in, and the door closed silently behind him.

I stood frozen.

What kind of room needed a card to open? And why did it feel like he didn’t want anyone to know what was inside?