.
---
: The Stranger:
Alexander Mansion – Staff Quarters – 6:00 AM
Zara woke before dawn.
The dream was still fresh in her mind – honey-colored eyes, a confident smile, a voice that said her name like it meant something.
A stranger that loves to help "
She had never met anyone like him. Rich. Handsome. But not cruel like Amara. Not distant like Mr. Alexander. Not cold like Imani.
He had seen her struggling, and he had helped.
No one helped her. Not without wanting something in return.
Zara touched her wrist. The bracelet was still there.
Liam.
She had been thinking about Liam for weeks. His dark eyes. The way he looked at her across the room. The way he said her name.
But now...
Now there was another face in her mind.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes.
Stop it. You're a servant. Men like Liam and the stranger don't look at girls like you. Not really. You're just a distraction. A pity project.
She dressed quickly and walked to the kitchen.
---
Staff Quarters – Kitchen – 6:30 AM
Imani was already there, chopping vegetables with aggressive precision.
"You're late," Imani said without looking up.
Zara glanced at the clock. 6:31.
"I'm sorry, Ma."
"Sorry doesn't chop vegetables." Imani finally looked at her. Her eyes were red. Like she hadn't slept. "Who was the man yesterday?"
Zara's heart stopped. "What man?"
"The one on Fifth Avenue. The one who helped you with the bags."
Zara's mind raced. "I don't know. A stranger."
"A stranger." Imani's voice was flat. "A stranger who happens to help you and talk to you , . Who happens to be rich. Who happens to look at you like you're not garbage."
Zara looked down. "I don't know who he was."
"Amara told me she saw you talking to a young man yesterday ." Imani set down the knife. "And looked up to Zara"you have to know your place in this house and everywhere you go,you are a servant ,whose duty is to wash,clean and serve the heir to the Alexander empire,you can't compete with Amara "
Zara's eyes widened. "I didn't—"
"You didn't what,.. That's the problem." Imani walked toward her. "You attract attention. Men notice you. And that is dangerous."
Zara's throat tightened. "I didn't do anything."
"You always do nothing,your face always done a lot" Imani grabbed her chin. "Stay away from him. Stay away from Liam. Stay away from all of them. Do you understand?"
Zara nodded as much as she could. "Yes, Ma."
Imani released her. "Now finish the vegetables. Amara wants breakfast in bed."
Zara picked up the knife.
Her hands were shaking.
.
---
Sterling Industries – Liam's Office – 9:00 AM
Liam sat at his desk, staring at his computer screen.
He had been here since 6:00 AM. He had answered forty-seven emails. He had reviewed three quarterly reports. He had called four clients.
But his mind was elsewhere.
Zara.
He hadn't seen her in three days. Three days of avoiding the Alexander mansion. Three days of telling himself it was just pity.
But the ache in his chest didn't feel like pity.
"Mr. Sterling?"
Liam looked up. Chloe stood in the doorway.
"Your father is on line two."
Liam picked up the phone. "Dad."
"Amara called me." Richard's voice was tight. "She says you're not returning her calls."
Liam closed his eyes. "I've been busy."
"You're always busy. That's not an excuse." Richard paused. "Is there something you aren't telling me?"
Liam's heart pounded. "What?"
"Another woman. Is that why you're avoiding Amara?"
Liam gripped the phone. "No."
"Then prove it. Take her to dinner tonight. Buy her flowers. Apologize." Richard's voice softened. "Son, I know this isn't what you wanted. But it's what we have.to do to keep the family business growing,we need the Alexander backup ,Don't throw it away because you're scared."
Liam was silent for a long moment.
"Fine," he said. "I'll take her to dinner."
"Good. I'll let her know."
The line went dead.
Liam set down the phone.
Dinner with Amara.
He would have to go to the mansion. He would have to see Zara.
And he didn't know if he could pretend anymore.
---
Alexander Mansion – Amara's Bedroom – 10:00 AM
Amara sat at her vanity, brushing her hair.
Imani stood behind her.
"Liam is coming over for dinner tonight," Imani said.
Amara's brush stopped. "He called?"
"His father called. And yes. He's coming."
Amara smiled. It was cold. "Finally."
She set down the brush and turned to Imani.
"I want Zara to serve dinner."
Imani's eyes widened. "Serve dinner? But she's—"
"She's a servant. She serves.and nothing more" Amara stood up. "I want Liam to see her carrying plates. I want him to see her serving me. I want him to remember who she is."
Imani hesitated. "And if he looks at her?"
"Then I'll know." Amara's eyes were ice. "And I'll act."
Imani nodded. "I'll arrange it."
"Good." Amara turned back to the mirror. "Now help me choose a dress. Something red. Something unforgettable."
---
Rose's Bookstore – Brooklyn – 2:00 PM
Zara sat on a stool behind the counter, stacking books.
Rose was rearranging a display, humming to herself.
"You're quiet," Rose said.
"I'm always quiet."
"Quieter than usual." Rose walked over. "What happened?"
Zara hesitated. "I met someone. Yesterday. On Fifth Avenue."
Rose's eyebrows rose. "A man?"
"A stranger. He helped me carry Amara's bags." Zara looked down.
Rose's eyes widened. "You don't know his name"
Zara blinked. "No"
"And what did he say to you "
Zara shrugged. "He said he didn't like seeing pretty girls treated like pack mules."
Rose stared at her. "He called you pretty?"
Zara's face went warm. "He was just being nice."
"Rich men aren't nice to servant girls for no reason." Rose grabbed her arm. "Zara, this is big."
"It's nothing. I'll never see him again."
Rose opened her mouth to respond, but the bell above the door jingled.
A man walked in
---