Chapter 1

Do you love reading about domineering CEOs?

The cold and reserved billionaire suddenly becomes obsessed with love, cornering the struggling heroine and growling, "I only want you!"

Just the thought of it is thrilling, isn't it?

I used to feel the same way until I started dating a guy.

He's not a CEO.

He's just the butler to one.

I thought being the girlfriend of a billionaire's butler would be great, at least bringing me closer to that legendary love.

But then I witnessed just how terrifying a real-life billionaire can be.

*****

At 3:27 AM, still half-asleep, I felt the mattress dip slightly. Without even opening my eyes, I knew Beck Zachary was home from work.

Beck was my boyfriend. We attended the same university and started dating soon after freshman year. By this time, several years after graduation, we had been together for nearly a decade.

Still half-asleep, I mumbled, "Why are you getting home so late again?"

Beck's work hours had gotten completely out of hand over the past two years. At first, he could make it home by midnight, but then he came back later and later.

At this rate, he would be working 24/7, and the crazy thing was that he was just a domestic service worker, not some tech programmer.

"I had no choice. Mr. Greenfield had another household emergency," Beck replied wearily.

His voice was tinged with a calm, almost numb resignation.

"But there's a silver lining," Beck said as he changed into his pajamas and slipped into bed beside me, pulling me close. "With Mr. Greenfield jet-setting around the world these next few days, I finally get some time off."

I'd long stopped buying into his false hope. Bennett Greenfield was a young entrepreneur, a household name in Riverbend. He was always ranked among the city's top five most eligible bachelors. It had been almost four years since Beck started working for him as his butler right after graduation.

Even when Bennett was overseas, he could still order Beck around, forcing him to work until the wee hours, even on his supposed days off.

I couldn't stand it anymore. Beck and I had been living together for nearly a decade, but it felt more like we were in a long-distance relationship. I was afraid that if things continued this way, his job would take him away from me.

"I'm going to quit my job," I blurted out.

Beck looked surprised but supportive. "Actually, we've got healthy savings now. You don't have to work if you don't want to. Just do whatever makes you happy."

"I plan to work at Bennett's house," I said.

Since Beck spent all his time at Bennett's house, maybe I should just work there too. That way, we could be together all the time.

If Beck could be a butler, then I could be a housekeeper.

Beck exclaimed, "What?"

He was completely floored by my announcement.

He bolted upright in bed, too stunned to speak.

"You don't want me to?" I asked, a hint of irritation in my voice.

Both Beck and I graduated from elite universities. We were the kind of top talent any company would compete for. I didn't see why I wouldn't be qualified to be Bennett's housekeeper.

"It's not like that." Beck let out a weary sigh. "The work there is brutal."

"Brutal?"

I wondered skeptically how hard being a housekeeper could be.

"Well, if you really want to, I'll take you to Bennett's house tomorrow. You'll see for yourself," Beck said, resignation in his voice.