Chapter 5

MADISON'S POV

I woke up late.

I knew it before I even opened my eyes,the light was already too bright, the house too quiet. Dominic’s house didn’t feel like the kind of place where mornings drifted lazily. Everything here felt intentional.

My heart started racing as I reached for the clock.

Seven forty-two.

“Oh no…”

I sat up too fast, the sheets sliding down my legs. Panic bloomed in my chest. He hadn’t said what time breakfast was, but something told me late wasn’t acceptable here.

I threw the covers aside and swung my feet onto the floor, barely registering what I was wearing. I had gone to bed exhausted, choosing comfort without thinking,I wore a short, soft pyjamas, thin fabric, nothing I’d ever worried about before.

A knock came at the door.

My breath caught.

Another knock followed, closer this time.

“Madison.”

His voice.

Low,Calm,morning deep.

My stomach flipped.

I crossed the room and opened the door without thinking.

Dominic stood there dressed in a black slacks and a tight fitted black top and his hair still wet from his morning bath. He stared at me and then his gaze dropped.

I felt it immediately, the shift in the air,the pause that lasted just a second too long.

Heat rushed to my face as I realized what I looked like standing there,bare legs, thin fabric clinging to places it shouldn’t, hair loose and messy from sleep.

“I—good morning,” I said softly, instinctively pulling the door a little closer to myself.

He didn’t speak right away.

His eyes lifted to my face, steady but darker than usual.

“You’re late,” he said.

“I’m sorry,” I replied immediately. “I didn’t mean to oversleep.”

His jaw tightened ,not in anger, but restraint.

“You should come cook,” he said quietly.

No accusation. No commentary.

He turned and walked away.

I closed the door and leaned back against it, pressing a hand to my chest.

Get it together, Madison.

I showered quickly, my thoughts running faster than the water. I replayed the moment at the door over and over, embarrassment curling in my stomach, not shame, exactly, but awareness.

When I dressed, I chose what felt natural to me. A very short pair of bum shorts,soft cotton, barely there and a fitted top that hugged my body more than I realized.

I wasn’t trying to be anything.

I just… was.

When I entered the kitchen, Dominic was already there.

He looked up.

And stopped.

The silence stretched.

I felt it then the weight of his attention. Not crude. Not hungry.

Measured.

His eyes lingered for a brief moment before lifting to my face.

“Good morning,” I said gently.

He didn’t return it.

Instead, he studied me with a look that made my skin warm under my clothes.

“Is that what you intend to wear while working?” he asked.

I hesitated, then nodded. “It’s comfortable. I can change if it’s a problem.”

My voice stayed calm, even though my pulse wasn’t.

He stepped closer.

Just one step.

Not invading but close enough that I noticed his presence fully.

“You should be more careful,” he said.

“I’m not trying to cause trouble,” I replied quietly.

“I know,” he said.

That was the problem.

His gaze dropped again, slower this time, then lifted back to my eyes.

“Are you aware of how you look?” he asked.

I swallowed. “I don’t think about it much.”

“That much is obvious.”

He moved closer again.

My breath hitched, but I didn’t step back.

I wasn’t afraid.

Just… aware.

“I’m not a man who enjoys games,” he said calmly. “And I don’t tolerate provocation.”

“I’m not provoking you,” I said softly. “I wouldn’t.”

He searched my face, as if weighing the truth in my words.

Then his hand lifted.

My heart skipped.

His thumb brushed my lower lip.

Just barely.

The touch was light, controlled but it sent a shock straight through me.

I froze.

His thumb traced slowly along my jaw, deliberate, measured.

“If you continue to stand before me like this,” he said quietly, “I won’t be able to pretend I don’t notice.”

My breath trembled.

“I don’t want to make things difficult,” I whispered.

His hand dropped instantly.

That restraint ,so sudden was almost worse than the touch itself.

He stepped back, expression carefully neutral.

“Cook,” he said. “Please.”

And he left the kitchen.

I stood there for a moment, stunned, my skin still humming where he’d touched me.

Then I turned toward the counter and started cooking quickly, carefully, hands shaking slightly as I focused on the ordinary motions.

This is a job, I reminded myself. Nothing more.

We ate in silence.

I stood. He sat.

I tried not to look at him.

Finally, he broke the quiet.

“I’ll be having a visitor today.”

“Oh,” I said quickly. “Should I prepare anything special?”

“Yes."

He paused.

“Her name is Monica.”

Something about the way he said it made my stomach twist.

I nodded. “Understood.”

He pushed his chair back and stood. “And Madison?”

“Yes?”

“Get dressed properly.”

I swallowed. “I will.”

"By the way,I love this food"he said

"Umm thank you"I replied shyly.

He continued his meal without giving me a glance.

He finished his meal and went up to his room leaving me in the dining room,after watching him go to his room,I cleared the dishes and took it to the kitchen.

After cleaning everywhere,I went to my room sadly because of what Dominic said some minutes ago.

I WILL BE HAVING A VISITOR TODAY!!!!

Arrgh ,what have I gotten myself into?!