Chapter 7 Chapter Seven.

♠︎Catalina pov♠︎

Svetlana leads me through a back entrance to the villa, and the kitchen suddenly comes into view and right in the center is a young man moving with the ease.

He’s dressed in a chef’s uniform, adding ingredients to a pan with a confident grace. One of the other maids, Ivy, I think, is already there, busy with the food trolley.

"Breakfast should be ready by now, Nathaniel!" Svetlana calls out strictly.

To my surprise, the young man just laughs. He doesn't even turn around, he just keeps his eyes on the stove.

"Five, four, three..." he starts counting down. I frown, watching him. "Two and one." He clicks off the gas with a flourish. "Done."

He grins and finally turns to face us, but the smile slowly dies when his eyes land on me.

He just stands there, staring. At this point, I’m not even surprised. I’ve grown used to the way men here stare...maybe it's curiosity? I still don't get it.

"Staring is rude, Nathan." Svetlana snaps.

He gulps, looking suddenly nervous, and quickly averts his gaze. Svetlana turns her sharp attention back to me.

"Help Ivy set the dining table. We must set it before Master gets to the room." she instructs.

I look over at Ivy, who is already arranging delicate dishes on a food trolley. I walk over to assist her. She starts to push the cart, but I gently put my hand on the handle.

"Let me do it." I say with a small smile. She nods, letting me take the lead as we head toward the dining room.

The dining area is even more grand than the rest of the house.

Ivy moves fast, placing the sets and dishes with a delicate touch. When she finishes, she pulls me close, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Now we must stand here until Master walks in and finishes eating. Then we clean up." she says. I give her an appreciative smile, and she flashes one back. "Also, we have to wait because Nathan needs to bring dessert."

I nod, but then I see Svetlana approaching, and the air in the room suddenly feels like it’s turned to ice and my skin begins to crawl.

I look toward the grand staircase and see Silas walking down. He’s in a three-piece suit that makes him look impossibly tall and terrifyingly intimidating.

Looking up is a mistake.

Our eyes lock instantly, and the intensity is so strong I feel a jolt. I look away so fast my neck almost cracks, my heart beating against my ribs.

"Good morning, Master..." Svetlana’s voice is smooth and subservient as she dips her head in respect.

I keep my eyes glued to the floor, determined not to lock eyes with him again. Beside me, Ivy's gaze lowered just as far.

We stand there in a heavy, stifling silence that only breaks when I hear the soft slide of a chair. The clink of silver against porcelain tells me he’s started eating.

I hate the way my skin crawls. The goosebumps on my arms won't settle, no matter how hard I try to stay calm.

I risk a glance upward for just a split second. Silas is focused on his plate, his movements precise and elegant. I frown, a thought flickering through my mind.

Will it really be this easy to find his weakness?

He doesn't look like he has a single crack in his armor.

I tilt my head just enough to see Nathaniel approaching, a tray with a delicate dessert balanced in his hands.

He’s almost reached the table when I decide to make my move, I blame the farm-girl instint in me. Always reaching out to help.

"I'll take it.." I whisper, stepping toward him.

Nathaniel freezes, his eyes wide as they land on me. He looks like he’s forgotten how to breathe for a second before he gulps and gives a quick nod.

I flash him a small smile and turn to take the tray, but my clumsy feet have other plans. I trip over my own feet, my balance vanishing in an instant.

I brace for the crash, but it never comes. Nathaniel is fast, faster than he looks. His hand snaps out, catching my waist and steadying me before I can hit the floor.

The dessert stays perfectly level.

"Thank you..." I breathe out, looking up at him. He’s quite tall, I realize, and up close, his nervousness is almost vibrating. He just nods, his face flushing.

My head turns toward the dining table, and my heart drops. Svetlana is boring a hole through us with a look of pure disapproval. But she isn't the one who scares me.

Silas is staring, but it isn't directed at my face. I trail the line of his vision and realize he’s staring, dead-eyed, at Nathaniel’s hand, which is still resting firmly on my waist.

When his eyes finally snap up to meet mine, they aren't just amber anymore, they’ve hardened into something dark. It’s a look that makes my blood run cold.

I scramble away from Nathaniel’s touch, and walk toward the dining table, my hands trembling slightly as I place the dessert down.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Silas pick up his glass of orange juice. His grip is so tight his knuckles are white, the glass looking like it might shatter under the pressure of his fingers.

He doesn't say a word, but the silence is deafening. I quickly retreat, moving back to stand beside Ivy.

"You shouldn't have moved. Nathaniel always brings the dessert himself." she mumbles under her breath.

A wave of hot embarrassment washes over me, making my cheeks sting.

Gosh. So that’s why everyone looked so shocked. I was only trying to be helpful..

Stupid, stupid... I need to be more careful.

After what feels like an eternity, Silas pushes back his chair and stands up. He begins to walk away, and against my better judgment, I look up.

Big mistake.

His eyes are even darker now, like a storm has settled in them.

He holds my gaze for a heartbeat, then he turns and disappears through the entrance. The moment he’s gone, I finally let out the breath I’ve been holding.

"You must never do that again..."

Svetlana’s voice snaps my attention toward her. She is glaring at me. I simply nod, not trusting my voice to work.

"Good. Clear this place up. Then you and Ivy will start cleaning the rooms upstairs. Ivy will show you the way." Svetlana instructs, her tone returning to its professional edge. "After today, you will receive your schedule and begin your own rotation tomorrow."

I nod again, but as Ivy moves away to start clearing the table, Svetlana steps closer to me. The harshness in her eyes fades, replaced by something that looks a lot like... fear.

"Don't catch the Master's interest, Lina." she says. This time, she isn't being stern. She sounds genuinely worried. "It won't be good for you."

She just turns and walks away, leaving me standing there with a hollow feeling in my chest.

What? What does she mean it won't be good for me?