Chapter 20: Inexperienced Housekeeper
Indifference & Stomach Aches
Sonya ignored Julian.
Even though he was sitting there, clearly unwell, massaging his stomach.
Even though she knew he had a stomach ache.
Instead, she focused on cleaning the living room.
“Get my stomach medicine.”
Julian’s voice cut through the silence.
Sonya didn’t even glance at him.
“Don’t you have hands?”
“You’re the housekeeper now.”
Sonya let out a short laugh.
Fine. She grabbed the medicine cabinet and placed it on the dining table.
Julian frowned.
“This medicine is useless.”
Sonya raised an eyebrow.
“Why would it be?”
“I took some last night, and I still feel bad.”
That caught her attention. Her professional instincts kicked in.
She questioned Julian about his symptoms, recent eating, and drinking habits.
Then, she checked the expiration date.
“Take this on an empty stomach, best with digestive pills. Here—two will do.”
She prepared the dosage and handed it to him.
Then she cleared out expired medications without a second thought.
Julian watched her.
For a moment, he smiled unconsciously.
Then a wave of emptiness hit him.
Sonya straightened up.
“If it still hurts, go to the hospital. Stomach problems are serious.”
She instinctively reached for the pocket of her lab coat.
But, of course, she wasn’t wearing it.
Her expression hardened.
“Get it checked. It could be stomach cancer. Plan ahead.”
Julian, who had just swallowed his medicine, nearly choked.
“If I die, will you cry?”
“Whether you live or die is none of my business.”
Sonya turned to leave.
She had more important things to do—like checking on her renovation project.
A Locked Room
As Sonya left, Seraphina came down the stairs.
“Julian, I want your noodles.”
She didn’t even glance at him as she curled up on the living room couch, watching TV.
Julian glanced at the clock.
He needed to go to work.
“Clear broth?”
“Seafood noodles.”
“Seafood noodles require a trip to the supermarket. Should I order some for you?”
“No. Takeout is unclean.”
Julian’s jaw clenched.
Without another word, he grabbed his keys and went out to buy seafood and noodles.
Meanwhile, Sonya was at the renovation site.
She was in a good mood, laughing and chatting with the workers.
Of course, she was in a good mood.
She had served Julian and Seraphina a dishrag-infused noodle soup last night.
Childish? Yes.
Satisfying? Absolutely.
Just then, Mr. Givens approached.
“Ms. Ella, the westmost room upstairs is locked. Do you have a key?”
Sonya paused.
She hadn’t noticed that room before.
She retrieved a key from the drawer and went upstairs with Mr. Givens.
None of the keys worked.
A thought flickered through her mind.
Was it intentionally locked? Did it contain something private?
She pulled out her phone and texted Henry.
Henry was having dinner, but he replied quickly.
“The key is probably lost. Have them break the lock.”
And so, she did.
When the door finally opened, a wave of dust filled the air.
The room was small, untouched for years.
The only thing inside?
A piano.
The cover was draped over it.
Sonya hesitated, then peeked underneath.
It looked expensive.
“He plays the piano?” she asked Mr. Givens.
Mr. Givens’ expression flickered.
“A little.”
Sonya didn’t press further.
Everyone had a past.
“Be careful moving the piano.”
A Clash in the Kitchen
Later that afternoon, Sonya was back at Julian’s villa.
She was making dumplings, chopping the meat noisily.
Julian came downstairs, scowling.
“Can you be quieter? Seraphina’s sleeping!”
Sonya raised an eyebrow.
“Aren’t you at work?”
“I’m off today.”
Her gaze flickered to the kitchen table.
“You made seafood noodles again?”
Julian nodded.
“Yes.”
“Amazing. You can actually cook.”
She had assumed he would starve without her.
Julian gave a small smirk.
“Not as good as yours.”
Sonya let out a sarcastic laugh.
“The honor of being praised by my ex after a breakup.”
Julian walked into the kitchen and started washing dishes.
Only—he wasn’t used to it.
A plate slipped from his hands.
CRASH!
Sonya’s eyes widened.
“My bone china bowl!”
It was part of a pricey set.
One she had carefully chosen.
She crossed her arms.
“Clumsy!”
Julian grumbled.
“I’ll replace it.”
They bickered like old times.
But they both knew—everything had changed.
A Special Ingredient
By the time Sonya finished cooking, Seraphina had come downstairs.
She looked pale and exhausted.
Pregnancy wasn’t easy.
“Can you be quieter when you cook? You woke me up.”
Sonya smiled inwardly.
“I’m always noisy when I cook.”
Seraphina huffed.
“I’m pregnant. Be considerate.”
Sonya’s eyes twinkled.
“I’ll try.”
Seraphina glared.
“You must be.”
She took a bite of the dumpling.
Her face scrunched.
“Did you add salt?”
Sonya nodded.
Seraphina tried another dumpling.
Still tasteless.
Her gaze flickered to Julian, who was eating happily.
Then, she noticed something.
A bandage on Sonya’s finger.
“What happened to your hand?”
Sonya shrugged.
“Accidentally cut myself chopping meat.”
Seraphina’s face darkened.
“Be careful. Don’t cut your finger off.”
Sonya smiled.
“I didn’t cut off my finger… but a piece of meat ended up in the filling.”
Seraphina had just bitten into a dumpling.
She froze.
“You… you… UGH!”
She bolted to the bathroom, gagging.
Sonya hummed quietly.
Julian, still eating, casually said—
“Be careful next time.”
Sonya scoffed.
“Keep your concern. I don’t need it!”
Truth was—she had cut herself moving flooring.
Not while making dumplings.
Julian finished his plate, then looked at her teasingly.
“I’m looking forward to dinner.”
Sonya narrowed her eyes.
He wanted a surprise?
She’d give him a surprise.
