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

asked, stepping inside without waiting for permission, like

I frowned.

plans?” I asked

lunch with Nick before coming here.” Mia pointed

“Not you,” she said.

Matthew with very

Matthew blinked, caught off

.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh,” I murmured.

Mia shrugged, satisfied.

rubbed the back of his neck, hiding the

right… sure,” he said, like he’d just remembered a meeting on

“See you later, Gwen.”

“See you,” I replied.

lunch.” Mia was already heading for the door, waiting

quick wave

the door closed,

threatening. It was a good silence. I walked to my

a long time, I let myself smile

good at

good

I knew, with a quiet certainty,

Estate

clear, recognizable noise you could identify

that came together and turned into a

gate creaking

Tires crunching over gravel.

echoing down the

soft clink of dishes in the

machine

that no longer tried to be careful, because this

it had a

Strong coffee.

Warm bread.

the air

freshly pressed laundry

hotel soap Martina had approved with all the seriousness of a board

could still catch the faint scent of cold stone

reminder that these

list with a pen tucked behind

of the oven,

middle of everything without looking

cappuccino for the couple in room three,” she said, not even glancing

Nick.I know

say anything,” I replied, opening the

me an amused look, and I

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

screen was already lit up

Squeeze-ins.

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

over to the counter, grabbed a cup, and took a sip of coffee

the next

Six months.

had to be some

needed to learn how to accept

I glanced at Martina.

I still needed to hear it out loud

months,” she

to start charging admission.” I let out a

and Paula walked

the bread delivery just came in,” she

of the day arrived right

set

wrong?” She pointed

whole grain and gluten-free.Where are the regular

hear the guests complaining about the “rustic bread you

“Give me the

the supplier before I even

said when he picked

carried a

end, he immediately got

just got

the basics.You either send the correct order within an hour, or I’ll buy it somewhere else and you lose this contract going