The following morning, Alexandra rose early, the soft light of dawn filtering through her window. She felt a strange mix of anticipation and apprehension as she made her way to James's room, her heart pounding lightly in her chest. Today would be the day she received her first task as part of her punishment, though she couldn't shake the feeling that the term "punishment" hardly fit the situation. To her, it felt more like an unspoken exchange of trust; James was beginning to rely on her assistance for his business dealings, and that was a privilege she hadn't anticipated.

As she walked down the hallway, her thoughts tangled with concern for James. She had stumbled upon a glimpse of his pain—he was angry, consumed by the need for revenge following the tragic death of his family. A knot formed in her stomach as she imagined what it would be like to lose someone so dear. If she were in his position, she could easily see herself unleashing that same fury. The thought sent shivers down her spine. 

Yet, mingled with her empathy was a new, troubling feeling. Why did she care so much about his well-being? Was she beginning to develop feelings for him? No, that couldn't be right. He was her boss, her superior, and she had no business fostering anything beyond a professional relationship. Shaking her head vigorously as if to clear her mind, she resolved to keep her emotions in check. 

With newfound determination, she knocked gently on the door and waited, her breath catching slightly in her throat as she heard his deep voice beckoning her to enter. As she stepped inside, her gaze fell on him. 

"Alexandra... you come at the right time," he said, his words laced with a mix of weariness and urgency. Slowly, he maneuvered himself to sit up, the sheets slipping away from his figure. For a fleeting moment, his vulnerability struck her, and she wondered about the weight of the burdens he carried. The air was heavy with unsaid things; it was their moment to begin a new chapter. 

"Mr. Collins, you really shouldn't be moving around too much," she said with concern in her voice as she quickly made her way over to assist him in sitting up. The effort seemed to cause him a flicker of discomfort, but he managed a grateful smile.

"Thank you. I just need to sit down for a little while; I've been lying down all night," he replied, his voice a bit strained but steady. She nodded, her expression softening as she understood his need for support.

"Would you like me to prepare your breakfast first?" she asked, her eyes searching his for a cue. He gently shook his head, wincing slightly as he did.

"No, that's alright. Gale will take care of that for me later," he said, attempting to ease her concern. He looked away for a moment, gathering his thoughts, then turned back to her. 

"I need you to go to my office. Ask my secretary for all the files and documents that I need to review or sign. Bring everything back here; that will be your first task for today," he instructed, his tone firm yet encouraging. She nodded in acknowledgment, her brow furrowing slightly with concentration as she processed his request.

"And once you're back home, I need your help going through the files and documents. Can you do that?" His gaze was steady and earnest as he waited for her response.

"I will do my best, Mr. Collins," she replied, a warm smile breaking across her face, which seemed to lighten the mood in the room.

"Good. I want us to leverage the knowledge you have. Honestly, I have a nagging suspicion about my account manager; it feels like he's hiding something," he confided, his expression shifting to a more serious tone. She nodded again, her determination evident. 

"Of course, Mr. Collins. May I go now?" she asked, her voice confident, ready to take on the tasks ahead. He confirmed with a nod, his expression softening again.

"I've already instructed the driver to take you to the office," he added. Alexandra smiled appreciatively, feeling a sense of urgency as she prepared to leave, and then she stepped out of the room, ready to tackle the day's challenges.

Why did Mr. Collins trust her so deeply with his business matters? She found this dynamic intriguing and was pleased with the confidence he seemed to place in her. Perhaps, if she played her cards right, he might reveal more about the secrets lurking in that mysterious room he had always kept locked. With a determined sense of purpose, she decided to change into more formal attire before heading to the office, wanting to project an image of professionalism and readiness.

Once she was dressed, she stepped out of her room, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she made her way to the front door. To her surprise, she noticed that the car was already waiting for her in the driveway, its sleek form gleaming in the sunlight. She hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to take the front seat, but before she could make a decision, the driver, Will, had already stepped around to open the back seat door for her.

"It's okay, Will. I'd prefer to sit in the front with you. After all, I'm just a worker like you," she said cheerfully, hoping to ease any formalities. Will nodded, acknowledging her request with a friendly smile, and then moved to open the car door for her.

"Thank you, Will. That's very kind of you. You don't have to go to so much trouble next time," she added, her smile widening as she appreciated his thoughtfulness.

"It's really no trouble at all. It's my pleasure to do it for you, Miss Wilson," he replied, his tone sincere as she climbed into the car.

As she settled into her seat and glanced out the window, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. It had been quite some time since she had ventured outside the confines of her house, where she had been engrossed in her work. The world outside seemed vibrant and alive, a refreshing contrast to the routine she had become accustomed to.

