CH. 208: Boss Life

Alice leaned back against the plush leather of her Royce, the weight of the day finally lifting as Jessie drove her home. The mission was a success, another piece of the puzzle secured, but all Alice could think about now was her daughter. Roxanne's bright, curious eyes, her mischievous grin—it was all Alice needed to feel grounded amidst the chaos of her double life.

Jessie glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "You look... relieved, boss."

Alice allowed a rare, soft smile. "I should be. This was a critical step forward. But none of it matters until I see Roxanne."

The car pulled up to the grand estate, the towering gates parting to reveal the sprawling mansion surrounded by lush gardens. Alice stepped out, brushing past the staff who bowed deeply, and headed straight inside, her heels clicking against the marble floors.

In the cozy warmth of the living room, Roxanne was curled up on the couch with a picture book, her golden curls catching the evening light. The moment she saw Alice, her face lit up with joy.

"Mommy!" she squealed, hopping off the couch and running straight into Alice's arms.

Alice knelt to catch her, pulling her close and stroking her hair. "My sweet girl," she murmured. "Did you miss me?"

Roxanne looked up, her eyes twinkling. "I did! But I knew you'd come back. You promised!"

Alice chuckled softly, lifting her daughter into her arms. "And I always keep my promises, don't I?"

Roxanne nodded eagerly, then leaned her head against Alice's shoulder. "Can we play a game before dinner?"

"Anything for you," Alice replied, carrying her daughter toward the living room.

"By the way, sweetie, where's Danny?" Alice asked casually.

Roxanne's eyes flickered up, a mischievous glint in them. "He's in the garden. He said he wanted to practice hiding!"

Alice raised an eyebrow. "Hiding, hmm?"

Roxanne giggled. "I told him he's not very good at it. I always find him!"

With a small smirk, Alice stood up. "Stay here, darling. I'll go check on our little guest."

Making her way to the sprawling backyard, Alice found Danny crouched behind a hedge, clearly attempting to stay out of sight. His nervous energy was palpable, his hands clutching a stick as if it were a weapon.

"Danny," Alice called softly, her tone smooth but firm.

He jumped, spinning around with wide eyes. "M-Miss Alice!"

"Relax," she said, stepping closer. "You've been very brave today, standing by Roxanne. That's why you're here, safe. But don't think for a second that means you're invisible to me."

Danny gulped, nodding quickly. "I-I understand, ma'am."

"Good," Alice said, her gaze sharp but not unkind. "Now, come inside. Dinner's soon, and Roxanne doesn't like waiting."

Danny scrambled to his feet and followed her inside, the weight of her presence reminding him just who he was dealing with.

As Danny stepped into the grand mansion, he couldn't hide the awe on his face. The towering ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and marble floors were a stark contrast to the cramped, rundown apartment he had grown up in.

He trailed behind Alice, his steps hesitant as he tried not to gawk. His mind raced, struggling to process how he had ended up here.

Alice, ever perceptive, glanced back and noticed his overwhelmed expression. "Danny," she said, her voice slicing through his thoughts.

"Y-yes, ma'am?" he stammered, his hands gripping the hem of his shirt nervously.

"Get used to it," she said bluntly. "This is Roxanne's home, and by extension, yours—for now. But don't let it distract you. You're here because you protected her. Don't forget that."

Danny nodded quickly, swallowing hard. "I-I understand."

As they entered the living room, Roxanne looked up from her puzzle, her face lighting up. "Danny! Come help me!"

Danny gave a small, shy smile and walked over, sitting cross-legged on the floor next to her. Even as he tried to focus on the puzzle, his eyes kept darting around the room, taking in the lush furnishings and golden accents.

Alice leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching him with a critical eye. "Poor or not," she thought, "he'll adapt—or he won't survive in our world."

That evening, the dining room of Alice's mansion was set for an intimate dinner. A long mahogany table stretched through the center of the room, adorned with fine china, crystal glasses, and candlelight that flickered against the gold-accented walls.

Jessie sat stiffly at one end of the table, trying to mask her unease. Despite years of service, dining with Alice felt less like a reward and more like a subtle test. She straightened her posture, her suit immaculate, as servants placed dishes in front of her.

Danny, on the other hand, looked entirely out of place. He fidgeted in his seat, overwhelmed by the opulence. He glanced at Roxanne, who sat beside him, perfectly composed and effortlessly elegant for her age.

