After they left, Elara carried her luggage down the hall and stepped into the room Adrian had mentioned. It was small and plain, the kind of space that belonged to someone who came and went without leaving a trace. She wondered how many caregivers had slept there before her. The thought pressed on her chest, so she forced herself to focus on practical things instead.
She placed her books neatly on the small shelf, lined up her toiletries on the desk, and unpacked her clothes. When everything was in its place, she sat on the edge of the bed and told herself to breathe.
By noon, her stomach reminded her she had skipped breakfast. The quiet house made every sound feel louder. She walked into the open kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Empty shelves. Nothing fresh. Not even milk.
With a sigh, she grabbed her bag and headed out. She found a quick lunch nearby and then bought enough groceries to fill the fridge. As she walked back, she kept thinking if it was a right choice to agree on the caregiving job.
At six sharp, dinner was ready. The scent of tomato and shrimp filled the kitchen. Elara set the table, adjusted the silverware, and heard the sound of the front door opening.
"Welcome home," she said softly.
Adrian paused at the entrance. Without a word, he walked past her and went upstairs.
"Dinner is ready," she called, trying to sound cheerful. "I made pasta with tomato and shrimp. It's on the table."
He didn't respond. She heard the faint sound of his footsteps on the stairs above, and the silence that followed felt heavy.
A few minutes later, he returned dressed in soft loungewear. He moved with quiet assurance, his posture straight. Without asking for help, he sat at the leftmost chair at the dining table.
Elara immediately adjusted the plate and utensils in front of him. "Pasta in the center. Spoon on your left. Fork on your right. A glass of water at the upper right," she said gently.
"Good," Adrian replied, short and even.
"I'll leave you to your dinner," she said. "I'll come back to clear the table later. If you need anything, just call for me. I'll be in my room."
He didn't answer, so she walked away, letting her footsteps fade down the hall.
When the quiet settled again, Adrian lifted his hand and found the utensil. He began to eat, the warmth of the meal grounding him more than he expected. This one was different, he thought. She didn't hover. She didn't fill the silence with pity or nervous chatter. She gave him space and clear information, and somehow that small respect meant more than he cared to admit.
Her voice still lingered in his mind. It was young, soft and steady. She sounded like someone barely in her twenties. Why would someone that young choose this kind of work.
Half an hour later, Elara came out and smiled when she saw the empty plate. A quiet sense of accomplishment bloomed in her chest. She washed the dishes, wiped the counter, and returned to her room.
In the study upstairs, Adrian sat back in his chair. The weight of blindness pressed on him again. Reading had once been his escape. Basketball had cleared his thoughts. Even his computer, once an extension of his mind, had become an exercise in frustration. He wondered how long a man could endure helplessness before it hollowed him out.
Then his phone rang.
"Adrian, have you eaten dinner?" his mother's voice came through, warm but anxious.
"I did. Don't worry," he said, his tone softening.
"How's Elara?"
"Elara," he repeated, realizing only then that she meant the new caregiver.
"Yes. How did today go?" she asked.
"So far so good," he said, leaning back in his chair. "And when did you start making such young friends. This morning I was expecting someone twice her age."
"Your mother is still young," she teased, and he could hear her smile through the phone.
He chuckled quietly. "But really, how did you meet her?"
"I met her two years ago at the hospital," Mrs. Vale said. "Her mother had cancer. She passed away a few weeks ago. Elara cared for her all through college and after graduation. She's a good girl, Adrian. She isn't here for money or opportunity. She's here because I asked. Please, be kind to her."
He sighed. "Mum, I'm not that unreasonable."
"I know," she said softly. "Trust her. Let her help. I don't want you to live like this alone and shutting everyone out."
"I'll be fine," Adrian said, almost convincing himself. "I promise."
After hanging up, he stood and made his way downstairs. "TV on." He used the voice control system and the screen came alive, switching to the evening news. It had become his quiet ritual at the end of the day, a small reminder that the world still moved outside his silence.
Elara heard the sound of the television and came out of her room. She remembered the bowl of fruit she had prepared earlier and took it from the refrigerator. She placed it gently on the coffee table in front of him.
"I cut some fruit," she said.
Adrian turned his head slightly. "Thank you," he said after a moment.
"You're welcome," Elara replied, surprised by the calm in his voice and the politeness. She smiled faintly and started to turn away.
"Wait," he said. "Please have breakfast ready at eight every day. I usually go to the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Prepare lunch when I'm home. Dinner at six daily. I don't often have evening plans."
"I'll note it down," Elara said. "Do you have any food preferences or anything you avoid?"
"I'm not picky. I eat anything. No allergies."
"All right. If you need help, just let me know. I'll be in my room."
