Aria woke at 5 AM to her alarm, her stomach tight with nerves.
Today was the day. Her first official day as Sarah Mitchell, maid at Blackwood Estate. Her first real step toward accessing the greenhouse and saving her mother.
And her first full day of being in close proximity to Damien Blackwood.
She'd dreamed about him last night fragmented images that left her unsettled. Gray eyes that saw too much. That slight smile that felt like a promise and a threat. The way her body had responded to his nearness, heat flooding through her at a simple brush of his arm.
Stop it, she commanded herself as she dressed in the plain clothing she'd packed jeans and a t-shirt that would be replaced by her uniform once she arrived. He's just a man. A very rich, very observant man, but still just a man. You're here for one purpose. Don't get distracted.
But even as she thought it, her traitorous mind replayed that moment in the hallway. The intensity of his gaze. The electricity when they'd touched.
Dangerous.
She grabbed her bag packed with the bare essentials she'd need for living on the estate and headed out into the pre-dawn darkness.
The drive to Blackwood Estate took twenty-five minutes at this hour, the roads mostly empty. Aria used the time to center herself, to slide fully into the Sarah Mitchell persona.
You're eager but not desperate. Competent but not threatening. Professional. Forgettable. Just another employee in a house full of them.
The gates opened automatically this time her keycard had been activated. She drove through, parking in the staff lot, and made her way to the staff entrance Elizabeth had shown her yesterday.
The kitchen was already bustling with activity despite the early hour. A chef and two assistants were preparing what looked like an elaborate breakfast spread. The scent of fresh coffee and baking bread filled the air.
"You must be Sarah!" A young blonde woman early twenties, friendly smile bounded over. "I'm Lucy! Mrs. Chen asked me to show you the ropes today. Come on, let's get you into your uniform first."
Lucy's energy was infectious, her chatter filling the space as she led Aria to the staff locker room. "You're going to love it here. Well, mostly. The work is hard but the pay is amazing, and the Blackwoods are actually pretty good employers. Better than some of the horror stories I've heard from friends working for other rich families."
She handed Aria a garment bag. "Your uniforms. You'll get three rotate them for laundry. Mrs. Chen is super strict about appearance, so make sure everything is always pressed and perfect."
Aria unzipped the bag and pulled out the uniform. Classic maid attire black dress with white trim, modest neckline, hem that hit just below the knee. Professional. Anonymous.
Exactly what she needed.
She changed quickly while Lucy kept up her commentary. "So the main thing you need to know is that there are like, unofficial rules on top of the official ones. Like, never go to the third floor unless Mr. Blackwood specifically asks for you that's his private space and he's really weird about it. And don't let James catch you breaking any rules. He's the head butler and he's kind of an ass about protocol."
"Noted," Aria said, smoothing down her uniform and checking her reflection in the small mirror. She looked exactly like what she was supposed to be a young woman in service. Unremarkable. Invisible.
Perfect.
"Oh, and one more thing," Lucy added, her voice dropping slightly. "Try not to stare at Mr. Blackwood. I know, I know, he's ridiculously hot. Like, unfairly hot. But he doesn't like it when staff are too... obvious about noticing. He values professionalism."
Aria's cheeks heated at the memory of yesterday how she'd stood there frozen, unable to look away from those gray eyes. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Good! Now come on, staff meeting starts in five minutes and Mrs. Chen does NOT tolerate lateness."
The staff meeting was held in a large common room about twenty people gathered around, ranging from young housekeepers like herself to older, more established employees. Mrs. Chen stood at the front, tablet in hand, radiating authority.
"Good morning, everyone. Before we begin daily assignments, I want to introduce our newest team member. Sarah Mitchell will be joining us as a housekeeper. Please make her feel welcome and help her learn our procedures."
Polite nods and a few friendly smiles. Aria felt the weight of assessment these people were sizing her up, determining if she'd make it or wash out like others probably had.
Don't stand out, she reminded herself. Blend in. Be competent but not exceptional.
"Today's assignments," Mrs. Chen continued, pulling up a schedule on her tablet. "The main house needs a thorough cleaning Mr. Blackwood has a business dinner here tomorrow evening and everything must be perfect. Sarah, you'll be working with Lucy on the first-floor public spaces. James will brief you both on specific requirements."
James turned out to be exactly as Lucy had described a man in his fifties with an air of self-importance and a critical eye that seemed to catalog every potential flaw. He walked them through the expectations with exhaustive detail: how to properly dust crown molding, the correct way to arrange throw pillows, the specific products to use on different surfaces.
"Mr. Blackwood expects perfection," he said, his tone suggesting he doubted their ability to deliver it. "These rooms represent the family's legacy. Every detail matters. Any questions?"
"No, sir," Aria and Lucy said in unison.
"Good. Begin with the library. That will take you most of the morning."
The library was exactly as magnificent as Aria remembered from her brief glimpse yesterday two stories of books, spiral staircase, floor-to-ceiling windows. But now she was seeing it from a different perspective: as someone responsible for maintaining it.
