Page 53 of Valentine’s Billionaire Auction

“Now coffee,” I said to Carla.

She followed me as I made my way to the kitchen, barely remembering my way. When I walked in, I was not surprised to see an older woman cleaning what was already an immaculate kitchen.

Just then, a staff member approached us, his eyes flickering between me and Carla. “Ms. Foster, will your guest be staying for breakfast?” he asked, his tone impeccably neutral yet somehow still managing to convey a hint of judgment.

“Yes!” Carla answered.

“Will you be taking your breakfast in the dining room or breakfast room?” he asked.

I felt like Alice in Wonderland. “Uh…”

“The breakfast room, clearly,” Carla answered. “We’re not savages.”

“Can I make some coffee?” I asked the man.

He looked insulted. “I will bring in coffee service.”

“Thank you.”

He turned to walk away.

“Sir?”

“Yes?”

“Where is the breakfast room?” I asked sheepishly.

Carla laughed.

He gave a small, patient smile, the kind reserved for a teacher talking to a particularly slow student. “It’s just next to the conservatory, madam. I can have someone guide you there if you wish.”

“No, that’s alright. We’ll find it. Thank you.” I nodded, trying to mask my growing embarrassment with a weak smile.

“Kaira, this place is insane.”

“I know,” I said with a small laugh. “They need to put up maps like at the mall.”

We sat down at the small table that was in a room flooded with sunlight. A coffee service was brought in seconds later.

“Breakfast will be ready in five minutes,” the man said and glided away.

“You’re being waited on hand and foot,” she said.

“I didn’t ask them to do that,” I said defensively.

“This is their job. Don’t look down on them or try to be independent. They are earning their paychecks.”

I nodded. “You’re right.”

“So, I saw the pictures of you two yesterday. Let’s see the ring.”

I raised my left hand to show her the sparkling ring that Roman had slipped on my finger. The diamond caught the morning sun, throwing specks of light across the pristine walls of the breakfast room.

“It’s gorgeous,” Carla breathed, her eyes wide as she leaned closer to inspect it. “Roman really did go all out, didn’t he?”

I couldn’t help but smile, despite the whirlwind of emotions I had been feeling since arriving at Roman’s mansion. “He did. It still feels surreal.”

Before we could say anything more, two plates covered with silver domes were delivered.