As Alexandra stepped into the sleek, modern office building, she was immediately struck by the elegant design that surrounded her. The gleaming marble floors and contemporary art adorning the walls radiated an air of sophistication, hinting at the successful enterprise that operated within. Making her way to the receptionist, she offered a warm smile and introduced herself, stating her purpose for the visit.

The receptionist, a professional woman with a welcoming demeanor, quickly sprang into action. "Let me direct you to Mr. Collins's office," she said, gesturing toward the elevators. As Alexandra stepped into the elevator, she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness fluttering in her stomach. The doors slid closed with a soft whoosh, and she was whisked away to the designated floor.

Upon exiting the elevator, she was immediately captivated by the panoramic view of the bustling city through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It was breathtaking and offered a sense of ambition that matched the grandeur of the office itself. She walked down a corridor lined with lush greenery and contemporary furnishings until she reached James's office door. 

As she approached, the door swung open to reveal his secretary, a poised woman named Shay, who greeted her with a warm smile. "You must be Miss Wilson. Mr. Collins already informed me about your visit today," Shay said, her tone friendly and inviting.

Alexandra returned the smile, her nerves easing slightly. "Please, just call me Lexie," she replied, sending a grateful glance Shay's way. 

"Absolutely, nice to meet you, Lexie! I'm Shay," she said, motioning for Lexie to enter the office. The room was spacious and tastefully decorated, highlighting James's keen eye for detail and his family's legacy in business.

Curiosity piqued, Shay asked, "How is Mr. Collins? I heard he was feeling under the weather." Alexandra watched as Shay gathered an assortment of files and documents that James had asked her to prepare for Lexie.

Shay focused on sorting through the papers. "Oh, he just has a fever. It was quite bad a couple of days ago, but he's on the mend now. The doctor advised him to stay at home and get plenty of rest." Alexandra's expression conveyed a blend of concern and professionalism.

Shay nodded, a frown forming at the thought of James being unwell. "Please tell him I said to get well soon," she urged, her voice sincere.

"I will certainly pass that along," Alexandra replied, her tone reassuring as she organized the paperwork. As Alexandra glanced at the sizable stack of files that awaited her, her eyes widened in surprise, a hint of apprehension creeping in about carrying them all back.

Noticing her reaction, Shay quickly chimed in, "Don't worry about it! I'll help you get everything to your car," she assured, her smile brightening the room.

Alexandra felt a wave of relief wash over her, grateful for Shay's kindness. "That would be wonderful, thank you," she answered, the tension in her shoulders easing as she prepared to take on the task ahead.

As they walked side by side toward the car, the sun cast a warm glow on the bustling parking lot. Alexandra carefully placed the last few files into the trunk, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration. Once everything was secure, she turned to Shay, her gratitude evident in her eyes. "Thank you so much for your help," she said sincerely before climbing into the vehicle, a hint of anxiety fluttering in her chest. Would they truly need to complete all their tasks in just one day? The thought loomed over her, but she was determined to do her absolute best, hoping to leave a positive impression on Mr. Collins.

As the engine started and the car began to move, Will turned his head briefly to glance at Alexandra, noticing her sudden silence. "Are you okay, Lexie?" he asked gently, concern etched on his face as he sensed the worry hidden beneath her calm exterior. She turned to him, forcing a small smile despite the unease churning inside her.

"Yes, I'm okay," she replied, though her eyes drifted to the neatly organized files piled in the back seat, each one representing her hopes and aspirations for the day.

Will offered her a reassuring smile, his confidence shining through. "Don't worry. Mr. Collins isn't the intimidating figure you might imagine. He's actually a really nice guy. Trust me, once you get to know him, you'll enjoy working with him." The warmth in his voice made her feel a bit lighter; she loved hearing that.

Hearing those words brought her a measure of comfort. In fact, she realized, she had already begun to appreciate her new role. "I really do enjoy working at the house, especially with all the wonderful and supportive colleagues I've met so far," she said, a genuine smile now brightening her face. 

Will returned her smile, his expression relaxing as he refocused on the road ahead. As they continued their journey, Alexandra felt a renewed sense of optimism, ready to tackle whatever challenges the day might bring.

As they stepped into the warmth of their home, Will quickly took charge, gathering all the files and making his way to James's room. Alexandra followed closely behind, her heart racing with anticipation. When they reached the door, she paused momentarily, raising her hand to knock. A hush fell over the house, and when there was no response from within, she pushed the door open, peering inside. To her surprise, the bed was empty; James was likely in the bathroom, probably still trying to recover. 

Will, sensing the need for urgency, carefully set the stack of files down on the coffee table, ensuring they weren't toppled over. Once that was done, he stepped out, leaving Alexandra to ponder alone in the cozy confines of James's room. 

