Chapter 2 - Two

Nova sat comfortably in the garden of the Smith mansion, the warm sun kissing her skin as she immersed herself in the captivating pages of a contemporary romance novel by her favorite author. She loved being lost in the pages of a good book, engrossed in a world far beyond the confines of the mansion's walls. Her eyes moved effortlessly across each page, relishing and admiring every aspect of the captivating story she was reading.

With Adam and the rest of the Smith family away on a business trip, Nova had the whole day to herself, free from the bustling rush of her usual domestic service duties. She had managed to complete all her tasks early in the morning, and now, with nothing left to do, she savored this tranquil moment. The Smith mansion, standing tall behind her, was a monument of grandeur and splendor. The beautifully landscaped gardens, vibrant with flowers of every shade, surrounded her as she read her book.

The warm, sweet-scented breeze brushed past Nova's face, as birds chirped and the gentle rustling of leaves added to the peaceful ambiance around her. The sound of a nearby fountain, as well as the slight bubbling of the fish pond, lent a calming effect as she read. Her senses were alive with the rich aroma of blooming jasmine, soothing her senses and enchanting her mind.

Lost in the pages of her book, Nova could easily imagine herself alongside the romance's protagonist, swept away in a whirlwind of passion and excitement. She felt a sense of peace and tranquility within herself as the story unfolded, and every moment seemed to fly past as she turned each page.

As she emerged from the final chapter of the book, a sense of satisfaction and contentment washed over her. With the last word read, she closed the cover, taking a deep breath and letting the story linger within her. Nova's trance-like state brought her back as she realized her surroundings again, and with a grateful heart, she thanked the universe for giving her this moment.

Such serene and peaceful moments were rare in the otherwise bustling mansion. She closed her eyes for a few moments, her mind reliving the entirety of the tale she had just devoured. It was during such moments when she was able to escape the mundanity of her domestic duties, and the ultimate satisfaction she obtained gave her the strength to carry on.

This was a gift of life, and a moment she relished. She felt rejuvenated, and as she opened her eyes again, she knew deep down that she was ready to take on anything that life had to throw at her.

Nova had just finished tidying up the living room area when she saw Mary, the housekeeper, walking towards her. Mary had a serious look on her face, and Nova knew that something important was about to be discussed.

"Good afternoon, Nova," Mary said in her usual firm tone. "I have some news for you. The Smiths are expected to arrive any moment from now, and we need to ensure that the house is ready for their arrival. We have a lot of work to do. Are you ready to get to work?"

Nova could feel her heart pounding with excitement and a hint of anxiety. She had only been working for a few weeks at the mansion, and she knew that the Smiths held a high status in society. She knew that her work had to be perfect, or she risked the wrath of Mrs. Smith, who expected nothing but the best.

"Yes, Mary, I am ready. What needs to be done?" Nova replied, trying to remain calm.

Mary went on to explain that the whole house needed cleaning, the sheets had to be changed on all the beds, and all the rooms had to be thoroughly checked to ensure that nothing was out of place. The kitchen had to be stocked with fresh produce, and all the utensils and dishes had to be spotless.

Nova couldn't help but feel overwhelmed at the list of tasks that had to be completed. However, she tried to remind herself that this was why she was here -- to serve the Smiths and ensure that their every need was met.

"Alright then, let's get to work," Mary announced as they both headed towards the main foyer.

The atmosphere was frenzied as all the staff worked together, each with their assigned tasks. Nova was busy changing the bed sheets in one of the guest rooms when she heard a car pulling up to the main entrance. Her heart skipped a beat as she heard the voices of the Smith family calling out greetings to one another.

Feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves, Nova and Mary hastened their pace, ensuring that everything was perfect before the Smiths made their grand entrance. The last thing they wanted was for Mrs. Smith to find something out of place.

As the Smiths walked in, Nova and Mary stood on either side, awaiting their instructions. Mrs. Smith's eyes quickly scanned the room, and Nova could feel her scrutinizing gaze on her. A smile spread across her face as Mrs. Smith gave her a nod of approval, which was a delightful surprise for Nova, who was concerned about being accepted by such a prestigious family.

As the Smiths settled in, Nova could feel herself relaxing a little, knowing that her hard work had paid off. She had successfully passed the first test and had made a good impression on the Smiths. She went to bed that night, exhausted, but with a sense of pride that she had accomplished what she had set out to do.

In that one day, Nova had learned a valuable lesson that would stay with her forever - the importance of hard work and dedication in making her dreams a reality.

Nova wakes up in the middle of the night, feeling incredibly thirsty. Stretching her arms, she notices that the moon is shining in from the window, casting a soft glow on the floor. She makes her way out of bed, tiptoeing through the dimly lit corridors as she heads to the kitchen.

The house is quiet except for the sound of her soft footsteps. As she turns the corner, she is startled to bump into a hard surface. She quickly realizes that it is Adam, the handsome but arrogant billionaire and heir to the Smith fortune.

But how?

When did he get home? She could remember only meeting Mr and Mrs Smith, the where did he suddenly come from.

His sculpted figure glistens in the moonlight, chiseled muscles rippling underneath his sweatpants, his skin glowing with a healthy sheen. Nova's eyes are drawn to him, and she can't help but feel a flutter in her stomach. She quickly averts her gaze, feeling embarrassed at the situation.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Adam says in his deep and husky voice, his lips turning up in a smile.

"It's fine," Nova stammers, still feeling flustered. "I was just getting some water."

Adam nods, letting her pass as he leans against the wall, watching her walk down the hallway. Nova can feel his gaze on her as she makes her way back to her room, her mind racing with thoughts of the handsome billionaire.

As Nova made her way back to her room, she couldn't help but think about the encounter with Adam. The way he smiled at her had caught her off guard, and it made her think that maybe he wasn't as arrogant as people made him out to be.

She replayed the moment in her head, savoring every detail, from the way his blue eyes sparkled to the sound of his deep voice. It was as though time had stood still when they crossed paths, and Nova was grateful for that brief moment of connection.

Arriving at her room, she set the glass of water on her nightstand and kicked off her shoes. As she slipped under the covers, she couldn't help but smile at the memory of Adam's smile. She hoped for more encounters like this, but also didn't want to get her hopes up too high.

She can't help but wonder what it would be like to be loved by someone like Adam. With a soft sigh, she closes her eyes, feeling her heart racing as she dreams of what could be.

With that thought, Nova closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of more smiles and more moments with the mysterious Adam Smith.