Chapter 12 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO KNOCK
Adrian changed after the attack.
Not overnight.
Not perfectly.
But gradually.
He began listening more carefully to the staff.
He replaced compromised security personnel.
Introduced clearer reporting procedures.
And made it known that intimidation or harassment would not be tolerated.
The mansion felt different.
Less like a fortress.
More like a home.
One evening, I was sitting in the library reading when someone knocked.
I looked up.
Adrian stood in the doorway.
"May I come in?"
I smiled.
"Since when do you knock in your own house?"
He shrugged.
"Since someone taught me that doors matter."
I laughed.
He sat across from me.
For a while, we talked about ordinary things.
Books.
Music.
My childhood.
His father.
Then he asked:
"What did you want to do before you became a housekeeper?"
I hesitated.
"I wanted to study interior design."
His eyebrows rose.
"Really?"
I nodded.
"I love old houses. The history. The details. The way rooms can make people feel safe or uncomfortable."
He looked around the library.
"And this house?"
I smiled.
"Beautiful."
He waited.
"But?"
I sighed.
"Cold."
He laughed softly.
"Fair."
I looked at him.
"It doesn't feel like anyone lives here."
He studied the room.
Then nodded.
"Maybe nobody really has."
We sat in silence.
Then he asked:
"Would you ever want to help change that?"
I looked at him.
"Change what?"
He smiled.
"The house."
I blinked.
"You mean decorate?"
"Design."
I stared.
He shrugged.
"You seem to know what you're talking about."
I laughed.
"Adrian, I've never worked professionally."
"Then perhaps it's time you started."
May you like
My heart tightened.
For the first time in years, a forgotten dream stirred.
