Would I get caught, or would I get away with this?
Just as I heard the clothes begin to shift, someone knocked on the door, and I heard footsteps retreat from the room.
I finally let out a breath of relief when I heard the click of the door and waited a little while longer before coming back out.
I could not concentrate as I hurriedly tried to complete my chores. One thought in particular kept lingering over and over. I had to get back into that secret room.
The clues I had been looking for could be gotten from within those walls. I had to get back and find out what secrets I could discover in there. But not at the moment, especially when I had already risked too much.
I made my way to the hallway when I bumped into Maria. She scanned me from head to toe with her weary eyes as she began to process her words
"You were in that closet for an awfully long time, Anne," she said, her tone laced with suspicion.
"I… I was just trying to organise it properly," I stammered. While I was hoping for her not to press any further, she raised an eyebrow but didn't question me anymore.
Instead, she handed me a fresh set of nearly pressed suits and said, "Mr. Adrian wants to see you. He's expecting you in his study."
The items in my care almost slipped through my fingers. "Is there a problem?" I asked, struggling to keep my composure.
Maria shrugged. "I'm only the messenger, my dear. You'll find out soon enough."
I removed my apron and adjusted my hair before making my way to the study. Each step felt heavier than the last. My mind raced with possibilities. What could he possibly want from me? I was not eager to find out.
When I reached the door, a deep voice called from inside, "Come in."
He had seen me approaching from his security monitors. Every corner of this mansion was wired with security cameras, each one feeding directly to his monitors.
I pushed open the door and stepped inside. The study was as intimidating as its owner. Dark wood-panelled walls framed a room filled with leather-bound books and several antiques. Adrian sat behind a massive desk with a glass of scotch he poured slowly into his cup, his piercing green eyes fixed on me.
"Sit down," he said. "Do you drink?"
I perched on the edge of a chair, my hands folded tightly in my lap. He leaned back, studying me with a quiet intensity that made my skin crawl.
"A bit, sir." I proceeded to grab the second glass he pointed towards as a good gesture.
"Where are you from, Anne?" he asked, his tone deceptively casual.
"I'm from California," I replied quickly. "A small town. You wouldn't have heard of it."
He nodded slowly as he was trying to gauge my responses. "And your family? What do they do?"
My chest felt a bit tight at that moment, but I kept my expression neutral. "They're not around anymore. I came to Manhattan to make a new start."
He took a sip of his premium scotch and observed me for a moment. I thought he might press further.
But then he leaned forward, his eyes drifting to a photograph on his desk.
It was an old, rusty picture of him as a boy, standing beside an elderly man by the waterside. I believed it to be his father.
"He built everything you see here," Adrian said, his voice softer now. "But it came at a cost. A lot of sacrifices, hard decisions, you know... things that left their mark on everyone."
I watched as his expression shifted. I could tell he felt vulnerable at that moment as he circled his fingers around the edge of the rusty picture.
"Life wasn't always like this," he continued. "I've worked hard for everything I have now. Odd jobs, begged on the streets... I know what it's like to struggle."
I started to feel something different for a brief moment. They didn't absolve him of his sins, but they painted a more complex picture of the man I had vowed to destroy.
Our eyes locked briefly, and I couldn't stop noticing his piercing green eyes. I was mesmerized by their depth and intensity.
"Are you in a relationship?" Adrian's question snapped me back to reality.
"Excuse me?" I stammered, caught off guard.
He leaned back in his chair. "You don't have to answer. I was just curious."
Suddenly, the atmosphere became awkward. I squeezed my hands tightly to get rid of the shyness I was feeling, but before I could respond, a knock at the door interrupted us.
Maria entered, her clipboard tucked under one arm.
"Mr. Blackwell, your guest has arrived."
I noticed Adrian's mood suddenly switch from the calm, soft-spoken character he was a minute ago to a mogul about to go into a business deal negotiation, the warmth in his eyes replaced by coldness.
"I'll be there shortly."
He turned back to me, his expression unreadable. "You can leave, Anne. We'll continue this conversation another time."
I left the study quite relieved and confused altogether.
I started to question all I had come to realise as I replayed my interaction with Adrian in my mind. It all made me question everything I thought I knew about him.
As I proceeded down the corridor, I nearly collided with a tall, elegant woman. Her icy blue eyes fixed on me, and a chill ran down my spine.
"Who are you?" She demanded, her voice sharp.
I froze, struggling to find my words. "My name is Soph... my name is Anne. I'm the new maid."
Her gaze narrowed, and she stepped closer, as though trying to get a better look at me. My heart raced, and I struggled to stay calm.
Before she could speak again, Adrian's voice rang out behind her. "Victoria," he said smoothly, "what brings you here?"
Victoria turned, her sharp features softening slightly. "Adrian," she said, her tone laced with false warmth. "We need to talk."
Adrian's gaze flicked to me briefly before he gestured for Victoria to follow him. "After you," he said, his tone polite but distant.
I took the opportunity to slip away, my pulse still racing. I had almost blown my cover. Did I slip up? And why was this lady so curious about me?