oorstep. "Goodnight, Mr. Lucas," I sa

y? Goodnight? I'd like to meet your

I agreed. "Very well, please come in,

ncle. I didn't expect you back from your trip so so

ey," as if they were old friends. I couldn't help b

who promptly joined us. "Olivia, you've brought another handsome man home this time

me. This is my daughter, Isabella," she said, eager to introduce her d

sment and amusement. It was evident that Isabella's mother was intent on i

you both," Lucas replie

rming gentleman?" my uncle inquired,

end to any misconceptions about the nature of our rela

nding. "Well, it's very kind of you to look out

k. I stood by, watching the scene unfold with a strange sense of detachment. It felt strange to see my wealt

Thank you all for your warm hospitality," he said, addressing the room

onal life, I couldn't help but wonder what motives lay beneath his friendly behavior. With a polite nod, I closed the door, leaning against it with a

that tall, handsome, and wealthy gentleman, and now it's your affluent boss. H

this is my boss we're talking about, and the other man is

y previous guest, looked at me with curiosity. "

iately, "Yes dad, she's

ed, "It's not serious, sir. They're ju

ot interested in either of them, I'm sure my daughter would be more t

agreed, "Yes, I'm

l my eyes at their eage

landed on my face. "You dare not look at me that wa

n, quickly stood up and questioned he

is intervention, responded, "Are

g the tension escalating, pleaded with me, "Olivia, just go to your room and a

you have one month to repay the money we've spent on you since you m

air as I tried to process t

wife. "Please, don't do this," he begged, his concern

just transpired. It was clear that Isabella's mother was determined to exert control over our lives, and her

ation and curiosity, I wondered who could be calling me at this hour. I retrieved my

answered the call. "Sir, did you forget anything at my pla

ss Olivia, weren't you trained to check if someone arrived home safely after lea

d..." I began to apolog

omorrow," he said abruptly, ending the

ith my boss. His tone had been arrogant, and his reason for calling me remained uncl

**

threw a vase to the floor, shattering it into pieces. The loud crash

upset? Please, talk to me," she as

ismissed her worries. "It's nothing, Mum. You shoul

his mother reluctantly left the room,

me, his emotions were in chaos. "I'll have to be strict with her to put an end to this dilemma called love," he resolved, determin

certain of what to expect after our unusual phone conversation the nigh

ed, his voice firm

r. Lucas sat at his desk, his expression stony and unreadable.

ng my nerves as I aw

sterday. I've realized that our professional relationship needs more struct

ed as to how this related t

nal relationship. Our interactions will be limited to work-related

mixture of relief

rking on?" I asked, eager to know its stat

get about it, Miss Olivia. I've assigned someone el

a significant part of my responsibilities, and his decision to remove me from it felt like a displacement. As I struggled to