Elena arrived at the estate for the nanny position, walking in with a mix of nerves and uncertainty. The place was grand... too grand. She felt slightly out of place, a bit under dressed which gave off a small fish-out-of-water vibe.

"For the nanny offer?" a gentleman in a sharp navy suit asked, meeting her halfway down the corridor.

"Yy..Yes," Elena muttered.

"Alright, come with me," he said, already turning to lead the way.

He guided her through a set of wide doors into a large waiting lobby. A few other women were already seated, most of them looking polished and overly confident.

Elena had barely lowered herself into a seat when she heard a loud voice from inside.

"Neeeext!"

A lady with perfect posture and glossy curls walked out, barely looking at the others as she passed.

Another went in. Then another. It became a cycle. A series of "Next!" moments.

Elena's heart pounded. Her throat felt tight.

She took a deep breath to calm her nerves Just as she tried to stand up to adjust her side a glass frame up above her fell and scattered on the floor

She gasped, heart racing in her chest. The sound startled everyone...as their heads turned, and a few of the candidates gasped out loud.

"What the actual" a deep, irritated voice rang out from the far end of the corridor.

Elena's heartbeat skipped, and she turned sharply toward the voice.

A 6'2 tall man in a dark suit stood at the far end of the hall.His jaw was sharp, and his eyes looked very serious.

Elena's breath caught.

"He... he's..." she whispered, voice thinning as her chest rose and fell in panic. She couldn't finish the sentence before a rush of heat surged through her.

"Make me forget my problems," his voice echoed from the past, deep and rough. "And I'll make you forget yours."

Even under the mask, his eyes had burned into her soul.

She remembered how he'd grabbed her by the neck, not hard, just enough to steady her. Just enough to take control. Her back against the wall. Her body was trembling.

And before the alcohol could fully cloud her senses, he was already kicking her rose with so much soft pressure on the bed, skin to skin, heat meeting heat... He removed his mask without a word, while in the heat of the moment, he lowered his body against hers, and now it was chest to chest rubbing and greeting each other.

A painful, pleasure-laced moan had escaped her lips that night as her face tilted toward his and for the first time in that night, she saw him clearly without the mask, his muscular face rubbing teasingly on her belly...

"Hey!!!!!!"

The sharp voice yanked her back to the present.

Elena snapped out of the memory like waking from a fevered dream

Her eyes widened, locked on the man approaching.

"He's the one..." she whispered under her breath.

Her gaze clung to him, wild and stunned, as he walked toward her.....

How dare you?" His voice was sharp and cutting through the room like a blade.

As the other candidates all stood there fearing for her.

Elena instantly dropped to her knees, panic rising in her chest as she tried to gather the shattered glass.

"I.. I'm sor... sorry," she stammered, her fingers trembling as they grazed over the broken pieces.

"Sorry?" he scoffed, stepping closer. "Do you even know how much that cost? That could buy your entire existence."

Her throat tightened. The words stung more than she expected. Still kneeling, she kept fumbling with the shards, her heart pounding in her ears.

Before she could respond, he yanked her up with a force that sent a shock down her spine, and her back collided with the wall behind. She gasped more from the closeness than the impact.

Elena's eyes widened. He was towering over her now, his tall frame leaning in, just like that night. The scent, the stare, the storm in his gaze.... it was all there.

"I will make you pay," he said with a deadly look.

"Mr. Hughston! You're here," Chris called out, rushing from the interview room.

He stopped in his tracks, his eyes flicking from the shattered frame on the floor to Damien standing tall over a woman frozen in place.

"Pick her," Damien muttered without turning.

"Huh?" Chris blinked. "Mr. Hughston... "

"She's going to work. To pay for this," Damien said coldly, his eyes briefly dropping to the glass fragments. "Start her today."

Chris looked like he wanted to object, but Damien silenced him with a look.

"They can all go home," Damien added, gesturing toward the waiting candidates.

Then his eyes locked onto Elena's trembling self.

"And you..." He said, voice like steel, "Don't even think of running. If I have to tear the world apart to find you, I will. And I promise you, I will."

With that, he turned and walked out...

"I'm sorry, ma'am. Hope you're not hurt," Mr Chris said gently as he stepped a little closer.

