Where We Collide

Behind the facade

Emily's POV

The kitchen was unusually noisy when I arrived that morning. The scent of fresh-baked pastries and sizzling bacon filled the air as Lydia directed the staff like a maestro conducting an orchestra.

“Big day,” she said, barely glancing at me as I walked in. “ Mr. Julian’s friends are coming for brunch. We’ve got to be perfect. ”

I groaned inwardly. Julian’s friends. I’d only heard about them in passing—wealthy, entitled, and just as infuriating as Julian himself. The thought of serving them made my stomach twist.

Lydia shoved a tray of glasses into my hands. “ You’re on drink duty. Don’t spill anything. ”

---

By mid-morning, the dining room was a vision of opulence. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the table was set with fine china and gold-trimmed cutlery. I stood at the side with the other staff, nervously fidgeting with the hem of my apron.

The first guest arrived with a dramatic flourish—a tall, blonde woman in a designer dress and heels so high they looked dangerous. She air-kissed Julian on both cheeks before tossing her coat at one of the maids.

“Emily,” Lydia hissed, nudging me. “Go hang the coat.”

I bit back a retort and took the coat, plastering on a polite smile.

The guests trickled in, each one more glamorous than the last. They greeted Julian with laughter and casual banter, their voices echoing through the grand hall. I could feel their eyes on me as I moved around the room, pouring drinks and clearing plates.

---

“Who’s the new girl?” one of them asked as I passed by.

I froze, hoping they weren’t talking about me.

Julian smirked, leaning back in his chair. “ That’s Emily. She’s… new.”

The blonde woman—the first to arrive—snickered. “ She’s adorable. Like a little lost puppy. ”

My cheeks burned, but I kept my head down, focusing on my task.

“Do you think she knows what she’s doing?” another voice chimed in, dripping with sarcasm.

“Probably not,” Julian said, his tone casual.

Something inside me snapped. I slammed the teapot down on the table, a little harder than necessary, and forced a smile. “Would anyone like more tea?”

The room went silent. The guests exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by my outburst. Julian raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening.

“No, thank you,” the blonde woman said, her voice sickly sweet. “But do try not to spill it, darling.”

I clenched my jaw and turned to leave, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and humiliation.

Later, as I stood in the kitchen fuming, Lydia approached me. “Don’t let them get to you,” she said gently.

“It’s not just them,” I muttered. “ It’s him. Julian. He’s insufferable. ”

Lydia sighed. “ He’s always been like that—using humor as a defense mechanism. Don’t take it personally. ”

I wanted to argue, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Lydia was right. As much as I hated to admit it, there was something deeper behind Julian’s arrogance.

The afternoon passed in a blur of chores. By the time I returned to the staff quarters, I was exhausted. I collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling as the events of the day replayed in my mind.

Why had Julian’s words bothered me so much? It wasn’t like I cared what he thought. And yet, the way he’d mocked me in front of his friends felt… different. More personal.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called, sitting up.

Lydia stepped inside, carrying a tray with a sandwich and a cup of tea. “Thought you might need this,” she said with a small smile.

“Thanks,” I said, grateful for her kindness.

She sat on the edge of the bed, her expression thoughtful. “ You know, Julian’s friends—they’re not worth your energy. They’re all about appearances and keeping up their little charades. But you… you’re different. ”

I raised an eyebrow. “Different how?”

“You’re real,” she said simply. “And that scares them.”

I laughed, though her words struck a chord. “I doubt they even notice me enough to be scared.”

“Oh, they notice,” Lydia said, her smile turning sly. “Especially Julian.”

I rolled my eyes, brushing off her comment. But deep down, I couldn’t help wondering if there was some truth to it.

The next morning, I avoided Julian as much as possible, throwing myself into my work. I scrubbed floors, polished silverware, and dusted furniture until my arms ached.

But no matter how hard I tried to focus, I couldn’t shake the feeling of Julian’s eyes on me. Every time I passed him in the hall or caught a glimpse of him in the dining room, I felt a strange mix of anger and curiosity.

What is it about him that gets under my skin? I try to avoid him, to focus on my work and ignore the way he looks at me. But it's no use. Every time I see him, I feel this... this spark of anger and curiosity.

Who is he, really? What's behind that arrogant facade? Is it just a mask, a way to hide his true self? I tell myself it doesn't matter. I'm here to do a job, not get tangled up in the lives of the Davenports.

But somehow, Julian makes it impossible for me to keep my distance. I wonder what secrets he's hiding, what it would take to uncover them. And despite myself, I find myself wanting to know more. There are just a lot of things to discover in the Davenports family. Julian himself is a lot himself. I just never thought I'd find myself in a place like this.