Chapter 5 -CELINE- I glanced at my wristwatch . . Why was Caroline taking so long ? With a sigh , I reached for my phone and dialed her number . Surely , she hadn't forgotten about our lunch plans . Across from me , Caesar started to squirm , tapping his toy truck against the table . His boredom was my cue to hurry , but Caroline still wasn't picking up . The soft ding of the café door opening caught my attention . I looked up and spotted Caroline standing by the entrance , scanning the room until her eyes found me . " Caroline ! " I waved , relief flooding me . She waved back with a bright smile and threaded her way through the crowded tables . As always , she looked effortlessly elegant - her silk blouse and pencil skirt were perfectly tailored , her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders . I straightened in my seat , suddenly aware of the wild curls framing my face and the shadows under my eyes . " I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long ," Caroline said as she slid into the seat across from me . Her voice carried a note of genuine apology . " Work's been insane . " Her gaze softened as it fell on Caesar . " Hi , sweetheart , " she cooed , her smile widening . " My godson gets cuter every time I see him . " Caesar glanced up , offering her a shy smile before returning to his truck . Caroline leaned in slightly , studying him with an expression I couldn't quite read . " Those blue eyes ... " she murmured under her breath . " What was that ? " I asked , my tone sharper than I intended . She blinked , her polished composure slipping for a moment . " Nothing ," she said quickly , brushing it off with a smile . But something stayed in her expression - something she wasn't saying . I let it slide , though her words stuck in my mind . " How have you been , Celine ? " she asked , her tone kind but cautious . " Well , " I said , running my finger along the edge of the menu , " I'm unemployed , and my rent's due soon . " Caroline's expression softened with sympathy . " Have you considered asking your mom or sister for help ? " I stiffened . " You know I can't do that . " She sighed , her frustration barely masked . " I get it , but think about Caesar . You can't do this alone forever . " " I am thinking about Caesar , " I snapped . " That's why I'm not dragging him into their mess ." Caroline leaned back , raising her hands in surrender . " Fair enough . But it's tough out there , Celine . If you need help ... " " I know , " I said quietly . " And I do need help . " 1/3 9:06 pm G GGG . Chapter 5 I hesitated before continuing . " If I don't figure something out soon , Caesar and I might not have a roof over our heads . " Her face softened again , and she reached across the table to squeeze my hand . " I'll see what I can do , okay ? Just trust me." Relief washed over me , and I managed a small smile . " Thank you , Caroline . " Two days later , she texted me about a job opening at her cousin's mansion . The position was as a maid , and the pay was shockingly generous . For the first time in weeks , hope sparked in my chest . This job could be our fresh start . 38 ) Saturday morning arrived faster than expected . I bolted out of bed to the grating sound of my alarm . " Up , Caesar , " I called , pulling him from under the covers . With no hot water , I resorted to heating water on the stove for our morning wash . By the time we were both dressed - me in a simple black dress , Caesar in jeans and a T - shirt - I was already exhausted . We left the apartment , dodging a sharp glance from Mrs. Martha . " Morning , Celine . Rent's due next week . Don't make me come knocking , " she warned , her voice like gravel . I bit back a sigh , forcing a polite smile . " Got it , Mrs. Martha ." We took a bus , then a cab , weaving through streets that grew more pristine and opulent with every turn . " Wow , " I murmured , staring out the window at the towering mansions . " It's something , huh ? " the cab driver said with a chuckle . " Welcome to where the rich and powerful live ." The cab pulled up to a sleek , glass - fronted mansion , and I stepped out , clutching Caesar's hand . The iron gate loomed ahead , its sheer size making me feel small . " We're here , " I whispered , giving Caesar a shaky smile . I pressed the buzzer , startled when a crisp voice crackled through the intercom . " Name ? " " Celine Brown , " I stammered . " Do you have an appointment ? " " Yes . Caroline Crawford referred me for the maid position . " There was a pause , then a soft click as the gate unlocked . I tightened my grip on Caesar's hand and stepped inside . The path was lined with perfectly trimmed hedges , leading to the massive front door . A woman in a blue dress greeted us , her expression harsh . She looked me over , then glanced at Caesar with a faint frown . " This way , " she said curtly , turning on her heel . We followed her through a house that looked like it belonged in a magazine . Caesar's small giggles broke the silence , and I 2/3 9:06 pm B Chapter 5 squeezed his hand , urging him to stay quiet . At last , we stopped in front of a door . " He's waiting ," the woman said , giving me a pointed look before walking away . I took a deep breath , my heart pounding . " Well , " I whispered to myself , " here goes everything ." Opening the door , I stepped inside with Caesar . The study was lined with bookshelves , sunlight streaming through the windows . A man stood with his back to us , leaning against a shelf . " Hello ? " I called softly . He turned , and my breath caught in my throat . Hunter Reid . His piercing gaze locked onto mine , and the room seemed to shrink around us . 3/3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!