Chapter 1

Grandma’s Matchmaking Mayhem

*****

My mistake was simple and absolute, and for twenty years, I carried it quietly with me:

I fell in love with a man who could never love me back.

And deep down, I knew exactly why.

First, the man I loved was married—though he is now divorced.

Second, he was straight and openly opposed to the idea of men liking men. Though, to be fair, he learned (or is at least trying) to tolerate his son's relationship with Allen Flynn, Eric's former fake-lover-turned-bodyguard, after that whole engagement incident with Lady Annette Oswald that nearly got Eric killed.

And third, he was my boss, my master...

Lord Robert Vale

No one ever knew about it. In fact, I had long since given up on the possibility of ever having a chance with Robert. So for twenty years, I kept my feelings to myself and focused on being there for him and his only son, Eric, who felt like a little brother to me. But that fragile hope surged back to life the day Eric asked me a seemingly innocent question:

"Really? You never had a crush on anyone? Not even once?"

I paused in the middle of folding the clothes I personally had picked out for Eric, as if I was caught for a moment in my own thoughts.

"Well... that's something I have to deal with myself," I said quietly.

I'm not even sure why I said it out loud. I've managed to keep my feelings for Robert under control all this time. It was so well, in fact, he hasn't had even the slightest suspicion, not even a hint, about the secret I've been carrying for years.

But to be honest, there's still a part of me that hopes (just a tiny part) that maybe Robert would give me a chance someday. But then there's the louder, more realistic part of my brain saying, "Are you stupid?! There's no way he's going to like you. First of all, he's straight and homophobic. And second—he's your boss. So please, get a grip already!"

That's when I tightened my grip on the steering wheel as those thoughts kept circling in my head.

Damn it! I said to myself. Why did Eric suddenly start asking me questions about my love life anyway? Those are things that I'd practically deleted from my system years ago.

As I drove Eric to the café to meet Allen, his new bodyguard (whom Eric has no idea), I couldn't help feeling a little jealous of the two of them. I could already see the spark between them, the kind of connection that feels like destiny, lining things up for them and just waiting to bloom. Perhaps, unlike Robert, Eric is... well, more open-minded. Fortunately, he didn't inherit his father's personality quirks. He clearly got Lady Margarette's temperament, and thank goodness for that.

That's when I caught myself thinking about how I should've answered Eric's question from earlier. As someone who practically stood in as his older brother, it's my responsibility to guide him through the things he's just starting to figure out, so he doesn't end up like me, who falls too fast and too deeply for someone I never should've loved in the first place.

So when Eric got out of the car, I immediately called after him.

"Eric!"

He turned back and asked.

"Why? What is it?"

"About what you asked me earlier..." I began, choosing my words carefully. "If you think you like him, but you're not sure if it's love yet, then...why not take your time? Get to know each other first. There's no need to rush." I quickly observed Eric's expression, shift as he listened. Then, I continued more gently. "I know you; your feelings aren't that shallow, so don't pressure yourself. And Allen? Well, he seems like a good guy; the kind of guy who won't mind waiting for you to figure things out...even if it takes forever."

I didn't expect those words to come out of my mouth. And the funny thing was, they hit me too, especially the waiting part and the forever part. My chest tightened the moment I said them, like I'd accidentally given Eric the same advice I've been pretending to follow for the last twenty years.

And then I noticed Eric's face turning bright red all the way to the tips of his ears—definitely something he inherited from his father. Robert turns that exact same shade whenever he's embarrassed. And even though he's older now, he's still pretty cute when he blushes.

But if I'm being honest? I can already tell Eric wants to speed-run this whole "figuring out my feelings for Allen" stage. He's practically halfway to the finish line while pretending he's still stretching at the starting point.

"Okay, I'll keep that in mind," Eric said.

"Good." I gave him a slight nod, then I rolled the driver's window back up. Eric headed off toward the café, and I was just about to pull away when my phone buzzed with a new message.

It was from my Master, Robert Vale.

Robert V.:

I need you here now, Emil. Come to me right after you drop off Eric.

I couldn't help but smile as I closed the message. Then my eyes quickly drifted to my phone wallpaper that I don't let others see—a photo of Robert, of course.

"Looks like I've got something to deal with too," I mumbled to myself. Little did I know, I was about to walk straight into a massive headache, one that would completely upend my peaceful, single life.

