Mary arrived and froze the moment she saw Cleo's face.
Something was off.
Her glow was gone. Her eyes looked heavy. There was a tension in the air that made Mary's stomach tighten.
"Cleo…" she whispered, walking closer. "What happened? You sounded so strange on the phone."
Cleo didn't answer right away. She just gestured weakly toward the couch.
"Sit," she murmured.
"Mary, please," Cleo said, swirling her wine as she looked up at the picture hanging on the wall. "I need a reserved cleaner in my house. Reserved, I repeat."
Mary raised an eyebrow, leaning against the marble countertop. "Reserved? What exactly do you mean?"
Cleo smirked, letting her gaze drift over the tiled floors. "I mean someone Mathias won't even think about… you know. Because that husband of mine lusts after anything in pants."
Mary laughed, nearly spilling her coffee. "Oh my God, Cleo! Wait… what? Mathias really gets distracted by other women?"
Cleo rolled her eyes. "Our last house help… she was busy giving him a doggy in my house."
Mary nearly choked on her laughter. "You're joking. You saw it happen?"
"You should have seen Mathias lifting her legs like a… well, you know," Cleo muttered through her gritted teeth.
"What really made me furious," she continued, her voice trembling, "was the way he groaned when he finally reached climax… and without a condom! Damn it!.
"Oh my!" Mary gasped, placing a hand on her chest.
Cleo's eyes burned with anger. "I thought our marriage meant something. He doesn't even respect me anymore!"
"But I still love him," Cleo admitted.
"I know, right? Sorry, I don't have much to say, but remember… I love you," Mary said.
with a sly smile,Mary said. "Oh my… your husband is such a horndog! Have you tried giving him a doggy yourself?"
Cleo's eyes widened, and she shot her friend a sharp glare. "Mary! Don't joke about this. Do you know what I just saw?"
Mary chuckled, unbothered. "Oh, I can only imagine. But seriously… you've got to be careful. That man doesn't know the meaning of restraint."
Cleo's hands trembled as she gripped her wine glass. "Careful? Mary, he… he recorded himself! And it wasn't even safe!"
Mary's eyes widened in shock. "Recorded? Wait, you mean he actually filmed it? Oh wow… That's the next-level of stupidity. Dangerous too. Oh Cleo, he's going to regret this."
Cleo's voice rose, trembling with fury. "Regret? He's lucky I didn't smash him along with the phone!"
Mary laughed, shaking her head. "I don't blame you. But honey, this… this is just the beginning. You've got a storm brewing, and it's all him. Mathias Monroe….billionaire, womanizer, and now, video-recording disaster."
Cleo exhaled sharply, her eyes darkening. "I'm not done yet. This… this fantasy of his? I'm about to turn it into a nightmare."
Oh my friend, what are you going to do?Mary asked cloe in a teasing way.
"You love gossip too much," Cleo said, shaking her head.
"Please, let's change the topic. What about the helper we talked about?"
Mary pulled out her phone. "Okay, okay. Let's fix this. I'll call the agency and get someone in this morning."
Cleo took a slow sip of her wine, raising a brow. "Make sure she's someone Mathias wouldn't dare look at twice."
Minutes later, Mary was on the phone. "Hi, madam, we urgently need a helper who can clean very well," she said professionally. "Would it be possible for her to come this morning?"
"Yes, of course," replied the woman on the other end.
Mary hung up and turned to Cleo. "She's excellent at picking the right people. You'll be fine."
Cleo smiled faintly, letting the tension of the city outside seep into the room. Manhattan was always moving, bustling, but inside this apartment, she controlled the atmosphere.
---
Mathias arrived shortly after, stepping into the expansive living room with its sleek modern furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park. Mary gave him a polite nod, her eyes lingering just a fraction longer, recalling Cleo's earlier remarks.
The doorbell rang a few minutes later. Cleo's eyes flicked toward it. Mary moved to answer.
At the door stood a young woman holding a small bag, posture straight and confident. She was striking, her elegance effortless. Cleo's gaze briefly traveled down her legs, noting the subtle curves beneath the tailored gown.
"Good morning," the woman said calmly.
Mathias, hearing the doorbell, descended the staircase. Their eyes met briefly in the living room. An electric pause lingered, unspoken but charged.
Cleo and Mary exchanged glances, pretending casualness. The apartment fell quiet, save for the soft hum of the city outside. Cleo leaned back, swirling her wine, letting the tension stretch.
Mary broke it lightly. "This is her," she said. "Highly recommended. Very professional."
The new helper nodded politely. "Thank you. I'll do my best."
Mathias's gaze flicked to Cleo. She returned it with a faint smirk. The tension was palpable, the two were communicating with eye contact but acted silently.
Cleo's mind raced. Mathias had a reputation…a weakness for beautiful women…but this new helper was reserved, professional, exactly as requested.
The young woman moved through the apartment with precision. Dusting, polishing, arranging pillows carefully, with deliberate movements. Cleo noted her discipline, approving.
Mathias lingered near the kitchen, observing, masking his curiosity, but Cleo saw the subtle glances, the way he suddenly moves up and down.
The living room gleamed. Cleo polished her nails and stylishly watched the lady. This new helper wasn't just competent…she was a challenge, a mirror reflecting what Mathias might desire but could not touch.
That's what cloe thought.
Cleo wondered if Mathias would lose himself again, or if this woman would maintain her composure.
Mary, sensing the unspoken question, said, "I'll leave you two to get acquainted. I have errands to run."
"Thank you, Mary," Cleo said, raising her glass politely.
As Mary left, the helper stepped fully into the room, her eyes scanning briefly, taking in the sleek decor and cityscape beyond.
"Where would you like me to start?" she asked softly.
"Start with the living room, please," Cleo said. "Make it spotless."
The helper nodded and moved with fluid grace, arranging everything with care. Cleo watched, noting the professionalism…the reserve she had requested.
Mathias finally spoke, calm but edged with curiosity. "Welcome. I hope you'll be comfortable here."
The helper's gaze remained steady. "Thank you, sir. I will do my best."
Cleo caught Mathias's lingering glance before he diverted attention to the kitchen. She sipped her wine slowly, letting the quiet tension thrum between them.
It was a dangerous game. Mathias had a weakness for beautiful women. But this helper was reserved, professional, calm, and focused. Exactly what Cleo demanded.
Cleo observed every glance, every subtle shift. The helper moved quietly, mindful of boundaries, professional and composed. Mathias followed discreetly, curiosity growing.
The tension was high, layered with unspoken desires, subtle power plays, and the ever-present knowledge of Mathias's weaknesses.
Just like Nat, will Izzy be a reserved cleaner or would she be the worst?