Part 2

Part 2

The Barack family's mansion stood grandly on a sprawling two-hectare estate, surrounded by gardens designed by a renowned architect. A towering gate engraved with the family crest was guarded by two security officers, while hidden cameras monitored every corner. Inside, marble hallways echoed with the steps of servants diligently ensuring every inch of the house remained impeccable. The Barack family was not just wealthy—they were a symbol of power and prestige in the city.

In the expansive dining room, morning light streamed through velvet drapes, illuminating a long dining table set with exquisite porcelain dinnerware. At one end of the table, Mrs. Barbra Barack poured tea while speaking sharply, her voice dripping with discontent.

“I simply cannot believe you, Reiner!” Barbra’s voice rang out, her sharp eyes narrowing at her son. “You left the party without a word, abandoning Eva. Her parents must think our family has no manners!”

Reiner, seated across from her in a casual yet elegant shirt, merely shrugged. “Eva will be fine. I’m sure she’s more interested in someone else than me.”

“Reiner!” Barbra sighed in exasperation. “Do you have any idea how important this is for our family? Eva is perfect for you—beautiful, educated, and from a respectable family. Or do you intend to humiliate me again as you did last night?”

Reiner slowly placed his coffee cup down and met his mother’s gaze with a frosty stare. “I don’t need a wife chosen by you, Mother. If you’re so keen on collecting porcelain, maybe you can add Eva to your collection. But I’m not interested. Besides… inviting me to a party at a place like that? Really?”

“Reiner Barack!” Barbra’s voice rose, prompting the servants standing by the walls to glance uneasily at one another.

At the other end of the table, Gale Barack, Reiner’s father, simply shook his head. The middle-aged man exuded a quiet charisma, his temples flecked with silver. Stirring his tea without comment, he allowed his wife to vent her frustrations.

“You spoil him too much, Gale!” Barbra snapped, shooting her husband a vexed look. “Look at how he embarrasses us!”

Before Gale could respond, the soft creak of wheels in the hallway drew their attention.

“What’s a morning without a little drama?” The commanding voice of Mr. Abraham Barack, Reiner’s grandfather, filled the room. The elderly man, being wheeled in by a servant, smiled faintly, his gaze sharp and knowing.

Reiner stood to assist his grandfather, but his steps faltered as his eyes landed on the figure behind the wheelchair. A young woman, dressed as a servant, stood awkwardly with her head bowed, her chestnut hair neatly tied back. Elise.

For a moment, the room seemed silent—but only for Reiner. He stared at Elise, studying every detail of her face as if to confirm she wasn’t a figment of his imagination. Feeling his gaze, Elise tried to remain composed, though her hands trembled slightly as she gripped the wheelchair.

Reiner took a deep breath and quickly looked away, stepping back to let another servant help his grandfather into his seat.

“Who is she?” Barbra asked, casting a critical and slightly disdainful glance at Elise. The girl’s plain features disrupted Barbra’s sense of aesthetic order.

“Elise,” Abraham replied curtly. “She will be assisting with my care from now on. She’s hardworking and honest. I’m confident she’ll be an excellent addition to this household.”

Barbra frowned. “Fine, as long as she knows her place here. Let’s hope she doesn’t quit halfway.”

Reiner remained silent, pretending to be engrossed in his meal. He neither greeted Elise nor gave any indication that he recognized her, though his mind raced with questions. Elise, meanwhile, maintained her professionalism but blushed slightly when their eyes briefly met.

An unseen tension filled the grand dining room, an air thick with unspoken emotions.

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Once Abraham was comfortably seated, Elise moved swiftly to her tasks. She handled the plates and cutlery with care, ensuring everything was perfectly arranged. Her hands worked skillfully, pouring tea into Abraham’s cup with steady precision. She approached her duties with the seriousness of someone accustomed to serving important people, though her eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness whenever she was near the family.

Reiner watched her intently, his gaze following her every movement. There was something about Elise that held his attention, though he couldn’t explain what it was. Perhaps it was admiration—or perhaps something more—but he refused to acknowledge it. The silence between them was heavy, punctuated only by the clinking of utensils and the shuffling of servants in the vast dining room.

He observed how Elise bowed respectfully while serving tea to his grandfather, adding just the right amount of sugar as Abraham preferred. She didn’t speak, didn’t risk making a misstep, and followed her instructions with quiet patience. Every gesture seemed deliberate and focused, as if she held the weight of the world in her hands—a stark contrast to Reiner’s world of lofty expectations and rigid rules.

Across the table, Barbra continued her tirade, her voice growing louder with each word. “I was utterly humiliated by your behavior, Reiner! Do you think the Evas didn’t notice how you embarrassed us?”

Leaning back in his chair, Reiner regarded his mother with disinterest. He sipped his coffee languidly, letting her words wash over him. His focus drifted back to Elise, who was now carefully serving a slice of bread to his grandfather. Elise moved like a shadow, elegant despite her humble role. Reiner felt a strange unease stirring within him—something unfamiliar, something he wasn’t ready to confront.

“Reiner,” Barbra sighed impatiently, her frustration mounting at her son’s indifference. “I told you to appreciate this opportunity! Eva is the perfect match for you! How can you continue to ignore all the effort we’ve put into this?”

Reiner briefly shifted his gaze from Elise to his mother. “I’ve told you, Mother, I’m not interested. Arranged marriages are a thing of the past.”

Barbra nearly choked on her tea. “How can you say such a thing? Can’t you think about our family’s future for once? You’re being stubborn! Eva comes from a highly respected family!”

Elise returned with a plate of breakfast, silently placing it before Abraham with a polite bow. Her movements were so smooth and practiced that they seemed almost choreographed. Reiner noticed every detail—the way she lowered her gaze respectfully, the careful way she handled the dishes, and the tension in her posture as she carried the used plates back to the kitchen.

Abraham raised an eyebrow and glanced at Reiner, who was still stealing glances at Elise. “Aren’t you going to greet the young lady, Reiner?” His voice was low but sharp.

Reiner started, as though caught in the act. He looked at his grandfather awkwardly. “Oh, there’s no need. She’s just a servant here,” he replied flatly, trying to mask his discomfort.

Elise felt the weight of Reiner’s attention but tried not to show her unease. Her body tensed slightly as she retreated to her place near the kitchen door.

Unaware of the growing tension between Reiner and Elise, Barbra cut in again. “Reiner, you need to think about more than just yourself! We’re not only talking about a wife for you but also about the future of this family!”

“I know, Mother,” Reiner replied in a monotone, though his eyes darted once more toward Elise, who was now arranging items near the dining table.

When their gazes met briefly, Elise quickly looked away, her heart pounding. She knew the line separating her from the Barack family was clear and immovable—she was just a servant, nothing more. Yet something unspoken lingered in the air between them, a tension that neither could explain.

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