I don't see Adrian much the next few days. I'm thankful for that. To say our last conversation didn't go well would put it mildly. It was disastrous. And now I can't even face him anymore.

I'm hurt. He showed me how little he actually cares about me. He also showed me that I did the right thing by ending whatever was going on between us, even though it pains me.

I don't know where's he been for the past few days, but he wasn't there for a breakfast and he wasn't there for a lunch. I tried not to think about him being with someone else. He has every right to be because I made sure that's not my concern anymore – not that it ever was.

Mrs Welch was exceptionally grumpy and was eyeing me every time she saw me. It filled me with uneasiness. I still don't know what she did for a job – if she even did anything. I just know that she's at home all the time and that I don't see much of her. I hear her giving orders to Milena sometimes, but she usually doesn't even spare me a glance – well, until recently.

She started glaring at me and I don't know what I ever did to her.

There was a small mistake I made on Thursday and she completely lost it. I didn't put her shirt in the right drawer and she found a small stain on one of her pants. She came down and shouted at me for 15 minutes straight – I've been looking at the clock.

It was my fault, I know, but she was also a bit overreacting and she could've handled that better. But whatever. I got that she doesn't have anything better to do than look for mistakes in everyone and everything.

I stayed quiet and nodded when I needed to. And Mrs Welch stomped out, in a bad mood as ever.

Next day was Sunday and Adrian stays at home. I have a free day today. Milena is not here, but I have nowhere else to go, so I actually stay here and go to the library for a book to read.

Mrs Welch comes to my room to inform me that Adrian wants to see me in his office. It makes me frown. "He needs to see me in his office?" I reply stupidly.

Mrs Welch arches her eyebrow. "Did I stutter?"

I grit my teeth together, but I stand up. I mark the page I'm on by putting a small sheet of paper in it.

I'm not wearing my uniform today. It's my day off and there's no need to wear one.

I head to the office and wonder why the hell is Adrian in there on a Sunday. But then again, he's been working a lot and I shouldn't even be surprised.

My heart is like a thunder in my chest. I'm preparing to see him again and talk to him after days of radio silence between us. But I also don't know what the hell he wants from me and why does he have a sudden need to talk to me.

I take a deep breath to try to calm myself down. I need to remind myself that I did the right thing to end things between us, no matter how awkward it's probably going to be between us.

I knock twice, lightly, but enough to be heard. I hear that commanding, authoritative voice from the inside saying, "Enter." That one word alone is enough to send chills all over my body. I've always liked his deep, velvety voice.

I will myself to be strong and with a long exhale, I slowly enter, softly closing the door behind me, awkwardly standing there while Adrian doesn't even glance at me. "You wanted to see me," I reply.

His head lifts at that. "Cassandra. Yes, take a seat."

He puts the papers into a neat pile on his desk, moving them slightly to the corner of the desk and giving me all of his attention. It makes me nervous. It makes me feel like I did something wrong. And I don't like that feeling.

I clasp my hands together on my lap and sit up straight, looking into his handsome face. I notice a few small changes. He looks tired and he's wearing a few days worth old of a stubble.

I have to gulp down the lump in my throat. Adrian Welch is an attractive man and it makes everything so much more difficult. I know won't have any trouble finding my replacement.

Adrian clasps his hands together and puts his elbows on the desk. He brings his hands to his mouth and stares at me for long, silent moments. He looks like he's thinking about something.

I wait there, a little impatiently, but I don't say a word. It's getting a bit awkward, especially since we left some things opened the last time and our last conversation didn't really go that well.

"I heard there was some trouble," he starts all business-like. Damn, but he does this 'look like a boss' thing so sexy.

I don't acknowledge his words because I don't know what he means with them.

"Katherine complained about your job not being done as it should."

"What are you talking about?" I ask him. What did I do wrong now?

"It was reported that there was a problem with clothes not being where they should be and they weren't cleaned."

"Por el amor de Dios, that was days ago and it wasn't such a big deal!" I exclaim, huffing afterwards. God, Mrs Welch really seems to hate me.

Adrian's eyebrow twitches. "Let me be the judge if it was a big deal or not, Cassandra."

Oh, Dios mío. These are some complicated people. I frown and stay quiet, not wanting to get myself into further trouble. Because of the clothes.

"Between you and me, Cassandra, I don't want to let you go. I really don't. But in order to not do it, do the job as it should be done. I pay you for that."

