Chapter 3: Her Arrival

Nadia woke up feeling energetic and ready.

The weight crushing her chest for months seemed lighter. The contract had been vague.

No job description, no specifics, no outline of expectations.

But the money. God, the money. It was enough to clear Marcus's debt entirely.

She pulled herself out of bed before her doubts could multiply.

By the time she was dressed and had her luggage ready, the decision was already made.

She was definitely going to take the job. She packed up her bags and was ready to go.

"Archerron Manor, please," she told the cab driver.

"Okay, ma'am. The price is $20."

She nodded and climbed into the back seat.

Twenty dollars was nothing compared to what she'd be earning, very soon if she's able to impress her employer.

She settled back and closed her eyes.

The exhaustion hit instantly. She hadn't slept properly in weeks.

She drifted off thinking, after this, no more debt. After this, money that's mine.

"We're here, ma'am. Wake up."

The cab driver's voice pulled her from sleep. Nadia's eyes opened slowly.

"Ma'am." He tapped her shoulder more insistently.

Nadia stirred and stretched.

"Alright, I'm awake."

"I'll get your luggage from the boot." As soon as everything was out, he sped off.

Nadia watched him go, half-amused.

"One star! That's what I'd rate you."

She dragged her luggage toward the gate and knocked.

The security guard opened the large gates without questioning. No ID check. No confirmation call.

That wasn't what she expected,but she kept going. Perhaps they were already aware of her presence.

She kept walking, her eyes fixed on the manor looming before her.

It was massive, all stone and marbles lawns and windows like watching eyes.

She reached the entrance and stepped inside.

The living room was polished to an aggressive shine. Every surface shone. The cushions shone with polished leather.

The chandelier could fit a whole congregation. The stairway was spiral.

"Miss, don't tell me you want to stand there all day looking lost," a rude voice cut her off her thoughts.

Nadia's eyes went to a petite woman. Mrs. Stella, who looked like someone carved out by every struggle she'd lived through.

"Who are you?" Nadia asked.

"Would you stop asking dumb questions and follow me to your room." She turned and led the way.

Nadia felt irritation spike through her. She was tired of being treated like an inconvenience.

"Touché," she said, keeping her voice light. "But I'm not the cause of your obvious predicament."

Mrs. Stella halted. Her back stiffened.

When she turned back, there was something dangerous in her smile.

Nadia realized, in that moment, that no one had probably spoken to her that way in this house, she looked really ugly when angry and she doubted if anyone would annoy her if she looked that bad.

"Lovely," Mrs. Stella said quietly. And then she kept moving.

Nadia followed, deliberately taking her time, until Mrs. Stella showed her to her room.

"Thank you, ma'am. Have a lovely day not disturbing me until my employer gets back." Nadia said. She didn't even wait for her to respond to her sarcastic pleasantries, she slammed the door hard.

Through the wooden panel, she heard the faint sound of Mrs. Stella's footsteps retreating.

Nadia sat on the edge of the bed. The room was nice, nicer than anything she'd ever had. Soft fabric, good lighting, a window overlooking the gardens. The environment was soothing, she could do this.

9:00PM ACHERON MANOR.

Roman strolled into the living room feeling very exhausted.

He pulled off his tie like it was strangling him. Someone was supposed to arrive at 8 AM, and he wasn't sure if she arrived already.

"Stella!" he called out.

She appeared within seconds.

"Someone was supposed to come at 8," he said. "Did she arrive?"

"Yes, sir. She's here."

"What time?"

"10 AM, sir."

Two hours late. He was wondering what kind of person accepted an offer like this and then showed up whenever they felt like it.

"Bring her to me immediately," he said and made his way to his study.

Soon Nadia stood in front of Roman in his study. She didn't wait for an invitation.

She made herself comfortable and sat down quietly, her posture deliberate and relaxed.

Roman studied her. She was younger than he'd expected. Maybe mid twenties.

There was a quality to her, a kind of defiance that doesn't need any performance, it simply shows.

"You seem very comfortable for someone who doesn't even know her work here," he said.

"I really want to know what that is," she replied, her voice steady, and without looking up at him she said

"But if you don't want to tell me, I can go upstairs and wait until you're ready."

"First, why did you arrive late? The time was 8 AM. You arrived at 10."

"If you wanted me to arrive on time, you should have sent a ride. You didn't. Instead, you let me wander New York aimlessly."

Nadia kept her face down. She hasn't bothered to look at him all these while.

Roman stared at her wordlessly. This was exactly the kind of person he needed.

Someone who didn't play games, someone who was tough.

The silence stretched between them.

Nadia felt it, that unusual, heavy quiet. She looked up, and the moment their eyes met, something inside her stopped.

There was something about him. Those eyes, she knew those eyes.

They were the same eyes that visited her in the dark hours of the night. The same eyes that had haunted her dreams for months.

Her breath caught.

Could they be the same person?

She stared, her eyes lost in his, her heartbeat spiking dramatically.