The Welcoming Committee

Daphne’s vice-like grip on my shoulder slowly loosened. The realization finally dawned on her that the massive golden retriever was not attacking, but merely wanting to play. Her tense exhalation fanned the back of my neck as she dropped her hand. She stepped cautiously out from behind my back, her corporate composure returning with a vengeance as she shot a vicious glare across the manicured lawn.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she spat, her voice ringing loud and sharp in the open air.

Vaughn did not flinch. His long, predatory stride quickly erased the remaining distance between us. As he drew near, the sheer physical presence of the man made my breath catch tight in my throat. I realized with a jarring shock that he was terrifyingly beautiful up close. The glossy posters plastered all over Jonah’s bedroom walls did not do the man a single ounce of justice. His jawline was sharp enough to cut glass, framed by soft, messy brown hair that looked like he had just rolled out of bed. With eyes the color of melting gray fire, he looked less like a mortal human and more like a flawlessly sculpted artwork of the ancient gods, albeit a very irritated one. His broad shoulders threatened to tear the seams of his tight t-shirt, and his thick thighs stretched the fabric of his sweatpants with every aggressive, ground-eating step. The raw, primal energy radiating from him made my flight instincts kick into overdrive.

"Did you see me command the damn dog?" he struck back smoothly, his tone laced with pure venom. He ignored Daphne's outrage entirely, shifting his intense focus down to the golden retriever sitting patiently at my feet. The other two dogs—the husky and the second retriever—hung back, their tongues lolling out as they panted in the morning heat.

"Maple," he ordered sharply, holding out a large, calloused hand. "Hand over the ball."

But Maple merely panted. The retriever paid no mind to her master, staring solely at me. Her thick golden tail thumped a steady, rhythmic beat against the grass. Those big brown eyes never wavered from my face.

Vaughn’s jaw locked. The muscles in his thick neck strained. "Maple." His voice cracked like a whip this time, taking on a significantly sharper, darker tone. The heavy, dominant authority in that single word sent a cold shiver racing down my spine.

Maple finally relented. The dog let out a small, timid whine, picked up the slobbery yellow-green toy, and trotted over. She dropped it obediently into his large, open palm.

Daphne crossed her arms, a smug expression crossing her features. "At least someone on this miserable estate is happy she is here, Vaughn," she teased, gesturing toward the dog.

Vaughn sneered. His upper lip curled in unadulterated disgust, his nostrils flaring as his melting gray eyes flicked from Daphne to me. He rolled his broad shoulder and hurled the tennis ball far across the sprawling field. The three dogs immediately bolted after their bright target, their paws tearing up the pristine turf.

"Stay out of my way," he ground out. He aimed the lethal threat directly at me. His gaze felt like a physical blow, heavy and full of unmasked disdain.

Before I could even formulate a response to his blatant disrespect, he turned on his heel. He retreated toward the massive mansion, putting distance between us as the three dogs, having retrieved the ball, trailed reluctantly behind his broad back.

My palms burned. I itched to snap back, to hurl a blistering insult at his retreating form and defend my pride. But the heavy reality of the six grand sitting securely in my bank account acted like a physical padlock on my jaw. That money was destined for Mom’s life-saving meds and Jonah’s skyrocketing tuition. I swallowed the bitter taste of humiliation, clamping my lips firmly shut. My family's survival was worth far more than a fleeting moment of verbal vengeance.

Daphne turned to me, offering a forced, weak smile. "Do not take his explosive temper personally, Frey."

I smoothed my expression into a blank mask, refusing to let her see how much his words stung. "I am perfectly fine," I flatly assured her. "I am only here to work and collect my paycheck. I do not need to make friends."

Daphne let out a soft hum, sounding like she did not quite believe me but was willing to change the subject. "Come on. I will show you your living quarters."

She expertly guided me past the main house. The stone pathway crunched lightly under my frayed sneakers, a stark contrast to the sharp click-clack of her designer heels. We walked past incredibly picturesque, sprawling gardens. Neatly trimmed hedges, towering oak trees, and endless rows of vibrant, blooming flowers lined our route. The estate was a breathtaking sanctuary, silent and isolated from the chaos of the outside world. The sweet scent of jasmine and fresh earth filled the air.

Along the winding path, Daphne paused briefly to introduce me to a warm, weathered older man tending to a cluster of thorny rose bushes.

"Frey, this is Vernon," Daphne said. "He is the estate's dedicated gardener."

Vernon wiped dark soil from his calloused hands onto his overalls and offered a kind, crinkling smile. "Nice to meet you, miss. Welcome to the grounds."

I returned his smile, genuinely grateful for a second friendly face on this massive, intimidating property. After our brief exchange, Daphne and I continued our trek. We finally reached the back of the property, where a blindingly blue, Olympic-sized swimming pool stretched out beneath the late morning sun. Smooth stone tiles framed the pristine water, flanked by elegant lounge chairs and bright white umbrellas that swayed gently in the breeze. It looked exactly like a glamorous spread from a luxury travel magazine.

Tucked neatly into the far corner of the expansive pool deck was a surprisingly charming small structure. The exterior matched the main mansion's modern aesthetic, complete with dark trim, climbing ivy, and large, gleaming windows that reflected the sparkling water.

"This is where you will be staying," Daphne announced. She stepped forward, pushed the heavy wooden door open, and gestured for me to enter.

