Selina walked down the long, quiet hallway, her footsteps echoing faintly against the polished marble floor. The apartment was far too big, too luxurious for someone like her. Every corner seemed to hold a quiet kind of authority, the same kind that surrounded Andrew Vele himself.
She turned a corner, then another, only to realize she had no idea where the guest room was. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. Everything about this place was intimidating the tall ceilings, the expensive artwork, even the faint scent of sandalwood that seemed to linger in the air. It wasn't her world. It was his.
After walking in circles for nearly a minute, Selina sighed softly. This is ridiculous, she thought. I can't even find a room. She turned back toward the living area, hesitant but with no other choice.
Andrew was still standing by the window when she returned. The city lights spilled across his sharp profile, making him look distant, powerful, and unreadable. When he turned at the sound of her footsteps, his lips curved slightly—just a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Lost already?" he asked, voice smooth and teasing.
Selina froze, her eyes darting away. "Um… I—" She stammered, her voice softer than she intended. "I… can't seem to find the guest room."
Andrew chuckled, low and rich, the sound vibrating through the room. There was something so effortless about him, as if everything he did carried a quiet dominance. "You've been here less than five minutes," he said, stepping closer. "And you've already gotten lost."
"I didn't want to bother you," she murmured, cheeks warming.
His gaze softened, though he didn't say it out loud. There was something strangely endearing about her timidness how she stood there, fingers fidgeting, eyes avoiding him. For a man used to confidence and calculated charm, her simplicity was… refreshing.
He pressed a button on the side table. "Lucia," he said, his tone calm but firm. "Come here for a moment."
Within seconds, a middle-aged woman appeared from the side hall. She had warm brown skin, kind eyes, and the composed manner of someone who'd worked in the house for years.
"Yes, sir?"
"Show Miss Whyte to the guest room. Make sure she's comfortable."
"Yes, sir." Lucia turned to Selina with a friendly smile. "Please, this way, miss."
Selina nodded politely and followed her through another long corridor. The further they walked, the more overwhelmed she felt. The hallway opened into a different wing of the apartment calmer, softer in tone, with warm beige walls and large framed paintings.
"You must be very special," Lucia said suddenly, glancing at her with a knowing smile.
Selina blinked, startled. "S-special? What do you mean?"
Lucia chuckled. "I've been here a long time. Mr. Vele never brings ladies to his home. Never. Not since…" She trailed off, realizing she might be saying too much. "Well, let's just say you're the first in a very long time."
Selina's heart skipped. "I'm not— It's not what you think. He just… wanted to make sure I didn't get caught in the rain."
"Of course," Lucia said lightly, though the mischief in her eyes suggested she didn't believe her. "Still, it's good to see him smiling again. He's been… quiet lately. Lonely, even."
They reached a tall wooden door at the end of the hall. Lucia pushed it open, and Selina stepped inside only to lose her breath for a moment.
The guest room was enormous, almost larger than her entire apartment. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, scattering soft light across the cream-colored walls. The bed, covered in white and gold linen, looked so plush she was afraid she might sink into it and never get up.
To her left, glass doors opened to a balcony that overlooked the city skyline, its lights flickering like distant stars. A full-length mirror stood beside a walk-in closet with sliding glass doors. Even the air smelled different here fresh, expensive, unfamiliar.
"Wow," Selina whispered before she could stop herself.
Lucia smiled warmly. "If you need anything, there's an intercom by the nightstand. Just press the button, and someone will come to assist you."
"Thank you," Selina said softly.
Lucia gave a small nod. "Rest well, miss."
As soon as the door closed, Selina sank onto the edge of the bed, still trying to absorb everything. The softness of the duvet, the faint hum of the air conditioner, the silence it all felt unreal.
She traced her fingers along the fabric and sighed. What am I doing here? she thought. He's my boss. This isn't supposed to happen.
Her mind drifted back to the moment she'd seen him laugh—a genuine laugh, not the clipped, professional one he used in the office. There was something warm in it, something she wasn't sure she had ever heard from him before.
Down the hall, Andrew stood at his office window again, watching the faint reflection of her in the glass. He didn't know what he was doing, either. Bringing her here had been an impulse—one he couldn't quite explain. Maybe it was the rain, or the way she'd looked that evening, tired but still trying to keep her composure. Or maybe it was something deeper, something he wasn't ready to admit.
Lucia returned quietly to the living room. "She's settled in, sir," she said.
Andrew nodded without turning around. "Good."
The maid hesitated, then smiled faintly. "She's a sweet girl."
"I know," he said softly, surprising even himself.
When Lucia left, the apartment returned to silence. Andrew loosened his tie, leaned back in his chair, and exhaled. He could still see her expression when she'd timidly asked for directions, the way her voice had trembled slightly. It shouldn't have mattered. She was just an employee. But somehow, it did.
In her room, Selina lay back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling. Her heart was still racing, though she didn't understand why. Outside, the rain began to fall softly, tapping against the balcony glass. It was the kind of night that made the world feel smaller, quieter.
For a brief moment, both of them separated by walls, bound by silence—found themselves thinking the same thought:
What happens next?