...
When Zastan entered his hotel room, as usual, he found Natalia, the hotel butler, busy cleaning the room. She moved quietly, her back turned toward him as she wiped the dust from the floor. Her usual cheerful demeanor was missing, and Zastan noticed something different about her today.
Natalia had seen the empty wardrobe, the packed bags, and assumed that Zastan had left without saying goodbye. Her shoulders sagged slightly as she worked, and her face held a solemn, almost sad expression-though Zastan couldn't see this as her back was facing him.
As he looked at her from behind, the sight of her figure bent over the floor caused a reaction in him, a certain part of his body stirring. He quickly shifted his thoughts and composed himself, his eyes softening as he walked into the room.
The door clicked after closing, and Natalia, hearing the sound, quickly turned around, surprised to see Zastan standing there. Her sad expression immediately vanished, replaced by a cheerful smile. "Oh, Mr. Zastan, you're back!" she exclaimed, her voice lightening as she stood up.
Zastan smiled back, feeling a mix of amusement and curiosity. "I am," he said, stepping further into the room. "I've been a little busy, but I'm not gone just yet."
Natalia nodded, still smiling but a little flustered by her earlier assumptions. "I thought you had left for good. The room looked so... empty."
Zastan chuckled, sensing her unease. "Not yet. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something."
Curiosity flickered in Natalia's eyes as she wiped her hands on her apron, stepping closer to hear what he had to say.
"I've been thinking," Zastan started, his voice casual but serious. "Would you like to be my secretary?"
Natalia's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she was too stunned to respond. "Your secretary?" she repeated, shaking her head quickly. "Oh no, I—I couldn't possibly. I don't even know how..."
Zastan smiled, his tone calm and reassuring. "You'll have a large salary. Much more than what you're making here."
Despite the enticing offer, Natalia shook her head again, her voice firm but hesitant. "It's not about the money, Mr. Zastan. I don't know anything about being a secretary... I'm sure I'd be terrible at it."
Zastan stepped forward and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll hire someone to teach you everything you need to know. You'll be learning while getting paid a lot more than you are here. You'll manage."
Natalia opened her mouth to protest again, but this time her words came out in a flustered bicker. "Why would you even offer me something like this? I mean, I'm just a hotel butler. There's no reason for you to—"
Zastan cut her off with a smirk, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Because you're interesting."
Natalia blinked, clearly caught off guard by his reasoning. "Interesting?" she repeated, flustered but clearly intrigued by his unexpected compliment.
"Yes," Zastan replied simply, his tone light but sincere. "And I think you'll do well."
Despite herself, Natalia couldn't help but smile at his confidence in her. After a moment of contemplation, she let out a soft sigh. "I still don't think I'm cut out for it, but... I'll try," she said, her tone more accepting.
Zastan nodded, pleased with her answer. "That's all I'm asking."
...
A few moments later, Natalia followed Zastan as they walked through the quiet corridors of the hotel, making their way towards the staff area. There was a sense of finality to each step she took, but also an undercurrent of excitement she hadn't expected to feel. She had worked at the hotel for a long time, and this place had become a second home to her. Yet here she was, walking right beside Zastan, ready to resign.
As they reached the staff area, Natalia stopped at the supervisor's office. The supervisor was sitting at his desk, going over some paperwork when Natalia entered, with Zastan following closely behind her. She approached the desk and handed him her resignation form, her hands shaking slightly from the emotions bubbling inside her.
The supervisor glanced at the form and then at Natalia, his eyes flickering briefly to Zastan. He nodded knowingly, his face softening as he looked back at Natalia. "You're always welcome here, Natalia," he said gently. "Remember that. Don't forget about us."
Natalia smiled, a mixture of relief and sadness washing over her. "Thank you, sir. I won't."
What she didn't realize was that the supervisor's words carried more weight than she thought. He wasn't just being kind. But rather, he had noticed Zastan standing behind her, and the real reason for his supportive tone was because of the person standing right there. Zastan's presence carried influence, and the supervisor knew better than to question his decisions.
With a final nod from the supervisor, Natalia officially resigned from her position at the hotel, her new life beginning under Zastan's wing.
...
