Chapter Three

Nelly

“Babe, just know you’re welcome back home anytime if things get rough over there. No pressure.” Danielle’s voice crackled over the line, sounding distant and warm.

Liam’s voice broke in sharply before I could respond. “Stop acting like she lost someone,” he scoffed so loudly that I had to hold the phone away from my ear.

“Oh, shut up!” Danielle shot back, laughing. “Ignore him, he’s way too excited about you moving out.”

“She’s got a job now, get used to it,” Liam cut in again, followed by the sound of something clattering to the floor. “And trust me—I made sure he’s not coming back here.”

A laugh burst out of me, uncontainable. “Wait, did you throw out his little Celtic trinket box?”

“I did.”

“Come on, the guy’s trying to start a fantasy YouTube channel,” I said, catching my breath between giggles.

Danielle chuckled. “And he knows better than to butt into my conversations now.”

“Is Steve home?”

“Not yet,” she replied. “He’ll be more shocked that you took this job than that you actually moved out.”

“I know, right?” I shook my head, still a little stunned by it myself.

Just then, I heard footsteps approaching and was suddenly reminded of where I was. I glanced around the enormous bedroom assigned to me, with Rose’s warning in mind: this room was the farthest from Mr. Aiden, and I’d better be careful not to make a sound. The spacious, minimalist room felt almost sterile, with clean lines and modern lighting, the bed made up in stark white linens that only emphasized the emptiness. I realized it was probably larger than Steve and Danielle’s rooms combined—and those were the biggest bedrooms in our house.

“Okay, I should probably keep it down before my boss decides I’m too loud to work here.”

Danielle laughed. “I’d suggest soundproofing his room, honestly. They’re acting like even your breathing might disturb Mr. Aiden.”

I laughed, lowering my voice. “Seriously, though. Yesterday, I coughed, and the house manager turned into this grumpy grandma, scowling at me like I’d sinned. I might need to win Rose over if I’m going to survive here.”

“You’ve got this, babe. I’m rooting for you!”

“Thanks,” I said, a little more reassured. “I should finish unpacking. Oh, and don’t expect pictures—I’m pretty sure taking any would be against the rules.”

“Ugh, what a bore,” Danielle complained. “No fun at all.”

“Everyone has their boundaries, I guess.”

“But this whole ‘stay out of my sight’ thing is a bit much, don’t you think?”

I rolled my eyes. “Listen, being rich and handsome lets people get away with rude and grumpy. It actually makes some people more curious.”

“Are you one of those people?” Danielle asked in a whisper, teasing.

“Ew, gross!” I said, feeling my face heat up. “That’s my boss. My rich, grumpy boss who won’t even look at me. Trust me, nobody who actually works here would be swooning over him. He’s a hard no.”

“Uh-huh. Yesterday, didn’t you say you found him charming?”

I felt myself bristle. “I said he looked charming, not that I was charmed,” I replied, sharper than I intended.

“Charming is charming, admit it,” she teased, knowing exactly how to push my buttons.

“He was shirtless with ridiculous abs, okay? That’s all. The whole ‘charming’ comment was just me being practical.”

“There’s no need to stress over it,” Danielle replied with a smirk in her voice. “If I were there, I’d have him all to myself— I could handle a little competition from the other employees.”

“I’ll let you know if they need another housekeeper,” I shot back, laughing. “Maybe you’d actually have a shot with him, since your taste in men is questionable anyway.”

“Hey, the hottest ones always have issues. You win some, you lose some. Pick your battles.”

“Yeah, keep on battling, girl. I’m rooting for you.” I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help grinning.

“You’ll be so bored without me around, and with no one whispering flirty nonsense in your ear. You’re going to hate that remote place, trust me.”

I sighed, glancing out the window. “You always have an answers for everything. And if my boss gets on my nerves, I might just find an opening here for you after all. You could be my backup plan, wreaking havoc in this place.”

“Oh please, I’m only trying to live my life, not create chaos.”

“Same difference for you,” I teased.

“Ugh, whatever.”

“I’ll miss you,” I said, meaning it more than I expected.

“I miss you already! Come visit me soon, okay?”

“Of course. But first, I should unpack and get used to this house before Mr. Aiden arrives.”

“Alright then—good luck!”

The call ended with a soft click, and I stood there for a moment, letting the quiet settle around me as I took in my new surroundings. Stepping up to the floor-to-ceiling window, I drew the curtains back to reveal the view. The balcony extended out in front of me, overlooking a vast, beautifully landscaped garden and acres of pristine land. I slid the window open and stepped outside, admiring the elegant railing with its sleek, modern design. This was a whole new world.

On impulse, I pulled out my phone and snapped a few photos of the landscape, wanting to capture the view despite knowing it was against the rules. I caught a glimpse of Rose down below, tending to the garden, and quickly remembered: I wasn’t here on some luxurious vacation. I slipped back inside, dragged my unopened suitcase into the closet, and tiptoed out of the room.

