CELINE

2

I could sense the nostalgia in his voice, and it made me want to know more. "What was it like growing up here?" I asked, eager to draw him out of his shell.

He hesitated, his eyes fixed on the road. "It was... complicated. There were expectations to meet, responsibilities to shoulder." He paused, then added, "But it had its moments."

There was a weight in his words, a hint of vulnerability that intrigued me. "Like what?"
I pressed gently, curious to peel back the layers of his guarded exterior.

He took a deep breath as if gathering his thoughts. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, his phone buzzed on the dashboard, interrupting the moment. He frowned, glancing at the screen. "Excuse me for a moment," he said, reaching for it.

My heart raced, the connection we had just started to build suddenly feeling fragile.

I wondered what news awaited him on the other end of the line. He opened his door and nodded for me to follow him. I obeyed, but by the time I closed the car door, he had already entered the house.

I quickly grabbed my bags and hurried to catch up with him. As I stepped inside, the echo of my footsteps resonated in the grand space. "Hello, Ms.. May I help you with your bag?" a lady asked politely. "Yes, sure. Thank you so much,"
I replied. She gestured to me to follow her.

As we walked up the stairs, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the chandeliers elegantly hanging from the ceiling.

Paintings adorned the walls of the staircase, and the house was modern yet infused with Victorian elegance. At the top of the stairs, a corridor appeared. As the maid continued walking, I couldn't stop myself from asking,

"Is Chloe here?" She looked at me and replied, "No, not yet, Ms." I quietly murmured, "Oh do you know what time will be back? My phone has died, so i can't reach her." "I'm not quite sure, miss.

But i can bring you a phone charge" she clarified. I shook my head and shyly thanked her.
I still couldn't believe that the Anderson family owned this mansion, as the home they lived in previously was spacious but not like this; it seemed impossible.
"This will be your room for the night, Ms.," she said as she stopped in front of a door and opened it, revealing a spacious bedroom. "Please call me Celine".

She smiled kindly. "Should i leave your bag here, Ms. ..."

I raised my brows, and she quickly corrected herself, addressing me by name. "Thank you, Mrs... I'm so rude! I didn't ask for your name."

"Rosa. I'm the maid, and if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask, Celine" she said as she walked toward the door. "Goodnight," I replied as the door closed behind her.