Chapter 47 -CELINE- Heat climbs up my neck as I close the door behind Hunter My words hang in the air like a confession I never meant to make ' Have you ever gone to bed hungry just so someone else could eat ? I press my palms against my burning cheeks and sink onto the small sofa , mortified . Once again , I'd shown Hunter Reid my most vulnerable side , the struggling single mother , the charity case , the pitiful girl who couldn't catch a break . " Mommy ? " Caesar's sleepy voice calls from the bedroom . I take a deep breath , forcing the shame down . " Yes , baby . I'm here . " Pushing myself up , I walk to the bedroom doorway . Caesar sits up in bed , rubbing his eyes , his dark curls tousled from sleep . The sight of him , so innocent , so perfect , steadies my racing heart . " Theard voices , " he mumbles . " It was n nothing , sweetheart . " I cross the room and sit on the edge of his bed . " Just grown - up stuff . Go back to sleep . " He looks at me with those piercing blue eyes ' Hunter's eyes for a moment , I see something too knowing , too perceptive for a three- year - old . But then he yawns , and he's just my little boy again , " Will you sing to me ? " he asks , snuggling back under his covers . I smooth his hair away from his forehead . " Of course . " I sing softly , an old lullaby my grandmother used to sing , one of the few good memories from my childhood . Caesar's eyes grow heavy , and soon his breathing evens out . I stay there for a few minutes , watching him sleep , wondering for the thousandth time if I'm doing the right thing . Working for Hunter , living in his home , keeping Caesar's paternity secret - it's a web of complications I never wanted . But what choice did I have ? After losing my job at The Aurelia , bills piled up faster than I could manage that her cousin needed household staff , it seemed like fate . Caroline mentioned I couldn't have known it was Hunter - the same man who'd fired me , the same man who'd unknowingly fathered my child during that hazy , forgotten night three years ago . My phone buzzes with a text from Sally : " Mr. Reid asked for you in his study . He seemed upset you didn't show up earlier . I frown . No one had told me Hunter wanted to see me . I type back quickly . Just got this message . Caesar was having trouble sleeping , I'll check if he still needs me I glance at the clock - 10 : 22 PM . Late , but not too late . If Hunter's still working , I should at least explain myself With a sigh , I change from my pajamas into jeans and a simple blouse . I run a brush through my hair , wishing I had time for a proper shower . 1/4 Chapter 47 The day's work .. dusting , vacuuming , helping Cook with dinner prep ... clings to my skin . Icheck on Caesar once more before quietly slipping out . The main house is eerily quiet at night . My footsteps echo against marble floors as I make my way to Hunter's study , The grandeur of the mansion never fails to intimidate me - crystal chandeliers , priceless artwork , and furniture worth more than T earn in a letime . Outside Hunter's study , I hesitate , suddenly aware of how wrong this is . A maid visiting her employer's private study at night , alone . I should turn back , and wait until morning . But before I can decide , the door swings open . Hunter stands there , jacket discarded , sleeves rolled up to his elbows , button undone . He looks exhausted , the sharp lines of his face softened by fatigue . " You're late ," he says , but without the bite from earlier . " I'm sorry , " I say . " I just saw Sally's message . No one told me you needed help . " He studies me for a long moment , his gaze intense . Then he steps back , wordlessly inviting me in . The study is a mess of papers , and files scattered across his desk , his laptop open to a spreadsheet . Two empty scotch glasses sit beside a plate of cookies . " You wanted my help with documents ? " I ask , keeping my voice professional . Hunter runs a hand through his hair , messing it further . " The Stevens contract . I need it for tomorrow's meeting , but I can't find it . " " Did you check your email ? Maybe it's there ." " Of course , I checked my email , " he snaps , then sighs . " Sorry . I've been looking for hours . " The apology surprises me . I've never heard Hunter Reid apologize to anyone , let alone to me . " Let me help , " I offer , moving toward his desk . He watches me , his face unreadable as I start organizing the chaos , creating neat piles by date and sul following my movements . " How do you do that ? " he asks after a few minutes . " Do what ? " " Stay so calm . So ... composed . " I almost laugh . " I'm not composed . I'm just used to solving problems . " " Because of your son ? " he asks , and my hands freeze mid - motion . I glance up at him , " Because of life . " Something hints in his eyes , curiosity , perhaps . Or recognition . can feel his eyes 2/4 - 1209 Thu 31 Jung Chapter 47 We work in silence for a while , the only sound of the shuffling of papers and the occasional sigh from Hunter . I find the Stevens contract tucked inside a folder labeled " Pending Acquisitions . " Relief washes over Hunter's face when I hand it to him * Thank you , " he says , his voice softer than I've ever heard it . I nod , ready to leave , but he stops me with a question , " Was it hard ? " he asks . " Raising him alone ? " Then question catches me off guard . Hunter has never shown interest in my personal life before , let alone in Caesar . " Yes , " I answer honestly . " It still is . " Hunter looks down at the contract in his hands . " He's a good kid . " " The best , " I agree , warmth blooming in my chest at the thought of my son . " He looks like someone I know , " Hunter says , and my heart stops . Here it is . The moment I've been dreading . Has he figured it out ? Does he know ? But Hunter just shakes his head , as if dismissing the thought . " He seems happy , though . You must be doing something right . " The compliment , however small , feels huge coming from him . I've spent weeks being criticized , examined , and made to feel bad at every turn . " Itry , " I say simply . Our eyes meet , and for a second , there's something there - a connection , an understanding that outshines our roles as employer and employee . As a man and woman . As strangers who once shared something neither of us remembers . But then Hunter looks away , clearing his throat . " It's late ! You should get back to your son . " Inod , eager to escape the strange tension building between us . " Goodnight , Mr. Reid . " " Hunter , " he says , surprising me . " When we're alone ... you can call me Hunter . " The intimacy of the request sends a shiver down my spine . " Goodnight , Hunter , " I whisper . He doesn't respond , already turning back to his work . But as I reach the door , his voice stops me again . " Celine ? " Itumn back . " Yes ? " " The cookies , " he says . " They were good . " It's such a small thing , yet I feel a smile tugging at my lips . " I'll tell Cook you enjoyed them . " " You made them , " he states , not a question . 3/4 Chapter 47 I blink , surprised he knew . " Yes . Caesar loves chocolate chip . " Hunter nods as if filing away this piece of information . " I can see why " The air between us grows thick again with something unknown . I need to leave before I do something foolish , like mistake his momentary kindness for something more . " Goodnight , " I say again , more firmly this time . Back in the staff quarters , I check on Caesar , still sound asleep , blissfully unaware of the difficulties stirring around him . I change back into my pajamas and crawl into bed beside him , my mind spinning . Hunter Reid is a storm - unpredictable , powerful , and destructive . I've spent years building a life for Caesar and me , a small but stable existence . The last thing we need is a hurricane tearing through our carefully constructed world . But as I drift off to sleep , I can't help wondering what it would be like to stand in the eye of that storm , where they say it's perfectly calm , clear . And for a moment , just before sleep claims me , I allow myself to imagine what it would be like if Hunter knew the truth - if he looked at Caesar and saw himself . If he looked at me and saw more than just a maid , more than just a charity case . If he looked at us and saw a family . A dangerous thought , I know . But in the quiet darkness of night , I let myself dream it anyway . € 1 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!