As I walked down the hallway, I remembered the boundaries Rose had set for me. She’d laid out my paths carefully, as if I were a guest in a museum rather than an employee. But the house itself was too mesmerizing to restrict myself to a single path. Every inch of it exuded minimalist luxury, stark and pristine, like it belonged on the pages of a design magazine. Yet there was a strange emptiness to it, too—a feeling that this vast, beautiful space would swallow any noise, leaving only an echo. It made me feel oddly empty, as if the quiet might seep into me if I stayed here too long.

“My coworkers must work overtime to keep this place spotless,” I murmured, glancing at the immaculate surfaces around me.

I looked toward the staircase Rose had specifically told me to avoid, the very one she had led me up when we arrived. I recalled the study door she’d pointed out, the invisible boundary she’d drawn around it. But I couldn’t help feeling drawn to it. 

I took a cautious step forward, my heart skipped a beat. I had only just started this job, and here I was, sneaking around. This wasn’t exactly what I’d signed up for. Rose had been very clear about her rules earlier—stern, even. I sighed, turned around, and retraced my steps toward the kitchen.

After a few turns and moments later, I arrived at my destination. The chefs were already heading out, and as I looked around, I noticed everything was spotless. Counters gleamed, and supplies were tidily stashed away—nothing like the bustling scene I’d walked into earlier when food was being prepped, and every surface seemed cluttered.

I moved closer, hoping to catch one of the chefs to ask about the daily routine. And, honestly, I wanted to know if I’d end up in one of those Halloween-worthy uniforms I’d glimpsed earlier. Just as I was about to speak up, Rose appeared out of nowhere, freezing me in place for a few awkward seconds. “Goddamn,” I muttered under my breath. Rose hadn’t even let me start the job yet, but she was already starting to terrify me.

How could the warm, middle-aged woman who’d welcomed me at the interview transform into this grumpy taskmaster? She even wore a perpetual scowl now, as if she’d just finished scolding someone.

I took a step back as she closed the gap between us.

“You took your time putting things away,” she said, her voice sharp.

“Oh, I thought I started tomorrow…”

“You’re here now, so you might as well be diligent and start learning today,” she cut me off without missing a beat.

I forced a smile. “Right, of course.”

“You could have learned from your other two colleagues if you’d been here half an hour ago,” she added with a hint of a nagging tone.

Another woman appeared, a little older, maybe in her late forties or early fifties. Honestly, I wasn’t great at guessing ages these days; beauty standards and all had blurred those lines. She gave me a polite smile as she came to stand a step behind Rose, almost in line.

Rose whipped around to look at her. “Lilian, is she still in that room?”

“She just needs to change. She’ll be here shortly,” the woman replied in a high-pitched, almost sing-song voice. I did a double-take at her. Her voice was surprisingly cheerful, almost Barbie-like, making me curious, but Rose’s gaze was still on me, so I quickly looked back at her, feeling an odd urge to stand at attention.

What was this place? My eyes darted around the room, catching the last of the chefs slipping out. Was I in some military camp? I shifted my stance, awkwardly mimicking Lilian’s rigid posture.

Dear lord, I thought, this was not what I’d signed up for.

“Everyone will leave now, including me,” Rose continued, “but you’re to stay here. Don’t meddle with anything. Maintain order and stay out of sight. Mr. Aiden can take care of himself.”

I nodded, though her instructions felt… contradictory.

Another middle-aged employee, Lilian maybe? bustled in, quickly falling into line next to Lady in line, and I suddenly realized no one here was anywhere near my age.

Rose threw Lilian a stern glance before looking back at me. “Remember, do not go to his quarters. Mr. Aiden can handle his own needs. I’ll check his room tomorrow.”

“Got it,” I said, although something told me I’d need a lot more than a simple “got it” to survive here.

“Okay, we’ll see you tomorrow,” she said at last. Without another glance, Rose turned, leading the other ladies as they walked off. Lilian glanced back at me, waved, and offered a kind smile.

I swallowed hard, watching them go. As much as I wanted Rose to leave, it felt too soon to be left alone in this enormous, silent place. I waved back at Lilian, hoping we’d grow closer tomorrow—she and the other, soft-voiced woman. I already had so many questions. They closed the door behind them, and as I stood there, it suddenly felt like the end of a workday, everyone leaving… except me.

A pang of loneliness tugged at me as I watched a few more people, men this time, walk over to Lilian and the other woman. They exchanged a few words with Rose before parting ways, disappearing down the hallway and out of sight.

I hadn’t expected to feel this alone. Maybe I’d been blinded by the pay when I first heard about this job. I didn’t think too hard about what being here would actually feel like. I took another look around the kitchen—still spotless—before I headed toward the door to the living room.

