3

The roof reveals a magnificent landscape, overlooking the other buildings of the city for several kilometers. Despite the distance, you can make out each apartment on each floor that is still lit, like the reflections on the floor of millions of stars in the sky.

- It's much nicer than the reception hall, I grant you!

I take a deep breath, taking in the pure air offered by the altitude.

- I conclude that you do not regret your decision, he declares with satisfaction.

- That remains to be seen.

My palms wrap around the railing that barely holds us from falling.

I lower my head and I am seized with a dizziness that makes me waver when I see the height at which we are.

He looms up behind my back and quietly places his hands around my waist, keeping some distance between our two bodies.

His head comes to the crook of my neck to speak and his voice resounds like a warm breath on my skin:

- Be careful, I don't want to lose you here.

- You'd be in serious trouble.

- I'm especially afraid of being abandoned in the middle of all these boring people on the floor below, he laughs.

- Aren't you?

- You have to tell me.

- Hmm... You look different, I like that.

- You look different to me too, he confides.

I slowly turn my head to see him and his deep gaze plunges into mine. How come I find him attractive when I don't see him? Is this charisma?

- May I know your name? he whispers to the rhythm of a favor.

- Only if you give me yours.

- You know I can't. I don't want to have to lie to you.

- How unfortunate, I retorted with a touch of sarcasm.

He sighs in a half-smile before trying another approach:

- GOOD. Is there anything I might know about you in this case?

- Well, since you revealed your title as CEO of Empire in my presence earlier, I guess I can tell you one thing. I am in the fashion business. For the moment I am only a student, but my goal is to found my own brand.

What ? This is entirely true, I assure you. But make no mistake about our company, to achieve this you need relationships, another asset that this strategy presents.

I rarely entrust my projects, yet this man inspires me and that's a rare thing. After all, what could be more effective than a few sincere confessions to establish intimacy?

- That's interesting. Bachelor ? he asks in a deep voice.

I answer with a burst of soft laughter:

- I wouldn't be on a roof with you otherwise.

- Don't underestimate the world we live in.

A world I don't belong to yet my very mysterious friend...

- Indeed... But am I not different?

- You are.

A silence sets in, letting the various noises of the city, several dozen floors below, take over. I break it the next second:

- So you are the brand new millionaire responsible for this hotel chain which is the subject of many whispers.

- The money shouldn't surprise you, everyone here is elite.

- It's not so much the money that surprises me. If you want to keep your identity secret then why risk coming tonight and telling Derek your status?

- Unpleasant rumors were starting to spread and affect my business, he explains in a low voice that betrays his annoyance. When information is not revealed in this world, it leaves far too much room for imagination and questionable suggestions. Even if they are unfounded, they end up spreading like venom.

- I understand. You seem well tested to me for someone who rose through the ranks so suddenly.

- All you need is a good strategy and correctly placed investments, he blurts out as lightly as a breath.

- You seem to pretend it's simple.

- Far be it from me to make you believe that, he laughs.

- How did you learn to invest?

- I would like to take credit for myself, but it goes to my father. If there's one thing I shared with him, it's business.

- So you're not so new after all, I replied mischievously.

- Let's say I built Empire without using any of his connections. It was the condition to keep my anonymity, and that's the reason why I keep all the merits without doubt.

- Do some people know your identity?

- You ask far too many questions, princess. And if we reverse the roles, will you? Why styling?

I answer with a sulky face to show my dissatisfaction with this change:

- A passion that I have had since I was a child. Very few people are in the confidence.

- You have the art of maintaining the mystery.

- Your way.

- We are made for each other, he replies with a mischievous smile.

I lower my head to escape for a second from the way his eyes devour me. My heart is racing and all I can think about is finding a way to calm it down.

I mustn't lose my temper, it's the only thing I must hold on to.

When I raise it, I have the feeling that his mouth has come very close to mine. And now my heart starts again, breaking all my useless efforts.

While his breathing on my skin leads me to believe that he is going to kiss me, he breaks the silence in a deep whisper that makes me vibrate:

- You told me you were in fashion design?

- Y-yes.

- Now that I plan to perform in public, I need someone to design my outfits for events.

Pinch me, I'm dreaming...

Become the personal stylist of a millionaire who will soon make the front pages? If I don't marry her, at least it will be an incredible boost for a real career.

