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Chapter 2 - Eyes That Watch.

Nora Lilith moved like a whisper through the halls of the Kai estate — silent, graceful, unnoticed by most, yet somehow impossible to ignore.

At just seventeen, she carried herself with a maturity that was strange for her age. Quiet. Careful. Kind. And efficient — which didn't go unnoticed.

"Good girl," said Mrs. Jane, the head maid, watching Nora fold sheets with flawless corners. "You work like you were born for this."

Nora gave her a small, shy smile. She didn't speak much. She never did.

The other maids had been skeptical of her at first — a pretty, reserved girl with no complaints and perfect manners? Suspicious. But slowly, they warmed up. Eliza from the laundry room brought her a muffin one morning. Mara from the kitchen pulled her into an evening story by the fireplace.

Still, Nora never stayed long. By exactly 8:00 p.m., she was gone — changed into a simple light-blue gown, hair pinned back neatly, always slipping out through the side entrance.

And Zayan Kai always watched.

He stood by his tall, glass window, arms folded, eyes cold. From his room, he could see her small frame cross the courtyard. He never said a word. Just… watched.

She was never late. Never early. Always 8:00 p.m. sharp.

A soft knock brought him out of his thoughts.

"You don't have meetings tonight, sir," said his assistant through the intercom.

"Good," he replied sharply.

Zayan Kai was 28. The youngest billionaire in the city. CEO of Kai Industries, owner of six corporations and countless subsidiaries. Known for his ruthlessness, feared for his wrath. He didn't tolerate nonsense — not from board members, not from staff, and certainly not from maids.

His mother, Catalina Kai, adored him. "My perfect son," she often said. But even she had one demand he refused to entertain.

"You need to marry, Zayan."

He didn't even bother responding.

The incident happened three days later.

Nora was hurrying down the corridor with a tray of folded towels when she turned a corner too fast — and collided into someone solid.

The tray clattered to the ground. Towels scattered.

Her heart stopped.

Zayan Kai stood before her, tall and unmoving.

She froze. The hallway went cold.

"I-I'm sorry, sir," she stammered quickly, bowing her head.

He didn't speak. For a heartbeat, she thought he'd explode. Fire her. Yell.

Instead, he looked at her.

Then said, "It's fine."

And walked past her.

The other maids were stunned when they heard. Mrs. Jane stared at Nora for a full minute.

"He… didn't fire you?" she asked in disbelief.

Nora shook her head slowly.

That evening, as the clock struck 8:00, Nora changed into her light-blue gown and slipped out once again.

This time, Zayan didn't just watch from the window.

He stepped outside.

They met halfway down the front steps.

"Good evening, sir," she said softly, pausing to bow her head.

"Where do you always go at eight?" Zayan asked, folding his arms.

Nora hesitated, eyes downcast. "T…to the orphanage," she whispered. "To see my Nana."

His eyebrows lifted slightly. "You're an orphan?"

She nodded once, still not meeting his gaze.

He was silent for a moment. Then:

"You can go. Be safe."

Nora blinked in surprise but gave a grateful bow and walked off.

Zayan didn't move until she disappeared past the gates. Then he went to his favorite spot — the rooftop.

The wind greeted him like an old friend as he leaned on the rail, eyes fixed on the distant streets. Below, Nora reached the gates of St. Hope Orphanage, and the children ran to her, squealing with joy. She laughed — a sound Zayan couldn't hear, but somehow felt.

An elderly woman, her Nana, wrapped her arms around her. Nora's face lit up.

Zayan watched.

And for the first time in a long while… he smirked.

The next morning, Nora had finished all her chores before breakfast. The other maids had already eaten and were relaxing by the fire, giggling over gossip.

Nora quietly slipped outside to the garden.

She wandered through the flowers until she reached the stream, small and gentle, tucked beneath a willow tree. She knelt beside it, dipped her right hand into the cool water, and sat down.

A few minutes later, her eyes closed.

Sleep took her.

Up on the balcony, Zayan Kai sat in silence, wearing his black shirt and glasses, sipping his coffee — and watching her.

She looked peaceful.

Too peaceful for someone like him.

His eyes trailed the delicate curve of her face, the way her eyelashes rested against her cheeks, how her lips moved slightly in her sleep. She didn't belong in this world of stone and steel.

She was… beautiful.

Zayan caught himself leaning forward and immediately snapped upright.

"She's just a maid," he muttered. "Snap out of it."

But he didn't look away.

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