ROSE.
I pulled back my hand immediately, hiding them behind me like a little girl protecting her candy. "I'm sorry, sir. But I can't."
He chuckled. "I give the rules here, Rose. I decide what's proper and what's not."
I shook my head. "I'm sorry, sir. I—," I tried to argue.
"You don't have to be scared. I'll take good care of you," he pressed, taking a step forward.
I moved backwards, shaking my head. Firmer. "It doesn't sit right with me, sir."
There was a brief silence, my gaze locked on the floor, my body alert to any sudden move.
When I looked up, I met his gaze. Dark. Not angry, not disappointment, but something unreadable. Assessing maybe. For a brief moment something barbaric crossed my mind. Rape. What if he tries to rape me? His step mother had said he is a manwhore, what if he actually tries to force himself on me? My heart thudded at the thought.
"Fair," he said. "I'd respect your wish. But at least keep the gifts," he added, pointing to the shopping bags.
My eyes darted to the shopping, then back to him. "I'm sorry, I can't accept this too."
He paused for a bit, when nodded. "It's okay. You can leave."
I didn't hesitate. My feet moved before I decided, my heartbeat raced as I walked to the door. All the while I could feel it. His gaze. His dark gaze. It followed me until I left the room.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind me, I hastened my steps and headed to my quarter, leaned on the wall and heaved a heavy sigh.
"That was easy," I thought. He was a persistent bastard, everything about him was the exact opposite of a gentle man, so why would he just let it go so easily? I wasn't convinced. He must have something up his sleeves. This was supposed to be a relief, but it wasn't. Now I have to be more careful.
I got back to the quarters and laid down to rest. Just then, madam Tovia bathed in, furious.
"You little whimp," she spat. "You think you're smart?"
I turned my head to her, before pushing myself upward. I couldn't risk any force on my body, else my wound would bleed.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but I don't understand what you're talking about," I said, honestly.
She moved forward and stopped a few steps away, her hands crossed over her chest. "You think drinking poison meant for the boss makes you any special now?. Bad news, he doesn't keep any women. Not your kind."
I blinked once. Twice. Disbelief etched on my face. "I was only trying to help him, I didn't have any motive for doing that," I replied.
"You expect me to believe that? That you would risk your life for someone you just met? For someone as arrogant as that?"
" I don't expect you to believe me, but I'm telling you the truth," I insisted.
" Listen to me carefully," she said, stepping even further and standing over me. "I am the most important of all you slaves, nobody gets to replace me. I shall get my permission before doing anything."
I didn't reply, I couldn't. I just stared at her with confusion.
"Have I made myself clear?."
I nodded, "Yes."
With that, she turned and walked away while I sat in the bed, wondering what that was all about.
That night, my wound began to throb. I took my medicine but it just wouldn't stop. I looked at the time. 9:30 PM. Every domestic staff had retired to bed, silence pressed down on the whole place. I sat up and looked around, the maids were snoring away, lost in a dreame land. They were exhausted, they always were. The work in this house never ends. The errands, the punishment for little mistakes, an insatiable boss, and a proud and heartless head maid. I understood their predicament.
For a second I was happy I had been shot, because this gives me enough time to rest from all the work. I didn't know it was going to be that stressful. I mean, with all the maids, the work was supposed to be light, but it wasn't. It was draining.
The throb from my wound jolted me back to reality, as I winced and placed a gentle press on it. My fever had returned. I was burning up. I remembered Reid and tears blurred my vision.
He used to worry when I was sick. He'd bring my food and medicine to bed, sit beside me, damp my forehead with a wet towel when my temperature was high. I shut my eyes and let the tears flow.
I sat on there, recalling every wonderful memories with my brother, as well as our struggles after my parent's death. I didn't know I had begun to sob, until one of the maids sat up and looked at me.
"Are you crying?," she asked, her voice laced with concern.
I wiped my face with the back of my hands and forced a smile. "Yes," I lied. "I'm fine."
She didn't look convinced but she didn't press. Before she could say another word, I rose to my feet. "I think I need some air."
As I walked towards the door, she called back. "Let me know if you need something."
I turned slightly and gave a faint nod before stepping out.
The cold air hit me as soon as I stepped out. Refreshing. The whole place was lit so bright you would think it was still day time. I let my feet carry me around, taking in the view of this magnificent mansion, and letting the breeze grave my skin.
As I approached the mansion, I noticed a strange movement. A shadow. It moved quickly, too quickly. I froze in place, before taking a few steps back. My heart thudded so hard I could almost hear it.
The shadow disappeared and appeared again, just behind the other side of the mansion. One shadow, then two, then three.
Quickly, I ran behind the tall flower tree that served as a shield during the day, and cast a long and dark shadow at night. My breathing became heavy, as I grabbed my night robe, ready to run if needed.
The thing I saw almost made me scream my lungs out.