Chapter 8 -CELINE'S POV- A lump formed in my throat as my eyes locked with Hunter's . " Please , God . Don't let this be the end of my job ." I swallowed hard , my fingers trembling as I reached for the door handle . " Open it , " he ordered , his voice sharp , leaving no room for hesitation . I did as I was told , stepping aside as he walked in . His eyes scanned the room , his touch grazing surfaces as he moved around , quiet and calculating . I had worked tirelessly to turn this disaster into something spotless . And he saw it . I knew he did . For a brief moment , he nodded , and a flicker of hope sparked in my chest . Maybe - just maybe he was impressed . 38 ) But then he turned , and whatever softness I thought I saw was gone . His expression was cold , his stare sharp enough to slice right through me . I felt a shiver dance along my spine . " Sir ... did - did I do well ? " I asked , my voice barely above a whisper . I needed to hear it . Just a word . Just something to confirm that all the scrubbing , the aching , the exhaustion - it all meant something . Hunter parted his lips , and my heart picked up an uneasy , frantic rhythm . " Go upstairs . " His tone was unreadable . " There are seven rooms that haven't been used in months . Leave them spotless . You have two hours . " Two hours . Seven rooms . The frustration flared in my chest before I could push it down . I had just spent hours scrubbing every inch of this one room , and now I had to do * seven more? My back already felt like it had been run over , and I was * so * damn tired . But I knew better than to argue . I had begged for this second chance . I wouldn't throw it away just because my body was screaming for rest . So , I forced a smile . Big , wide , and maybe a little too eager . " Sure thing , sir ! I'll get right to it . " My voice was filled with false enthusiasm, but I kept my chin high . " Is there anything else you'd like me to do ? " For a split second , something flickered across Hunter's face - something I almost wanted to call surprise . But then , just as quickly , it disappeared . " Get to work ." 1/5 9:07 pm B BBB Chapter 8 Three simple words . Sharp . Cold . But right now ? The sweetest thing I could've heard . 38 ) I turned , ready to leave , but my body felt heavy . The exhaustion pressed against me like a weight , heat creeping up my neck from all the hours of hard work . Then- " Mr , will you play with me ? " Ceasar's small , bright voice cut through my thoughts . I froze . Oh , God . The last time Ceasar crossed paths with Hunter , it had cost me my job . I * just * got this chance back - I wasn't about to let history repeat itself . Spinning around , I crouched down , my hands reaching for my son . " Ceasar , sweetheart , " I whispered urgently . " We have to go . " I scooped him up before he could say another word , my arms wrapping tightly around his little frame . I didn't dare meet Hunter's gaze - I could feel it , piercing and unrelenting . With quick steps , I walked away , not stopping until I was far enough to breathe again . The head maid was waiting for me , her expression unreadable as she led me to the seven rooms . I stepped inside the first one , and my stomach sank . It was a mess . Just like the first one . I inhaled deeply , pressing my fingers to my temples for a second before rolling up my sleeves . * You can do this , Celine . * Because I had no other choice . I pressed a trembling hand over my lips , forcing them to stay still , to keep from turning downward . Tears burned at the edges of my eyes , threatening to spill , but I refused to let them . Not in front of Caesar . Not when he needed me to be strong . Every muscle in my body ached . Not just a dull pain - no , this was the kind of pain that settled deep in my bones , making it feel like if I moved too fast , my body might just fall apart . I squeezed my temples , willing myself to stay calm . * Celine , you can do this . Just a little more , and it'll be over . " I repeated the words in my head like a prayer . A desperate , exhausted prayer . I had been scrubbing , sweeping , and hauling things out of these rooms for what felt like forever , but now , I was down to the last one . 