"Got it," he said simply.
Back in her room, Elara sat on the bed and released a long breath. Her shoulders eased as the day's tension drained away. He wasn't impossible. Just guarded. Independent. Maybe lonely.
If she were in his place, she thought, she might have been impulsive too.
She lay back against the pillow and stared at the ceiling. The quiet of the house wrapped around her as she dozed off in her sleep.
*****
The next morning, at exactly eight, Elara set the breakfast where Adrian had sat the night before.
"Good morning," she said softly. "French toast on the right plate and salad on the side."
He reached out, his movements deliberate.
"You can lift the toast with your hand. The fork for the salad is on your right," she added.
"Thanks." His fingers found the toast, and he took a slow bite.
She watched him for a moment, noticing the calm precision in his movements.
"Anywhere you want to go today? I can take you," she asked, keeping her tone light.
Adrian paused. "I want to visit Chinatown."
Elara smiled. "Great. We can leave at ten."
At ten, Adrian was already waiting on the sofa, dressed neatly.
"Should we call a taxi?" she asked.
"Do you drive?" he asked in return.
"I do."
"Use my car," he said, holding out the keys.
She hesitated, then took them. His fingers brushed hers, warm and steady.
The drive began in quiet. The hum of the engine filled the space between them. From time to time, Elara glanced at him. His expression stayed relaxed, his posture composed.
They arrived. Elara parked and came to his side.
"It is busy. May I hold your sleeve to guide you?" she asked.
He nodded. She took his sleeve, her touch light yet sure.
They walked together. Elara kept her words simple and steady. "Two steps up." "Curb to your left." "Bench ahead." She bought small snacks and passed each one to him. "Dumpling." "Sweet bun." "Fried dough twist."
He tasted each in turn. When he smiled, something unsteady fluttered in her chest. Her pulse quickened. Heat touched her cheeks. She had never been this aware of a man before.
"What made you want to come here today?" she asked.
"No real reason," he said. "I have not been here in years. I can barely remember it now."
"My mother used to bring me. She always bought me cotton candy. It was my favorite when I was little." Her voice thinned on the last words.
"I am sorry for your loss," he said gently.
"Mrs. Vale told you about her?" Elara asked.
He nodded. "She did."
"Do you want cotton candy today?" he asked.
"I do," she said, trying to smile.
They stopped at a stall. Someone brushed past Elara too quickly. She lost her balance and fell forward into Adrian.
Her palm landed on his chest. His arm came around her back, steady and protective.
"Are you all right? What happened?" he asked.
"Someone bumped into me. I am sorry," she said, breathless. She stepped back at once.
"It is fine. Be careful," he said quietly.
Elara looked up. Their faces were only inches apart. She was not sure if he sensed the nearness. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt delicate and full of something unspoken.
She cleared her throat and found his sleeve again. "Let us keep going," she said.
"Do you mind if I take a few photos of you and show them to Mrs. Vale? I just want to ease her worry," Elara asked as she took out her phone.
"Sure," Adrian said. His tone was calm, but his thoughts lingered on her words. She had asked for permission. She respected him.
That was new. Different from how others had treated him before.
Maybe he could trust her, Adrian thought. And for the first time in a long while, the idea of trusting a stranger did not feel impossible.
Later, as they turned back toward the car, Adrian spoke. "Elara, come to the office with me tomorrow. Wear something formal."
Elara blinked. "Understood," she said. The request surprised her. So did the way he said her name. It was the first time he had spoken it aloud. Something small and bright fluttered in her chest.
****
The next morning, around eight-thirty, Rowen Ward arrived at Adrian's place to pick them up.
"Apologies for not introducing myself properly before," Rowen said with a grin as he opened the car door. "I'm Rowen Ward. Assistant at work, friend of Adrian in real life."
"Elara Quinn," she said, returning the smile.
They settled in the car. Rowen filled the quiet with easy chatter, clearly used to balancing Adrian's silence.
"How old are you, Elara?" Rowen asked suddenly. "And are you single?"
Elara blinked. "Twenty-three. Yes."
"No way that you are still single. I know people I could introduce," he teased.
She glanced toward Adrian. His expression was unreadable, his face calm and turned slightly toward the window.
"No thank you, I am not looking into any relationship at this moment," she said, smiling and rejecting politely.
Rowen laughed, amused. "Fair enough."
Adrian said nothing, but the faintest curve of a smile touched his lips, hidden from both of them.
At the office Elara finally understood the role of Adrian and his job. He was chief executive of a well known department store chain. He put on sunglasses and moved through the building with calm confidence, greeting employees by name. Many women lit up when he passed.
"How can he do this? Walking through the store and talking with everyone" Elara asked in the elevator.
