The Billionaire’s Forbidden Maid

“Urgent?" ...... Ruth asked Mr Collin the landlord nervously as she clutched the phone tighter. "What happened" she muttered sadly. "The inspectors found structural damage during the last safety check. It's worse than we thought. The building isn't safe for residents anymore, you need to evacuate immediately." "Evacuate? Tonight?" her heart racing. "Yes, Ruth I'm calling you personally because you've lived here your whole life and you just lost your mother. We're sending notice to all tenants so you should pack what you can and leave as soon as possible." Ruth pacing the room, voice cracking..... "but...where am I supposed to go? I don't have any fami…, alright…i ....l'll leave" she sighed. The line went dead. Ruth stood frozen, the silence of the apartment was suddenly unbearable. Her world was falling apart. She heads to the job agency where she had applied for a job a few weeks ago and luckily she landed a job as a live-in maid which considering her current situation, is perfect for her. She was to resume immediately! “It’s only temporary, she tells herself.” Upon arriving the address the job agency had given her earlier. Two security men in uniforms stopped Ruth at the gate where she filled a form to gain access after proving to them that she is the new maid they were expecting. They opened the huge black iron gates and her eyes met with the most euphoric landscape she’d ever seen. At the end of the driveway stood Villa De Niro, it looked like a palace carved from white stone and straight from a fairytale book. Its pillars are as tall as giants, windows standing tall gazing down on everything like unblinking eyes. They hadn’t told me their house looked like a cathedral. [ Ruth’s POV] “Don’t gawk, ragazza.” The voice snapped me out of my thoughts. An older woman in a crisp maid’s uniform stood waiting at the entrance. Her black hair streaked with silver was tied back in a bun and her sharp Italian accent bit like a knife. But when her dark eyes met mine, I saw something softer hidden there. Rosalia. Head maid. “Chin low, eyes sharp,” she muttered as I approached. “This house eats the weak.” I swallowed hard and nodded. Inside, the air smelled of polished wood and faint perfume. The marble floors gleamed so brightly my reflection stared back at me, small and nervous. Gold framed portraits of their ancestors lined the walls and chandeliers glittered overhead like frozen fire. I was used to tiny apartments, peeling paint and secondhand furniture. Here, even silence felt expensive. Rosalia led the way and Ruth hurried after her, pulling her suitcase along the polished marble floor. The house swallowed her whole, ceilings high enough to make her dizzy. Rosalia led her into the servants wing and opened the door to a modest room with a single bed, small dresser and narrow window. "This is your room," Rosalia said. "It is small, but it is yours. Keep it neat. Keep it quiet. No one from the family comes here.” Ruth nodded, relief loosening her chest a little. Rosalia continued briskly, "Now. The staff." She guided Ruth into the bustling kitchen, where heat and chatter filled the air. "Sandra," she called sharply. A young woman turned from the counter, her dark hair tied in a bun and flour dusting her apron. She smiled warmly at Ruth. "This is the new maid?" “Yes, Ruth Sanchez,” Rosalia confirmed. This is Sandra, she has worked here for two years. She will show you where to find supplies." "Welcome." Sandra said kindly. "Don't worry. You'll get used to the rhythm here Two other maids glanced over and gave polite nods before returning to their work. Then Rosalia pointed toward the back door, where a man leaned casually against the frame. "And that is Sergio, one of the drivers. Ignore him when he talks too much." Sergio grinned. "Ah, Rosalia, don't ruin my charm. Welcome, signorina Ruth. If you need a ride anywhere” Rosalia cut him off with a glare. "She does not." The kitchen chuckled softly and Ruth gave a timid smile. "Enough" Rosalia said. "Back to work. Ruth, with me." Rosalia led her through long corridors lined with rich rugs and polished wood. Her voice was low but firm, the way a teacher might instruct a nervous student. "This wing belongs to the family. You do not enter these rooms unless summoned. You do not speak unless spoken to. *Rosalia gave a full tour of the mansion. Although, the weight of the villa pressed around her, she had a flicker of hope. She had a room, a job and maybe just maybe, she’s found a place where she belonged. You will survive in this house, as long as you keep your head down." Ruth's smile faded, but she stayed quiet. [Ruth’s POV] And then….eyes. I felt them before I saw them. I looked up. A man was pacing the top of the grand staircase lazily with one hand tucked into the pocket of his perfectly tailored suit pants and his shirt, rolled up to his elbow while his other hand pressed his phone to his ear. Dark hair slicked back, sharp jawline catching the light. His presence filled the space like thunderclouds rolling in. Then our eyes met. His eyes blue as the ocean, unreadable, piercing straight into me. For a second, I forgot how to breathe. “Alessandro,” Rosalia whispered quickly at my side, tugging me forward. “The first son. Remember this, stay out of his way.” Another maid? he asked Rosalia ever so calmly. “Ye..yessir, she’s starting today.” Rosalia stuttered. He smirked and said “Hello” in the calmest,most confidence voice I’ve ever heard before he walked out of our sight. I lowered my gaze, heart hammering. I didn’t know it then but from that moment on, staying out of Alessandro De Niro’s way would be impossible.