With a final nod from the supervisor, Natalia officially resigned from her position at the hotel, stepping into her new life under Zastan's wing.
As they left the hotel and approached Zastan's convoy, Natalia reflected on the envious looks she had received from the other staff. She could feel their eyes on her as she climbed into Zastan's luxurious vehicle, their curiosity and jealousy reflected on their eyes. At first, those stares had made her uneasy, but now, they only fueled her determination. Natalia realized that her decision to leave behind her old life was the best she could have made. By sticking close to Zastan, she knew she could rise out of mediocrity.
Before departing for good, Zastan had one more thing to address. He had been thinking about Malcolm, the hotel's driver, who had always been loyal and dependable. Since the arrival of his Biochemicals, Zastan hadn't needed Malcolm's services as much, but he missed the man's steady presence. It had been a while since they last saw each other, and Zastan had a new role in mind for him.
As he and Natalia walked toward the convoy, Zastan dialed Malcolm's number. After a few rings, Malcolm answered, his voice calm and familiar. "Malcolm here."
"Malcolm, it's Zastan," he began. "I have a new offer for you. I'd like to hire you as my driver, permanently. I'm going to be moving around a lot more, and I need someone I trust."
There was a brief pause before Malcolm responded, curious. "A permanent position? That sounds like a serious commitment."
"It is," Zastan confirmed. "You've been reliable, and I need someone like you by my side. The pay will reflect that."
Malcolm's tone shifted to one of quiet enthusiasm. "If you trust me with the job, then I'm in. I've always enjoyed working for you, Mr. Zastan."
Zastan smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. I'll give you more details soon. For now, just be ready for whatever comes next."
...
Zastan's convoy cruised through the quiet, tree-lined streets of the suburbs, the hum of the engines blending into the peaceful surroundings. As they neared the mansion that had been bought and secured over the past few days, Zastan glanced out the tinted windows, a sense of satisfaction settling over him.
Beside him, Natalia sat quietly, her eyes flicking around the passing scenery. The size of the mansion still hadn't fully sunk in for her. She had left behind her old life just hours ago, and now she was stepping into something she never could've imagined. Zastan noticed her silent contemplation and gave her a small, reassuring smile. "You'll get used to it," he said, his voice calm. "This place is going to be home now."
Natalia looked over at him, blinking out of her thoughts. "It's just... hard to believe all of this is happening so quickly," she admitted. "I never thought I'd live anywhere like this."
"Neither did I at one point," Zastan replied with a smirk, glancing out the window again. "But things change. You'll adapt."
As the convoy turned the corner, the mansion came into view. Even though Zastan had seen it in photos, the real thing was even more impressive. The towering structure loomed ahead, framed by high steel walls topped with electric fences for added security. The sleek, modern design of the mansion stood in stark contrast to the lush greenery surrounding it, the perfect blend of luxury and security.
The convoy slowed as the gates slid open with a soft whir, allowing the cars to pass through. They drove up the long, private driveway, which wound through meticulously landscaped gardens. The mansion's grand entrance stood at the end of the driveway, illuminated by soft lights that gave the property an almost ethereal glow in the evening light.
As the cars came to a stop in front of the massive double doors, Zastan stepped out and stretched, feeling the weight of the day lift slightly from his shoulders. He looked around, taking in the sight of his new home. "It's better than I imagined," he muttered to himself, pleased with the results of the past few days.
Natalia got out as well, standing beside him and staring up at the towering structure. "It's... beautiful," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Beautiful and secure," Zastan added, nodding toward the walls and the strategically placed security cameras. "Nothing's getting in here without us knowing."
At that moment, Darius appeared from the mansion's entrance, striding confidently toward Zastan. "Young Master, welcome home," he said with a respectful nod and whispered on Zastan's ear. "Everything's in place. The cameras are active, the Biochemicals are stationed, and the trucks with the supplies arrived earlier without issue."
Zastan smiled at his sidekick, satisfied with the progress. "You've done well, Darius. This place is exactly what I had in mind."
Darius gestured toward the entrance. "Shall we give you a tour?"
"Lead the way," Zastan said, his tone relaxed. He turned to Natalia, who was still gazing up at the mansion, her eyes wide. "You coming?"
...