"Okay, so library is actually kind of fun," Lucy said, pulling out cleaning supplies from a hidden closet. "It's huge but Mr. Blackwood barely uses it during the day, so we won't be disturbed. Just don't touch any of the rare books on the upper level those are like, first editions worth crazy money."
They set to work, falling into an easy rhythm. Lucy chattered constantly about estate gossip who was dating whom among the staff, which of the groundskeepers was the best looking, rumors about why the previous housekeeper had retired so suddenly.
Aria listened with half her attention while the other half catalogued everything about the room. The layout. The security cameras in the corners. The fact that the windows overlooked the eastern gardens which were in the direction of the greenhouse complex.
"So have you met Mr. Blackwood yet?" Lucy asked, pulling Aria from her observations.
"Briefly. Yesterday during my tour."
"And? What did you think?"
Dangerous. Magnetic. Like standing too close to a fire.
"He seems very... professional," Aria said carefully.
Lucy laughed. "Professional. That's one word for it. The man is intense. Like, scary intense sometimes. But fair, I guess. He doesn't really interact with staff much mostly just gives orders through Mrs. Chen or James." She paused, glancing at Aria with curiosity. "Though I heard he specifically requested you start in the main house. That's unusual."
Aria's pulse quickened. "Is it?"
"Yeah. Usually new people start in the staff quarters or the guest houses easier areas. Main house is for more experienced staff because that's where Mr. Blackwood actually sees you. The fact that he wants you here on day one..." Lucy shrugged. "I don't know what it means. Maybe he's just being extra careful during your trial period."
Or maybe he's keeping me close for other reasons.
The thought sent a chill down Aria's spine. But that was paranoid. He couldn't possibly suspect anything. Her background was airtight. She'd been so careful.
They worked through the morning, moving from the library to the formal living room to the dining room. Each space was more impressive than the last art that probably cost more than most people made in a lifetime, furniture that looked like it belonged in museums, details that spoke of wealth accumulated over generations.
At 11 AM, Mrs. Chen appeared with updated assignments. "Sarah, Mr. Blackwood has requested that you bring his lunch to his study at noon. Lucy will show you how to prepare the tray properly."
Aria's stomach dropped. "His study?"
"Yes. Top floor. His assistant is out today, so we're covering his meals." Mrs. Chen's expression was neutral, but there was something assessing in her gaze. "Is that a problem?"
"No, of course not."
"Good. Lucy will walk you through the specifics."
After Mrs. Chen left, Lucy leaned in conspiratorially. "See? Told you it was weird. Day one and you're already serving him directly. That literally never happens."
"What do I need to know?"
"Okay, so Mr. Blackwood is super specific about his food. Black coffee, one sugar and it has to be raw sugar, not regular. Whatever the chef prepares for lunch, present it on the good china, never plastic or paper. Cloth napkin, pressed. Everything arranged just so." She demonstrated the proper tray layout. "And knock before entering his study. He hates being interrupted without warning."
Aria absorbed every detail, her mind already racing ahead to what this meant. She'd be in his private study. On the third floor. The restricted floor.
This was an opportunity. A chance to see the layout, to understand security measures, to get closer to her goal.
Or it's a test, that paranoid voice whispered. A way to see if you'll snoop. If you'll abuse the access.
At 11:55, Aria stood outside the kitchen with a perfectly arranged lunch tray. Grilled salmon, roasted vegetables, a side salad with dressing in a small crystal container. Black coffee with raw sugar on the side. Fresh fruit. Everything positioned exactly as Lucy had demonstrated.
"You've got this," Lucy said encouragingly. "Just be professional, don't make eye contact for too long, and get in and out quickly. Easy."
Easy, Aria thought as she carried the tray toward the stairs. Right.
The third floor was quieter than the rest of the house. Carpeted hallways that muffled sound. Fewer windows. An air of privacy that felt almost oppressive. She could see why staff avoided coming up here it felt like trespassing even with permission.
Damien's study was the third door on the left, just as Lucy had described. Aria paused outside, balancing the tray carefully, and knocked.
"Come in."
His voice sent a shiver down her spine. Deep, commanding, with an edge that made it clear he expected obedience.
Aria pushed open the door with her hip and stepped inside.
The study was exactly what she'd expected masculine, elegant, powerful. Dark wood paneling, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a massive desk that dominated the room. Windows overlooking the grounds, flooding the space with afternoon light.
And Damien Blackwood behind that desk, phone to his ear, looking every inch the billionaire CEO in a crisp white shirt with sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms that had no business being that distracting.
He held up one finger....wait and continued his conversation.
"I don't care what the board wants, Marcus. The merger doesn't make financial sense. Run the numbers again... Yes, I'll review them this afternoon... Fine. Goodbye."
He ended the call and looked at her, and Aria felt that same electric shock as yesterday. Those gray eyes focused on her with an intensity that made her feel simultaneously seen and dissected.
"Ms. Mitchell." His voice had shifted from businesslike to something else. Something that made her skin prickle with awareness. "Right on time. I appreciate punctuality."
"Of course, sir." She moved forward to set the tray on his desk where he indicated, hyper-aware of his eyes tracking her every movement.