Morning light filtered through the tall windows of the mansion as Elise rose before dawn, determined to prove herself useful.
She slipped into the clothes John had given her the previous night saying they belonged to his master. She hoped she wouldn't get in trouble.
The shirt was massive, it hung off her narrow shoulders like a tent, sleeves swallowing her hands until she rolled them up to her elbows. The trousers were worse, far too long, pooling around her ankles until she folded them five times hastily. A worn belt cinched the waist, barely holding everything in place.
She felt ridiculous. Like those children, their parents get to buy overly sized dresses to make them last longer.
Elise stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like a straight line. No ass, no breast, no hips. She looked like the pages of a book. She sighed and stepped out of the room.
When she reached the corridor, she could see other servants moving around the mansion, cleaning everywhere.
They had this many maids? So why did they need another?
"Good morning." She greeted a man cleaning a portrait but he said nothing to her. Elise pouted her lips in embarrassment. Eyeing him stylishly before walking away.
She didn't bother greeting anyone anymore to avoid getting embarrassed and just walked into the kitchen.
Elise quickly made coffee the way Mr John had instructed her. Bitter. She would quickly serve it to the master of the mansion and varnish as instructed.
She stepped out of the kitchen and paused. What she hadn't asked, was where to serve him. Was it in his room or...
Luckily, as she was about to leave, she met John who seemed like he was looking for her too.
"You already made the coffee?" He asked staring at the cup and she nodded. John seemed impressed. Oh, his master is going to have a hard time chasing her out for sure.
It was rare to find someone who made coffee this early.
"Miss Elise," John called gently.
"Just in case my master says he doesn't want you anymore, just tell him how good you are at your job and how you're willing to help." Elise nodded.
"But didn't he hire me?" Elise asked. John had told her the previous night that his master had hired her. Why would she need to do extra?
"He did. But master Lucien tends to forget things so easily. So show him and don't let him intimidate you. You'll be fine." Elise nodded.
"I'll take you to the dining room," John said leading the way and Elise's grip on the tray tightened as she followed him
When Elise reached the dining room, she was greeted by an empty room having a laptop on the table and some paperwork. She wondered if the master of the mansion had just stepped out, or if she had arrived late.
She hoped she hadn't. The last thing she wanted was to make a bad first-day impression. She had seen him the previous day, and even though she didn't see his face, he looked intimidating.
She placed the cup on the table and saw a cute little pink stuffed duck toy sitting next to the laptop. Elise smiled immediately falling in love with it.
She reached for it but as soon as she was about to touch it...
"You can leave." She heard that deep voice from behind and Elise startled, turned, and bowed. Not daring to look at him.
"I'm so sorry master Lucien." She bowed again and with hurried steps, she walked past him and towards the door.
Lucien turned to look at the girl only to see her wearing his clothes. He frowned. Did John also give her his clothes, after forcing her on him?
That stupid assistant of his. He met a girl once and is already smitten by her. He rolled his eyes.
Staring at the figure departing the room, she looked so tiny and so lost in his clothes.
She didn't even look like a woman... Or a man.
Flat ass, flat hips... What about this girl did John find attractive and pitiful?
"Hold on." Came his voice and Elise paused.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you." Her heart sank, body trembling slightly with fear. Had she done something wrong?
Of course she did. Going to touch what was not hers...
She didn't want to lose this job. Not at least on her first day. If she did, she had nowhere to go.
When she turned around, Lucien narrowed his eyes at her. He was trying to see what was so special about the girl that was making his assistant go head over heels.
But that didn't mean he would let her stay. Not because of his assistant. Lucien didn't believe in love so everyone who worked for him, he made sure they don't fall in love. By that rule, he would have to break his assistant's heart a little.
The thrill it gave him knowing his assistant was going to be sad by his decision.
"Did John tell you you're to leave this morning?" Lucien asked her to see her shake her head slowly. Pitifully.
"Eyes up." Elise finally looked at him and froze. Never in her life has she seen any man as good-looking as the man before her.
Long lashes, dark hair, golden eyes with little dust specks, even though she prefers blue-eyed men.
He was devastating in a quiet way. His features were sharp but calm, like they had been carved with patience. His dark hair brushed a few strands falling to his face, not a strand out of place.
Elise could feel the pit of her stomach tremble and then a pull accompanied by a dull ache between her legs immediately. She blinked, wondering what was wrong. She has never felt this way before.
What's happening?
Was it the effect of the new drugs she took this morning?
They were quite different from the ones she used to take before.
And why did she feel a sudden pull towards this man?
She squeezed her legs together, fingers twisting in the loose fabric of her borrowed pants. The sensation only worsened. It felt like her body had been rewired overnight.
"H... He said I was hired last night." Lucien clenched his jaw. That stupid man. He'll make John pay one way or another.
"Well, you have been scammed," Lucien said without a smile on his face. "Your services are unfortunately not needed in the mansion anymore. You can leave." He waved his hands like he was chasing away an animal.