MAID BY DAY, MATE BY NIGHT

CHAPTER 8; SECRET GARDEN

Camilla’s POV

The gate closed behind me.

The sounds outside disappeared instantly.

I stood still.

Flowers stretched in every direction.

White.

Pink.

Blue.

Rows and rows of them.

Some blooming.

Some still closed.

The air smelled clean.

A small pond reflected the afternoon sky.

Trees shaded the stone paths.

Nothing about this place matched him.

It felt too soft.

Too alive.

Then

his voice.

“Follow me.”

I turned.

Alpha Brad stood beside the pond.

Hands behind his back.

Expression unreadable.

I lowered my head immediately.

“Yes, Alpha.”

I followed him deeper inside.

We stopped beside several rows of flowers.

There were watering cans.

Garden tools.

Fresh soil.

I looked around.

Confused.

Then looked at him.

He looked at the flowers.

Then said

“They need watering.”

I blinked.

My brain stopped.

“…what?”

His eyes moved to me.

“The flowers.”

I stared.

Surely

Surely the Alpha did not call me here

to water flowers?

His expression stayed cold.

“You heard me.”

I lowered my head quickly.

“Yes.”

I picked up the watering can.

Still confused.

This couldn’t be why I was here.

Anyone could do this.

But I didn’t ask.

I started watering.

Quietly.

Slowly.

The silence stretched.

Then suddenly

“Not like that.”

I froze.

I looked up.

He walked over.

Stopped beside me.

Too close.

He took the watering can from my hands.

His sleeves rolled slightly.His strong arms caught my attention

I stared and for some reason i couln't look away

I was trying

He noticed.

His eyes shifted.

“What?”

I looked away quickly.

“…nothing.”

He handed it back.

“Roots.”

I looked confused.

His expression became irritated.

“Water the roots.”

I nodded.

Then copied him.

For some reason

that made him less scary.

We worked quietly only the noise from the water touching the flowers could be heard,

then,

he spoke.

“Do you like flowers?”

The question surprised me.

I looked at the flowers.

Then nodded.

“Yes.”

Silence.

Then

“My mother did too.”

My hand stopped.

I looked at him.

His eyes stayed ahead.

No expression.

But something changed.

His voice became quieter.

“She planted most of these.”

I looked around again.

Suddenly,

the place felt different.

Less secret.

More…

kept.

I looked back at him.

He noticed.

Then immediately looked away.

Like he regretted speaking.

Outside the gate

two maids stood watching.

One of them hurried away.

She found Linda.

Linda stood near the kitchens.

The maid bowed.

“Miss Linda.”

Linda looked at her.

“Well?”

The maid lowered her voice.

“She’s there again.”

Linda’s expression didn’t move.

“Where?”

The maid swallowed.

“The garden.”

Silence.

Linda slowly looked up.

“…the private one?”

The maid nodded.

Linda stared.

Then smiled.

Too calm.

Too controlled.

She stepped closer.

Her voice lowered.

“From today…”

She fixed the maid with her eyes.

“Tell me every time she’s called.”

The maid looked nervous.

Linda smiled.

“And keep watching her.”

The maid nodded quickly.

Linda looked toward the distant gates.

Her smile disappeared.

“No maid enters that place.”

Back inside,

I was carrying another watering can when my foot caught a stone.

I stumbled.

Water spilled.

Before I hit the ground

a hand grabbed my wrist.

Strong.

Warm.

I gasped.

Alpha Brad steadied me.

For a second

he didn’t let go.

His eyes moved across my face.

Like checking if I was hurt.

Then he realized our position and his expression hardened.

He released me immediately.

His voice turned cold.

“Be careful.”

I lowered my head.

“…sorry.”

I picked up the watering can.

But my chest felt strange, for one second he looked worried.

Not annoyed.

The silence stayed for a moment before he spoke,

he looked away and spoke.

“You can leave.”

I nodded.

I turned.

Then his voice stopped me.

Tomorrow.

Same time.”

I turned.

He was already looking away.

I blinked.

“…to water flowers?”

A pause.

Then

“Yes.”

I left.

Outside, the maids immediately looked away.

But not before I noticed.

They had been watching.

And farther away,

was Linda, standing with an expression less face, watching me

It was so creepy and i could feel chills running down my spine,

What if i get into trouble with Linda?

What if ??