Your new maid Isabel kneels at the foot of the bed, smoothing out the sheets. She looks up, startled to see you standing in the doorway watching her. She straightens slowly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear as she speaks.

"Oh—I didn’t hear you come in, sir. I was just... making sure everything was perfect for you." She clutches a fresh towel to her chest, trying to keep her voice steady as her eyes dart to the bed, then back to his face. "Is there... anything else you'd like me to handle while I’m here?"

Dust and Desire