Alessi’s pace down the art-filled hallway was level and smooth, the polished marble underfoot reflecting the soft glow of the ornate chandeliers that hung gracefully above. He turned his head ever so often to check and see if Natalia was still keeping up with him, her footsteps echoing softly against the walls adorned with vibrant paintings and intricate sculptures. Once assured that she was indeed right behind him, Less turned to head down the spiral staircase to the first floor, each step echoing with a gentle rhythm that blended with the distant sounds of laughter and the bustling activity of the estate.

Since it was Saturday, the maids of the manor were assigned to deep clean the entire estate, a routine that had become almost ceremonial in its execution. However brutal that sounds, it really isn’t all that bad when you consider the sheer scale of the Caballero family’s legacy. They have hired 150+ maids throughout the years, and the current roster sits at around a hundred. Each of these dedicated women had her own story, her own reason for being there, and while it was still a good deal of work for each of them, it wasn’t excruciatingly so. The manor, with its high ceilings and expansive rooms, could feel overwhelming, but the maids had developed a rhythm, a dance of sorts, moving in and out of rooms, dusting, scrubbing, and polishing with a sense of pride.

The air was filled with the scent of lemon-scented cleaners mingling with the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting from the kitchen, where the cooks were preparing a sumptuous lunch for the family. Alessi's father, a man who believed in treating his employees well, had always encouraged a positive atmosphere. He often said that if the maids were happy, then the manor would feel like home, and so he let them continue on with their work without the shadow of complaint or criticism hanging over them.

As Alessi and Natalia descended the elegantly spiraled staircase, he couldn’t help but notice the chatter that bounced off the walls as the two passed a few of the maids, this was normal as the girls had all bonded in some sort of way.

The two made their way to an older-looking wooden door that was located at the side of the spiral staircase. His eyes brushed over her form before opening the door, gesturing for her to go first. The weather was nice today, in the mid-seventies as his phone had stated before they left the indoors, a light breeze rustling through the young man's dark hair as the garden's floral scent met his nose. He visibly relaxed as he walked further into the large garden, which seemed interesting for Natalia as well… interesting. Alessi stayed quiet as he watched her stride on the pathway through the garth, his brows raising ever so slightly as she started naming off what he presumed as the names of the plants the two were passing.

“How long have you been a fan of greenery? It seems like you know quite a bit about…” He subtly gestured to the area around them, where vibrant ferns unfurled like delicate lace and sun-dappled leaves shimmered in the gentle breeze, “…everything here.”

A hint of a smile picked up on the corners of his lips as he watched her, intrigued by her passion for the flora surrounding them. That was an innocent enough question, right?