Stepping inside, my heart immediately raced against my ribs. I clutched my worn duffel bag tighter to my chest, my eyes widening as I took in the space. Smelling intensely of fresh lemon and pristine luxury, the room felt like stepping into a different universe. A compact kitchenette sat against one wall, featuring sleek white cabinets, a polished stainless-steel sink, and a marble counter that looked too perfect to ever cook a messy meal on. Across from the kitchen area, a neat sitting room boasted a plush cream-colored sofa and a stylish round glass coffee table.

It was a staggering, almost painful contrast to the damp, mildew-scented trailer back home. Here, the conditioned air felt crisp and clean in my lungs. At home, the lingering scent of burnt coffee and rotting wet wood constantly clung to my clothes and hair.

Through an open doorway, I spotted an unbelievably cozy bedroom. The bed was massive, made up with crisp gray sheets and fluffy pillows that looked softer than anything I had ever touched. Sunlight bounced off the pool outside, casting rippling, golden reflections across the painted bedroom walls. Our entire cramped trailer could easily fit inside this luxurious pool house twice over. I bit the inside of my cheek hard, reprimanding myself for getting too attached. This was not a vacation. This was not my real life.

Daphne lingered in the doorway, quietly watching my stunned reaction. "It is cozy, right? Close enough to the main house that Vaughn can call on you, but far enough away that you get proper privacy." She sighed, her polished corporate mask slipping just a fraction. "I sincerely hope you will endure this job. At least until Vaughn finally decides to return to his primary residence in the city."

I set my heavy duffel bag down on the immaculate hardwood floor. "Can I ask you something?"

Daphne tilted her head, her blonde hair catching the light. "Go ahead."

"Why is he staying here?" I asked curiously, gesturing vaguely toward the main house. "A superstar of his caliber hiding out in the middle of nowhere right before the massive postseason... it does not make any sense."

Daphne let out a short, teasing laugh, a knowing smirk touching her lips. "Your lack of baseball knowledge is showing, Frey."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, turning my skin pink. I could not exactly tell her that my active hatred for the sport had only started a week ago, born out of pure frustration. "Vaughn is my brother’s hero," I offered instead, hoping to deflect her amusement.

"I bet your brother will be thrilled to find out who you are working for." Daphne crossed her arms, leaning casually against the doorframe. "You have permission to tell your fanatic brother that you are indeed working for his hero. But only under the strict, unbreakable condition that you keep his daily routines and his location a secret. No social media posts. No telling your friends. Nothing."

"I promise," I said quickly. The thought of Jonah's reaction brought a genuine, warm smile to my face. He was going to lose his mind when I told him.

Daphne fell silent for a long moment. When she spoke again, she shed her tough corporate exterior entirely. She sounded more like a genuinely concerned friend than a ruthless sports manager protecting her biggest asset. Her tone softened, losing its usual sharp edge.

"He is not always like this," she murmured, a sad, faraway look in her eyes. "He is just in a really tight spot right now, Frey. He is dealing with something personal that he refuses to let the rest of the world see. So, please... just be patient with him?"

I looked around the beautiful room. This pristine sanctuary represented my family's ongoing survival. The paycheck meant Jonah stayed in his college classes and Mom got her expensive treatments without missing a dose. I squared my narrow shoulders, meeting Daphne's pleading gaze with newfound resolve.

"I will be patient," I solemnly promised her. "Thank you for the opportunity, Daphne."

"I am counting on you," she said, clasping her manicured hands together. "Vernon can help if you need anything around the grounds, and you have my cell number."

Long after Daphne's clicking heels faded away down the stone path and she left the estate, I stood frozen in the center of the room. I took a quiet, desperate moment to fully absorb my stunning new living space. The silence of the isolated pool house felt heavy, yet oddly comforting. I walked over to the kitchenette, running my hands over the high-end, cool marble countertops. The smooth surface felt like ice under my rough, calloused fingertips.

I moved toward the sleek white kitchen cabinets, beginning to check their depth and see what kind of dishes were provided. My mind raced with the chaotic events of the morning. Vaughn’s furious, god-like face flashed in my memory, his sheer hostility a sharp contrast to the serene beauty of his home. He wanted me gone. He made that painfully clear out on the lawn. But I was not leaving. Not when so much was on the line for the people I loved.

As I closed the second cabinet door, a distinct, rhythmic scratching sound echoed through the quiet space.

I paused, my hand hovering over the brass cabinet pull.

*Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.*

The noise drew my attention away from the kitchenette and toward the front door. My brow furrowed in confusion. I wiped my palms on my denim shorts, walking slowly across the pristine hardwood floor. Had Daphne forgotten something important? Or maybe Vernon was coming to check on the new hire?

I gripped the cool metal handle and pulled the door open.

Instead of a person, I found Maple sitting perfectly on her haunches right on the sun-warmed pavement. The golden retriever looked up at me with bright, intelligent brown eyes. A fuzzy, slobber-soaked tennis ball was wedged firmly in her mouth. Her thick golden tail swept back and forth against the concrete, wagging enthusiastically. She looked like a giant, fluffy pillow planted stubbornly on my doorstep.

Despite her brooding master vehemently wishing I would disappear, Maple was volunteering to be my unofficial welcoming committee. She had sought me out across the massive property, defying Vaughn's harsh command to stay away. A small, genuine laugh bubbled up in my chest, breaking the residual tension weighing down my shoulders. At least one resident of this sprawling, hostile estate was happy I was here.