I dipped my tongue into the ice-cold water, wincing slightly at the lingering sting. Tracy stood beside me, gently patting my back, her grin refusing to leave her face.
"So… bestie?" she asked, her tone dripping with curiosity. "What's the tea? And who is Li Wei? I saw the notification on your phone earlier."
Her eyes sparkled, practically begging for gossip.
I rolled my eyes, still trying to soothe the burning sensation on my tongue.
"I'll tell you when the time is right, Tracy," I said, straightening up. "Just… not now."
Across the room, Greyson stood at the counter, settling the bill.
Luckily, he hadn't heard Tracy's loud interrogation.
Or at least… I hoped he hadn't.
"I'm ready to go," I added, turning toward the exit.
Tracy pouted but followed anyway.
---
As I stepped outside, the cool night air brushed against my skin, calming me slightly after the heat of the restaurant.
"Miss Vicenza."
I froze.
Greyson's voice came from behind me.
Before I could react, his hand gently found my waist, steadying me.
The contact sent a sharp, unexpected jolt through my body.
I pulled away almost immediately.
"Greyson…!" I said, my voice sharper than intended. "I only burned my tongue, not my entire body."
He stepped back instantly, regaining his usual composed posture.
"My apologies, Miss Vicenza," he said calmly, lowering his gaze slightly. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Your parents instructed me to keep an eye on you while they're away."
Something about those words hit differently.
He wasn't doing it because he wanted to.
It was just duty.
I let out a small, bitter scoff.
"So that's all this is? My parents' orders?" I said quietly.
Of course.
What else did I expect?
"You're dismissed," I added, my tone colder now. "Besides, you clocked off a while ago."
A brief silence followed.
Then I turned away.
"Let's go, Tracy."
I didn't wait for a response.
---
The walk back to the mansion was unusually quiet.
Tracy, for once, said nothing.
She must have sensed the tension between us.
---
The moment we stepped inside, she finally spoke.
"Vicenza… do you like the butler?"
I froze mid-step.
"What? No. No, I don't," I said quickly. Too quickly. "Why would I?"
Tracy narrowed her eyes.
"Then why did you react like that earlier?" she asked. "I'm your friend, Vicenza… but that wasn't cool."
Something in her tone made my chest tighten.
"What's your problem, Tracy?" I snapped, turning to face her. "Why do you even care? Don't tell me you pity him."
Her expression changed.
For the first time since I had known her…
There was something heavier in her eyes.
"Not everyone is born with a silver spoon, Vicenza," she said quietly. "Some of us actually have to work for everything."
The words landed harder than I expected.
The room suddenly felt colder.
Smaller.
"Where's the guest room?" she asked after a pause.
I pointed silently down the hallway.
Without another word, she walked away.
---
I let out a slow breath, running a hand through my hair.
"Great… just great," I muttered to myself.
My best friend was upset.
And I had just pushed Greyson away for no reason I could fully explain.
I pulled my phone from my pocket.
The screen lit up softly.
Li Wei: good night, dear.
I stared at it for a moment.
Then typed slowly.
Me: good night.
There was a five-hour time difference between us.
I sighed and walked upstairs, each step feeling heavier than the last.
Inside my room, I leaned against the door before closing it gently.
"I'll apologize tomorrow," I whispered.
"To both of them."
But even as I said it…
My mind replayed Greyson's touch.
The way his hand had steadied my waist.
The way his voice had softened without him realizing it.
---
The next morning
I woke up to the soft vibration of my phone.
My head still felt slightly heavy from sleep.
The screen lit up instantly.
Li Wei: good morning dear, how did you sleep?
I blinked at the message.
Then quickly typed back.
Me: I slept fine… what about you?
I sent it and placed the phone back on the bed, heading straight into the shower.
The warm water helped clear my thoughts, even if only slightly.
After a quick shower, I changed into my pajamas and headed downstairs.
Tracy was still asleep.
Perfect.
I decided to make breakfast.
A small apology.
Minutes later, the kitchen filled with the comforting smell of sizzling eggs, toasted bread, and freshly brewed juice.
An English breakfast.
Simple, but warm.
Just like an apology should be.
---
"Right on time," I said softly as I saw Tracy walk in.
I placed the plate in front of her.
"I'm sorry about last night," I said, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly.
Tracy blinked at me for a moment.
Then smiled.
"It's okay, Vicenza," she said, already picking up a piece of pancake. "I can't stay mad at my best friend. Especially when she cooks for me."
Her playful tone returned slowly.
"I forgive you."
Relief washed over me.
---
After breakfast, I prepared another tray.
A plate of food.
A glass of juice.
And one apology I wasn't even sure I needed to say.
I took a deep breath and walked toward the servants' quarters using the back door.
My heart was beating slightly faster than normal.
What was I doing?
I had never brought food to anyone before.
Especially not him.
I stopped in front of Greyson's door.
Raised my hand.
Knocked.
Silence.
Then—
Footsteps.
The door clicked open.
And my breath caught.
Greyson stood there.
Half-dressed.
His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing a defined chest and the sharp lines of his abdomen. His damp hair clung slightly to his forehead, as if he had just stepped out of a shower.
A faint trail of water still traced down his collarbone.
And then I saw it.
The tattoo.
A small butterfly inked on his upper arm.
Unexpected.
Soft.
Completely out of place on someone like him.
My mind went blank for a second.
"…Miss Vicenza?"
His voice pulled me back.
I blinked quickly.
"I—uh—" I cleared my throat. "I made you breakfast… to apologize for last night."
I lifted the tray slightly.
"And thank you… for everything. My tongue is fine now."
I even stuck it out slightly to prove it.
His eyes lingered on me.
Just a little too long.
Then he stepped closer.
Before I could react, his hand gently tilted my chin upward.
My breath stopped.
He leaned in slightly, his gaze focused entirely on my lips.
"…It looks better," he said quietly. "If it hurts again, apply ointment."
Then he let go.
Took the tray.
Calm.
Controlled.
As always.
"Thank you for the breakfast," he added.
A pause.
Then, softer:
"And there was no need to apologize, Miss Vicenza. You are my employer's daughter. I can endure whatever temper you throw at me."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Then he closed the door.
Click.
I stood frozen in the hallway.
Still feeling the ghost of his fingers on my chin.
Still unable to breathe properly.
---
My phone buzzed.
I jumped slightly.
I pulled it out.
Li Wei: I've been meaning to tell you… I saw you're a travel and tourism student. I think I could use you to my advantage. Tell me more about Kenya… I might consider coming.
I stared at the message.
My heart slowed.
Then tightened.
Use me to his advantage?
Something about it didn't feel playful anymore.
It felt… intentional.
I looked back at Greyson's closed door.
Then at my phone again.
Two worlds.
Two men.
And somehow…
I was standing right in between them.