"huh.." she couldn't believe it. This was simply unbelievable. Had she been thinking about him so much that now she was hallucinating Max himself inviting her to his bed?
No no no!
How could she even think of him like that? She was no match for him. Plus... he smokes.
Daniella hates smokers with passion.
No matter how handsome a man is, as long as he smokes, she instantly removes him from her list of interest. So why... why was she having these dirty thoughts about him?
"Seems like you don't understand basic English," came his sharp, cold voice.
"I-I can't massage," she replied, her voice soft, almost trembling. She had never been in the same room with a man without his shirt on, let alone massaging his abs.
She swallowed hard, rising from the chair with shaky knees. Her pupils trembled slightly. Her heart was pounding, her stomach twisting, her body stiff and tense like a board.
"I'm waiting!" he said, his tone nonchalant as if none of this affected him.
id this not affect him at all?
Her legs felt heavy as she started lifting them one by one. Even her feet were sweaty.
She moved slowly, like a snail approaching danger. And when her toes touched the edge of the bed, the air seemed to stop moving. She held her breath.
"The massaging oil is over there," he instructed.
Her gaze shifted to the nearby table, and she walked to fetch the small bottle. Her fingers brushed the smooth surface as she picked it up and turned back, walking gently toward him.
"W-where should I start?" she asked, her voice unsure, eyes not knowing where to land.
"Isn't it obvious? Just pour the oil on my abs and start doing the job," he said curtly.
The air conditioner was humming, but the room felt hotter than a furnace. She slowly opened the tiny bottle and poured a thin line of oil across his abs. Carefully, she returned it to the table, stalling for time.
When she returned to him, she noticed his eyes were closed. His delicate, almost divine features made her skin tingle.
"Beautiful" was an understatement. Suddenly...
"Take off your gloves," the words rolled off his lips effortlessly. Ella couldn't stop staring.
'I wish I could marry a man this beautiful,' she thought silently.
She slowly removed her white maid gloves and placed them gently on the bed. Her hands were sweaty and trembling as she lifted her leg and placed one knee on the mattress.
She stretched out her hand, and it landed softly on his smooth, flawless skin.
His body tensed up immediately at her touch.
She started massaging him—slow, deliberate strokes, caressing the outlines of his abs. Her soft fingers traced every ridge and dip, exploring the firm muscles under his skin.
His broad chest and chiseled abdomen made it hard for her to breathe. Her hands, light and careful, moved across his torso like whispers.
It was intimidating and almost surreal.
She leaned in closer, her breath hitching as she carefully followed the curve of every muscle, moving slowly up to his chest. When she reached the spot right above his heart—
"Stop," he said suddenly. But it was too late. Her hand had already landed there.
'What??' she screamed inwardly.
His heart was racing like he'd just run a marathon. She was stunned.
"I told you to massage my abs, not caress them," he snapped and immediately sat up.
"But you should've told me earlier," she said innocently.
"Remind you, huh?" He looked at her with bloodshot eyes, and the glare sent shivers down her spine.
"I'm... sorry," she murmured, her head lowered. He was really angry.
Had she... had she felt how fast his heart was beating?
The thought alone made his blood boil.
"You can leave now. You know how to do nothing! What kind of maid are you? From now on, you'll cook for me, clean my room, and do my laundry. Are we clear?"
She slowly nodded, a long tear rolling down her cheek.
Why was she crying?
"Get lost," he barked. She ran to the door without daring to look back.
********
A red, luxurious car rolled through the gates of a white mansion, moving as if it were gliding on air. Its presence screamed elegance. It pulled to a stop at the grand entrance. A servant rushed out and opened the back door.
"Welcome, young master," the man greeted with a bow.
A young man in his twenties stepped out, clad in a black leather jacket, white T-shirt, fitted black trousers, and sleek boots. His outfit was dripping in wealth and style.
"Home," he mumbled, almost breathless. "I really missed it," he confessed to himself.
A young girl around his age ran out and threw herself into his arms.
"I missed you!" she cried, clinging tightly. He embraced her just as warmly.
"Hmm, me too. Where is your sister?" he asked, pulling away slightly to look into her teary eyes.
"It's Mom, bro!" she said, her voice trembling.
"What?" he frowned. "Did Mom lock her up again?" he asked, gently wiping her tears with his thumb.
She shook her head. "No... she kicked her out."
"What?" he was utterly shocked.
Daniella, Emmanuella, and Nathaniel are triplets. They'd grown up together, never apart.
"Bro, you have to do something!" Ella pleaded. She had missed her siblings terribly and just wanted their trio back.
"Ella, what can I possibly do? I have no power. Everything here is under Mom's control," he said, hugging her again.
"How long has she been gone?"
"A week," Ella whispered.
"Don't worry, Ella. We'll find a way to bring Dani back, okay?" he promised. She nodded, and they both walked inside the mansion.
*********
Maximus sat alone in the living room, near the fireplace. He didn't move. He just stared into the dancing flames. His mind replayed everything,every second spent near Daniella. He couldn't explain the way he felt when she was around. It was maddening.
Hours passed. He remained frozen.
"Sir, your personal maid wants to see you," a voice announced, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Let her come," he replied flatly.
Ella entered the room hesitantly. She approached him slowly, but he didn't look at her. His face was blank, void of any emotion.
The silence between them was loud.
"I'm sorry," she finally spoke.
He wanted to say, "Why are you apologizing? I'm the one who was wrong," but pride tied his tongue.
"You should be," he said coldly instead.
"I was thinking of making it up to you," she said boldly.
Finally, he looked at her. His hazel eyes were cold, unreadable.
"How?" he asked.
"I'll do anything you say. Is that okay with you?" she offered, forcing a small, awkward smile.
"Good," he said, turning his attention back to the fire.
"But... there's a condition," she added quickly. He turned back to her sharply.
"You and I, who is the boss?" he asked, almost threateningly.
"It's you," she said with a soft smile.
"And what is your condition?"
"Let's be friends," she said, almost in a whisper.
He was speechless. Silence reigned between them.
"I don't want to cause more trouble, so please..." she added.
"What do you take me for?" he asked. He couldn't believe she had said that. And yet, for some unknown reason, he couldn't bring himself to say no.
The light in her eyes dimmed.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have thought of such a thing," she said, head bowed. "I wanted to apologize, but I ended up offending you even more." She turned to leave.
"Dani girl," the words stopped her in her tracks.
"Da-Dani girl?" she blinked, utterly surprised.
"Hmm. That's what I'll be calling you from now on," he said.
She stared at him, wide-eyed.
"What? Got a problem? Isabella can call you Ella, so why can't I? Besides, we're friends now, aren't we?"
She was speechless. He had just... given her a nickname? And... did he just say they were friends?
"Are we truly friends now?" she asked, her voice bubbling with joy.
"Yes, Dani girl," he said with a half-smile.
The next moment, she leapt into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you, thank you!" she said joyfully.
And in that moment, the air seemed to stop.
Maximus couldn't breathe.