Mary arrived and froze the moment she saw Cleo's face.
Something was off.
Her glow was gone, her eyes looked heavy, and there was a tension in the air that scared Mary.
"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 gazed the stairs of their apartment. The skyline glimmered in the late afternoon sun. "I need a reserved cleaner in my house. Reserved, I repeat."
Mary raised an eyebrow, leaning against the sofa at the sitting room. "Reserved? What exactly do you mean by that?"
Cleo smirked, letting her gaze drift over the polished hardwood floors. "I mean someone Mathias won't even think about… you know. Because that husband of mine lusts after anything in skirts."
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 whore," she muttered through 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!"
Mary leaned back in her chair, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Oh my… your husband is such a horndog! I mean, really — have you tried giving him a doggy?"
Cleo's eyes widened, and she shot her friend a sharp glare. "Mary! Don't you dare 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, I—he—he… recorded himself! And it wasn't even safe!"
Mary's eyes widened in mock shock. "Recorded? Wait, you mean to tell me he actually filmed it? Oh wow… that is next-level stupid. And dangerous. 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."
"You love gossip too much, Mary,
"Please, let's change the topic. What about the helper we talked about?"close asked.
Shaking her head, Mary pulled out her phone. "Okay, okay. Let's fix this. I'll call the agency that can send 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 with a staffing agency. "Hi, madam, we urgently need a helper who can clean very well," she said, keeping her tone professional. "Would it be possible for her to come this morning?"
"Yes, of course," the woman on the other end replied.
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 the window 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, though her eyes lingered just a fraction longer, perhaps recalling Cleo's earlier remarks.
Mathias, sensing the subtle tension, frowned. He shrugged it off and headed upstairs to his study, dismissing the unease with a practiced nonchalance.
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, her posture straight and confident. She was striking—well-shaped, with an elegance that didn't feel forced. Cleo's gaze traveled briefly down her legs, noting the subtle curves beneath her tailored pants.
"Good morning," the woman said, her voice calm and measured.
Mathias, having heard the doorbell, descended the staircase. Their eyes met in the living room. There was a brief, electric pause, a spark that neither could ignore.
Cleo and Mary exchanged glances, both aware of the tension but pretending to act casual.
The apartment was quiet for a moment, only the soft hum of the city outside. Cleo leaned back in her chair, swirling her wine, letting the charged silence stretch.
Mary decided to break the tension. "This is her," she said lightly. "Highly recommended. Very professional."
The new helper gave a polite nod. "Thank you. I'll do my best."
Mathias's gaze flicked to Cleo, and she returned it with a faint smirk. The tension in the room was palpable, each of them aware of it, none willing to speak.
Cleo's mind raced. Mathias had a reputation—a weakness for beautiful women—and she could see the interest flickering in his eyes. But the new helper was reserved, professional, exactly what she had requested.
As the morning passed, the young woman moved through the apartment with precision. She dusted the shelves, polished the marble counters, and carefully rearranged the throw pillows on the sofa. Cleo noted the deliberate, measured movements, appreciating her discipline.
Mathias lingered near the kitchen, observing. He masked his curiosity with calm, but Cleo saw the subtle glances, the way his jaw tightened.
By noon, the living room gleamed, the apartment spotless. Cleo sipped her wine and considered the situation. This new helper wasn't just competent—she was a challenge, a mirror reflecting everything Mathias might desire yet could not touch.
The city beyond the windows continued its endless motion—yellow cabs weaving through traffic, the distant sound of sirens, people rushing to meetings or brunch. But inside this apartment, the tension was still, electric, and dangerous.
Cleo's thoughts drifted to the potential chaos. Would Mathias lose himself again? Or would this new woman maintain her composure, staying professional no matter the lure?
Mary, sensing the unspoken question, spoke again. "I'll leave you two to get acquainted. I have some errands to run."
"Thank you, Mary," Cleo said, raising her glass with a polite smile.
As Mary left, the helper stepped fully into the room, her eyes scanning the apartment briefly, taking in the sleek modern decor, the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the 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 her, noting the professionalism and composure—the reserve she had requested.
Mathias finally spoke, his voice 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 gaze lingering just a fraction too long before he diverted his attention to the kitchen. She sipped her wine slowly, letting the tension thrum quietly between them.
It was a dangerous game, she knew. Mathias had a weakness for beautiful women. But this helper was reserved—professional, calm, and focused. Exactly the kind of person Cleo had demanded.
---
Hours passed. Cleo observed the dynamic, noting every glance, every subtle shift. The helper moved quietly through the apartment, mindful of boundaries, professional and composed. Mathias followed discreetly, his curiosity growing despite himself.
Cleo leaned back in her chair, finishing her glass of wine, a faint smile on her lips. The day had set the tone: this apartment would no longer be predictable.
The tension was high, layered with unspoken desires, subtle power plays, and the ever-present knowledge of Mathias's weaknesses.
And as night fell over Manhattan, the city Lights flickering like tiny stars below, Cleo thought to herself, "This is going to be interesting."
The game had only just begun.