Once inside, she settled onto the plush couch, feeling a mix of nerves and curiosity. She reached for one of the files, its cover worn and the edges slightly frayed, and began to sift through its contents. The papers inside were filled with important notes and diagrams, but her thoughts drifted as she tried to focus amidst her racing heart.

A few moments later, the bathroom door creaked open, and James emerged. He stepped cautiously, the tender wound on his side still causing him discomfort, making each movement a delicate balance between necessity and pain. Clad only in a towel draped around his waist, he had not expected to find anyone waiting for him. 

His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Alexandra on the couch. She, too, was taken aback, her cheeks flushing at the unexpected reveal. In an instinctive reaction, she grabbed the file in her hands and held it up in front of her face, desperately attempting to shield her eyes from the sudden awkwardness of the moment. The air was thick with an unexpected tension as they both grappled with the surprise of the encounter. 

"I'm sorry, Mr. Collins. I didn't realize you were taking your bath inside," Alexandra said, her voice slightly flustered as she stood up, clutching the file tightly in front of her. She instinctively shielded her face with it, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'll just step out now and give you some privacy." She was poised to leave when James's voice cut through the air, stopping her in her tracks.

"It's okay," he replied, his tone calm and reassuring. "I actually need your help with the wound dressing. If you don't mind, that is." As he spoke, Alexandra felt compelled to lower the file just enough to reveal her wide, curious eyes. The moment felt charged, and a thousand thoughts raced through her mind.

"My gosh, he is so incredibly sexy," she thought to herself, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. "But why am I acting so shy? I've seen him without a shirt before, that night when he was badly injured." The internal chatter echoed in her head, but she struggled to focus on anything other than the man standing before her.

"Alexandra, can you help me with the dressing or not?" James asked, his voice laced with a hint of impatience as he noticed her drifting into her thoughts. The sound of his voice pulled her back to reality, and she quickly shook off the haze of her musings.

"Yes, of course! If you don't mind me doing it," she replied, attempting to sound more composed, even as she swallowed a lump of nervousness. She carefully placed the file down, allowing her full attention to be on the task at hand.

"Great. Please go grab the first aid kit from inside the bathroom," he instructed, gesturing toward the door. "It's in the second drawer."

Alexandra nodded eagerly, her heart racing, and hurried to the bathroom. As she walked away, she could feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety fluttering in her stomach. "Don't come out until I tell you to," he called after her, and she felt a rush of adrenaline as she quickly opened the drawer, searching for the first aid supplies he needed. While she rifled through the items, James stepped to his wardrobe, focusing on putting on his pants before she returned. 

Alexandra stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her hands deftly working through her hair as she tried to calm her nerves. "Calm down, Lexie. You can do this; it's not a big matter," she murmured to herself, taking deep, steady breaths to ground herself. The faint sound of James groaning in pain echoed from the other room, and she imagined how difficult it must be for him to navigate putting on his pants with an injury. 

After a few moments, she heard him call out, "You can come out now!" Taking a breath to steady herself one last time, she opened the door and stepped into the bedroom. To her relief, James was dressed in his pants and sitting on the edge of the bed, looking somewhat more composed. Alexandra approached him and settled down beside him, her attention drawn instinctively to the bandage on his wound.

As she examined the injury more closely, she noticed that it was healing fairly well, the redness around it dissipating. Carefully, she applied some antiseptic ointment to the raw skin before covering it with a fresh dressing. Her fingers moved with a practiced grace as she wrapped a bandage around his leg. Throughout the process, James watched her intently, his gaze lingering on her without hesitation. At that moment, they were in close proximity, and he couldn't help but admire her beauty: the soft curve of her jaw, the way her hair fell lightly over her forehead, and the gentle intensity behind her eyes.

Once she had finished tending to his wound, Alexandra lifted her gaze to meet his, and time seemed to stand still. The world around them faded, leaving behind just the two of them lost in a moment that stretched on far longer than either had anticipated. James was the first to break the spell, clearing his throat awkwardly and glancing away, the heat of embarrassment creeping up his cheeks.

"Ummm... thank you for helping me. You're good at this," he said, his voice slightly strained.

"My pleasure to help you," she replied, quickly looking away as well. "I learned a lot from my late mother; she was a nurse." After gathering the rest of the medical supplies, she took them back to the bathroom, where she felt the weight of her emotions rising within her. 

With the door closed, she let out a frustrated sigh, cursing under her breath. "What is wrong with you, Alexandra? Why on earth did you have to stare into his eyes like that?" She buried her face in her hands, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and confusion. "Seriously? He's your boss, and here you are—just a maid who's been demoted to his assistant for breaking a rule. Get a grip and focus on your job!" she reprimanded herself, shaking her head as if to physically dispel her thoughts.

