CHAPTER FIVE: Familiar Strangers

Mia adjusted her gown slightly, standing before an imposing penthouse. No amount of preparation could steady her nerves—Zac Cornell was just beyond the walls, and she wasn’t sure how to face him.

She stood before the gates of Zac Cornell’s estate, her breath catching at the sight of it. It was larger than she’d imagined—a fortress of steel and glass, framed by precisely maintained gardens. The high walls weren’t just physical barriers; they represented the gulf between Zac’s world and hers.

Her palms felt sticky as she adjusted her bag, the weight of her mission pressing heavily on her shoulders. The role she was stepping into—that of Tiffany, the assistant cook—had taken weeks of preparation. Yet, now standing on the verge of her mission, buried doubts resurfaced. She had come for answers, but the emotions tangled with them threatened to overwhelm her.

The chief of staff greeted her with a professional smile. He was tall, seamlessly dressed in a crisp suit, with an air of quiet authority.

“You must be Tiffany,” he said, extending a hand. “Welcome. Come with me, and I’ll introduce you to the team.”

Mia nodded, forcing herself to appear calm. “Thank you.”

As they walked, she cataloged every detail: the placement of security cameras, the silent staff moving efficiently through the halls, and the expensive art adorning the walls. Each piece of luxury made her feel smaller, but it fueled her determination.

All the while Mia was in Russia, she never knew Zac was this wealthy. He seemed well-off, but it wasn’t until she saw him on the news that it hit her. Then, her mission to spy on him began, and she did her research. That’s when she realized the extent of his affluence.

The kitchen buzzed with quiet efficiency, and the staff greeted her warmly as the chief of staff introduced her. But Mia barely registered their words. Her mind was on the two figures she had glimpsed through the living room doorway: Zac and Bella.

Zac hadn’t changed. He was seated on a sleek leather couch, exuding an effortless authority that had once disarmed her. Bella was next to him, her beauty sharp and deliberate, like a polished diamond. They had been laughing about something, a private moment Mia had no right to intrude upon.

The chief of staff’s voice brought her back to reality. “Before we get you settled, it’s customary for new staff to greet Mr. Cornell and Ms. Bella,” he said. “Just a brief introduction.”

Mia’s heart quickened. She hadn’t prepared for this. Seeing Zac again, face-to-face, felt too soon. Would he recognize her? What would Bella think if she knew about their shared history?

“Of course,” she said, keeping her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

The moment they entered the living room, Mia’s eyes sought out Zac immediately. He sat on the couch, casually dressed in a beige-colored T-shirt and sweatpants, yet so relaxed while commanding.

Zac looked up from his tablet as Mia walked into the room, the expression on his face unreadable. For a flicker of a second, it almost seemed like she caught recognition in his eyes, but in the very next moment, it was gone.

He leaned back into the cushions, one hand draped casually over Bella’s thigh, his fingers absently brushing her skin in an intimate, possessive gesture.

Bella sat beside him, her hand on his arm as if she were claiming ownership. She was, without doubt, a beauty—her hair perfectly in place, her makeup faultless, and an air of confidence that commanded the entire room without trying.

Bella’s eyes passed over Mia; a thin smile sheened her lips. It was polite enough, but there was no warmth behind it.

“And who is this?” Bella asked, her tone light but laced with something sharper.

The chief of staff stepped forward. “This is Tiffany, the assistant cook.”

Bella’s smile tightened as her eyes scanned Mia from head to toe.

“Assistant cook? Well, she certainly doesn’t look the part.” Her gaze lingered on Mia’s face, then her outfit. “What’s the hiring process these days? A beauty pageant?”

Mia clenched her hands behind her back but kept her face neutral. “I promise to only do my job Ma’am,” she said kindly.

Bella turned her face closer to Zac, her tone dropping to a whisper but loud enough for Mia to hear. “I don’t like her.”

“Come on, Bella. You wanted this—you’re the one who said we needed new staff.” Zac sighed without looking up from his tablet. “You haven’t even given her a chance.”

“I don’t have to,” Bella said sharply. “She doesn’t fit.”

Zac sighed, finally meeting Bella’s gaze. “She’s here now, so If she doesn’t work out, we’ll replace her.”

Bella huffed but didn’t argue further. Instead, she gave Mia a dismissive once-over, her smile cold.

“Fair enough, you’ll be on probation, Tiffany,” she said, her tone dripping with insincerity. “Don’t make me regret this.”

Resuming her place beside Zac, Bella continued their interrupted conversation as if Mia no longer existed. The dismissal was deliberate and final, and it hit Mia harder than she wanted to admit.

Bella’s hostility wasn’t unexpected, but it was another reminder of how delicate her position here was.

“Let’s get you settled, Tiffany,” the chief of staff said, breaking her thoughts.

Mia nodded, stiffly following him out, her heart pounding in her ears. Zac’s reaction—or lack of one—left her uneasy. Did he not recognize her? Or was he simply pretending?

*******

Later that day, Mia settled into one of her duties—organizing the pantry—a voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Mia?”

Her heart skipped as she turned, finding Angelo leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, with a teasing smile playing on his lips.

Panic washed over her. He couldn’t be here—not him.

The last thing Mia expected was another familiar face in her place of assignment. How did this information slip through her fingers?

“What are you doing here?” Her mouth felt dry.

“Just business… with my friend, Zac,” Angelo shrugged. “But imagine my surprise seeing you here.”

Mia’s chest tightened as Angelo stepped closer, a knowing grin tugging at his lips. She remembered their brief encounter vividly—how he had been kind and charming.

But here, in this house, with all the layers of her disguise and her mission, his presence was a complication she hadn’t accounted for.

“It’s Tiffany,” she corrected quickly, her tone hushed. “You can call me Tiffany. That’s what everyone calls me here.”

His brows lifted in confusion before realization dawned on his face. “Oh, that’s recent, I guess… but I prefer Mia.”

She swallowed, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. “Angelo, please. Just keep your voice down.”

He stepped closer, his tone softening. “Mia, what’s going on? You work here now?”

Before she could answer, Zac’s voice cut through the room.

“Angelo.”

They both turned to see Zac standing in the doorway, his expression neutral. His eyes flicked between them, lingering on Mia for a moment longer than necessary.

“Didn’t expect to find you here,” Zac said to Angelo, his tone sharp.

Angelo shrugged, all easy charm. “Just saying hello to my friend Mi… Tiffany.”

“You know each other?” Zac asked, his tone casual.

“No—” Mia began, but Angelo cut her off.

“Yes, we do. We met at the airport weeks ago. Small world, isn’t it?”

Zac’s gaze waved between them, his jaw tightening. “Well… Tiffany’s on duty. She needs space to do her job.”

Angelo raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Don’t worry, Zac. I’ll leave your new cook alone.”

As Angelo walked out, the only person who did not seem in any hurry to leave was Zac, still focused on Mia, and for a second, she thought he might say something, but he, too, merely turned and walked away.

A shaking breath escaped Mia’s lips, while her hands further clutched the edge of the counter, quivering. Being here was harder than she’d imagined. She had come seeking answers, but right now, she wasn’t so sure if she would survive the questions.