Life: what I never thought could be

*Chapter 1: The Maid in Black and White* My name is Miller. In this house, I am meant to be invisible. I rise at five every morning. I sweep the compound, wash the dishes, and iron the clothes. My uniform is black and white, much like my life. There is no color in it. This house does not belong to me. It belongs to my aunt. Since my parents passed away, I have lived here. She says she took me in out of kindness, yet every day she reminds me that I am nothing more than a maid. Today was different. Important guests were coming for dinner. "The mayor's family is coming," my aunt announced sharply. "Miller, do not embarrass me. Stay in the kitchen." I nodded. I always stay in the kitchen. But the water in the dining room ran out, and I had to bring more. My hands trembled as I carried the tray of glasses. The dining room was bright, filled with chandeliers, well-dressed guests, and expensive perfume. And then I saw him. He sat beside the mayor. Tall, broad-shouldered, strikingly handsome, with cold, unreadable eyes. He wore a black shirt and carried himself like a man who owned the world. I stared at him for a moment too long and lost my footing. I stumbled, and the entire tray of water spilled over him. Silence fell across the room. Every conversation stopped. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" I knelt down, desperately using my uniform to wipe his shirt, tears already forming in my eyes. My aunt rose to her feet. "Miller! You useless girl! I warned you!" All eyes were on me. I wished the ground would open and swallow me whole. Then he took hold of my hand. His hand was warm. He gently stopped me. "It's all right," he said, his voice deep and steady. "It's only water." He wasn't angry. He wasn't looking at my uniform. He was looking into my eyes. For the first time since I came to this house, someone looked at me as though I were a person. My aunt forced an awkward laugh. "Forgive us, sir. She is only our maid. She doesn't know any better..." He did not look at my aunt. His gaze remained on me. "What is your name?" he asked. "Miller," I whispered. "Miller," he repeated softly, as if tasting the name. That night, I could not sleep. I could not stop thinking about his eyes. Cold to the world, but not to me. I am only a maid. He is the mayor's son, a billionaire heir. Our paths were never meant to cross again. And yet, I cannot shake the feeling that my life has just changed forever. What I never thought could be has just begun.