The Precious Treasure

Alexa stood on the master's floor, the highest in the villa, tasked with cleaning its pristine hallway. Her fingers trembled slightly as she approached the door to Julian's room. Miss Yvonne's warning echoed in her mind: "You are to clean up only. Don’t touch anything in the room. It’s not safe for you."

“What’s so special about the room anyway?” she muttered under her breath, curiosity tugging at her resolve. Slowly, she pushed open the door, and her breath caught in her throat.

The room was immaculate, radiating elegance with its all-white decor. From the curtains to the bedspread, every piece of furniture and design element was a pristine shade of white, accented by soft lighting that gave the space an ethereal glow. The faint aroma of sandalwood and almond lingered in the air, adding a soothing touch to the luxurious surroundings.

Her gaze settled on a striking painting of a half-moon cradled in a small hand. The intricate details mesmerized her. It felt oddly familiar, stirring something deep within her. 

“Beautiful,” she whispered, trailing her fingers lightly across the canvas before snapping herself out of her reverie. Focus, Lexi. You’re here for a reason.

Shaking off her awe, she began cleaning, but her true mission loomed in her mind: Find the golden watch.

Heart pounding, Lexi moved to the drawers, opening them one by one. Jewelry boxes spilled over with glittering treasures—gold, silver, and diamonds worth a fortune—but no watch. 

Her gaze shifted to the closet. That has to be it. Swallowing her nerves, she stepped inside. The dimly lit space was filled with impeccably organized racks of suits, their clean lines exuding wealth and power. She hurriedly searched through the shelves, her breath quickening. Suddenly, the sound of the door creaking open froze her in place. 

Heavy footsteps approached, and her heart thundered in her chest. What is he doing at home? Doesn’t he work late?

Panic surged through her veins as the closet door swung open. A sharp intake of breath escaped her lips when Julian's towering figure appeared, his cold gaze piercing through the clothes she hid behind. In one swift motion, he parted the garments, revealing her trembling form. 

“Get out.” His voice was calm, yet it carried an unyielding authority that made her knees buckle. 

Alexa barely managed a stammered apology before fleeing the room. 

---

Back in her quarters, Lexa paced nervously, clutching her chest. What will he do to me now? Will he have me arrested? Tortured? Sent away? The unanswered questions spiraled in her mind, feeding her unease. Yet, amidst the anxiety, her thoughts kept drifting back to Julian's penetrating gaze and his calm, unreadable demeanor. A flush crept up her cheeks as she recalled the intensity of his presence.

A knock on her door startled her, nearly causing her to trip. Her pulse spiked as she anticipated the worst. 

“Alexa darling, may I come in?” Miss Yvonne’s gentle voice broke through her fear, and she exhaled in relief. 

—

Miss Yvonne sat on the edge of the bed, her slender frame slumped in exhaustion. Her eyes, once bright and full of life, now seemed dull and sunken. She let out a deep sigh, clasping her hands together in her lap.

Alexa stood in the doorway, her gaze fixed on Miss Yvonne with concern etched on her face. "Hope all is alright, ma'am?" she asked, her voice soft with worry. "You look weak."

Miss Yvonne smiled weakly, grateful for the concern. "Actually, Alexa, I need to ask for your help. I've been feeling unwell for some time now, and that's why Julian decided to hire you as my assistant."

Alexa's expression turned sympathetic. "I'm so sorry to hear that, ma'am. Please don't worry about your duties; I'll take care of everything."

As Miss Yvonne left the room, Alexa couldn't help but wonder about the elderly housekeeper's illness. What could be causing her to decline so rapidly? Alexa's concern for Miss Yvonne grew, and she felt a pang of sadness and guilt. She knew that she wouldn't be able to stay and help Miss Yvonne for much longer. Her mission was only supposed to last a week, and then she would have to flee. The thought of leaving Miss Yvonne and the villa behind was unsettling, but Alexa knew it was necessary. She had a job to do, and she couldn't let her emotions get in the way.

—

Alexa's soft knock on the door was met with Julian's deep, commanding voice. "Come in." As the door swung open, Alexa's eyes widened slightly, taking in the sight of Julian standing by the bed, his chiseled torso on full display as he fastened his cufflinks. His tailored pants hugged his thighs in all the right places, and Alexa's cheeks flushed with a warm glow as she struggled to maintain her composure.

"Good morning, sir," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Julian's piercing gaze flicked up to meet hers, and for a moment, they locked eyes, the air thick with tension.

Alexa hastily broke the spell, dropping her gaze to the cleaning supplies in her hand. As she set to work, her eyes strayed to the shimmering golden box on the desk. _That must be it!_ she thought, her heart skipping a beat. She forced her eyes away, focusing on her task, but she couldn't stop stealing glances at the watch. The exquisite craftsmanship, the way it seemed to glow with an otherworldly light – it was no ordinary piece. _No wonder Marcus is desperate for it._

Just then, Julian's low, clipped tone jolted her out of her trance. "Are you here to work or to stand like a statue?" Alexa's cheeks flushed deeper as she hastily resumed her cleaning.

As Julian moved to leave the room, Alexa summoned her courage. "Sir, about yesterday... I-I just wanted to apologize. I was... distracted by the beauty of the room." Her voice wavered, but she pressed on. "I didn't mean to intrude."

Julian paused, his back still turned to her. He clenched his jaw, unsure why her presence stirred such conflicting emotions within him. Without a word, he left, the golden box clutched tightly in his hand.

Alexa let out a shaky breath, her shoulders sagging in relief. Yet, as her gaze lingered on the empty desk, she knew her mission was far from over.