Chapter 63
“I’m going to need you to do something for me,” I said, my voice taking on a more serious tone.
“What is it, ma’am?” he asked immediately.
“I need you to help me plant some bugging devices in the safe house,” I explained carefully.
There was a pause before he responded. “That would be a bit difficult, ma’am. You know she is always in the safe house, and the only way to do it properly would be when she’s not there p>
“Leave that to me,” I said confidently. “I’ll make sure she’s out for a few hours. I’ll also arrange for the other guards to be off duty during that time so this stays between us p>
“Understood, ma’am,” he replied without hesitation.
“Good. Let me know everything you’ll need by tonight. I want this done as soon as possible,” I instructed.
“I’ll compile a list and send it to this number within the hour,” he confirmed.
“Perfect. And remember, complete discretion p>
“Of course, ma’am p>
As I ended the call, I went back to Erica’s message, my fingers hovering over the keyboard for a moment before I began typing.
I’m so sorry about today. You didn’t do anything wrong; I was just overwhelmed with everything that happened. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.
I sent that message, then quickly typed another.
How about I make it up to you? What do you say to that outing I mentioned, me, you, and Helena? We could go out on Sunday and try to take our minds off things.
While I waited for her response, I heard a gentle knock on my door. “Come in,” I called out.
Martha, one of Axel’s longtime household staff members from what I know, peeked her head around the door. “Mrs. O’Brien? Mr. Axel asked me to see if you had any special requests for dinner tonight p>
“Special requests?” I asked, puzzled. “Is there some special occasion p>
Martha shrugged with a small smile. “He just said to make it nice for you p>
I felt a strange warmth spread through my chest at the thoughtfulness. “Just prepare anything, as long as it’s good,” I said initially.
Martha nodded and was already turning to leave when a memory suddenly hit me. I remembered my mother making my favourite dish when I was younger, one of the few genuinely happy memories I had of her.
“You know what?” I called out as Martha reached the door. “I think I have something in mind. Hold on, I’ll come join you in the kitchen p>
“Oh no, ma’am, that’s not necessary,” Martha protested, looking flustered. “We can handle whatever you’d like p>
“I insist,” I said, standing up. “I need to do something other than sitting around this house all day p>
Martha looked uncertain but nodded. “If you’re sure, ma’am p>
I followed her downstairs to the kitchen, where two other staff members were preparing vegetables. They all looked nervous when I walked in.
“I’d like to make chicken and mushroom risotto,” I announced. “It was my mother’s recipe p>
“Of course, ma’am,” Martha said, though she still looked worried. “I’m pretty sure we should have all the ingredients p>
“Let’s see. I’ll need arborio rice, chicken stock, white wine, fresh mushrooms, and parmesan,” I said, rolling up my sleeves.
The kitchen staff watched nervously as I began heating the stock and preparing the mushrooms. I could feel the tension; they were probably worried they’d get in trouble if I made a mess, hurt myself, or if Axel found out I was doing their jobs.
“Don’t worry,” I said with a small laugh. “I actually know what I’m doing. My mother taught me this recipe when I was twelve. And if you’re worried about my husband, you don’t have to. I got it p>
Gradually, as they watched me move confidently around the kitchen, their nervousness began to fade. Martha even began offering helpful suggestions.
“The onions need to be diced finer for risotto,” she said gently.
“You’re right,” I agreed, adjusting my knife work.
As we cooked together, I found myself relaxing for the first time that day. The familiar motions of cooking, the warm kitchen atmosphere, and the gentle chatter with the staff, all felt therapeutic.
“This smells incredible, ma’am,” one of the younger staff members said as I stirred in the final addition of cheese.
“Thank you. I hope it tastes as good as it smells,” I replied, tasting the risotto one last time before turning off the heat.
“Would you like us to set the table while you freshen up?” Martha asked.
“That would be perfect. I’ll go get cleaned up and then call Axel,” I said, wiping my hands on a towel.
After changing into a simple but elegant dress and touching up my makeup, I headed to Axel’s study where he said he’d be. The room was empty, his chair pushed back from the desk.
I made my way to his bedroom, my heart beating a little faster for reasons I couldn’t quite explain. The door was closed, so I knocked softly.
No response.
I knocked again, a little louder. “Axel p>
Still nothing.
I stood there for a moment, unsure whether to turn around and leave or open the door to check if he was sleeping or in the shower. My hand moved to the doorknob almost of its own accord.
The knob twisted in my hand just as I was about to turn it, and the door opened to reveal Axel in a tight black t-shirt that showed off his muscled chest and arms, and gray joggers that hung perfectly on his lean frame.
His hair was damp from what was obviously a recent shower, and he looked absolutely delicious —
Fuck my life. What was I thinking?
“Yes?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I fumbled with my words, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. “I… I came to… dinner is… I mean, I wanted to tell you that dinner is ready p>
“Oh,” he said with a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I’ll be down in a minute p>
“Okay,” I managed, then practically fled back toward the dining room, cursing myself internally for being so flustered by the sight of him.
Axel appeared in the dining room not long after, and even though I had seen what he was wearing, it didn’t reduce the effect he’d had on me.
“This smells amazing,” he said, taking his seat across from me.
“What did we prepare tonight?” he asked Martha as she began serving.
“Chicken and mushroom risotto, sir. And it was prepared by Mrs. Layla herself,” Martha replied with obvious pride.
Axel tilted his head and looked at me with genuine surprise and intrigue. “Interesting,” he said, picking up his spoon.
I held my breath as I watched him take the first bite.