A Dangerous Proposal

Alexa paced anxiously inside her room, her mind racing with guilt and uncertainty. What if Julian had caught her with the watch? Would he have had her killed? What had she gotten herself into?

Just as she was starting to spiral, an idea struck her, and she jumped with excitement. She grabbed her device from the table and clicked a button, connecting her to Marcus.

"You silly brat," Marcus's voice came through, laced with amusement. "What do you have to say?"

"I have an idea," Alexa said, trying to sound as serious as possible. "I'll make him fall for me. A man in love is susceptible to danger. Give me a week, please."

Marcus's mocking laughter echoed through the line. "You think that cold-blooded lad has a heart for love? You also think he can fall for an ugly bitch like you?"

Alexa's face burned with anger, but she kept her cool. "I promise you'll receive good news from me before next week. Please let me do this."

"A week, bitch," Marcus spat. "I want that damn watch. Okay?"

The line went dead, and Alexa was left to her thoughts. She would use that one week to create a trap for Julian and protect the watch.

The next day, Alexa was cleaning the kitchen when Miss Yvonne walked in. She held Alexa's hands, her eyes filled with concern.

"I'm so sorry about last night, Alexa. I just got shaken and worried. That watch is like a dear life to him."

Alexa smiled slightly, trying to reassure Miss Yvonne. "I perfectly understand, Miss Yvonne. When we're in love with someone, we also fall deeply in love with any gift from our lover. Failure to keep such gifts would create a huge scar in our hearts."

Miss Yvonne's eyes welled up with tears. "That watch is from his father, given to him in his dying state. He told him to protect and secure it, as it seems the same enemies who killed his parents might still be out there for the watch."

Alexa's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing with questions. What connection did Marcus have with the watch? Why was he after it so suddenly?

A determination burned within her. She wouldn't let Marcus get his hands on the watch. Never. She suddenly felt a strong urge to help Julian, to protect him from those who sought to harm him.

__

Julian sat in his study, swiveling in his chair as he pondered the events of the day. How could he have been so careless with the watch? He had been so drunk, but that was no excuse. Lately, his memories had been playing tricks on him, and he had been seeing fragments of a past he had forgotten.

His mind drifted to the new maid, Alexa. There was something familiar about her, an aura that he couldn't quite place. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.

The door opened, and Theo, his assistant, walked in. Theo had been his closest confidant since his parents' death. "Boss, the investigation officer will meet with you tomorrow after the meeting with the Charleston Group," Theo announced.

Julian's eyes lit up with determination. After twelve years of waiting, he was finally going to start investigating his parents' brutal murder. He was going to bring those responsible to justice, no matter what it took.

"Good job, Theo," Julian said, rubbing his palms together. "Let's do this together."

Theo hesitated, his expression serious. "Boss, I felt something was off about the new maid."

Julian raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Theo's eyes locked onto Julian's. "Permit me to run a background check on her. My instincts have never failed me."

Julian nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Very well, Theo. Do it."

–

MARCUS' HIDEOUT

Marcus turned to Dante, a calculating glint in his eye. "I think that little duckling of yours is smarter than we thought. I wasn't mistaken about picking her for the job, after all."

Dante's response was absent minded. "Maybe she is."

Dante's thoughts turned to Nathan Salvatore, his mind seething with hatred. That damn bastard would be more tormented in hell as he watched him take over all he had.

Marcus's voice cut through Dante's reverie. "A penny for your thoughts?" he asked, his tone suspicious, as he puffed out heavy smoke from his nostrils.

Dante's expression turned cunning. "Having that watch in our possession is a lifetime wealth. We just need to hasten up before it slips out of our hands."

Marcus's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. What was it about the watch that made it so valuable? Why was Dante in such a hurry to get it? Marcus decided to find out for himself, without Dante's knowledge.

Alexa took the coffee she had prepared to Julian's room, her nerves on edge. She was scared to face him after the watch incident. What if he suspected her? How did he know exactly where to look for the watch that day? Did he have memory problems?

She entered the room, but Julian wasn't there. She was about to turn back with the tray when a deep voice stopped her. "Bring it."

Alexa turned to see Julian standing before her, dripping wet from his bath. He was only wearing a towel, his broad chest exposed. She lost herself staring at him, her cheeks flushing. How could a man be so perfect? This was the second time she'd seen him in such a state.

"The tea would be cold by now," Julian said, his voice breaking the spell.

Alexa awkwardly cleared her throat and dropped the tea on the bedside table. "How long have you been at the agency?" Julian suddenly asked.

Alexa was taken aback. Why wouldn't he get dressed? And why was he suddenly asking this? "About three years ago," she replied without thinking.

Julian's eyes narrowed. "So what have you been doing before then? How did you end up at the agency?"

Alexa looked shocked, and Julian realized he had been too curious. He looked away, clearing his throat. "I just want to know about my worker, that's all."

His voice turned cold again as he put on a shirt. "I lost my parents at the age of eight," Alexa said, her voice matter-of-fact. "I was adopted by a man who mistreated me, so I ran away three years ago and got work at the agency."

Julian's eyes widened, surprised by her candid response. He gulped down his tea and left the room. Alexa sighed in relief and arranged everything in order, even though it was already perfectly arranged.

A thought struck her, and she dashed hurriedly into the inner chamber of the room.