I stare at him, hoping he'll say he's kidding. When he doesn't, my frown deepens. "It's just clothes," I explain.

"It's a job. Which you're paid to do. And in that case, it is expected of you to do the job well. Is this understandable, Miss Duarte?"

Miss Duarte. "It is, Mr Welch," I grit out, not staying in debt and calling him by his surname, too. It feels strange talking like we're just two strangers. Like we have the standard employer-employee relationship. As if we weren't rolling around naked on the bed just days ago. How quickly things change.

This is awkward, but what did I even expect, honestly? We jumped into this too quickly and now he's threatening to fire me. Again.

"Very well. That's all for now," he brushes me off, taking the papers he put away before back in his hands and putting them in front of him.

I scoff to myself. "I can't believe this," I mutter to myself as I stand up. This is what I had to come in here for on my day off?

If Adrian hears my comment, he doesn't say anything back. And I leave the room as fast as I can, going straight back to my room. I see Mrs Welch on my way out. I think she's going to Adrian's office. She has a mean smile on her face as she stares at me. I don't hold her look, I just hurry to my room a little faster.

During the next few days, I don't talk or see Adrian much either. I normally serve him breakfasts, but I do it in silence. And it's weird. I start to miss him. I hate to admit it, but this thing, pretending like we're just strangers, is starting to kill me.

I can't help but continue admiring him and staring at him when I'm sure he's not looking. He's handsome as hell, but so closed-off and looks so unapproachable most of the time. His lips are always in a stern line and he rarely ever smiles – but when he does, it's like the sun visiting us after rainy days.

He's a beautiful man and that's why this is all so much harder. I think I already started catching my feelings for him which is a dangerous thing because this is going to end with a disaster if none of us prevents it first.

Milena has been sending me looks of worry. I think I may look bad or have a certain look on my face because she gets that kind look on her face, like a mother looking at their child. Like my mother should look but never did.

I spend a lot of time in the library. The Welch's have a big library and I've found out that Mr Welch used to love reading. When I asked Milena why he doesn't anymore, she just said he's preoccupied with other things, especially work. I didn't quite believe her. He could surely take some time to read.

I've found a lot of architecture books, some of them very worn-out, some of them looking as if they've never been touched. I sat there on the chair and looked through some of them. I've never been interested in the architecture and I've never even thought about it much, but going through those books perked my interest a bit.

I wanted to see what Adrian is doing and loves doing so much. It surely isn't the same for me as it is for me listing the books, but it's still quite interesting.

Some of the books have a few notes written in it that I'm sure it's Adrian's handwriting because it's the same in all the books. I go over the words with my fingers. His handwriting is really nice and readable. His handwriting looks artistic.

I read his notes and read the parts he circled or underlined – just because I want to see the things he found important.

Of course, reading and snooping for Adrian's notes in the books takes a lot of time that I don't have so I usually do it when I have to come in here to clean it and read the books before I go to sleep.

I've always loved reading and I'm surprised by the variety that Welch's library offers. From literature to poetry, from the well-known authors to those who aren't that known. I've found some old novels there, too.

I had to pick up Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. This book holds a special place in my heart for no special reason. I've read this books so many times that I know some of the paragraphs in it by heart.

And this books looks in a very good condition. I take the book with me to my room to read it in the evening when I'm done with the work.

I don't have to stay up too late, either, which gives me a little more time to read.

I'm happy that Adrian either hasn't found himself a replacement for me or he hasn't brought her here. I don't know how I'd react, although I'm preparing myself for seeing him with another woman one day. But I have to remind myself that what we had was a short flick that would leave me broke in the end.

I know I did a good thing but that doesn't mean I have to like it. It sucks. It truly sucks. Especially seeing him, breathing his scent and having him near, but not being able to touch him.

He's a little late on Thursday and I'm preparing for the worst. I'm still not over seeing him coming home with that woman while we still had something going on. And I'm scared to see him bring another one every time he's late.

But he comes alone, thankfully and I let out a relieved sigh.

I greet him with a reserved smile that's been fake since I ended it with him. I don't know how to act around him, but I can't openly show my feelings since I still work here and I have to keep my façade.

Adrian holds his eyes on me for a little longer than it's necessary. He's been giving me this intense smile for a few days now that I see him more than the previous week. He doesn't smile, he just stares at me with the intensity only he can muster.

