Adrian stared at the screen longer than he meant to.
The report was short. Too short.
No long explanations. No dramatic words. Just facts.
Elena Moore
Previous employer: private residence
Position: live-in maid
Duration: eight months
Status of departure: sudden
Reason: unresolved dispute
Additional note: subject left residence overnight
Recommendation: further inquiry advised
Adrian set the phone down slowly.
She didn't resign.
She didn't give notice.
She didn't leave during the day.
She left overnight.
That meant fear.
Adrian stood up and walked across the room. He told himself it was none of his business. Staff came and went all the time. People had reasons. Personal reasons.
But this didn't feel ordinary.
He pressed the call button on his desk.
"Get me the name of her last employer," he said when his assistant answered.
"Sir… the record is sealed."
"Unseal it."
There was a pause. "That will take time."
"Then take the time," Adrian replied. "And keep this quiet."
"Yes, sir."
He ended the call.
For the first time, Adrian realized something important.
Elena Moore wasn't just careful.
She was hiding.
Elena felt it the moment she stepped into the kitchen.
The air was different.
No greetings.
No casual talk.
Just silence.
She placed her bag down and tied her apron. Her hands shook slightly, but she forced them to steady.
Mrs. Carter stood near the counter, arms crossed.
"Elena," she said.
"Yes, ma'am."
"You will assist with breakfast today."
Elena's heart sank. "In the dining room?"
"Yes."
Elena nodded. "Alright."
Mrs. Carter studied her closely. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Elena met her eyes. "No, ma'am."
Mrs. Carter didn't look convinced, but she turned away.
Elena released a slow breath.
Breakfast was quiet.
Adrian sat at the table, reading something on his tablet. He didn't look up when Elena entered. She placed the plate down carefully, avoiding eye contact.
"Leave it," he said.
She did.
As she turned to go, he spoke again.
"Elena."
She stopped.
"Yes, sir?"
"Stay."
Her chest tightened. "Sir, I—"
"That wasn't a request."
She nodded and stood near the wall.
He took a few bites, then stopped.
"You're not eating," he said.
"I already have, sir."
"That wasn't my question."
Elena hesitated. "I'm not hungry."
He looked up at her. "You lie badly."
She said nothing.
He set the fork down. "Your file came in."
Elena's heart dropped.
"I don't understand, sir."
"You left your last job suddenly."
Silence filled the room.
"That is correct," she said carefully.
"Why?"
"That is not relevant to my work here."
"It is if it affects my house," Adrian replied.
Elena clenched her hands. "I do my job well. I don't cause trouble."
"Running causes trouble," he said.
She looked at him then. Really looked.
"I wasn't running from work," she said quietly. "I was running from something else."
Adrian's expression changed slightly. "From who?"
Elena shook her head. "I can't answer that."
"You can," Adrian said. "You're choosing not to."
She swallowed. "Yes."
He leaned back. "Why?"
"Because telling you puts me at risk."
He studied her face. She wasn't dramatic. She wasn't begging.
She was scared—but controlled.
"That's not an answer I accept," Adrian said.
"It's the only one I can give," she replied.
Silence stretched.
"Go," he said finally.
She left quickly, her legs weak.
Mrs. Carter was waiting outside.
"What did you say to him?" she asked sharply.
"Nothing inappropriate," Elena replied.
Mrs. Carter sighed. "You don't understand how dangerous curiosity is in this house."
"I understand more than you think," Elena said softly.
Mrs. Carter paused, surprised by her tone.
"Elena," she said more quietly, "whatever you're hiding… make sure it doesn't follow you here."
Elena nodded.
But deep down, she knew—it already had.
That afternoon, Elena worked in the storage room. It was quiet and far from the main house. She liked it there.
Until her phone vibrated in her pocket.
She froze.
No one ever contacted her.
She checked the screen.
Unknown Number
Her hands trembled as she stared at it.
Then the message came.
You thought you could disappear.
Her chest tightened.
Another message followed.
I know where you are.
Elena's vision blurred. She sat down hard on a box.
No.
Not here.
Not now.
She typed with shaking fingers.
Please don't contact me again.
The reply came instantly.
We're not finished.
She dropped the phone.
Across the house, Adrian was in a video call when his assistant spoke quietly into his ear.
"Sir… we found the employer."
Adrian ended the call immediately. "Talk."
"It wasn't a family," the assistant said. "It was a private guesthouse owned by a man named Victor Hale."
Adrian frowned. "I know that name."
"Yes, sir. He's under investigation for harassment complaints. None proven. Most withdrawn."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"Why were they withdrawn?" he asked.
"Witnesses disappeared," the assistant replied.
Adrian stood up slowly.
"Elena Moore was one of those witnesses," the assistant added.
The line went silent.
Elena locked herself in the staff restroom, pressing her hand over her mouth.
Her phone vibrated again.
You owe me.
Tears filled her eyes.
She whispered, "Please stop."
Adrian grabbed his jacket.
"Where are you going, sir?" Mrs. Carter asked as he passed.
"To fix a problem," he replied.
"Sir—"
"Clear my evening."
He didn't slow down.
Elena stepped out of the restroom, her face pale.
She walked straight into Adrian.
She froze.
He looked at her phone in her hand.
"Who is Victor Hale?" Adrian asked.
Her knees nearly gave out.
"How do you know that name?" she whispered.
"Answer the question," he said firmly.
Tears slipped down her face.
"He's the reason I ran," she said.
Adrian's face hardened.
"And he's found you again," he said.
She nodded.
Silence filled the hallway.
"You're not leaving this house," Adrian said.
"I can't stay," Elena cried. "You don't understand what he's capable of."
"I understand enough," Adrian replied. "And I don't allow threats under my roof."
She looked at him in fear. "He'll ruin you."
Adrian stepped closer.
"Let him try."