I followed Ethel through the winding corridors of the grand estate, my mind racing with curiosity. What could Ethel Lane want to discuss with me in private? We have nothing to do with each other.As we walked, the sounds of the ball grew fainter, replaced by the soft rustling of Ethel's gown and the creaking of the old wooden floorboards. We eventually arrived at a small, secluded garden, surrounded by tall hedges and filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers at the edge of the Troy mansion.Ethel stopped beneath a willow tree, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. She turned to me, her expression neutral."Iris, I wanted to speak with you about my husband, Archie. I am sure you are very familiar with him," Ethel began, her voice gentle but firm. "I know he still has feelings for you, and I understand why. You were his first love, after all."Feelings? What feelings? He must be very stupid and those feelings can rot with him for all I care."But I must ask you, Iris, to sta
I walked away confused but still happy. At least I had been relieved for the night since Pack master had excused me himself. Some of the girls were still busy while some had gone back to rest. I definitely couldn't just go back to my room as I still had to be around until Eleanor was ready to retire to her quarters since it was my job to serve her anyway."Iris!" Anne called me as she took sight of me. She ran towards me."Hey Anne, I haven't seen you all day." I said to her and she began her usual sobbing."I don't want to be a kitchen lady anymore," she whined. " My arms hurt from kneading dough all morning. I didn't even get to see the inside of the ballroom and all the handsome guests. I feel so wronged." She sobbed harder and I patted her head. I can't even tell if she was upset about cooking all day or because she didn't get to see handsome men. Probably the later."There weren't that much handsome men so you didn't miss much." I tried to console her."Lair! I saw a few come out
His fingers brushed softly against my lips as he tilted my head upwards. I could feel his warm breath on my skin as he drew close and placed his lips on mine. I didn't struggle, neither did I reject his kiss, because I wanted it as much as he did. Now, at this moment, all I could think about was him and I, in this very moment, sharing our breaths so passionately.His hands reached for my waist as he slowly pulled my body closer to his, I instinctively wrapped my hands across his broad shoulders as I deepened the kiss. His tongue softly glazing mine as we shared saliva. It was a soft alluring kiss and being in his arms like this made me completely forget how utterly wrong this was. But my brain was numb, numb to any form of reasoning as I pressed my body against his in an attempt to close any little space between us.His tongue explored my mouth, and I sucked his whenever I had the chance, he kissed my lips softly as his hands moved lower and grabbed my ass. I moaned softly into his mo
I had been excused so I should probably go back to my room. I couldn't still believe that I had dared to do such a thing. I grazed my lips softly with my fingers as I recalled Leigh's soft tender lips on mine. The feeling was electric, like shockwaves passed through my veins. I shook my head as I tried to collect my thoughts. I should probably go now before I lose my mind. As I raised up my head, I was met with Luka Lanes gaze. He seemed like he has been watching me for a while. When I caught his gaze, he looked away."Weird!" I muttered to myself. I didn't have the time to worry about that creepy old man at the moment, I had real problems."That Luka Lane is really something, isn't he?" Gina popped out from nowhere and it gave me quite a fright."Geez Gina, where do you keep popping out from?" I said trying to get myself together but she just shrugged. She stared at me and moved close as she touched my eye brows."See how kneaded your brows are," she said as she arranged them."Don't
~ Leigh's POV ~"Ugh, why won't it just stop?!" I grumbled as my alarm clock shrieked in my ear, piercing through my sleep-addled brain. I groggily reached over to silence it, but instead of turning it off, I tossed it to the other side of the bed. The ringing continued, taunting me. I was too tired for this.I grumbled, throwing off the covers and getting out of bed. I made my way to the clock and slapped the snooze button."Blissful silence!" I heaved a breath of relief. I should probably start getting ready for the task ahead. Today was the ball and I was in charge of everything, so I needed to be up early and arrange for all the necessary things and ensure everything is in place. But as I turned to head to the bathroom, I caught sight of my bed, my gaze fell upon the rumpled sheets and inviting pillows."Just five more minutes..." I told myself, crawling back into bed and snuggling under the warm covers."This was nice..." I muttered. I closed my eyes, feeling the softness envelop
He scoffed at my words and pulled my hands off his collar."You are still a child Leigh. Still hung up over a prank I played on you while we were kids." He said without a hint of remorse."Only someone sick in the head will call that a mere prank. You almost got me fucking killed you bastard!" I cussed."But did you die?" He shot back and I was amazed by his shamelessness.Back when we were kids, I had no friends and the only other child I knew was Chad. He was my brother and I wanted to be close to him. Even when my mother forbade me from being close to him, or when I saw how his mother was treated with love and respect, whereas my mother was disrespected and left at the side like a piece of garbage, I still wanted to be close to him.He was loved by father and I was ignored. I had thought that if my brother loved and played with me, then the love of my father would rub off on me.But my brother hated me. He despised my very existence but no one knew. In the open, he was nice, but se
