Chapter 2 - Three More Days
Claire had almost reached the front door when Vanessa called after her.
"Wait."
Claire stopped.
Vanessa approached slowly.
Adrian was in the pantry, close enough to hear but hidden from view.
"The invoice," Vanessa said.
Claire handed it over.
Vanessa studied the total.
"Three hundred and eighty dollars for six plates?"
"They're handmade."
"That's ridiculous."
"It's the same collection Mrs. Mercer already uses."
Vanessa's gaze hardened.
"Are you implying I don't understand quality?"
"No."
Claire remained calm.
"I'm explaining the price."
Vanessa handed the invoice back.
"Your company should consider training its delivery people to speak more professionally."
Claire's cheeks colored.
But she simply answered, "I'll pass along the feedback."
Then she left.
Adrian stepped from the pantry.
Vanessa turned and saw him.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Then stop looking at me."
Adrian lowered his eyes.
"Yes, ma'am."
Vanessa walked away.
Teresa emerged from the laundry corridor.
"Three more days?"
Adrian exhaled.
"Possibly fewer."
That evening, Evelyn hosted a small dinner.
Vanessa was flawless.
She helped Evelyn choose flowers.
She complimented Teresa's table arrangement.
She even thanked Adrian when he served the first course.
"Wonderful, Daniel."
Her smile was luminous.
Adrian wondered how many versions of Vanessa Hale existed.
Perhaps that was the most disturbing part.
Her kindness wasn't fake in the conventional sense.
She understood kindness perfectly.
She simply believed some people deserved it and others did not.
After dinner, Evelyn found Adrian alone in the pantry.
"You've been quiet."
"I'm the cook."
She smiled.
"You're my son."
He looked toward the dining room.
"Do you really like her?"
Evelyn's smile faded.
"I do."
"Why?"
"She's intelligent. Ambitious. She understands your world."
"My world?"
"Adrian, you know what I mean."
He did.
Evelyn had watched her son become increasingly isolated after Lauren.
She wasn't trying to arrange a corporate merger.
She wanted him to have someone.
That made what Adrian had discovered harder.
"Mom, what would you say if Vanessa wasn't exactly who you thought?"
Evelyn studied him.
"What happened?"
"Nothing I can prove to you yet."
"You're testing her."
He didn't answer.
Evelyn sighed.
"Your father would hate this."
"Dad trusted everyone."
"Your father understood that trust always involves risk."
"And sometimes risk involves divorce attorneys."
"Adrian."
He softened.
"I'm trying not to make the same mistake twice."
Evelyn touched his arm.
"Just be careful that protecting yourself doesn't become another way of refusing to live."
Then she left.
Her words stayed with him.
The next morning, Claire returned.
This time she carried paperwork requiring Evelyn's signature.
Rain hammered against the windows.
Claire's coat was soaked.
Teresa immediately brought her a towel.
Vanessa entered.
"You're dripping on the floor."
Claire looked down.
"I'm sorry."
"I just had those floors polished."
"I can wipe it."
Before Claire could bend down, Adrian stepped forward with a cloth.
"I've got it."
Vanessa's eyes moved between them.
"No. Let her."
Adrian froze.
Claire slowly took the cloth.
"Of course."
She crouched and wiped the rainwater herself.
Something inside Adrian went cold.
Vanessa watched.
Then Evelyn entered.
"Oh, Claire! You're soaked."
And there it was again.
Vanessa transformed.
"Poor thing," she said warmly. "Daniel, get her some tea."
Adrian looked directly at Vanessa.
For perhaps the first time, she seemed uncomfortable under the cook's gaze.
"Right away."
Claire stood.
Evelyn signed the papers.
Before leaving, Claire quietly returned the cloth to Adrian.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For trying."
She smiled.
Again, she expected nothing.
Adrian watched her leave.
Vanessa noticed.
At lunch, she cornered him.
"You seem very interested in the delivery girl."
"Her name is Claire."
Vanessa blinked.
"What?"
"You called her the delivery girl. Her name is Claire."
Vanessa gave a short laugh.
"Do you have a problem with me?"
Adrian looked at her.
He could have ended everything right there.
He could have taken off the apron.
He could have told her his full name.
Instead he said, "No, ma'am."
"Good."
She stepped closer.
"Because people in your position should be careful."
"My position?"
"Employment can disappear quickly."
Adrian almost admired the irony.
"Understood."
Vanessa walked away.
That afternoon, Teresa found Adrian staring through the window.
"Enough."
He didn't respond.
"You've seen what you needed to see."
"Yes."
"So tell your mother."
"I will."
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
Teresa nodded.
Then she smiled faintly.
"And Claire?"
Adrian turned.
"What about Claire?"
"You've asked the security desk twice whether she signed out safely."
"It was raining."
"Of course."
"Teresa."
"I'm sixty-two, not blind."
Adrian shook his head.
Claire wasn't the point.
This experiment wasn't about finding someone else.
It was about Vanessa.
At least that was what he told himself.
But that evening he found the little bandage wrapper still folded in his apron pocket.
He didn't throw it away.
The next morning brought the moment that ended everything.
A temporary kitchen assistant named Rosa arrived late because her eight-year-old son had developed a fever.
Rosa apologized repeatedly.
Vanessa overheard.
"You were scheduled for seven."
"I'm sorry, Ms. Hale. My babysitter—"
"I don't need your life story."
Rosa lowered her head.
"I understand."
"You clearly don't."
Adrian was standing near the stove.
Vanessa continued.
"If people can't manage their personal problems, they shouldn't accept jobs requiring punctuality."
Rosa's eyes filled.
"My son was sick."
Vanessa shrugged.
"Everyone has problems."
Then Evelyn's voice came from the hallway.
"Vanessa?"
Vanessa turned.
Her face changed instantly.
"Evelyn!"
But this time, Evelyn wasn't smiling.
She had heard everything.
The room went silent.
Vanessa looked at Adrian.
Then Teresa.
Then Rosa.
And for the first time since arriving at the Mercer estate, Vanessa seemed frightened.
Evelyn walked into the kitchen.
"Would you repeat what you just said?"
Vanessa swallowed.
"I think there was a misunderstanding."
"No."
Evelyn's voice remained quiet.
"I heard you."
Vanessa looked toward Adrian.
Something in his expression made her uneasy.
"Daniel, explain."
Adrian slowly untied his apron.
Vanessa stared.
He folded it once.
Placed it on the counter.
Then he looked at his mother.
"Three days were enough."
Vanessa frowned.
"What is happening?"
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Adrian walked toward the staircase.
Vanessa followed him.
"Where are you going?"
"Upstairs."
"You can't just walk through the private residence."
Adrian stopped.
Turned.
May you like
And said four words that drained every trace of color from Vanessa Hale's face.
"It's my private residence."
