She rushed downstairs. She paused, stunned, at the sight of a handsome boy. He looked like a teenager probably around seventeen and his beauty was undeniably captivating. The kind that could leave any teenage girl completely spellbound.
He was lounging on one of the gray armchairs...
Smoking?
She blinked. Was it just her, or did all the handsome boys the young master knew have a thing for cigarettes? She composed herself quickly, smoothing the front of her outfit and walking up to him with cautious steps.
"Hello," she said, offering a small, polite smile.
"Who are you?" he asked, his tone sharp and rude.
"Am Daniella," she replied softly.
"Hmm, so what is your job here?"
"Oh… my job. Am the new personal maid of the young master."
"So you're a maid? And you think you have the right to approach me? Don't you have mannars?"
She was taken aback, mouth slightly open.
The both of them who suppose to be saying that?
He glared at her, his intense gray eyes flickering with anger. That's when it hit her—he might be the young master's brother.
"Am sorry," she said immediately. "I just wanted to say… it's not good for a child your age to smoke like this."
"Get out!" he hissed.
She froze, surprised.
"I said get out."
She was about to turn when she saw Isabella entering through the front door.
"Oh… Daniella," Isabella greeted with a warm smile.
"Hi," Daniella replied, pasting on a fake smile.
"Wow, Ace, is that you?" Isabella blinked, surprised. She clearly hadn't expected to see Ace here.
"Long time no see, Bella," he said, his lips curving in amusement.
"Ace?" someone called from the staircase.
The trio looked up. Maximus.
As he descended the steps with his usual smooth confidence, his lips curved. "Hello, Isabella Lysander."
"Isabella Dawson," she corrected immediately, which only made Max's grin widen.
"Bella baby, don't deny your own name."
"The name denied me first," she snapped.
"Ok… so what brings you here?" he asked, tilting his head.
"I came to check up on Daniella," she replied, darting a quick glance at Ella.
"Hmm. But she's not a kid."
"Hmm. But she's under my care," she shot back defiantly.
"A grown ass person? So you both are babysitting her now?"
Max gave Ace a sharp, piercing glare.
"Language, Ace."
Ace immediately looked down, chastened.
"So, how are you doing, Daniella?" Isabella asked gently.
"You can just call me Ella," she replied with a bright smile.
"Ok—"
Before Bella could finish, Max interrupted her.
"Not a chance."
"What? Max, what is your problem with what I call Ella?"
"I said don't call her that."
Bella rolled her eyes and turned back to Ella.
"And you should call me Bella, ok?"
Ella nodded immediately.
Max glared at her, and the warmth of her smile vanished. Her heart sank.
"I'll leave now," she said quietly, head lowered.
"Wait, Ella, no rush. Actually, I came to pick you up—you'll be spending three days in my mansion," Bella informed her. Ella's face lit up.
"Says who?" Max cut in, and her excitement dimmed again.
"It's just two days, Max. Just two days. If you don't agree, I'll take her back and bring someone else," Bella said firmly. She wasn't in the mood to argue.
Max's face darkened, but before he could speak—
"Yes, just take the garbage away, she disgusts me," Ace sneered.
For a moment, a faint glimmer of hope appeared in Ella's eyes.
"Not a chance," Max said, walking over to one of the gray armchairs and sitting down. He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a long drag.
"She can go… but not today. Tomorrow," he said, exhaling smoke.
Ella nodded happily. He didn't realize it, but for some strange reason, he enjoyed seeing her like that.
'When did this nonsense start? Am I losing my mind?' he scolded himself silently.
"I'll go pack up now!" she giggled excitedly.
"Pack what?" Max's voice held a hint of panic. Realizing it, he darkened his expression.
Was he… scared of her leaving?
"You don't need to pack anything, dear. Remember, your suitcase is in my mansion. And I'm looking forward to taking you back permanently," Bella said sweetly.
Max shot her a fierce glare.
"Ok, thanks. I really want to go," Ella said happily.
'We shall see about that, kid,' Max thought grimly.
"Ok, that's all. I'll be on my way," Bella said, hugging Ella. As she walked away and reached halfway to the door, she paused and turned.
"Ace, will you be staying here from now on?"
"Yeah. Why?"
She didn't respond and simply walked away.
Ella stared in the direction Bella had left.
"Remember where you suppose to be."
Max's voice snapped her out of her daze. She quickly nodded and left.
"So, what's up, bro?"
"Nothing is up, Ace. Why did you come back?"
"Because I wanted to," Ace replied coolly.
"Seems like you want to go back. Get lost," Max snapped.
Ace stood up and walked off to his room.
Max went to his own room and saw Ella sitting on the single chair.
"You really are disobedient, kid," he said flatly.
"What?"
This guy is actually calling her a kid?
"Just today, and one rule is already broken. Seems like you're fond of breaking the law"
"Huh?" She blinked, confused. She didn't remember breaking any rule.
"Should I remind you? Rule number two said you must not be seen with any man. And yet… what the hell were you doing with Ace?"
He walked toward her, leaned in close, and whispered against her ear, "Falling for him already?"
She was utterly speechless, completely thrown off.
"I… I… I didn't know," she stammered.
"Does it matter?"
He looked directly into her eyes, and it made her toes curl.
"What matters is that you're going to get punished. Here," he added, his hazel eyes gleaming with amusement.
She swallowed hard.
"W-what is my punishment?"
He smirked triumphantly.
"Good question."
He stood, pulled away from her, and casually took off his shirt.
She couldn't believe her eyes. Not only was his face ridiculously handsome. his body was just as unfairly perfect.
What was worse was how she couldn't look away. Her mouth dropped open.
He threw himself on the bed lazily.
"You need to massage my abs."
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