Elena gave a small nod, still shaken.

"Please, come with me. I need to take your details before we head to the penthouse," he added, motioning toward the office and walking ahead.

She followed quietly.

After a short while, once the paperwork was done, Chris led her outside... right to a shiny, black limousine waiting by the curb.

Elena's eyes widened. "Oh my..." she whispered, unable to hide the tiny spark of surprise and maybe, a flicker of excitement rising in her chest.

Arriving gave Elena everything she needed to know; rich wasn't even the word. This was another universe.

She almost gasped when the large glass doors slid open, revealing the sight inside. Every inch of the space looked intentional from the soaring ceilings to the sleek marble floors, from the modern art pieces to the sprawling glass windows that let in golden daylight.

"This is where you'll be for the next month," Mr Chris said, giving her a sharp glance before continuing forward. "Welcome to the Hughston Suite."

Elena gave an awkward smile, trying to keep her jaw from dropping. In all her 27 years, she had never seen luxury like this.

"Come on, let me show you your room," he said, leading her down a quiet corridor.

After a light touch on a digital panel, the door slid open. Her eyes widened as she stepped inside. It wasn't just a room... it was practically an apartment. A private kitchen, sitting area, two neatly made beds, and a walk-in wardrobe stood in place like a hotel dream.

She turned slightly. "Am I sharing this with someone?" she asked, almost not believing it.

Chris let out a chuckle. "No. This is all yours."

Elena blinked. What? This wasn't just a job...it felt like a surprise from a movie.

Chris stepped further in. "Now, a few things to note. You'll avoid the West Wing completely. Mr Hughston values privacy. You're also not to be seen wandering around when not on duty. Any messages or questions must be dropped in the communication box over there." He gestured to a shiny silver slot near the hallway. "No face-to-face contact unless absolutely necessary."

She nodded, absorbing it all.

"One more thing Mr. Hughston's son will return from Paris in three days. Until then, use this time to familiarize yourself with the layout. You may relax, but remember you're on the clock."

Elena nodded again. "When exactly do I start?"

Chris glanced at his watch. "Now. Your work begins today."

"Ohhh, I need to go grab a few of my things," she said quickly.

"Not necessary," he replied. "I'll arrange for a private stylist to bring in clothes for you to choose from. Just let me know what else you need and it'll be taken care of."

Elena's eyes widened but not enough to pluck them out

...........................

"We still haven't gotten any trace of her, Mr Hughston," Thomas, the investigator, said as he stepped into his office.

"It's been three years. We've done everything we could, sir."

Damien turned slowly from the window, his back stiff, but his eyes, cold and sharp, said everything.

"If you need more people, more resources...... take them," he snapped.

"Just find her."

Thomas shifted uneasily. "We'll do our best. We're thinking of revisiting the club... maybe someone remembers something, someone who might know something."

Damien's

"She's out there, walking around like she didn't burn herself into my memory.

Like she didn't ruin me for anyone else."

He stepped forward,

"Find her, Thomas. Or I will."

...........

"Wait... whatttttttt?!"Sienna's voice bounced off the walls.

She dropped the bowl of cereal she was holding, eyes wide. "You're telling me the man you had a one-night stand with...the man is your new boss?"

"Yes,"Elena muttered, her hands slowly touching the things in her new place.

"Elena!" Sienna practically screamed. "The masked man from the hotel room... the one who had you screaming like a horror movie soundtrack"

"Sienna!"Elena cut in, flustered. "Lower your voice."it sounded 10 times louder on the speaker

" Girl, no. We are not skipping past this. That's fate slapping you right across the face with drama!"

Elena exhaled hard." It doesn't matter. He doesn't even recognize me. I wore a mask. He probably forgot the whole thing right after."

"And you're just gonna let it slide? Not tell him? This could be your chance!"

Elena's voice hardened. "There's no way I'm putting myself out there like that. You don't get it, Sienna. If he finds out, I could lose this job. He's cold. Distant. And let's not forget he left me in that hotel room like I was nothing. It was just fun for him.. nothing more."

Sienna stared at nothingness

" Wow. That's cold."

Elena nodded quietly. "Exactly, so I just have to stay cool for this one month, do my job and stay invisible.