"Keep this secret" Rowen said.
"What secret" Elara asked, curious and suddenly alert.
"No one at the company knows he lost his sight. If word got out, it could affect the stock" Rowen said.
Elara stared at Adrian. Two years of keeping this hidden. The discipline. The burden.
They reached the top floor and entered Adrian's office. It was large and neat. Rowen set a pen and wrote his number on a notepad.
"Call me if you need anything" he said, then left.
"Elara, sit here and go through my email" Adrian said, taking his seat.
Elara turned the monitor toward her and opened the inbox. The number of unread messages made her throat tighten. She started to read aloud what mattered and summarized what did not. She answered what she could on his behalf after confirming his intent. Hours slipped by. When she sent the last reply, her shoulders ached and her eyes felt dry.
"How did you manage all this alone. I admire your strength" Elara said.
"Usually Rowen reads things to me by phone or in the office. Recently he is tied up with a new project. I have not touched email for days" Adrian said.
"Maybe you should hire a secretary," Elara said.
"In my current condition I do not trust any outsiders" Adrian said.
"Thank you for trusting me then," Elara said. The words surprised her with their warmth. His trust meant more than she expected.
That night they returned home. Elara made a simple dinner. Adrian followed his routine and showered. She described the plates and utensils and then wanted to return to the room with her own portion of dinner.
"If you do not mind, you can sit here and eat with me. Eating alone can be boring, " Adrian said. The offer startled him. He had never liked a caregiver hovering at meals. Two days with Elara had already felt different.
"All right," Elara said, and joined him.
They ate quietly but Elara knew she had to talk to ease any awkwardness.
"What do you do at night besides listening to the news on tv," Elara asked.
"Not much. Fewer options after losing sight," Adrian said.
"You must be bored. We should find things to do" Elara said.
"What do you suggest?" Adrian asked.
"Movies. Audio books. We could take short walks sometimes too," Elara said.
"I have a book in mind but couldn't find the audio format. Would you mind read to me?" Adrian asked.
"Definitely," Elara said at once.
After dinner Elara went to wash herself and at around eight, she stood at the bottom of the stairs.
"Boss, may I come up now" Elara decided to address him as boss as she felt it would be too impolite to call him by his name directly. Since their relationship right now is work related too. With the recent flutter incident, Elara reminded herself that she should keep herself within the boundary.
"Sure, you may come up" Adrian answered.
She reached the second floor and realized the entire level was his space. Bedroom. Study. A corner with exercise equipment. It felt private and self contained.
"So this is your sanctuary" Elara said.
"Bookshelf on the left. Find a novel called All the Light We Cannot See" Adrian said.
She found it and came downstairs to the sofa with drinks and small snacks. She read from the beginning. He listened as if he couldn't get enough of the story. Around ten she closed the book after three chapters.
She looked at his profile and noticed the shape of his lashes and the line of his nose. Perfection was an unfair word for a human face. It still came to mind. Heat rose in her cheeks. She looked away.
"We will continue next time. Time for sleep" Elara said.
"Thank you. Good night," Adrian said and went up to his room.
"Good night," Elara said. He no longer felt as cold as he had on the first day. He had only wanted to push her away. Underneath, he was careful and kind. Her mind flickered to that moment in Chinatown, when she had stumbled against his chest. Heat rose to her face again, and she quickly shook it off.
She texted Mrs. Vale a quick note.
"Mrs. Vale, we visited Chinatown yesterday. Adrian enjoyed the street food. I hope you sleep well"
Mrs. Vale read the message and smiled.
"I finally found the right person to care for him," she said softly.
Mr. Vale looked up from his paper. "That is wonderful. I would like to meet her one day."
"You will," Mrs. Vale replied, her voice light with hope. "With her here, I can finally breathe again."
He reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You have been worried for too long. Maybe this is the change he needed."
Mrs. Vale nodded, her eyes softening. "Yes. I think she might be exactly what he needed."
He reached across the table and took her hand. "You have been worried for too long. It is good to see you smile again."
Mrs. Vale nodded, her eyes bright. "I will send her a message before bed."
She typed slowly, choosing her words with care:
Mrs. Vale: Thank you for the message, Elara. It has been a long time since I have seen Adrian so relaxed. You bring light into that boy's life in a way no one else has. Please take care of him and of yourself too.
Later that night, Elara read the message on her phone. Her chest tightened with emotion, a mix of surprise and quiet warmth. She smiled softly, running her fingers over the screen as if she could hold the words there.
"I will. Thank you, Mrs. Vale," she replied.
She placed her phone on the bedside table, the faint glow fading into the dark. For the first time in a long while, her heart felt light. Within moments, she drifted into sleep peacefully.