Chapter 2

When the Tables Turn

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

I blinked hard the moment Robert said it. I tried to process everything as quickly as possible, but the only thing that really stuck was that he was going to fire me. If that was the case, then what was I supposed to do? What job would I even have left?

My worry only grew as I watched Robert's expression remain completely serious. Then, after a while, he finally told me the reason why he had called me in the first place.

"Starting today, you'll report to me under a new role...as my lover."

...wait.

Lover?!

For a second, I wondered if I was just hallucinating or if I was having one of those weird fever dreams I get sometimes. But no, this was real! I was fully awake and perfectly healthy, and Robert was absolutely serious as he discussed my new job description with me.

"So... you're reassigning me to pretend to be your lover just to grant Grandma Vale's wish?"

"Correct," Robert replied without hesitation. "If being together will bring Grandma peace, even if it's just for show, then I'll do it. Though it's not something I'd normally do or choose. But don't worry, our setup as 'lovers' is only temporary, just until Grandma is satisfied and happy."

To be honest, a small part of me felt happy too, because after twenty years, he was finally offering me the closeness I'd secretly hoped for. But a louder part of me was uneasy. Afraid, I suppose. Because deep down, I knew the truth: he isn't doing this because he chose to, and I was doing it because he asked me to as part of my job. But there's also a very tiny part of my mind saying that maybe this setup isn't so bad. We're only pretending for Grandma Vale's sake, sure. But still, this might be my only chance to be closer to him, even if it's all just an act.

So without hesitation, I nodded and agreed to the role he was offering.

"Okay, Lord Robert. If this is what you and Madam Vicky want, then I'll do it."

"But..."

I was a little taken aback when he suddenly added, "But—"

"—no one can know that we're just pretending," he continued. "I want Grandma to believe we're in a real relationship. As part of the nondisclosure agreement in the contract, you must agree that no one will be aware of our arrangement. Is that clear, Emil?"

He had a point, and I understood what he meant.

"Yes, my lord," I replied.

"And one more thing..."

I straightened up again when he said that he had something else to say.

"The scope and limitations of our setup are all stated in the contract. Read it carefully and make sure you comply."

Of course, he wouldn't let this pretense go beyond what he intended. It made sense that there would be limits and rules. This would keep everything under control.

"Understood, my lord."

I bowed slightly, still holding the red folder as I prepared to leave his office. But before I could even touch the doorknob, Robert spoke again. His voice was different this time. It was softer and no longer the strict "Boss Robert" everyone knew. It almost sounded like he was finally letting himself loose.

"Emil..." he said quietly. "I'm sorry you got dragged into this."

This was a side of Robert no one else ever saw—except me.

To everyone else, he was always the strict one, the demanding one, the one who always controlled everything and everyone around him. People didn't realize that Robert simply struggled to deal with things the way normal people did. He was so accustomed to treating everything like work that most of the time, he often forgot how to slow down and how to simply be human. But there were moments like this, when he actually thought about how others felt, and that reminded me that he was human too, and that he's capable of feeling guilt and conscience.

Take, for example, what happened with his son, Eric.

The only reason Robert wanted to marry Eric to Lady Annette was, first, because he had made a promise to his best friend. In case you didn't know, Robert values friendship deeply. His conscience can't bear the idea that Leone died because of him, and arranging that marriage felt like it was the only way he could make things right.

And second, he genuinely wanted someone to love his son. It may be due to his marriage to Lady Margarette. Still, ever since then, he seemed to believe that arranged marriages were safer, that it was better to carefully choose a partner for his son than let him fall deeply in love on his own, only to end up hurt the same way Robert once was.

The problem was that his way of pushing his son to do his will didn't end well for Eric, who almost died because of it. But Robert eventually realized his mistake. Now he's trying to make things right with Eric, even if it's late.

See? These were just a few of the many reasons why I loved him. Some people might say I'm foolish for liking my boss, the same man others label as "bad," "controlling," or "inconsiderate." But they don't see this side of Robert. Yes, dealing with his constant bad moods, demanding attitude, and stubbornness wasn't easy. Still, those parts of him were also pieces I eventually came to love.

So even though I know this is only a pretense, and there may be moments when I end up hoping for something I can't have, I'll still do it, because his intentions are good. All he wants is to make his grandmother, the woman who raised him, happy.

So I told him, "You have nothing to worry about, Lord Robert. I'll do my best for this task."

That's right. That's the only thing I can promise Robert...and the only thing I'm sure I can give.

After that, I left his office, and the moment the door shut behind me, I couldn't help but lean my back against it while covering my mouth with one hand. I couldn't tell if I was excited about this new role to the point of wanting to start immediately, or if I'm just simply happy because, deep down, I'd wanted something like this for so long.

Either way, I knew for myself that the universe had finally heard my prayers.

But at the same time, this setup felt a little like karma for Robert. Because, you see, it was almost the same kind of setup he once pushed onto his son, Eric. Only this time, he was the one being nudged into something he didn't actually want, and I knew that wasn't easy for a man like him. Robert wasn't the type to follow anyone else's rules, let alone pretend to have feelings for someone, especially another man.

And as for me...

I just hoped I could hold myself together, face whatever came with this arrangement, and live up to the commitment I'd made with him.