Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 726

My office door was closed.My name was still there. I held the handle for a second before opening it.

Just to feel it.

When I stepped inside, I found Matthew sitting at the desk.

Not in the main chair.

In the guest chair.

The detail made me smile before a single word was spoken.

Matthew stood the moment I walked in.

He had the kind of presence that comes from a man who learned how to be discreet even when he deserves applause.

Even so, his eyes looked lighter.

“I wanted to officially return the crown,” he said, with a smile that balanced humor and respect perfectly.

“Symbolically, of course.I didn’t actually buy a crown.” I laughed.

The sound came easily.

No defenses.

“Good,” I replied.

“That would’ve been an unnecessary expense.I already have an entire board to remind me how heavy it is.” He laughed too, and the office felt less like an office and more like a place.

“And I bet you probably have one in your closet.” I pretended to think about it.

“Maybe,” I said, and we both laughed again.

I walked over and hugged him.

A real hug.

Not the polite, distant kind this building usually demands.

I felt his body stiffen for a second, like he still wasn’t used to being… appreciated like that.

“I’ll never be able to thank you for everything you did for me,” I said quietly.

Matthew took a slow breath.

“That’s what friends are for,” he answered simply.

I stepped back and moved to the desk, setting my bag down in its usual spot. My office looked exactly the same. But I wasn’t.

“I want you to stay,” I said, getting straight to the point.

“If you want to.” Matthew looked at me carefully.

“Stay?” he asked.

“In Florentia?”

I leaned lightly against the edge of the desk.

“As Executive Director of Operations,” I said.

I watched his expression change.

The kind of surprise that happens when someone realizes they’re not just being useful.

They’re being chosen.

“Christian will offer you the position formally,” I added.

“So pretend to be surprised.” Matthew let out a quiet laugh.

“Yeah…” he said, like he was testing the idea inside his head.

“That actually sounds perfect.” Warmth spread through my chest.

“I’ve been thinking about a change of scenery anyway,” he added, with a hint of humor.

“Then welcome to Florentia,” I said, and the words came out like a blessing.

“May Valentia bring you as much happiness as it brought me.” Just then, there was a light knock at the door.

Mia appeared with the same expression as always.

the outside,

she asked, stepping inside without waiting

I frowned.

plans?”

had lunch with Nick before coming here.” Mia pointed at me like she

“Not you,” she said.

at Matthew with very

Matthew blinked, caught

.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh,” I murmured.

Mia shrugged, satisfied.

the embarrassment in a way I

he said, like he’d just remembered

“See you later, Gwen.”

“See you,” I replied.

was already heading for

me a quick

closed, the silence

time it wasn’t threatening. It was a good silence.

for the first time in a long time, I let myself smile without worrying about what came

good

good at

quiet certainty, that this was

Estate

clear, recognizable noise you could identify

that came together and turned

gate creaking

Tires crunching over gravel.

footsteps echoing down the service

soft clink of dishes in

coffee machine

careful, because

had a

Strong coffee.

Warm bread.

grapes that lingered in the air

smell of freshly pressed laundry

soap Martina had approved with all the seriousness of a

the courtyard, I could still catch the

these

with a

the

Martina stood right in the middle of everything without

room three,” she said, not even glancing

fruit without honey.No honey, Nick.I know

didn’t say anything,” I

an amused

got two early arrivals today.The squeeze-ins.” I pulled my phone

was already lit up

Squeeze-ins.

normal over the past few weeks.People calling, texting,

was “any opening,” any room,” “any date.” I stepped over to the counter, grabbed a cup, and

booked for the next six

Six months.

felt like that had

kept telling me I needed to learn how to accept that

I glanced at Martina.

started, because I still needed to hear it out loud to

months,” she finished

don’t stop making that shocked face, I’m going to start charging admission.” I let out a quiet laugh, but it didn’t shake the solid,

open, and Paula

just came

problem of the day arrived

“it’s wrong.” I set my cup down

She pointed

gluten-free.Where are the regular ones?” I closed

hear the guests complaining

the invoice,”

supplier before I even finished

when he

tone carried

order.” On the other end, he immediately

just got straight to the

kitchen needs the basics.You either send the correct order within