In His World
1489 Words
~Amara~
The sound of my alarm woke me out of sleep.I just stayed on my bed staring up at the ceiling for some seconds. My chest felt heavy—not with exhaustion, but with the knowledge of what today was.
My first day working for Lucian Draxen.
I quickly got up from bed, went to take my bath, and stood in front of the mirror. I tried to look confident, like someone who was prepared to face whatever was coming my way.
I put on a plain white top and black skirt, tied back my hair, and let out a sigh. Not bad. Would have to do.
I was stuffing my things into my small bag when I heard Selena’s voice from the doorway.
“It’s not too late to change your mind,” she said, leaning against the frame of the door.
I met her eyes through the mirror and gave a tiny smile. “I’ll be fine, Sel. I have to do this.”
She didn’t look convinced. “I just don’t like that man. Remember the way he treated you the morning after that night.”
“I know,” I said, trying to sound steady and not let memories of the night we slept together start entering my mind. “But I’m ready. I’ll be okay.”
Before she could reply, my phone started buzzing on the table. Unknown number.
“Hello?” I said, pressing it to my ear.
A calm, almost formal male voice came through. “Good morning, ma. Am I speaking to Miss Amara?”
“Yes, this is she.”
“My name is Silas. I'm Mr Draxen’s driver. I’m outside your apartment.”
“Outside?” I said surprised, walking to the window. I saw that a sleek black car was parked in front of my apartment building.
I was shocked. I definitely didn’t remember giving Lucian my address. I’d only written down my number on a paper he gave me yesterday when I saw him.
Selena was surprised too “How does he even know where you live?” she asked
“Exactly what I’m wondering,” I replied.
She trailed behind me down the stairs, insisting on carrying one of my bags, even though it was light enough to swing.
Outside, a tall man in a dark suit stood beside the car. Silas, obviously. He gave a polite nod, took my bag from Selena, and placed it neatly in the trunk.
“Call me when you get there!” Selena yelled as I slid into the passenger seat.
“I will!” I shouted back, waving through the window as we pulled away.
The car ride was silent at first. It smelled like leather and expensive perfume I couldn’t name. My thoughts were occupied with one question: How did he know my apartment?
After a few minutes, I cleared my throat. “Um… can I ask you something?”
Silas looked at me through the rearview mirror. “Of course, ma.”
“How did you know where I live?”
He hesitated. “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you that. You’ll have to ask Mr. Draxen.”
I turned my gaze to the window, biting my lip. Of course. Everything about Lucian Draxen had to be mysterious.
Trying to make things less awkward, I asked, “So, do you drive him everywhere?”
Silas chuckled lightly. “Most of the time. I’m his driver—and his right-hand man, you could say. He likes driving himself sometimes, though.”
“Must be nice,” I murmured.
He just smiled faintly, eyes back on the road.
The rest of the ride was quiet, except for the low hum of the engine. The city eventually gave way to long, empty roads and a pair of tall iron gates. My jaw actually dropped as they opened slowly, revealing a driveway straight out of a magazine.
Neatly trimmed hedges. Marble statues. A white mansion that looked too perfect to be real.
Cars gleamed to the left, a blue pool shimmered to the right. I couldn’t even decide where to look.
Silas parked in front of the main entrance. “I’ll get your bags,” he said, already stepping out.
I followed, still half-stunned. The doors were massive, with gold handles that caught the sunlight like they were showing off.
He knocked once. A few seconds later, an older woman opened the door with a kind smile. She looked to be in her late fifties, maybe early sixties.
“Oh, you must be the new help Mr. Draxen mentioned,” she said warmly. “Please, come in.”
“Good morning, ma’am,” I said softly as she took my bags.
“Mr. Draxen will be coming in late today,” Silas said to her.
“All right, Silas. Thank you.”
He nodded once and left.
The woman turned to me again. “What’s your name, dear?”
“Amara.”
“Such a pretty name,” she said with a smile. “Well, Amara, come along. I’ll show you your room.”
His house was extremely beautiful. I followed her through a hallway that was almost too perfect to walk through. Everything was white, gold, or beige, with chandeliers that sparkled like stars.
At the end of the hall, she stopped in front of a room and pushed the door open.
“Oh—and I’m Marta,” she said. “Head maid. And once upon a time, Mr. Draxen’s nanny.”
“Nanny?” I repeated.
She laughed softly. “Yes. I used to work for his parents before he was even born. When Lucian came along, I became his nanny. After his father passed, he moved out at eighteen, and I followed him here. Been with him ever since.”
“Wow,” I said. “So you’ve known him forever.”
“Pretty much,” she said, smiling fondly.
“Thanks for showing me around, Marta.”
“Oh, don’t call me ma or ma’am, dear. Marta is fine.”
Her tone shifted a little, more serious now. “Just so you know—Mr. Draxen usually gets home around six, sometimes later. His dinner needs to be ready before he arrives. And his room? Off-limits. I’m the only one allowed to clean it. The last maid who didn’t listen isn’t working here anymore.”
I raised a brow. Fired just for going into his room? Of course he’d be that type.
“As for the rest,” she continued, “you’ll handle the downstairs rooms—the kitchen, dining area, parlor, and his office. I’ll take upstairs. You’ll also handle the dishes after meals.”
I nodded quickly. “Got it, Marta.”
“Good. Your uniform will come tomorrow. You’ll need to wear it during work hours.”
“Understood.”
“Good girl.” She smiled again. “Now, go rest a bit. We’ll start dinner prep around five.”
Once she left, I sat on the bed and looked around. The mattress was ridiculously soft—it almost swallowed me. The room was big and clean, nothing like the tiny space I shared with Selena.
I unpacked my few things, folded my clothes into the wardrobe, and texted Selena:
I’m at Lucian’s house. Don’t worry, I’m fine. Talk later. Love you.
Hours passed quietly until I heard movement downstairs. Around five, I followed the sounds of clattering pots and found Marta in the kitchen, I saw her washing chicken.
“Glad you’re settled,” she said. “Can you dice those vegetables for me?”
“Yes, Marta,” I replied, washing my hands first.
Cooking with her felt strangely comforting. My mom taught me how to cook when I was little, and for a moment, it felt like home again. Marta took care of most of the meal, giving me small tasks to do.
“The mashed potatoes are ready,” she said after a while. “The sauce just needs to thicken. Keep an eye on it for me, then turn off the gas. I’ll go freshen up.”
“Okay,” I nodded.
The kitchen smelled amazing. I watched the sauce bubble softly for a bit, then suddenly realized I needed to pee. I ran to the bathroom, when I was done I washed my hands, and froze when I caught a faint smell of something burning.
My heart leaped.
I rushed back to the kitchen, and quickly turned off the gas. Smoke was already coming out from the pot. When I lifted the lid, my stomach dropped—the sauce was a little burnt.
Before I could even think, a deep male voice came from behind me. It was smooth but sharp enough to cut through air.
“So,” he said, “first day on the job, and you’re already trying to burn my house down?”
- Writer
