Chapter Two

I swallow hard, my throat dry. My voice barely comes out.  

“I_ I didn’t know it was your room. I just needed a minute…” 

“A minute to snoop?” He cuts off my words, still staring at me deep into my eyes .  

“No,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “I swear. I was just…”  

His hand brushes my arm as he leans slightly to glance at the table behind me, where his cufflinks sit. “You like exploring forbidden places, Lila?”  

What? What does that mean?

I pressed myself tighter against the wall, unsure if I should melt with the way he was looking at me or run. 

“I wasn’t trying to cause trouble,” I say, trying to look away.

His gaze softens just a little. “You already did,” he says, voice dropping, “when you walked in here.”  

I blink, confused. “What?”  

He shrugs lightly, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone you were here. As long as you answer one thing.”  

I hold my breath, my heart jumping into my stomach.

“Why did you really come in?”  

He’s watching me closely now, as if the truth is hiding behind my eyes. I feel like I’m being pulled into him, no matter how hard I try to stay grounded.  

“I just… wanted to breathe,” I whisper. “After what happened downstairs. I was embarrassed.”  

He studies me for a while, raises an eyebrow in amusement, then nods slowly. “Fair enough.”

He finally steps back, giving me space. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.  

“You’ve got guts, Lila,” he says, heading toward the door. “Most people wouldn’t dare walk in here.”  

Then he pauses, then glances at me with an evil smile, his intentions clear in his eyes.

“Careful though… the next time you walk into danger, it might bite back.”  

And with that, he’s gone.

I stand frozen, my heart pounding louder than ever. The door clicks shut behind him, but I can still feel the butterflies in my stomach.

I glance around again, suddenly aware of how out of place I am. I shouldn't have come here.

I quietly slip out, shutting the door gently behind me. The hallway is quieter now, most of the guests probably deep in conversation or dancing.

I try to calm myself as I walk briskly down the corridor, but my mind is racing.

What just happened?

Why did he let me go?

Why did he come so close?

As I return to the staff hallway, my fingers still tingle from where he touched me, and that terrified me more than anything.

***

At 7am in the morning, the kitchen is already noisy with clatter of pots, pans, and last night chats about the girl who fell in the cake . Some maids in the kitchen glance at me , some smirking, some whispering behind their hands.

 I keep my eyes low pretending not to notice, focusing on folding napkins while the other maids prep breakfast trays for the guests still staying in the mansion.

I barely slept. My mind wouldn’t stop replaying last night. His voice, his touch, the way he whispered my name like it was a secret. I still feel the warmth of his breath against my neck. I shake it off and tie my apron tighter.

“Breakfast is being served on the garden patio,” says one of the senior maids. “We’ll need two of you to help.”

Of course, I get picked.

We move out with trays in hand, walking past polished marble halls into the patio filled with sunlight. Rich guests sit at a long, elegant table under white umbrellas. I spot Elise instantly, all perfect blonde hair and sharp features, sipping her mimosa.

And then him.

Asher.

Sitting beside her, in a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He’s saying something to his father, but his eyes find me the second I step onto the patio.

My chest tightens.

He doesn't look away. There’s a slight smirk tugging at his lips, the kind that makes my stomach turn. 

Elise leans closer to him, whispering something with a laugh which made him smile, but he didn't break eye contact with me. Not even for a second.

I try not to trip over my own feet as I pour coffee into a crystal cup, but I feel his gaze still burning into me. And when I glance up just once his brows lift slightly, like he’s daring me to remember last night.

And oh, I do.

I catch Elise turning her head toward me briefly, her expression unreadable. But I swear she saw the look.

I quietly step back, tray now empty, pulse racing.

What was that? 

Whatever it was, I couldn’t deny it.

Asher Lancaster noticed me. And worse I noticed him back.

After the long morning duties, I finally drag myself back to my tiny room tucked in the servants’ quarters although I'm lucky that it's the only room there with a portable bathroom.

My body aches from all the running around, but I’m more grateful for a moment of silence than rest. I collapse on the bed and reach for my phone, hoping to distract myself for a few minutes.

That’s when I see it.

A missed call.

Dr. Edward (9:42 AM)

My heart stops.

I stare at the screen, willing it to be something else. A check-in. A routine update. Anything but what I know deep down it is. I sit up quickly, hands trembling as I dial the number back.

He picks up almost immediately.

“Hello? Dr. Edward?” I whisper, already feeling the sting behind my eyes.

“Lila,” his voice is calm, too calm. “I’ve been trying to reach you.”

“What’s wrong? Is it my sister? Did something happen?”

There’s a short pause. 

“She’s still in a coma, but... things are getting worse. The swelling in her brain is increasing. We need to start a more advanced treatment immediately.”

I grip the bedsheet tightly. “Okay. Yes. Please do it. I’ll find the money. Just help her.”

He sighs, tired. “Lila, we haven’t even cleared the last bill. I can’t keep pushing the hospital for free care. You still owe us over 300,000. This new treatment will cost double that.”

“But I just started this job,” my voice cracks. “I haven’t even gotten my first salary yet.”

“I understand, but we need the payment upfront,” he says, and it feels like a slap.

I don’t know how long I sit there, clutching my phone to my chest like it’s the only thing holding me together. The tears fall freely now, soaking into my pillow as my chest shakes.

My little sister, my only family in the world... lying helpless in a hospital bed. And I’m here, dressed in a borrowed uniform, serving drinks to billionaires.

The weight of it all crushes me.

I curl into myself, feeling so small, so useless.

I can't get my dreams of being a popular writer and now I can't save my little sister. How shameless!

I press a hand over my mouth to muffle the sob rising in my throat. “Please... Annie's all I have. Don’t let her die. I’ll pay. I swear I’ll pay.”

“I’m sorry, Lila. I truly am. But this isn’t just about promises anymore.”