"Cassandra," he caresses my name in a greeting like every time. Dios mio, but I get chills every time I hear my name said with his velvety deep voice.

"Hello, Mr Welch," I greet him, keeping my voice neutral. I also went back to calling him by his surname. He doesn't like it. He corrected me every time I did it, but I refuse to call him by his first name again because it feels too intimate. He gave up on trying to change my mind about it and now his jaw just ticks every time he hears it from me. "Lunch is ready," I inform him.

"I already ate. I'll be in my office," he tells me. Which kind of surprise me because he never openly tells me where he'll be and what he's going to do.

In all honesty, this house is big and I never know where he's going to be.

"I expect a visit so, please, accompany him to my office."

"Of course, sir."

I don't miss the sharp inhale of his breath. He gives a small, curt nod before he walks up the stairs and I have a chance to admire his broad shoulders, covered with the dark suit that was made only for him and his black hair curling against the nape of his neck.

His hair got a little longer since I started working here and he needs a haircut soon, but Adrian is that kind of man that makes everything look good on him.

I eat the lunch by myself since Milena went grocery shopping. And true to Adrian's words, a middle-aged man comes. Roswald lets him in and I offer to take his coat. The man gives it to me and I lead him to Adrian's office. I ignore the look of interest he gives me and I also feel his eyes on me as I walk in front of him – which he insisted I do.

Damn, I hate this uniform.

I knock on Adrian's office door and wait for his infamous "Enter," that comes right after.

I open the door and let the man in. He looks me up and down before he gives me a smile that sends chills down my body. "Thank you."

I really try not to react in any way and I just give him a sweet smile. "Can I bring anything to drink?" I ask.

Adrian opens his mouth starting with the, "No," but the man jumps in, cutting him off.

"I really crave some ... hot ..." He eyes my legs, "coffee," he finishes.

I want to throw up. I only nod. "Coming right up," I say.

"Uh-huh," the man acknowledges and this time, I don't hold back the shudder. "No sugar and with a splash of milk." I catch Adrian frowning at the man before I quickly leave the office.

Milena is down there, unpacking the groceries when I come down. "Just give me a minute to get Adrian's visitor a coffee and I'll help you."

"Don't bother, it's not that much. It'll only take me a few minutes," Milena says with a smile. "Adrian has a visitor, you're saying?"

I nod, going to the coffee machine. "Yes. A man. They're in his office." I shrug.

"Ah. Taking business home," Milena comments.

That makes me smile for some reason. "He gives me the vibe of a workaholic."

Milena hums. "The man loves working. You don't meet a lot of people that love their job as much as Adrian does his. It's obvious he loves doing what he does."

I nod, agreeing with her. "He's lucky. A lot of people are stuck with a job they hate."

"Honey, Adrian's anything but lucky. He worked hard for where he is now and he doesn't like people downgrading his success to luck. And he's not taking it for granted." Milena gives me a look. "Cassie, sweetie. Do you not like it here? Do you not like doing what you do?"

I have to look away. "I mean ... I don't want to sound ungrateful because this job is helping with keeping my life together, but I have my own dreams, too, and it's not working as a housekeeper, you know?" I wince right after saying that because of how insensitive I sound. I know Milena has been working for them for a long time. "I mean ... There's nothing wrong with this job or anything, it's well-paid, but –"

"Cassie," Milena stops me, putting her hand on my forearm. "Go and follow your dreams, girl. If there is something you like to do and enjoy doing it, then go and do it. Do what makes you happy."

I give her a grateful smile. Oh, if only it were that easy. "I'll try to." I nod solemnly. "I have to take the coffee up now."

Milena nods.

I go in after knocking, not even waiting to hear Adrian saying I can come in. I want to come in and get out as quickly as I can because I'm getting some weird vibe from the man.

I place the coffee before him, ignoring him and his dirty looks. Asqueroso. Disgusting.

Adrian starts tapping his pen against the wooden table and I look at him from under my eyelashes to find him looking straight at me, his jaw ticking. Is he mad?

"Do you need anything else?" I ask, looking somewhere behind Adrian.

"No, thank you," Adrian dismisses me quickly and I'm all too happy to leave.

I gently close the door behind me, shaking my head to myself. Only then I realise that my heart is racing and that Adrian still has this effect on me.