CHAPTER 6 : AVOIDANCE ISN'T SILENCE

Calla's POV

I avoided him all morning.

Like full-on stealth mode. I rerouted my cleaning schedule just to dodge the west wing. I moved like a damn ghost through the mansion, always one step ahead of where Ronan Vexley might be.

My stomach twisted every time I thought about last night. The way his voice dropped. The way I said too late like I had any idea what the hell I was doing. The way he—no. Stop.

I scrubbed counters like they owed me money. Tried to drown the thoughts out with the sound of water and bleach and my own panic.

But the universe had other plans.

"Calla," Elijah’s voice cut through the hum of the hallway. He was Ronan’s personal assistant. Always suited up, always polite, always unreadable.

"Mr. Vexley would like to see you in his office. Now."

My heart dropped into my shoes.

This was it. I was getting fired. Dismissed. Maybe even blacklisted from every estate on the damn coast.

I nodded, barely able to speak.

The walk to his office felt like walking toward my own execution. Elijah didn’t say a word. Just opened the big oak door and gestured me in.

Ronan sat at his desk, suit jacket off, sleeves rolled, shirt stretched across broad shoulders. His expression was unreadable.

Elijah shut the door behind me. I flinched at the soft click of it.

I didn’t wait.

I dropped to my knees.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Vexley. I—I shouldn’t have been in the west wing. I wasn’t thinking. I heard something and acted stupidly. I crossed a line. Please don’t fire me. I need this job. I’ll never do it again. I swear—"

"Calla."

His voice cut through my rambling like a blade.

He was smirking.

"Get up. I’m not a priest. And this isn’t confession."

I blinked up at him. Face flushed. Palms sweating.

He leaned back in his chair and studied me, eyes glinting.

"Did you think I called you in to punish you?"

"Didn’t you?" I asked, voice small.

He laughed. One short, low sound.

Then his face shifted. Sharp. Cold.

"No. But I don’t want what happened last night happening again."

The air in the room changed.

"I am your boss. You work here. That’s the extent of it."

Ouch.

I nodded, eyes down.

"Now, the reason I actually called you..." he continued, tapping a finger on the desk.

"You’ll be accompanied by Elijah this afternoon. You’ll clean and prepare the entertainment hall behind the estate. I’m planning a small gathering."

"A party?"

He nodded. "Something like that. It needs to be spotless. You’ll have full access to supplies. Elijah will supervise. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

He paused. Like he wanted to say something else. Then didn’t.

"That’ll be all."

I stood, brushing dust from my knees. My heart was still racing but slower now.

As I reached the door, I heard him behind me.

"Calla."

I turned.

His eyes were unreadable.

"Don’t sneak into my wing again. Next time, I won’t be in the mood to talk."

I nodded quickly. "Yes, sir."

And I fled like the room was on fire.

Maybe it was.