When I arrived at the office, I noticed Robert's employees milling around outside, looking like something serious was going on. I didn't pay it much mind. After all, when Robert was present in the office, everyone worked as if their lives depended on it, and I was accustomed to seeing it. But what I wasn't prepared for was the look on Robert's face as I stepped up to his desk. His eyes were deadly sharp, glaring like daggers. On the desk sat a red folder. I swallowed hard. With Robert, folder colors always meant something. Brown meant the documents were for signatures only, blue meant essential business deals or agreements, and red...red meant confidential.

The contents of that folder were highly sensitive.

Of course, I didn't let a hint of nervousness show in my face. Part of my training as his personal assistant and head butler was to remain calm at all times, even when the man in front of me seemed capable of killing someone with his glare.

I bowed deeply as I greeted him. "Do you need anything from me, Lord Robert?"

"Yes, I do," he said. His voice was gruffer than usual, if that was even possible. Suddenly, I understood why the people outside had been so tense. Robert was not in a good mood.

Could this have something to do with why he needed me?

Had Eric done something stupid again?!

But despite my hesitation, I approached his desk. I need to.

"What can I serve you, my lord?" I asked him cautiously. Without a word or hesitation, he handed me the red folder. I didn't want to accept it, but refusing wasn't really an option. Reluctantly, I took the folder and opened it. Inside were two documents: one was a letter (actually an email) from Robert's grandmother, Madam Victoria "Vicky" Vale, better known to everyone as Grandma Vale.

The other was a job contract.

"What is this, my lord?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Why don't you read it?" he replied.

And so, I was left no choice but to read the letter, which began as follows:

------

Robert,

Guess what? I just got back from my oncologist, and surprise! They say I've got about three months left on this planet. But please, don't start planning my funeral party just yet. You can do that when I'm dead. You've got three months to prepare—then you can throw it, I don't care.

Now, I'm not writing this so you can celebrate, though I know you probably will. I just don't want to leave this world without seeing you actually happy. You divorced Margarette ages ago, and I hope you've moved on from all that drama.

But that's not why I'm writing.

Here's the deal: since I'm apparently dying, I've got one favor to ask—touch the grass, my grandchild! It's time you got a love life. Now's the perfect time to find yourself a life partner—someone who will love and take care of you (and understand your bad habits, especially when you're not in the mood). I don't want you ending up like me: old, cranky, and never having fallen in love again after your grandpop died.

Now, here's the real catch, my dear grandson:

I want you to date Emil. Yes, your Emil. My Emil—the one I've raised since he was a kid and who decided to dedicate his life to serving our family as a butler. That boy is kind, loyal, and, honestly, a pretty good judge of people.

If there's no girl you like right now, Emil will do. Seriously. He's been around you forever, he knows you inside and out, and he's more than capable of handling your...well, unique personality. So just do me this favor and give him a chance. After all, maybe you don't have any luck with women, perhaps you do with men.

Will you be able to grant your beloved grandma's last wish?

Of course you will. I know you, Robert—you love me too much to let me down now. Besides, I've spoiled you your whole life, so consider this payback.

Love,

Grandma Vale

-----

I finished reading the letter, and my initial reaction was: "WHAT?!"

I didn't even know where to begin. Was it the part where Grandma Vale wants me to date her only grandson? Or the part where she doesn't even care that her grandson has never shown the slightest interest in men...let alone in dating me? But when I finally tore my eyes away from the letter and looked at Robert, I saw the determination on his face. Even if he clearly hated the situation, even if this wasn't something he would ever choose on his own...since he loved his grandmother too much, the last thing he would do was to refuse her previous request.

He was actually going to go through with this.

That's when I remembered the second document inside the red folder—the contract.

My hand trembled a little as I pulled it out. Before I could even ask, Robert spoke in that calm-but-done-with-life tone he uses when he's already accepted defeat.

"I know this will be a conflict of interest with your duties as my butler and personal assistant," he said. "Which is why I'm temporarily removing you from your position. Effective immediately."

I blinked hard. Then Robert continued, completely serious:

"You will report to me under a new role starting today...as my lover."

…Wait.

Lover?!

And for the first time in my life, I genuinely wondered if I was hallucinating or if this was one of those bizarre dreams I have whenever I have a fever.

Only this time, I was entirely—terrifyingly—okay and awake.