2/5 9:07 pm GGGG Chapter 8 38 Caesar was starting to get restless , his little body buzzing with energy as he ran in circles . I wanted to stop him , to tell him to sit still , but I barely had the strength to stand upright . The last box . I bent over , my spine screaming in protest , and grabbed the final dusty carton . * Almost there . * I carried it out , my back throbbing with every step . The second I tossed it away , I exhaled , long and deep . " Phew , " I muttered , brushing the dust off my hands . And then I heard it . A cry . Not just any cry . * Caesar's . * My heart clenched as I turned , spotting him sitting on the floor , his tiny fists rubbing at his tear - streaked face . I rushed over , ignoring the fire in my legs . " Sweetie , what's wrong ? Why are you crying ? " My voice came out soft , gentle , but my heart was racing . Caesar hiccupped between sobs . " I'm hungry , Mom . I want to eat something ." My chest tightened , my stomach twisting into knots . I hadn't fed him . Not properly . I had been so caught up in keeping my job , in making sure we had a future , that I hadn't thought about how long he'd gone without food . * How could I let this happen ? * I bit down on my lip , swallowing the lump in my throat . We were still too far from home , and I couldn't ask him to wait . Not when he was already falling apart . Then , I saw her . The head maid . She was walking toward me , her expression unimpressed , like she had better things to do than check up on me . " Hey , " she said , stopping a few feet away . " Are you done with your work ? " Her tone was clipped , impatient . I forced my body to straighten , ignoring the way my muscles screamed in protest . " Yes . Yes , I am , " I answered quickly . 3/5 9:07 pm G GGG Chapter 8 She rolled her eyes . " Good ." She turned to leave , and I should've let her go . Should've swallowed my pride and figured something else out . But then I looked down at my son - his cheeks still damp , his little body curled in on itself - and my ego crumbled . I sucked in a sharp breath . " Please , " I blurted out , my voice shaking . " Can I ask you for something ? " The head maid turned back toward me , her brows pinched together . " What is it ? " I swallowed hard , gripping Caesar's tiny hand in mine . " Please ... can you give me some food ? " My voice came out small , desperate . " It's not for me . Just - look at my son . He's been crying . He's hungry . My house is too far ." She let out a slow breath , her gaze flicking from me to Caesar . Then , without a word , she turned and walked away . My heart dropped . But then I heard it . " Follow me . " I didn't hesitate . I scooped Caesar up , pressing his warm little body against mine as I hurried after her , my heart pounding with something dangerously close to relief . We walked in silence down the stairs , through the long , elegant hallways , until we reached the kitchen . The head maid spoke a few words to the chef , and within minutes , a plate of food was placed in front of her . Small . Too small . She turned , extending it toward me . " Here . But listen to me carefully ." I took the plate , holding it tight as if she might change her mind . " This is the first and last time you ask for food ," she said , her tone sharp enough to cut skin . " You're a maid , not a burden . You should be grateful the boss even let you and your child stay . Learn your place ." Her words sliced through me , but I nodded anyway . I had no energy to fight , no pride left to defend . All I cared about was the food in my hands and the little boy in my arms . I turned and walked out , my eyes locked on the small , barely - there portion . My chest ached at the sight of it . It wouldn't be enough . Not even close . 38 A sob built in my throat , and this time , I couldn't swallow it down . Tears blurred my vision , sliding down my cheeks in quiet surrender . I blinked them away , focusing on getting to the servant quarters . I just needed to feed him first . Just needed to- I crashed into something . No- someone . * Firm . Solid . Warm . I gasped , stumbling back , and when I lifted my gaze , my stomach clenched . 4/5 9:07 pm GGG G Chapter 8 * Hunter . * His presence sucked the air from the room . He looked different than he had this morning - less composed , more ... tense . There was something in his eyes , something heavy , like exhaustion and frustration tangled together . I quickly swung the plate behind my back , as if that would somehow make it disappear . As if he hadn't already seen it . His gaze darkened . But he didn't say anything . He just ... brushed past me . I exhaled , my shoulders sagging . Almost out . Almost- Then his voice cut through the air , sharp and cold . " Tomorrow . My study and room need cleaning . " A pause . " The head maid will tell you what needs to be done ." I sucked in a breath . " Yes , sir . " I took a step forward . " And Celine ." I froze . " If you really want this job , " he said , his voice slow , deliberate , " don't show up a minute late . " His eyes met mine for half a second , just long enough to make my pulse stutter . " Don't say I didn't warn you ." I nodded . Then I walked away , gripping Caesar and the plate of food like they were the only things keeping me from falling apart . 38 5/5 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!