" Someone is here" she added

Elena quickly ended the call and rushed out of her room, almost colliding with the still air of the luxurious hallway. Her footsteps halted as she caught sight of him, Mr Damien Hughston, walking in like he owned the entire world. Which, judging by this house, he just might.

She lowered her gaze slightly as she spoke..

"Good morning, sir."

He didn't stop walking. Didn't even glance her way.

"Don't speak unless you're being spoken to," he said in a cold voice that cut through the quiet.

Elena's lips pressed together as she stood frozen in place. She turned slowly, eyes following him. Her brow furrowed slightly, something dark and complicated tightened in her chest.

....................

The moment the door shut behind him, the atmosphere shifted. Instantly, everything felt... different. Calmer. Colder. Like the air itself belonged to someone who didn't invite mess or noise.

Damien moved down the long hallway, white walls and polished floors stretching ahead like a tunnel. The place was spotless. Almost sterile. Every inch whispered money, not the flashy kind, but the kind that didn't need to prove anything

Without pausing, he moved to the far wall, where a seamless silver panel waited. With one tap, the hidden elevator slid open. Yes.... an elevator.....Inside a bedroom...Shocked? Mee too

The elevator took him up to the upper level of the penthouse his private space. The doors opened into a massive room with floor-to-ceiling glass, and in the middle of it all, there was a long pool that shone like blue jewels.

Damien tossed his shirt onto the massive bed without a glance. The fabric landed silently, leaving him bare from the waist up....his upper body was strong and fit, like someone who worked hard every day. His muscles moved as he walked.

He stepped to a nearby console and pressed a button.

A panel slid open in the wall, revealing a high-resolution image. A woman in a mask. Her eyes were hidden, but her lips were slightly open. Her hair was tied back, showing the smooth curve of her neck.

His gaze darkened. Jaw clenched.

Where are you...?" he muttered with longing and frustration.

Without waiting, he walked toward the pool. The water was so still, it showed his reflection like a mirror. Then, with one strong move, he dove in, slicing through the water like a knife.

Under the surface, he swam fast and fierce. Like someone trying to escape a memory that wouldn't let go.

Elena paced slowly in the hallway, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt as she glanced once more at the clock hanging on the white wall.

9:00 a.m. And there was still no sign of him.

She let out a quiet sigh, the kind that came from overthinking too early in the morning. For hours, she had tiptoed through the penthouse, making breakfast, setting the table perfectly, aligning the silverware like she'd seen in those glossy hotel magazines. But the food remained untouched, and so did the silence.

With a resigned breath, Elena turned toward the dining section, ready to begin clearing up, when her phone buzzed on the marble countertop.

It was a FaceTime call.

She blinked at the screen when she saw the person.... Quickly, she straightened her posture and swiped to accept.

"Hello, Miss Rivera," Mr Chris' voice came through, smooth and polite.

"Good morning," Elena greeted, bowing her head slightly. "Sir."

"How was your first night?" he asked with a professional smile.

"It was nice," she replied, a small but genuine smile tugging at her lips.

"Glad to hear that." His eyes scanned her background through the screen. "Oh, did you prepare breakfast for Mr Hughston?"

Elena nodded, glancing instinctively toward the corridor. "Yes, but... he's yet to come downstairs."

Mr Chris waved a dismissive hand. "Ah, you needn't have gone through the trouble. Mr Hughston returned to one of his other residences late last night. Likely won't be back until his son arrives."

"Oh," Elena said, blinking, unsure how to respond.

"Now, the reason I called," he continued briskly. "I need you to check the storage room. Just past the service hallway on the east wing. You'll see a grey keypad on the door."

She reached for a notepad nearby. "Okay, and what am I looking for in there?"

"There are boxes.... please be very careful with them. Inside, you'll find framed photos of young Hughston and his mother. A few of Mr Hughston's wedding frames as well. Kindly hang some of them in his suite and place a few around the living area. We're trying to make the space feel a bit more... homely, before his son returns."

Elena paused for half a second.

"Okay okay" she said.

Mr Chris nodded. "Do take care. Some of the frames are originals. Don't break anything."

"Yes, sir. I'll get started right away."