Alice, seated at the head of the table, raised her glass of wine, her piercing eyes sweeping across the table. "Tonight, we celebrate efficiency," she said, her tone even but commanding. "Jessie, your work has been exemplary. You've proven your loyalty time and time again, and this dinner is my acknowledgment of that."

Jessie inclined her head, her face neutral but pride flickering in her eyes. "Thank you, boss. I won't let you down."

Alice turned her gaze to Danny. "And you, Danny. Protecting my daughter... few earn their place at this table so quickly."

Danny froze, nearly dropping his fork. "Uh, thank you, ma'am. It was—it was the right thing to do."

Alice smirked faintly. "Let's hope your sense of duty remains intact."

Roxanne, unbothered by the formalities, nudged Danny. "Try the lamb, it's amazing," she whispered, grinning.

As the dinner continued, the atmosphere lightened slightly. Alice remained composed but allowed Jessie and Danny to speak more freely, though she watched every word carefully. By the end of the meal, Jessie felt a rare sense of satisfaction, and Danny felt like he had survived an impossible test.

After dinner, Jessie thanked Alice for the meal and excused herself, leaving the mansion. The grand halls grew quiet as night settled over the estate. Alice escorted Danny to the guest wing herself, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.

"This will be your room for the night," Alice said, opening the door to a lavish guest bedroom. The room was spacious, with a king-sized bed, silk sheets, and a view overlooking the estate's sprawling gardens. "Make yourself comfortable. You've earned it."

Danny hesitated for a moment, still overwhelmed by the sheer luxury surrounding him. "Thank you, ma'am," he mumbled, stepping inside.

Alice gave a faint smile. "Goodnight, Danny." Her voice softened slightly before she turned and walked down the corridor, her imposing presence lingering even after she disappeared.

Meanwhile, Roxanne was already fast asleep in her own room. Her small form lay curled under a blanket, the faint glow of a nightlight casting soft shadows on the walls. Despite her young age, she slept independently, a habit instilled by Alice to foster strength and self-reliance.

The mansion fell into a peaceful silence, save for the occasional rustle of leaves outside. Danny lay on the plush guest bed, staring at the ornate ceiling, unable to shake the feeling that he had stepped into another world—one both wondrous and terrifying.

Alice sat on the edge of her grand four-poster bed, the silk sheets untouched, her gaze fixed on the moonlight streaming through the large glass windows. The room, adorned with opulence—gold-trimmed mirrors, antique furniture, and a chandelier casting a soft glow—felt as hollow as her heart.

She leaned back, letting her head rest against the intricately carved headboard. The mansion was a fortress, her fortress, yet no amount of guards, guns, or surveillance could shield her from the relentless ache in her chest.

Akira.

Her fingers tightened around the silk robe she wore. Every passing day without him felt like a knife twisting deeper. Roxanne was her anchor, her salvation, the only piece of him she had in this world. If not for her daughter's presence, Alice knew she would have succumbed to the darkness of her own despair.

"What kind of wife am I?" she thought bitterly. "What kind of servant fails to stand by her master?"

The thought was unbearable. She glanced toward a small frame on her nightstand, a photo of her, Akira, and a newborn Roxanne—a memory from before the Crossing Over. She ran her thumb over the glass, her eyes misting.

Being the wife of an Outer God was not just an honor but a responsibility, a constant need to validate her place beside Akira. She wasn't just fighting to reunite with him—she was fighting to prove her strength, her capability, her divinity to the gods who watched her every move, judging her.

But the days stretched into weeks, and the loneliness grew heavier. It wasn't just about the mission anymore. It was Akira—her anchor, her reason for being. The separation was crushing her. Her strength, her cunning, her reputation as an unstoppable force in this world—none of it mattered in the dead of night when she was alone in this empty bed.

Her tears fell silently, streaking down her cheeks. "Akira," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I miss you so much. I—" She choked on the words, burying her face in her hands.

She clenched the photograph tighter, her nails digging into its edges. "I'll prove myself," she murmured, her voice filled with a mix of desperation and determination. "To you, to Azathoth, to everyone who doubts me. I'll make this world kneel before me if that's what it takes to bring us back together."

The vow echoed in the room, as cold and resolute as the woman herself. Yet behind her determination, despair lingered—a quiet, unyielding pain. The loneliness of her trial wasn't just a test of her strength but of her very soul. And tonight, Alice felt as though she was barely holding on.

It was a tough trial. But if she succeeds, it would mean eternal prosperity.

X―x―X—x—X―x―X

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