Elena woke up before the alarm rang.
Her eyes opened slowly, and for a moment she forgot where she was. Then the small room came back into focus—the narrow bed, the small cupboard, the thin curtain over the window. The staff quarters.
Reality returned.
She sat up and rubbed her face. Her chest felt tight, the same way it had felt since last night.
She had eaten with him.
Not served him.
Not stood beside the wall.
She had sat across from Adrian Blackwood and shared a meal.
That alone was enough to cost her the job.
Elena stood up and washed her face. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her face looked the same—plain, tired, serious. Nothing special. She didn't look like someone who belonged in a rich man's house.
I will keep my head down today, she told herself.
No talking. No eye contact.
She dressed quickly and left the room.
The house was already active. Staff members moved around quietly, but the mood felt different. Elena noticed it immediately.
Whispers stopped when she passed.
Eyes followed her.
She ignored them.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Carter stood near the counter, watching everything closely. When she saw Elena, her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Elena," she called.
"Yes, ma'am."
Mrs. Carter looked at her for a long moment. "You will work in the east wing today."
Elena nodded. "Alright."
"That means no serving meals. No contact with Mr. Blackwood."
Relief washed through Elena's chest. "Thank you, ma'am."
Mrs. Carter didn't respond. She simply turned away.
Elena picked up her cleaning supplies and headed toward the east wing. She focused on the work, scrubbing surfaces, dusting shelves, folding linens. Physical work helped calm her thoughts.
But her mind still wandered.
Why had he asked about her file?
She pushed the thought away.
Her past was her business. No one else's.
Across the house, Adrian sat in his study, the file still open on his desk.
Elena Moore.
He reread the final page again.
Previous employment: private residence.
Duration: eight months.
Reason for leaving: not stated.
That bothered him.
Every staff file in his house was detailed. Background checks. References. Reasons for leaving. Everything.
Hers was incomplete.
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
Why leave without explanation?
And why come here?
He didn't like unanswered questions.
His phone rang.
"Yes," he answered.
"Sir, the board has requested an emergency meeting this afternoon," his assistant said.
"Schedule it," Adrian replied.
He ended the call and closed the file.
For reasons he didn't understand, Elena Moore was distracting him.
That annoyed him.
By afternoon, Elena finished her work in the east wing. She returned the supplies and headed toward the laundry room.
She turned a corner—
And almost walked straight into Adrian.
She stopped immediately and stepped back.
"I'm sorry, sir," she said quickly.
Adrian stopped too. He looked at her, surprised.
"You were told to avoid me," he said.
"Yes, sir. I was."
"Yet here you are."
"This hallway leads to the laundry room," Elena replied. "I didn't know you were coming."
He studied her face. She looked calm, but her hands were clenched.
"You look tense," he said.
"I am fine, sir."
"That was not a question."
Elena hesitated. "People are talking."
"That happens," Adrian said.
"Not to people like me," she replied.
He raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
"It means mistakes cost me more than they cost you," she said quietly.
Adrian was silent.
"You may go," he said.
Elena nodded and walked past him, her heart pounding.
As she disappeared down the hall, Adrian turned slowly and watched her go.
He didn't like that she was right.
That evening, dinner was served later than usual.
Adrian returned from the board meeting tired and irritated. Arguments, threats, pressure—nothing new. But tonight, it felt heavier.
He sat at the table.
The plate was placed in front of him.
He didn't look up.
"Thank you," he said automatically.
"You're welcome, sir."
The voice was familiar.
Adrian looked up.
Elena stood there, holding the serving tray.
His jaw tightened. "Why are you here?"
Mrs. Carter appeared immediately. "Sir, I assigned her. We were short-staffed."
Adrian looked back at Elena. "You could have refused."
"Yes, sir," Elena said. "But that would have caused trouble."
He sighed. "Serve and leave."
"Yes, sir."
As she placed the glass down, her hand slipped slightly. The glass tilted.
Adrian reached out and caught it before it fell.
Their hands touched.
Elena froze.
Adrian felt it too.
He pulled his hand back immediately.
"Be careful," he said.
"Yes, sir," she whispered.
She stepped away quickly and left the room.
Mrs. Carter watched Adrian closely.
"You're distracted," she said.
"No, I'm not," Adrian replied.
She didn't argue—but she didn't look convinced.
Later that night, Elena was folding clothes in the laundry room when someone entered.
She looked up and stiffened.
Mrs. Carter.
"Sit," Mrs. Carter said.
Elena obeyed.
"I will be direct," Mrs. Carter continued. "Mr. Blackwood is not a man you get close to."
"I'm not trying to," Elena said.
"Intentions don't matter," Mrs. Carter replied. "Only consequences."
Elena swallowed. "I respect my place."
Mrs. Carter leaned closer. "Then prove it. Stay invisible."
"Yes, ma'am."
Mrs. Carter straightened and left.
Elena exhaled slowly.
She had worked in many houses before.
None had felt this dangerous.
That night, Elena couldn't sleep.
She kept thinking of the way Adrian had looked at her when he caught the glass.
Not cold.
Not angry.
Confused.
She turned to her side and closed her eyes.
This job is temporary, she told herself.
It always is.
In his bedroom, Adrian stood by the window, phone in hand.
He scrolled through staff records again.
He stopped at Elena's address.
A small apartment. Old building. No emergency contact listed.
He frowned.
"Why?" he muttered.
On impulse, he called his assistant.
"I want a deeper background check on Elena Moore," he said.
There was a pause. "Sir… she's just a maid."
"Do it," Adrian said.
He ended the call.
For the first time in years, Adrian Blackwood was crossing a line he had drawn himself.
The next morning, Elena arrived at work early.
She had just entered the staff hallway when she heard voices.
She stopped.
"…he requested her background," one voice whispered.
"Why her?"
"I don't know, but Mrs. Carter is not happy."
Elena's chest tightened.
They were talking about her.
She stepped back quietly.
Her past.
The thing she had run from.
Her hands trembled.
She knew then—this job was no longer safe.
Upstairs, Adrian received a message on his phone.
Background check update available.
He opened it.
His face hardened.