Chapter 1 A Glacial Welcome

"They sent you here?"

Lina Cavanaugh's gaze moved slowly from Chloe's shoes to her face, lingering just long enough to make the assessment sting. "Pathetic. What's your name?"

She sounded quite haughty.

Chloe felt really nervous under such look.

The agency she applied to for a house keeping job had said the position was urgent. A last-minute replacement. Good pay. Accommodation included. She had clung to that promise all the way down here, through the long drive and the knot of fear in her stomach. Standing now in the vast luxurious living room of the Cavanaugh mansion, she wondered if desperation had made her careless.

"I am..." she began, clearing her throat.

"Chloe Carson."

The voice came from behind her.

It was masculine. Deep and cool.

Chloe turned.

He was leaning against the banister like he belonged nowhere else in the world. Tall and broad-shouldered. His brown hair sat carelessly on his head, ruffled as though a whirlwind ran through it. Chloe could not stop her eyes from wandering down to the mass of hair that sat on his bare legs as he was on denim shorts. He held an apple in one hand, biting into it with lazy indifference as his eyes settled on her.

Their eyes met.

Chloe felt the moment stretch, uncomfortable and intimate all at once. He did not look away, he rather studied her curiously.

"You know her?" Lina Cavanaugh asked coolly.

He shrugged, chewing. "No. You asked her twice already. And she answered."

The woman drew her lips into a thin line. "Jordan, must you speak with food in your mouth?"

"When is she starting?" he asked instead, nodding slightly toward Chloe.

She noticed it then, he had not looked away from her once.

"I haven't decided," Lina replied. "I don't hire strangers blindly."

Jordan took another bite. "You trust the agency enough to invite her into your house."

"You think I trust paperwork," she snapped. "And not people?"

Chloe stood silently, her hands clasped in front of her, resisting the urge to apologize unnecessarily. She reminded herself she had done nothing wrong and rather focused instead on breathing, listening and observing.

Jordan finally pushed away from the banister and dropped onto one of the couches, stretching his legs out casually. "She looks harmless. Besides, what's the point? The agency sent her here, they sent you her papers and documents too, didn't they? All they need from you is to go through her details, see her face, which you have, and approve her. Easy peasy. I mean... you trust them, they have been doing this for a long time and they don't ever just send anyone, plus..."

Lina Cavanaugh sighed as she glared at her son. "You would not teach me how to run my household."

He smiled faintly, unfazed. "Just saying."

The sound of heels interrupted them.

Chloe turned as a young girl descended the stairs. Elegantly dressed in a tight sleeveless red glittery gown that stopped right below her butts, heavy red lipstick and long dark curly hair that frames her face.

"Where is the new housekeeper?" the girl asked. "My room is a disaster."

Her gaze landed on Chloe.

"What are you staring at?" she said flatly. "That's rude."

Chloe looked away immediately.

"Lily," their mother said. "This is not the time."

"I am going out," Lily continued, scrolling on her phone. "My room needs to be cleaned now."

Jordan snorted softly. "On a date with Mack again?"

"I need a reply mum. I need that room clean in five. Tasha would be here any moment from now and I would not like her to meet it in that condition." She ignored her brother, her eyes on her mother.

"Not like it would be her first time." Lina muttered. 'Where are you girls off to anyway?" She asked with a frown.

Jordan stood, rolling his shoulders. "You don't expect her to tell you the truth about where she is going or what she wants to do, do you? Meanwhile, I was just wondering how long before Mack figures her out."

Lily narrowed her eyes. "At least I don't pretend to be something I am not. And hey, what's with your bad energy? I am not the cause of your breakup with Angela Cranes. Ouch! Messy news all over the internet," she snarled.

The atmosphere suddenly seemed tense.

"Enough," their mother said sharply. "Both of you."

Jordan's eyes settled on Chloe's again. "See you around" he said lightly as he walked away. "Welcome to the family... or rather, household."

In that moment, Chloe felt it, a certainty she could not ignore. This wasn't merely a job. And Jordan Cavanaugh was more than just another spoiled son.

Chloe averted her gaze to the girl muttering to herself and pacing impatiently across the room. Lily Cavanaugh. She was examining a minor rip on her gown. She pulled off her wig in frustration, revealing a short, uneven bob.

She glowered at Chloe.

Chloe blinked, unsure where to look. "What are you staring at?" Lily snapped at her. "Get out and get to work! Now!"

Chloe hesitated, wondering what to do or where to go. She glanced toward their mother, who was sitting stiffly in the armchair, with an unreadable expression. "The third door to your left," Lily barked, pointing toward the hallway. Chloe nodded and quietly stepped toward the staircase, dragging her bag behind her.