The Billionaire's Secret Spy

Chapter One

Seraphina

Darkness settled over the hall before a tiny flame sparked to life, casting soft light across the room. A dozen pairs of eyes widened, turning warm shades of amber as everyone shouted, "Happy Birthday, Aria!"

On cue, Marisa the housekeeper flipped the lights back on. I stepped toward the coffee table and gently placed the strawberry cake in the center. Sitting on top was a custom candle shaped like the number seventy-six.

Unable to hold back my laughter at the way everyone eyed the dessert like starving wolves, I clapped my hands. "Come on, come on, everyone. It's time."

Like a swarm of elderly bees, forty residents hurried forward, circling around a blushing Aria who, even at her age, looked straight out of a fairy tale in her fluffy pink gown.

"Cut it already, Laurie. I'm not getting any younger," Ben called out, bouncing his fragile body as much as his old bones allowed. The whole room erupted into laughter.

Handing the knife to Aria, I stepped back a few feet and raised my camera. "Ready."

When the birthday girl blew the candle out, the hall rang with another enthusiastic chorus of happy birthday, and I snapped picture after picture.

Another memory for the keeper.

Aria carefully sliced small triangle pieces and fed the eager mouths one by one until her soft blue eyes landed on me. "Seraphina, darling, what are you doing standing over there? Come here." She held out a rather generous slice.

"Yes, yes go on. I'll take the pictures," Joseph said, taking the camera from my hands.

"Alright!" I smiled and made my way through the crowd.

The pure happiness glowing on Aria's face showed just how grateful she was.

"Thank you for everything, Seraphina!" She pulled me into a warm motherly embrace. "I don't know if I'll be here for my next birthday, but I'll die peacefully knowing you're here to look after these Oompa Loompas." Her voice wavered as she finished speaking.

Pulling away gently, I wiped the tears on her wrinkled cheeks and readjusted her party hat on top of her little gray bun. "Don't talk like that. You're going to live to a hundred, and all these Oompa Loompas will make sure of it." I giggled and nudged her hand, the one holding the cake toward her lips.

She offered it to me instead, so I leaned forward and took a bite. My taste buds sang in delight at the soft, sweet goodness.

Once every crumb of the cake was gone, everyone began presenting their gifts, one after another. When my turn came, I pulled out the flat red-wrapped present and handed it to Aria

"Thank you, sweetheart." She tore the wrapping delicately.

All eyes watched, breath held. I knew they would love it. I had been preparing this gift for the last two months.

When she revealed the velvety book inside, confusion clouded their faces. But Aria opened it anyway.

The moment the cover turned, the room filled