- Are you interested? he asks, quivering the right corner of his lips in a smile.

Just stay cool Sofia. I have to contain myself.

- It's a rather attractive proposition, I admit.

- Perfect, I leave you my number in this case. We will agree details later.

He pulls out the ball invitation and a pen from the inside pocket of his jacket. I had almost forgotten that his business worked by word of mouth, which explains why he didn't have a card in his name.

He hands me the paper which I take.

- I have to go, he finally declares.

He pushes a few strands of my hair aside and his approaching scent paralyzes me. He whispers in my ear, savoring my scent:

- I have no doubt that we will see each other again, princess.

Within seconds, he leaves the roof and I find myself alone again. I need a few more to realize what just happened and collect my thoughts.

I couldn't have dreamed of a more perfect target, all I have to do is tame it to finally cross the gates of Troy. But, in the meantime, Cinderella's countdown is almost over and I have to go back to my rags.

I go down and find my uniform in a corner of the private toilets. I remove my makeup in a second and form a messy bun with my curls.

A minute later, I blend in with the employees and clear the room that all the guests have finally left.

I am waiting for the end of my service to sign and leave the premises. I have just been paid to realize my dream my dearest confidants, and it is not every day that we have this chance.

Now my pumpkin is waiting for me. You got the hint, I'm talking about public transport full of the repugnant smell of individuals already drunk at this hour.

Speaking of time, my mom must still be at the Harris's. So I decide to drop by my house to drop off the dress before going there too and offering her my help.

Unlike many others, I always spent my evenings assisting him in his work. When you're entrusted to spend time at a billionaire's mansion, it's not always the way you might think.

After joining the small house attached to the Harris estate and dropping off my belongings there, I walk for a good ten minutes before seeing the main courtyard.

The house is just huge. It contains about ten bedrooms, two dining rooms, a summer and winter living room as well as a small orangery at the end of the land.

The front yard has a wide driveway that allows the owner's Bentley to be parked there, facilitating his regular trips. Among other things, a fountain, roses and a lake in the backyard.

He needs exactly one architect and two gardeners for maintenance. As for the house, a cleaner, an interior designer, a chef and a driver. All orchestrated in a harmony that must be irreproachable by a governess, I named: my mother.

The garden actually covers several hectares of forest with a secretly guarded shed in the center. Daniel Harris - son of the owner - and I used to play there once, when we were young and carefree.

We have since drifted apart a bit. After all, one and the other had to join the world which was intended for him and, consequently, the occupations which result from it.

Do you feel a touch of nostalgia in my remarks?

I may miss that time of innocence, but deep down the truth has always been there. I'm the governess's daughter, and unlike others, I'm going to have to work a lot harder to live that much more miserably.

As I walk in, I find Dan slumped in an armchair in the living room.

- You're right, what you're doing here seems much more relevant than replacing your father at the reception tonight while he's working, I quip.

- Nothing beats a little rest, he replies, laughing.

- And how long have you been resting exactly?

- You'd be surprised.

What a slacker! Here I am beginning to agree with his father on one point. He may be terribly handsome and sexy for some, I just find him unbearable on my side.

You're probably wondering why I don't choose him?

It's true, he's more accessible and I've known him longer, which will prevent me from lying to him about my true identity. However, think about it for a second.

On the one hand, I am far too personally involved. He may have a more than annoying side, but I couldn't hurt him. Not to mention that my mother would risk losing her job at the slightest misstep and we would both find ourselves on the street.

On the other hand, his father refuses to bequeath him the slightest possession.

He cultivates the idea that his son has to prove himself, that he shows himself responsible, blablabla... It's stupid. But he would be able to inherit his company to his driver if he is not convinced and it is not by going out with the daughter of the governess that he will succeed.

Between us, what is the use of money if not to maintain his family and push his children towards happiness and success?

I'm not saying spoil them blindly, instilling value in things is important but there are other ways to do that. Finally, they are many men, always having to prove themselves and show who has the biggest...

Crossing the living room, I pass behind the armchair to reach the kitchen.

A draft passes through us both and suddenly sends me his cologne in the face.

A lively note followed by a spicy fragrance that makes my heart capsize. She doesn't match his personality at all, more like that of...

Oh my God.

I knew I had smelled that scent before.