The space was state-of-the-art, adorned with two grand chandeliers casting a soft, cozy glow over the room. Despite its vastness, the living room felt surprisingly inviting. An asymmetrical white couches that looked custom-made sprawled across the center, and I found myself studying every detail: the soft lighting, the two-way staircase leading to the second floor, the enormous TV, and the plush chairs and tables that added to the cozy yet luxurious vibe. It made me long for a movie night, complete with snacks and a skincare routine.

The sound of cars in the distance snapped me out of my daydream. I pulled the curtain aside slightly and saw Rose’s SUV pulling away down the drive, with a few other cars following, including Lilian’s sleek black luxury car. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of motivation. Working here was a rare opportunity, and everyone seemed to be securing the bag. I wasn’t here to complain—I was here for a better life.

As the daylight outside began to fade, I closed the curtain, took a final look around the room, and then headed toward the staircase. My eyes drifted over to the stairs that Rose had specifically warned me about, and after a moment’s hesitation, I found myself daring to go up. At the base of the stairs, I glanced around, checking for any hidden cameras. Then, with a rush of excitement, I skipped up a couple of steps, only to freeze dead in my tracks as the main door downstairs swung open.

“Yeah, caught red-handed,” I muttered, ducking down low on the stairs. I glanced up, debating whether to crawl the rest of the way up.

Just then, voices drifted closer, and I was paralyzed with a mix of fear and regret. I’d only just gotten this job!

“We discussed the NDA earlier, and you agreed to it,” a deep male voice said, calm but firm. It didn’t sound like Aiden. A jolt of panic coursed through me—wasn’t Aiden supposed to be the only one living here? Were we being invaded?

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” replied a woman, her voice dismissive. “But I spoke to him, and he didn’t seem to think it was necessary. Once he arrives, we’ll talk it over again—that’s between us.”

"I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave. Mr. Aiden won’t see you unless you sign the NDA," the young man’s voice was firm, his hand steady as he held out a pen.

The woman scoffed, her tone dripping with irritation. "You don’t even understand the kind of bond we have."

This was getting stranger by the second. My pulse quickened as I crouched lower on the staircase, inching my way up.

The young man kept his professional mask on, i could tell from his voice.  "I’m just doing my job. If you won’t sign, I’ll have to escort you out."

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms with a stubborn lift of her chin. "You’re being ridiculous. Aiden and I actually get along—unlike the others."

I reached the top step, carefully leaned over the railing, and peeked down. The woman, all bleach-blonde waves and high cheekbones, stood like she owned the place. She looked expensive too—her Hermès bag alone probably cost more than a month’s rent at my house. My eyes followed as she grabbed the NDA without a second glance and scribbled her signature across the pages the assistant had handed her.

What on earth was this about? Why was she signing an NDA just to see Aiden? And why wasn’t she like “the others”? I squinted, the gears turning. Was she his girlfriend? Or one of those…arrangements? My gasp escaped my mouth too loud. The woman’s head snapped up, her eyes sharp, and I froze, ducking instinctively. 

“Who’s there?” the young guy who seemed like Aiden’s assistant called out.

My heart raced, I scrambled back toward my room, hoping to make it out of sight before they caught me eavesdropping. My footsteps echoed through the hall, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of being followed. Just then, a deeper, familiar voice cut through the air.

I kept going, slowing only once I reached the boundary I’d been told to stick to. With a deep breath, I smoothed my clothes, shook off the nerves, and turned back, pretending I’d just arrived.

As I descended the stairs, Aiden’s assistant appeared at the base, his brows furrowed as he scanned me up and down.

“Who are you?”

I caught sight of Aiden standing just behind him, his face unreadable but watching. Forcing a smile, I addressed him. “Hi. I just started today… I’m the new housekeeper.”

Aiden nodded slightly, though his attention drifted as the blonde woman stepped forward, possessively reaching for his lapel. She looked up at him as if expecting some warm greeting, but he barely acknowledged her touch, brushing past her as he turned to climb the stairs.

"Then go resume your duties," he muttered coolly.

As he ascended, I glanced back at the assistant, who had turned his focus on me now, his gaze softened slightly.

"So you’re the new housekeeper," he said, offering a polite smile. “I’m Jack. Aiden’s assistant.”

I nodded, "Nice to meet you."

“Nice to meet you too. Now, if you don’t mind giving us some privacy,” Jack said, gesturing between himself and the blonde, who was now glaring at me with a look that could shatter glass. Her eyes raked over me, calculating, as though deciding whether to demand my immediate removal. I offered her a small, polite smile, careful not to show any hint of the unease prickling at the back of my neck. Whoever she was, antagonizing her might seem like a fast track to losing this job.

“Of course,” I replied, turning back to the stairs.

Before I’d even taken two steps, her voice cut through the air, sharp and accusing. “What is that girl doing here as a housekeeper? Send her out! She’s up to no good.”

I paused, her words echoing as heat rose to my cheeks. My hands clenched for a moment, but I bit back a retort, keeping my head down as I continued up the stairs.

“Witch,” I muttered under my breath.