Bound to the Don

Chapter 25

SALMA

Later that day, I heard the news of Armando's arrival, and I swiftly slipped away from the garden. I couldn't risk being caught slacking off, even though I wasn't directly under Armando's supervision. The truth was, I still worked in his household, and his parting words from our last encounter continued to haunt me: "I'll be watching you closely now."

Throughout the day, I immersed myself in Louis's study, rearranging folders and dusting shelves. I needed to avoid Armando, but I also needed to distance myself from Louis.

Lately, he'd been hovering around me more than ever, his presence an almost constant shadow. His behavior had shifted so suddenly, and it left me uneasy. There was something about the way he watched me, a mixture of protectiveness and something unspoken, that made me feel trapped.

Fear lingered in the back of my mind-fear of Armando, fear of Louis, and fear of the unknown. As I worked, I couldn't shake the feeling that my world was changing in ways I couldn't control, and it terrified me.

---

Throughout the day, I kept myself busy with every chore I could find. By the time I was done and there was nothing left to do, it was already late in the evening.

I made my way down the dimly lit corridor to my room. The place felt completely different at night-eerier, almost like a haunted house. Shadows stretched across the walls, and the air seemed heavier.

I was nearly at my door when a large, strong body collided with mine, knocking me flat onto the floor.

"Ouch..." I muttered, rubbing my lower back. That was a hard fall.

Looking up, I saw someone unfamiliar towering over me. He looked younger than the men who usually stayed here. Unlike most of them, his face was free of tattoos, though Louis and Armando were the only other exceptions.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't see you there. You're so small," he said, his voice surprisingly polite. I blinked, stunned by his tone. For a moment, I was too shocked to speak or even move. He extended a hand toward me, an amused look on his face.

Snapping out of my trance, I scrambled to my feet without his help and apologized. "I'm sorry, too. If I had been paying attention, I would have seen you coming."

He smiled down at me, a single dimple forming on his left cheek. Now that I was standing, I could see him more clearly. He had the kind of face that made you pause-a mix of youth and maturity. His deep blue eyes were mesmerizing, and his blonde hair was tied back in a low ponytail.

For a moment, I wondered what someone so good-looking and decent was doing in a place like this-a place that looked like a grand palace on the outside but harbored darkness and inhumanity in its depths.

He cleared his throat, snapping me out of my thoughts. Then, he extended his hand again and introduced himself. "My name's Mattheo, but you can call me Matt."

He smiled again, his dimple more pronounced this time, and I felt my cheeks grow warm. Flustered, I wondered why someone like him was even bothering to introduce himself to a maid. It was unexpected, to say the least.

I didn't shake his hand. It didn't seem proper, and besides, I never touched men-though he didn't need to know that.

He chuckled lightly and pulled his hand back. "I see, I get it. Don't worry; I'm just a friendly soul. No ulterior motives. It's just that I've never seen you here before, and I'm a frequent visitor. I'd like to get to know you-it's not a big deal, okay?"

His casual words somehow eased my nerves a little. "I'm Salma, sir," I replied, keeping my gaze lowered.

For some reason, he seemed startled by my response, and I couldn't help but wonder if I'd said something wrong.