Page 52 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess
I decide on scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. These sweet pastries go perfectly with a classic breakfast. I also make oatmeal with honey and the leftover berries from last night—I found some in the fridge. Personally, I think crumpets are a must too. Those fluffy, soft, thick pancakes, lightly toasted until crisp, then served with honey or jam.
For drinks, I prepare tea, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and coffee. Just as I’m finishing and taking the crumpets off the pan—I’ve already heard him moving around upstairs—he comes down and peeks into the kitchen with surprise.
“I could have sworn there’d only be boiled eggs.”
Gabriel looks amazed when he sees how prettily I’ve set the table. Flowers and leaves from the garden decorate it. I think for a special occasion like our first breakfast together, it’s okay to go a little overboard.
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?” he asks as he slowly approaches while I place the crumpets on the table.
“Good morning. Yes, and you?” I giggle. "There are no eggs, at least not boiled ones. But I've used them in other ways."
“Now there’s just one problem.” Gabriel gives me an apologetic look. “I hate sweets in the morning.”
My jaw literally drops. I stare at him, frozen, immediately questioning my decision to work for him.
“Just kidding.”
“You’re such a…”
Too bad I don’t have a wooden spoon in hand to smack him with. Gabriel laughs—and it’s contagious. He even pulls out a chair for me. What a gentleman.
“I had to do that.”
No, he really didn’t. But it’s kind of cute when he’s that sassy. Hard to believe I can sleep under the same roof as a man like him without ending up in his arms. Mischievous or not, he’s still a true gentleman. The woman he falls in love with will be very lucky—he’ll spoil her in every sense.
For a moment, I regret falling asleep that night. At least that way I could have enjoyed a hot night with him. But nothing will ever happen between us now. If things continue this way, we’ll have a solid friendship. Nothing more. There will never be anything more.
We eat together and then drive to the company, where he explains everything I need to know. It’s actually pretty simple. I just need to get used to the different apps and figure out the best way to structure his day so he can work in peace.
While Gabriel makes important phone calls, I take care of small matters. This includes, among other things, taking his suits to the dry cleaner’s and picking up those he dropped off the week before. One of his drivers—Matthias—drives me today, so I can hang Gabriel's suits directly in his closet. I enter the mansion with four suits in protective covers, complete with pants, go upstairs and enter his bedroom for the first time.
While Gabriel’s handling important phone calls, I take care of the smaller stuff. That includes dropping off his suits at the dry cleaner’s and picking up the ones he left there last week. One of his drivers—Matthias—is driving me today, so I can hang Gabriel’s suits right in his closet. I walk into the mansion with four suits in garment bags, pants included, head upstairs, and step into his bedroom for the first time.
Curiously, I let my gaze wander around the dark room: black walls, gold molding, furniture, and modern designer figures also in black with golden accents. A complete contrast to the rest of the house, which is bright and mostly white. I try to open the closet, but the door is locked. Didn’t he say I could just hang the clothes inside? Why on earth is it locked? I sigh and carefully set the suits on his bed so I can try again. But the door doesn’t budge. Stuck?
I tug a bit harder—nothing. I twist the handle—still nothing. Damn it, what’s going on? Another game or test? Does he wantto see if I’ll call and bother him over something so trivial? That could be it. My former boss was always making up things just to drive me crazy. He never fully trusted me, which led to constant arguments. I sincerely hope Gabriel isn’t like that, because I have zero interest in endless games.
“Oh, come on. Why won’t this stupid closet open?” I curse under my breath. Especially since the driver is waiting downstairs. I was supposed to be back in a minute.
I glance around and open a few drawers until I find a golden key resting on a black book in his nightstand. Heaven help him if he accuses me of snooping around in here later – he'll have another thing coming.
I try the key and, who would’ve guessed? It fits. I sigh softly, open the door, and… see something I shouldn’t. Mouth open, eyes wide, I stare at toys clearly meant for adults only: chains, restraints, and other items I’ve never even imagined.
“Oh, fuck.”
There’s no other way to put it. Panicking, I close the door and put the key back in the drawer as if I’d never touched it. Okay. That explains why the door was locked. Definitely not the closet.
Nervously, I look around some more and find another door. This one opens immediately, revealing a walk-in closet even bigger than in my bedroom. Shoes, ties, and watches are stored in wide, deep drawers, organized by color and occasion. The suits hang on a clothing rack, letting me hang up the ones I picked out.
Job done. A little sweaty, a little panicked—but done. Now I just need to forget what I saw and get back to Matthias. Fast.
During the drive back, I can’t stop thinking about that cabinet. About what I saw. He doesn’t have access to it in his apartment—but he does at his mansion. Does he invite other women over for these “special games”?
Images immediately pop into my head, and I try to push them away.
Stay calm, Kim. Don’t think about what he looks like naked.
Too late.