"Are you okay in there?" James's voice floated through the door, pulling her back to reality.

"Yeah. I'm okay. I'll be right out in a moment," she called back, giving herself a quick once-over in the mirror. "Okay, let's go out," she whispered as she steeled herself and headed back to the main room. She took her place on the couch across from James, who was still seated on the bed, ready to resume their work.

"Alright, let's start with the documents that I need to sign," he said, his tone shifting back to business-like professionalism. Alexandra nodded, focusing on the task at hand, determined to keep her feelings in check.

Shay had meticulously organized the various files, ensuring they were in order before bringing them over to James for his signatures. As she approached him, she noticed that he already had a pen poised between his fingers, ready for action. With a sense of purpose, she began handing him the files one by one. 

James took his time, carefully reading through each document before affixing his signature. Alexandra observed him with a mix of admiration and curiosity; he was different from the bosses she often saw portrayed on television—those who would hastily scrawl their names across pages without a second thought. Instead, he treated each paper with the respect it deserved, methodically weighing the contents before endorsing them. Sometimes, this made her reflect on how misleading those TV portrayals could be—characters who were often shown falling dramatically for their employees, a fantasy she knew was far from reality in her office.

"Stop it, Lexie! You are thinking too far again," she chastised herself silently, trying to shake off the frivolous daydreams.

"Alexandra? Are you with me?" James's voice broke through her reverie, and she realized she'd been lost in her thoughts.

"What?" she replied, her brow furrowing in confusion as she pulled her focus back to him.

"I was asking if there are any other documents I need to sign," he said, his gaze steady as it met hers, a flicker of concern in his eyes.

"Oh yes, just another one," she responded quickly, retrieving the last file from the stack and handing it over to him with a sense of urgency.

"Are you feeling tired?" he inquired, his attention still on the documents but his tone softening as he glanced up at her.

"No, I'm alright," she assured him, forcing a smile, though the fatigue was beginning to creep in.

"If you're tired, you can take a break," he offered, genuine in his concern. Once he finished signing the last document, he returned the files to her, his expression a mixture of focus and caring.

"No, it's okay. I'm fine," she insisted, placing the signed files back on the table with a firm motion, trying to convey her determination.

"Alright, if you say so," he said, clearly unconvinced but respecting her stance. He turned back to the tasks at hand. "Now, let's check on the account files," he added, and she nodded, grateful for the shift in focus. 

Settling back onto the couch, she opened the account file, her heart set on deciphering the details within. Each page unfolded like a puzzle, and she concentrated intently, absorbing the information line by line, carefully considering the implications of each figure and fact, as the world around her faded into a quiet hum. 

After a while, James found himself yawning uncontrollably, a sign that exhaustion was creeping in. He felt a wave of sleepiness wash over him after meticulously poring over most of the account documentation, his eyes scanning the pages filled with numbers, notes, and graphs. The room was quiet except for the soft rustle of paper and the occasional creak of the old wooden floor. He glanced sideways at Alexandra, only to discover she had succumbed to the pull of slumber, her head lolling against the armrest of the couch, a peaceful expression on her face. A smirk tugged at his lips as he watched her repose; it seemed ironic, considering her earlier declaration, "Not tired."

With a soft chuckle, he shifted the stack of papers to his side before carefully maneuvering off the bed, trying to avoid aggravating the wound on his side that still throbbed with pain. He winced slightly as he felt a sharp sting, a reminder of the injury he was still healing from. Navigating across the dimly lit room, he approached the wardrobe and pulled out a soft, warm blanket, its fabric inviting and comforting. 

He made his way back to Alexandra, gently draping the blanket over her. She stirred slightly but settled back into her peaceful slumber, a small smile gracing her lips. James took a moment to tidy up the files littered across the table, aligning the papers with a sense of satisfaction as he prepared the workspace for when they would resume their work. Once everything was organized, he returned to the bed, the weariness of the day settling heavily on him.

As he lay back down, he couldn't shake the thoughts swirling in his mind. Both of them desperately needed rest, so he decided to let her continue sleeping peacefully on the couch. If he hadn't been injured, he might have scooped her up and carried her to the bed, allowing her to rest comfortably by his side. Unexpectedly, his earlier suspicions about his account manager began to dissipate. Perhaps the rumors he had heard were misguided; the documents in front of him painted a picture of thoroughness and integrity. Everything appeared to be in perfect order.

With a deep sigh escaping his lips, he allowed his eyelids to grow heavy. He closed his eyes, letting the fatigue envelop him, and soon the soft rhythm of his breathing melded with the calm ambiance of the room, lulling him into a welcomed sleep.