Bounded Passion

, Boss?" Dean asked, glancing s

Maverick replied wi

aving the

t a long, tired sigh. He stared out the car

I don't want my mom thinking I'm getting close to the new

then added, "Wha

d his head slowly and g

r?" he asked,

ged you, Boss." Dean gave a tiny smir

eyes narrow

d man so you could gossip like some teenager. And wait a second-did

cold glare, his voic

e back of his nec

ckly. "I didn't expect there'd be... hugging involved." He c

ell you to leave,

ightening in his seat. "But really-d

d before he could finish. "You talk too

been hit but just laughed soft

came rushing back into his mind. The way her arms wrapped around him. The way her voice trembled. It was a stran

y pushed the

"Probably just acting on emotion. Sh

living room. Her eyes were fixed on a small p

ees to her chest

ther," she whispered. "Someone I coul

w he l

ened the door to Maverick's room and stepped inside. It was quiet-to

he picked it up gently and stared at it, trying to figure out i

was another photo-hidden behind the first one. It was a pictur

owed as she carefully

whispered. "Could she be.

e over and read the na

d aloud. "So that's

ment before putting the photo b

opened the doors. Most of the clothes were gone-o

Her fingers brushed

t," she whispe

shoulders slumped, she sl

llway, she overheard one o

ving the mansion just like that, and now he's asking

ached, but she said nothing. She just kept walking, wondering what else

y were having a light snack, chatting over tea and biscuits. Normally, Roseline didn't like to listen in on other people'

not to make noise, and stood

ustration in his voice. "But he's always been so stubborn. Honestly, I'm ju

ia respond

I still have dreams for him-big ones.

ht Roseline's

dn't heard anything, acting casual. She sat a

oseline asked suddenly, preten

hat, sweetheart," he said with a small laugh. "You'l

face flush, but sh

enrik went on. "But at least he's free fr

nning. 'That must be the woman in the photo-the

New York?" Rose

his hand like it didn't matter. "It's bee

ything else. She finished her sna

ty hanging freshly washed bedsheets on a clothesline. The sun was

ently, stepping closer, "can

e her. "Oh! Miss Roseline. What

that Maverick asked you to be

ometimes. He doesn't want someone around all the

with her fingers. "Can I go wi

"Of course! But... only if Do

... Charity, what if we

and she lowered the be

d for that," she said in a hushed vo

'll take full responsibility. I'll tell

just so you know, I don't sleep there. Sir Maverick onl

ith a hopeful smile. "Just let

xt message," Charity said, pic

line asked, her eyes lighti

ly and pulled out he

e phone to Roseline, who quickly save

" Roseline

ck isn't a bad person. I think he's just... carrying

above a whisper. "Yeah. I feel guilty. He

mile, then turned her attention back to the laundry. She didn't want any

d to take a shower anyway," she said politely before walking back i

t once she saw her soft bed, she threw herself onto it with a sigh. Her body fel

nside her heart, she still hoped that one day, he would forgive her and her mom. She didn't expect it to happen soon,

tside her door. She sat up groggily, realizing she had fal

housemaid, gently kn

father is calling you

l just bathe really quickly, Gertrude," s

od is already on the dining table,"

said with a grin, rus

ged into fresh clothes, and then hurried dow

he head of the table, l

our dinner," he sa

" Roseline said softly

and let's eat," Henrik replied,

hat everyone at the table was already in place. She hadn't realized before that Henrik was ver

eat, Henrik sud

gone fo

quickly, surprised. "Wh

I need to take care of in

n, but Alodia only offered her daughter a gentle, knowing

f anything happens while I'm gone, don't hesitate to call me. If any staff disrespects you or y

s, stepped forward politely and gave

l make sure the rest of the s

d. "That's g

ing, but the way he spoke made her feel something she hadn't expected-safe. Even if he d

her hair in front of the mirror. That's when she heard a

prise, it

eline said with a smile

vously, "Sir Maverick just sent me a message. He wants me to go

mediately. "Really? Yes!

right. Should I wai

seline, okay? I don't really like bein

lright then, Roseline. I'll

rity!" Roseline

le before slipping back out into the hallway,

omorrow, she would finally get the chance to see Mavy again. She didn't know what