Chapter 4

MADISON'S POV

Dominic Blackwood returned exactly one week later.

Not a day earlier. Not a day later.I noticed the pattern immediately ,the same sharp knock, the same quiet certainty behind it. I had half expected it, yet my pulse still quickened as i crossed the living room to the door.

When I opened it, he stood there as composed as ever, dressed in dark slacks and a coat that probably cost more than everything in my apartment combined.

“You came,” i said.

“You expected me,” he replied calmly.

I stepped aside, letting him in.

This time, I was fully dressed ,jeans, a simple blouse, hair neatly tied back. No vulnerability. No excuses.

Dominic’s gaze flicked briefly over me before returning to my face.

“Have you thought about my offer?” he asked.

Before I could answer, footsteps sounded from the hallway.

Carson entered the room, stopping short the moment he saw who was standing there.

His posture shifted instantly shoulders squared, expression guarded. The bodyguard in him surfaced without warning.

“Sir,” Carson said evenly.

“Carson,” Dominic acknowledged, his tone neutral.

My stomach tightened. I hadn't’ planned this.

“I was just about to answer,” I said quickly.

“I think,” Carson interrupted, “this conversation should include me.”

Dominic regarded him for a long moment. “I assumed it would. I offered your sister a job at my house to be my house keeper.The former house keeper had to retire because she needs to take care of her sick husband."

Carson moved closer to me,not touching me but standing protectively at my side.

“With all due respect,” Carson said, “this arrangement is inappropriate.”

I shot him a warning look. “Carson...”

“A young, unmarried woman living under the same roof as an unmarried man?” Carson continued firmly. “That’s not something I can support.”

Dominic didn’t react immediately. He simply clasped his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable.

“This is employment,” he said at last. “Not a personal arrangement.”

“It becomes personal the moment she moves into your house,” Carson replied. “My sister isn’t a staff member you can relocate without consequences.”

Dominic’s gaze shifted to Madison.

“Is that how you see it?” he asked me. “Relocation without choice?”

I hesitated.

“I haven’t made a decision yet,” I said carefully.

Carson frowned. “Madison.”

Dominic nodded once, absorbing that answer.

“So you haven’t declined,” he said.

“No,” I admitted. “I haven’t.”

Carson turned to me sharply. “You’re not seriously considering this.”

I met her brother’s eyes, frustration flickering across my face. “You don’t get to decide that for me.”

“I get to worry,” Carson shot back. “And I get to say when something puts you at risk.”

Dominic raised a hand slightly not to command, but to pause the tension.

“If she chooses to decline,” he said, “I’ll respect it. But I won’t accept a refusal that isn’t hers.”

Silence settled over the room.

I exhaled slowly.

“I need more time,” I said.

Dominic studied me for a moment longer, then nodded.

“You’ll have it,” he said. “But not indefinitely.”

He turned toward the door.

“I’ll expect your answer soon. Have a good one".

"And you too"I replied quietly.

Closing the door after him,I sighed thinking about what I've gotten myself into.

"You know you can just reject the offer"Carson said.

I glared at him and went to my room.

I gave my answer two days later,after thinking of the money and free accomodations.

I didn't’ tell Dominic directly.

I told Carson first.

“I’m accepting the job.”

Carson stared at me like i had just spoken a foreign language.

“You can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

“Madison....”

“I need the money,” I said quietly. “And you know it.”

Carson ran a hand through his hair, jaw tight. “There are other ways.”

“Not ones that pay double,” I replied. “Not ones that come with stability.”

“And not ones where you have to live under a billionaire’s roof,” he snapped.

I softened slightly. “I trust you. You trust him enough to work for him. That has to count for something.”

Carson didn’t answer.

But he didn’t argue again either and I know he was going to give in sooner or later

The next morning,After I finished cleaning my apartment and packing my clothes and things that I'd need,I saw three black SUVs pulled up outside my building.

I stared out the window, stunned.

“He didn’t waste time,” I murmured.

Carson scowled. “That’s one word for it.”

The men were efficient, polite, and professional. They packed my belongings with careful precision, labeling boxes and wrapping fragile items.

Carson helped reluctantly, his mood darkening with every box that left the apartment.

“He thinks he can just move you like furniture,” Carson muttered as he taped a box shut

I sighed. “He’s helping.”

“He’s controlling.”

“He’s employing me.”

Carson shot me a look. “That’s not the same thing.”

As they worked, Carson’s frustration bubbled over.

“And I hope you don’t expect me to explain this to Mum.”

I paused. “What?”

“You’re the one moving into a man’s house,” he said flatly. “You can tell her.”

I grimaced. “She’s going to panic.”

“She always does,” Carson replied. “But this is your decision.”

"Well it is...."I sighed.

The last box was loaded by midday.

Soon, the apartment stood nearly empty.

When the men finally left, Dominic stepped inside, surveying the space one last time.

“Are you ready?” he asked me

I nodded. “Yes.”

Carson folded his arms, clearly unhappy. “I don’t like this.”

Dominic met his gaze. “You don’t have to.”

"What do you mean by that? it's my sister we're talking about here".Carson said angrily.

"Carson just let it be"I said getting tired of all the drama.

With that Carson left , casting me a long, worried look before closing the door behind him.

After making sure I'd packed everything that belonged to me,I entered Dominic's car and he drove me to a huge mansion. He had a double_ tiered Piazza running the fully long length of the house.And has he parjed into the driveway,the sight of an elegant aged magnolia greeted me. Suddenly a sense of arriving at a place where I belonged swept over me.

After spending over 3 hours arranging and cleaning my new room,I went downstairs to get some of my painting tools. Arriving there,I saw Dominic on the couch sipping alcohol or whatever it was he was drinking.

Dominic turned to me, his expression serious.

"Madison"he called.

"Yes boss"I said almost scoffing.

“There are rules,” he said.

I straightened. “Rules?”

“Yes,” he replied calmly. “You’ll follow them.”

I waited.

“No male friends in the house,” he said. “No exceptions.”

My brows furrowed slightly, but I said nothing.

“You will not go out after seven in the evening unless necessary.”

I frowned. “That seems.."

“And,” he continued, cutting rudely “you will not leave the house without my knowledge.”

I stared at him, unease curling in my stomach.

“That sounds less like employment and more like.."

“Protection,” he finished. “You may refuse if you wish.”

I hesitated.

Then i nodded once. “I understand.”

Dominic studied me for a long moment.

“This arrangement only works if you trust me,” he said.

I met his gaze, steady and unyielding.

“Then don’t give me a reason not to.”

Something unreadable passed through his eyes.

“Welcome,” he said quietly, “to my house.”

And just like that, my life shifted.