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VERA: POV

This is my first day at work… so I need to act properly.

“It would be better if you start cleaning Don Brooklyn's room first,” Marie instructed before leaving for the wet market. “The masters' rooms always need to be clean.”

I nodded. Yannah and I had been awake since four in the morning. I had strictly told her last night never to step out of the room while I was away.

Slowly, I stepped out of the quarters and headed to the second floor of the mansion. The surroundings were still quiet, which only made me feel more nervous.

The moment I stepped inside Mr. Villareal’s room, his rich scent immediately welcomed me. It didn't smell like an old man's—if anything, it smelled youthful. Clean, elegant, and intensely masculine, the entire room carried his presence.

As I was wiping down some surfaces, I noticed that his bed was empty.

Panic hit me instantly.

“Is the Don already awake? W-why is he no longer in his bed?” I muttered to myself, glancing around nervously.

“Maybe he's out jogging…” I told myself just to calm down.

I was about to step into the bathroom to start cleaning in there when the door suddenly swung open.

“Ah!”

Startled, I almost lost my footing, but the Don quickly pulled me toward him. My body slammed straight against his muscular chest. It was still warm and slightly damp, as if he had just stepped out of the shower.

I couldn't move for a second.

My eyes widened as I stared at his body. Even with his age, it was obvious he took good care of himself. His chest was firm, and his rock-hard abs were clearly visible.

I could vividly feel my cheeks heating up.

“Are you okay?” he asked handsomely in his deep, captivating voice.

My brain sort of short-circuited from the way he was staring at me.

“I-I'm sorry, Sir… I didn't mean to…” I stammered, forcing my gaze away from his body.

I tried to pull away immediately, but when I pushed against his chest, he stepped back only slightly. He didn't let go of me right away.

And that was when I noticed...

The only thing covering the lower half of his body was a white towel.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion right before my eyes as it slowly unraveled… until it completely dropped to the floor.

“Ahhh!” I quickly covered my eyes, letting out a near-shriek of shock.

“Sir!”

I heard his soft, deep laughter.

“Interesting first day, Vera…” he whispered in a seductive voice, looking thoroughly amused by my reaction.

I panicked even more.

“I-I wasn't looking!” I defended myself quickly while keeping my eyes tightly shut.

“Is that so?” he teased. “You look like you're blushing, though.”

“Sir, please!” I said, practically on the verge of tears from embarrassment.

He only laughed softly again before calmly picking up the towel from the floor.

“Relax,” he said, staring right at me. “I'm not going to eat you.”

I don't know why… but the way he looked at me made me feel even more nervous.

“Sir… I’m sorry. I didn't know that—”

“It's fine,” he calmly cut me off while adjusting the towel around his waist. “Just pretend you didn't see what you saw a while ago.”

I bit my lower lip.

How am I supposed to pretend I didn't see that massive uhmmm… sht!

Come on, Vera! He's an older man, and besides, he's your boss! Hey, get a grip! my mind scolded me instantly.

Yet another part of my brain refused to stop teasing.

You're still picky! Heyyy… that was something else. But… rich older guy, kicks the bucket easily—

“Heyyyy! What are you thinking?!” I blurted out without realizing it.

“WHAT?” Mr. Brooklyn snapped his head back toward me, his brow furrowed.

My eyes widened instantly.

“H-Huh? Nothing, Sir!” I answered quickly, practically in a panic. “I-I'll go clean the bathroom!”

I tried to rush into the bathroom to escape the embarrassment, but once again, my foot slipped.

“Ahhh!”

This time, I completely collapsed right at the Don's feet.

“Damn…” he muttered softly, quickly catching me by the arm, but it was too late to avoid an even more mortifying scene.

Because we were so close, I had a clear view of his muscular physique. I nearly lost my breath when I realized I was right in front of the space between his thighs.

And I panicked even more when the buttons of my top slightly popped open from the fall.

Mr. Brooklyn’s gaze dropped straight to my chest.

I could feel my entire face burning as I realized my generous cleavage was now fully exposed.

I quickly covered my chest, stumbling over my words in sheer shame.

“S-Sir…”

Instead of turning away immediately, he seemed to freeze for a moment, staring down at me.

It was dead silent as our faces remained inches apart. I could even feel his warm breath brushing against my skin.

“Vera…” he murmured in a low, spine-tingling voice.

“H-huh?”

“If you're not careful…” he smirked slightly while still staring at me, “we might both get into trouble.”

His words made me swallow hard.

I don't know why… but for the first time in years, a strange kind of fluttering nervousness bloomed in my chest because of the man standing before me.

“Yes… Sir,” I answered shyly, forcing my eyes away from him.

I started to push myself up from the floor when he suddenly extended his palm toward me.

I froze for a second.

His hand was large and calloused, clearly used to hard work despite being a wealthy Don.

“Come here,” he said softly, staring at me seriously.

Some strange, unfamiliar warmth rushed through my chest upon hearing his deep voice.

Slowly, I reached out my hand to take his. But the moment our palms brushed against each other, an electric jolt rippled through my entire body.

He pulled me upward swiftly, causing me to lose my balance.

“Ah—!”

I gasped as I collided against his chest once more.

We were so close that our lips almost touched. I could feel his warm breath grazing my face.

“Careful,” he whispered softly, his hand still resting on my waist. “Looks like you fall a lot whenever I'm around.”

I immediately lowered my head in deep embarrassment.

“S-sorry…”

He let out a short chuckle. Not a loud laugh, but the kind of rich, handsome laugh that sounded incredible to the ears.

“Why do you look more nervous than I am?” he asked, one eyebrow slightly raised.

“B-because you're my boss…” I defended quickly.

“True,” he said, locking his gaze directly into my eyes. “But don't be too scared of me, Vera.”

I don't know why… but the way he looked at me right now only made me feel even more unsettled.