Carlos stared at the papers before him, his expression unreadable.
"Everything is transparent except for her mother. Looks like someone is hiding something intentionally. Should I dig deeper?" Gavin questioned, shifting through the background check of his boss's wife.
"There is no need. You're dismissed," Carlos replied tersely, his mind elsewhere. Gavin bowed respectfully and exited the office.
Walking to the glass wall, Carlos gazed down at the sprawling city below. He had scrutinized every detail of Evelyn's life yet found nothing extraordinary. Despite his initial reservations, she had become the reason he could finally sleep at night. And now, surprisingly, he found himself enjoying the food she prepared. 'Just who on earth are you?' he pondered, curiosity gnawing at him.
---
Back at the dark mansion, the butler chuckled as he watched their young miss dance around the kitchen, whistling and singing cheerfully while she prepared dinner for Carlos. The maids shared amused smiles, delighting in her exuberance. She insisted on handling the cooking herself, only allowing them to help gather ingredients. It felt as if she were a wife eagerly awaiting her husband's return after a long absence.
As the clock struck 11:00 PM, Evelyn let out a yawn and slumped into a chair. "Why is Carlos late today? This food will get cold," she muttered, frustration creeping into her voice. She glanced around at the butler, seeking reassurance. "Is he not coming home tonight?"
"I'm sorry, young miss, but I called his secretary earlier, and he said they would be home soon," the butler replied gently.
Evelyn sighed, casting her gaze toward the clock, anxiety weaving into her thoughts.
Midnight came before Carlos finally arrived home, and as usual, everyone rushed to greet him. The butler and maids watched him stopped when he enter and instinctively recoiled before his cold, intense gaze. They all shivered and bowed their heads.
Butler Ezra noticed their young miss sleeping soundly on the couch and recognized the cause of their boss's sudden shift in demeanor. He stepped forward, "I'm sorry, but I told her to go inside. She insisted on waiting for you," he explained.
Carlos simply turned away, his heart heavy. He headed toward the small figure curled up on the couch, and as he bent down and carry her and then, her eyes fluttered open which made him stop.
"You're finally here! Why are you late? I told you I would cook your dinner, so why are you late?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. He could only watch, speechless.
"I cooked all day for you, but now what? You came late, and it's all wasted!" Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she glared up at him. "Do you hate me that much? Even if you do, you don't have to hate my food! Is it a sin to care about you? I'm fed up, Carlos! You're a bully!" she exclaimed, tears spilling over as she remained cradled in his arms.
Carlos felt a pang deep within him—a sensation he couldn't quite name. It hurt, unfamiliar and raw, as he grappled with the realization that he had caused her anguish. Closing his eyes, he let the weight of his actions settle in. He had made her cry.
"You're such a bully, Carlos," she accused, her voice heavy with emotion. He had always wanted her to say his name so casually, but not like this.
In a moment that felt strangely significant, he murmured, "I'm sorry," his tone laced with sadness.
Gavin's jaw dropped. This was the first time he had ever witnessed his arrogant, proud boss apologizing. Butler Ezra was equally bewildered; he had known Carlos since childhood and had long understood his steadfast rule—"The word 'sorry' isn't in my dictionary." But now? Did he really just say that?
"I'm sorry," Carlos repeated, looking into Evelyn's tear-filled eyes. "I promise to make it up to you."