His Forbidden Chef

Chapter3

Zara stepped out of the shower and reached for the towel. Steam filled the bathroom, fogging the mirror. The hot water had helped a little, but her mind kept replaying Alexander’s cold rules from last night. She wrapped the towel around herself and walked into the bedroom, still dripping.

She needed this job. The money was the only thing standing between her and the street. So she would keep her head down, do whatever was asked, and not complain.

A loud knock sounded on the bedroom door. Before she could answer, the door swung open.

Alexander walked in, phone in hand, looking for the new cook. He had waited ten minutes for breakfast and decided to find her himself. He never knocked twice.

He pushed the bathroom door open without thinking.

Zara stood there, towel clutched in between her chest, water still running down her legs. Naked underneath. Completely exposed for the first time.

Both of them froze.

Alexander’s gray eyes locked on her. For one long second he didn’t move. He saw her slim waist and curvy body, the round soft perky boobs that were not too big but moderate in size, smooth and succulent. The towel was caught between them, and he could clearly see her n*****s and her v****a was shaved clean. He saw the shock on her face.

Zara’s heart slammed against her ribs. She grabbed the towel tighter, stepping back until she hit the sink.

“What the hell—” she started, voice shaking.

Alexander’s jaw tightened. He didn’t look away immediately. Then he turned sharply, one hand still on the door.

“Breakfast in ten minutes,” he said, voice flat and cold. And just like that, no apology. No explanation.

He pulled the bathroom door shut behind him and left the bedroom without another word.

Zara stood there, breathing hard. Her face burned. She quickly dried off and threw on her clothes, hands unsteady. She had killed every bit of pride to take this job, and now this.

She hurried to the kitchen and started cooking. Simple eggs, toast, coffee. Nothing fancy. Her mind raced the whole time. Did he do that on purpose? Was this another test?

Alexander sat at the dining table exactly ten minutes later. He didn’t mention what happened. He didn’t look at her any differently than before. Just sat there, scrolling on his phone, waiting for the plate.

Zara set the food down carefully and stepped back.

He ate in silence. After a few bites he spoke without looking up.

“Next time lock the door if you don’t want to be seen.”

Zara’s stomach twisted. She wanted to snap back, but the thought of the eviction notice stopped her. She swallowed hard.

“Yes, sir,” she said quietly.

Alexander finished his coffee and stood. As he walked past her toward his study, he paused for half a second. Close enough that she could smell his cologne.

He didn’t say anything else. He just continued down the hall and closed the study door behind him.

Zara cleared the table, heart still racing. She told herself it was nothing, it was just an accident. He didn’t care. He never cared.

But when she went to wipe down the counters, she caught her reflection in the steel surface. Her cheeks were still flushed.

She had no idea that inside the study, Alexander stood by the window, staring out at the city. The image of her in that towel wouldn’t leave his head. He hated it. He hated that he had looked even for a second.

He picked up his phone and made a call, voice ice cold as always.

“Send the usual cleaning crew for the east wing. And make sure the new girl stays in the main areas only.”

He ended the call and sat down at his desk. The photo frame on the corner stayed face down, as it always did.

Zara didn’t know any of that. She only knew one thing for sure.

This job was going to be harder than she thought.

And she couldn’t afford to lose it.