He gave her a short nod before the call ended.

With a slow turn she made her way to the storage area, which quiet didn't even look like the normal storage we're used to, it was neat and in order.. she moved inside glancing around and noticed something almost brand new that appeared to have never been opened or used for a second, and dumped..... she walked a bit inside and saw exactly what Mr Chris described... carefully she raised it, removed the frames from each box which was about 6...

She slowly gazed at it as she saw a beautiful picture of little Hughston and her mom, they looked adorable but expensive. When she turned to the next one, it was a wedding photo of them...

Mr Hughston had a bright smile, she never thought he could even smile... After a few glances at the family photos, she placed them on a troll and dragged them out from there.

..................

Welcome Mr. Damien Hughston," the man said with a respectful nod as Damien stepped down from the helicopter.

He didn't respond just a curt nod back as he adjusted himself and followed the man across the gravel path. The area was marked "Private Access Only," and the weight of its silence said enough. Nature had reclaimed most of the grounds, but the structure ahead stood still untouched.

"This is the same spot where the crash happened," the supervisor muttered as they walked toward the gated section. "Everyone survived... except her."

Damien's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he said nothing.

"I know how much you loved your wife, Mrs Victoria," the man added quietly.

With a sharp sigh and a subtle eye roll, Damien walked ahead. He scanned the perimeter, checked the restored fence lines, paused near the crash marker, then headed into the small facility beside it.

Inside, he reviewed the reports laid out on a table. No new findings. Just maintenance logs and security updates. He barely glanced through them.

After a few minutes, the car they had used to pass through the narrow trails

Came to a stop and Damien stepped out.

"Thank you for coming again, sir," the guard said, offering a quick handshake.

Damien took it without emotion, then walked straight back to the waiting helicopter.

With no look back

Sitting inside the helicopter as it soared high above the hills, Damien leaned back, eyes half-closed. The wind outside roared softly, but inside his head, it was quieter. And a memory rushed in...

"No, I can't do this anymore with you, Damien,"

Victoria's voice echoed in his head as she gently pulled away from his touch.

"You know how much I love you, Vic. Why do you want to break this marriage off?"he said as he reached for her again. But she had already taken a step back.

"I fell out of love with you, Damien... I... I'm sorry. I didn't get the attention, the affection I needed from you after we got married. Please... understand and move on.".

That was the first time she looked at him like a stranger.

"We can fix this,, we can always do that" he'd said, trying to keep his voice from breaking. "We can rebuild. I know I've been a workaholic, but I'll slow down.... for you. For our son. Just give me one more chance."

She had swallowed hard, then took another step back.

"No, Damien. Let it go. For the sake of our son, we can stay under one roof... but in separate rooms. Until everything is finalized."

And just like that, she turned and walked away.

After that, things were cold. Nods instead of words. Awkward silence in shared spaces. She only spoke around their son... smiling just enough to keep him from asking questions. But when the boy wasn't around, the silence between them was louder than any argument.

Eventually, she moved out. Even before the divorce was finalized. Damien hadn't protested, not even when she asked for nearly half of everything he owned.

He just gave it up to her...

But then... that night... He went to free his mind

The masked ball. The champagne. The way the lady had looked at him through that gold-trimmed mask. Like he mattered. Like she wanted him.

Skin on skin, her soft moans, the way she clung to him.. unfiltered, raw as they made out... It hadn't felt like a stranger in his arms. It felt like fate trying to give him a second chance.

That morning, his head had throbbed slightly from the drinks, but it wasn't what woke him. It was the silence again.

He rolled over to her side of the bed. She was still there, her chest rising and falling gently in sleep. Her mask was still on. Every other layer had fallen but that one piece stayed.

Curiosity nudged him forward. He reached out, fingers brushing the edge of the mask, ready to see the woman who had stirred something in him after so long...

Then his phone buzzed.

"Hello?"

"Mr Hughston, I'm sorry to inform you.. Your wife was in an accident..."

In a second, everything changed. He had bolted out of that hotel room, still half-dressed, without even looking back at her in the bed.

Back in the present, Damien blinked out of the memory. The helicopter hummed beneath him as it cut through the clouds.

He looked out the window at the high view, the world so small beneath him.