Chapter 2: The Dangerous Attraction
629 Words
Yvonne awoke before dawn, the tension in her body making it impossible to sleep soundly. The memory of Levis Clarke’s piercing gaze haunted her, stirring emotions she didn’t dare name. She had to focus. She had to prove herself.
She moved through the quiet corridors, wiping away dust, arranging furniture, and making sure every surface gleamed. The other maids murmured their greetings, but she barely registered them. She couldn’t afford distractions—not when she was still on probation.
Then came breakfast service. Yvonne carried a tray through the halls, careful not to spill a single drop of coffee. As she reached Levis Clarke’s office, her hands trembled. She had been told he preferred to be left alone, but someone had to bring his meal.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked gently.
“Come in,” came the curt reply.
She pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was bathed in soft morning light filtering through tall windows. Levis sat at his desk, his fingers poised over a document, his expression unreadable. He didn’t look up as she approached, placing the tray down carefully.
For a moment, she thought she might escape unnoticed.
But then—
“Stop.”
Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest. She turned back, swallowing hard.
Levis lifted his gaze, his eyes locking onto hers. “What’s your name?”
She hesitated. “Yvonne Blue, sir.”
His eyes flickered with something she couldn’t name. He leaned back in his chair, studying her. “You’re new.”
“Yes, sir.”
He tapped his fingers against the desk. “Where did you work before this?”
She bit her lip. “Nowhere, sir. This is my first job.”
That caught his attention. His brow arched slightly. “First job?”
Yvonne braced herself for dismissal. For a snide remark. But instead, Levis simply leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Why Clarke Manor?”
She hesitated. Should she tell him the truth? That she had nowhere else to go? That this job was the thin thread keeping her from sleeping on the streets again?
“I needed the job,” she said simply.
Something unreadable flashed across his face, but he masked it quickly. “Do your job well, Miss Blue. I don’t tolerate incompetence.”
She nodded, relief washing over her. “Yes, sir.”
As she turned to leave, his voice stopped her once more.
“One more thing.”
She turned back, her pulse hammering.
Levis studied her, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long pause, he said, “Stay out of trouble.”
Yvonne swallowed hard. She had a feeling that was easier said than done.
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Over the next few days, Yvonne tried her best to avoid him, but fate had other plans. Every time she turned a corner, it seemed he was there—watching, observing, as if trying to decipher something about her. And the more she tried to blend in, the more impossible it became.
One evening, as she cleaned the grand library, she heard the door click shut behind her. She turned, and there he was—Levis Clarke, standing in the doorway, his gaze unreadable.
“You’re quite thorough,” he remarked, his voice smooth.
Yvonne’s throat went dry. “I—thank you, sir.”
He took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “Tell me, Miss Blue… are you afraid of me?”
Her breath hitched. “Should I be?”
A slow smirk curved his lips. “That depends.”
On what? She didn’t dare ask.
But as he walked past her, the heat of his presence lingering in the air, Yvonne knew one thing for certain—
Avoiding Levis Clarke was no longer an option.
- Writer
