23 they were stunned

In a luxurious mansion with a brown and white theme, surrounded by breathtaking gardens, the scent of fresh flowers permeates the air. A grand garage, a glistening swimming pool, and a fish pond add to the aura of opulence. Additionally, a sprawling badminton court indicates that the owner is a conglomerate. Everything reflects the grandeur and luxury of Benjamin Parker, Charlie's father.

Sandra sits comfortably on the upper terrace, savoring the tranquil atmosphere with a cup of warm coffee in her right hand. A wooden table adorned with an array of tempting pastries catches her eye. Satisfaction radiates from her, dressed in a maroon hoodie that contrasts with the opulence around her.

"Now I'm worried about Charlie again, he's so unstable after Gustave's death," Sandra says, a clear expression of concern on her face.

"He'll be alright, I think he'll have something more precious than Gustave or Isabella," Benjamin replies casually, but his eyes are filled with concern.

"Something more precious? Who is it?" Sandra asks, her face full of question marks.

"I don't know who she is to Charlie, but she's so beautiful... She has blue eyes..." Benjamin seems to gaze into the distance, lost in a memory.

"It's a girl?" Sandra blinks in astonishment.

"Yeah, I met her when I visited Charlie," Benjamin explains, choosing his words carefully. "She said she's a maid... But I'm not sure she's just a maid... She's too beautiful, she's like the kind of girl Charlie always avoids... I mean... We know that after Isabella's death, he wouldn't want to live with someone young or around Isabella's age, so he'd only hire a maid who's around 30. But that girl doesn't look like she's even 30 yet... She's young... she's beautiful... there must be a significant reason why Charlie let her work there," he explains again, then takes a bite of cake.

Sandra falls silent, her eyes and thoughts drifting towards the yard, envisioning Angelica's face in her mind. She feels so curious about the girl her father described. She recalls the last time she saw Renee as Charlie's maid; there was no other girl.

"he's here," Benjamin says, breaking Sandra's reverie. His eyes turn towards the yard where Charlie's car has just arrived.

Sandra furrows her brow. "I didn't expect him to come. He said he hates it here."

"Maybe he misses his lion..." Benjamin tries to explain.

Sandra stands up and walks towards the separating fence, her curiosity driving her steps. And sure enough, she can see her brother descending from the car, but he's not alone; he's with a beautiful girl holding her hand.

"Dad...!" her lips call out spontaneously.

Benjamin quickly places his cake on the table and walks towards Sandra, who is still staring at the yard.

"He's with a girl, I think I'm dreaming!" Sandra pinches her cheek.

Benjamin observes the girl with Charlie, instantly reminded of the girl he saw in the Mansion who claimed her name was Angelica.

"She looks very graceful, and from her attire, she doesn't seem like a maid!" Sandra's curiosity intensifies as she gazes at her father. "Besides, if she is a maid, why would he bring her here? And even hold her hand!" She turns to the yard again, but Charlie and Angelica are no longer in sight, they must have arrived on the terrace.

Benjamin falls silent, curious about what might be happening between Charlie and Angelica. Sandra, impatient to know the truth, quickly re-enters the room and heads downstairs.

Angelica walked behind Charlie, but her eyes were fixed on the grandeur of the Mansion, marveling at the opulence and beauty surrounding it. Her dark brown hair flowed beautifully as if reflecting the grace of the natural surroundings. Despite its simplicity, her attire still exuded politeness and elegance. Her face displayed a mixture of admiration and confusion, perhaps a hint of awkwardness in the face of such wealth. The glittering chandeliers reflected light onto the intricately decorated walls adorned with precious paintings. A luxurious cream-colored carpet covered the gleaming marble floor, providing a warm touch beneath their feet.

To the left, there was Benjamin's private library, filled with shelves of old and expensive books. The scent of ancient pages greeted them as they ventured further. Across from the living room stretched a lavish dining area with a long mahogany table that gleamed, surrounded by elegant chairs draped in soft silk.

"Charlie!"

Their attention immediately turned to the staircase which Sandra descended with a serious gaze.

Charlie furrowed his brow, looking at his sister, who was bound to be curious about him bringing a girl along.

"She's your sister," Angelica whispered.

"Yes," Charlie replied curtly.

Sandra reached the ground floor, approaching Charlie, but her gaze was fixed on Angelica. "Who is she?" she asked without preamble.

"My girl," Charlie said shortly, immediately embracing Angelica from the side.

Angelica fell silent with a thin smile, unsure of what to do as Sandra's gaze made her feel self-conscious.

"What do you mean she's your girl?" Sandra inquired.

"Of course, he says that because he likes the girl, you don't need to make a fuss about it," Benjamin answered, descending the stairs.

Charlie let out a rough breath, glancing at his father for a moment before returning his gaze to Sandra.

"I want to show her the rooms here," he said.

"But you haven't answered me," Sandra retorted.

"He already explained..."

Charlie immediately led Angelica towards another staircase, ignoring Sandra's response.

Angelica followed Charlie in silence, feeling uneasy, occasionally glancing at the famous paintings adorning the walls of each floor, creating an atmosphere of beauty and wealth. She also realized that there was no connection between this upper floor and the one where Sandra and her father had just been, so when they would go to this upper floor, they would have to cross another staircase.

"I thought this floor was connected to the other one," she said.

"This upper floor is specifically for me," Charlie replied, then opened a door. "This is my room..."

Angelica immediately stepped into Charlie's room, which had a metallic atmosphere, very different from the ambiance of the other rooms. And she couldn't deny that the room was very spacious, with an exceptionally large bed, a complete sofa with a table, and a wardrobe specially stocked with various types of drinks, food, and much more.

"Renee said earlier that you were looking at the bigger Mansion, so why are there still food and drinks here?" she asked, looking at Charlie, who was no longer holding her hand.

Charlie gave a faint smile. "The food and drinks here will always be replenished, even though I'm not the one consuming them, but Sandra or her boyfriend," he replied while picking up a bottle of whiskey and two small glasses.

Angelica nodded, then walked to the door until she found a private terrace offering a spectacular view of the beautiful garden. Tall trees and colorful flowers blended in a captivating harmony. Elegant wooden benches were scattered around the terrace, providing the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of nature.

'It's cool and comfortable here, but also a bit eerie,' Angelica thought as she looked around, very secluded, far from neighbors. "If there were a robbery, it would be very difficult to get help if the guards here were overwhelmed. There are no neighbors to assist or even hear what's happening here," she said.

"You don't need to worry about that..."

Suddenly Charlie came and embraced Angelica from behind, his eyes fixed ahead and then pointing towards the dividing wall.

"On all four sides outside this mansion, each has a hut guarded by a bodyguard. So no criminals will come," he explained.

Angelica fell silent, and understanding, and her mind wandered, imagining how a robber trying to enter the Mansion would struggle.

"Let's go to the room, I want to do something," Charlie whispered.

Angelica immediately raised her eyebrows and glanced at Charlie. "What are we going to do?"

"Um..." Charlie hesitated.

Angelica grew suspicious of Charlie's smile, quickly released herself from his embrace, and turned to face him. She looked at his face, trying to read his mind, to find his plan, but suddenly she remembered that he had already set up whiskey on the table.

"Are you..."

"I want you, Angel," Charlie said before Angelica finished asking. He held her chin and then caressed her lips, and reflexively, she bit her lower lip. "I've wanted you since in the dining room, and I can't hold it back anymore!" he continued softly but firmly.

Angelica swallowed hard. "Why?"

"I don't know, but... Maybe it's because I love you," Charlie said.

Angelica was immediately speechless, not expecting Charlie to say those words, the words of love she had been waiting for...