I huddled behind the fern, my body trembling with cold and exhaustion. The rain had mercilessly pounded me, leaving me weak and shivering. The dark clouds above seemed to be closing in, making me wonder if I would ever be found. But still, I held on to hope. Hope that Chad would come for me soon.My eyelids drooped, heavy with fatigue, but I forced them open, scanning the surroundings for any sign of rescue. And then, I heard it, the distant sound of voices calling out my name."Leigh, where are you?" The voice echoed through the woods, growing louder with each passing moment.With a surge of adrenaline, I summoned what little strength I had left."Over here!" I croaked, my voice barely audible.The rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs signaled their approach. I strained my eyes, trying to see through the veil of rain. And then, a figure emerged from the gloom.But it wasn't Chad. It was Miss Felice, her face etched with worry and concern."Leigh, my dear boy!" she exclaimed, rush
"You should really learn to control your emotions," Nicolas nudged my ankle. I hissed as I nodded."Get back to work." I ordered the guards who were still staring at me. I was really irritated right now. That bastard Chad just came to spoil my day."Leigh!" Miss Felice called out to me and I fixed my face immediately."Yes?" I turned to face her."My dear boy, everything is in place for the ball, the servants are already at work." she informed. "Do you have any other orders?""None for now. Thank you." I smiled and she patted my head softly.I went ahead to check if everything was perfect and ready. Father had called me yesterday and talked about how he wanted everything to be perfect. This ball was my idea so I really didn't appreciate him meddling."Ahh! Watch it." One of the guards yelled and it caught my attention. I walked over to see two guards arguing."What's the matter?" I asked him."He's being unreasonable. He hit me with the stuff he's carrying and won't apologize." The fi
I floated in a void and it was hard to breathe. I struggled till I finally found my balance. "Here again?" I muttered to myself as I walked the familiar path and was met with the same woman that has been appearing in my dreams almost every night.I still couldn't understand what she was saying, but I knew it was something very important."Remember!" She whispered before a whirlwind blew me away and I woke up abruptly, panting heavily.I looked around and I found myself in the comfort of my own room. I sighed as I sat up and rubbed my eyelids with my palms. I tried to move, but I hissed in pain as I was still sore from last night's activity in the garden.I felt drained and tired, with my body still humming from the memories of last night's passion with Leigh. The sunlight streaming from the window seemed too bright, that I winced as I turned to look the other way. I stretched, yawned, and swung my legs over the side of the bed, with my feet dangling in the air.I went to the bathroom
It was probably 10pm or something. I wasn't exactly sure because I drifted off to sleep after Anne tucked me in and I hadn't gotten up since then. The vibration of my phone woke me up."Ugh," I sighed as my head began to throb. I reached for my phone and saw an incoming call from Leigh. Immediately, I sat up before picking up."Hello." I said carefully."Iris." He said in the calmest of voice and my previous anger and dissatisfaction with him watched away as if it was never there."Can we meet up?" He asked."Now?," I glanced over at Anne's side and she was tucked in with her earpods in, probably watching a movie. "Okay." I said as I climbed out of bed.My movement alerted Anne as she turned her attention to me. "Going somewhere?" She asked taking one bud out of her ear."Yeah. I'll be back shortly." I smiled as I put on something simple but nice. I headed to his mother's garden. He didn't have to tell me that that's where he'd be before I could go, because I could probably read his
I haven't seen or heard from Leigh all day. I was really worried and unhappy about this. I would be going back home tomorrow, so I had hoped I would be able to at least speak with him today. I sighed as I made my way back to my room. Since he isn't picking up his call, I should probably go finish packing up and sleep for a while. I headed down the corridor when someone pulled my arms to the side. Shocked and alarmed, I turned back with my fist in the air, it could be another attack, but I was surprised to see Miss Clarisse."You..!" I said shocked. "What do you want?"Her eyes scanned me as she stared as my fist. "Oh, sorry, I thought it was someone bad." I laughed awkwardly as I dropped my hands and stood properly.She just stared at me without saying anything which greatly surprised me. "Uh, do you need anything?" I asked just in case, but she was awfully quiet, but the next thing she did greatly shocked me. She started sniffing me."Hey!" I pushed her off as she grabbed my arms ho
Who could this important guest be? I started on my way and followed the other servants to the entrance, curiosity got the better of me. Who was this important guest that had everyone scrambling?Upon arrival, we formed two precise single file lines, with guards at the front and Miss Felice leading the way."Who is the guest?" I asked the girl besides me."I don't know exactly, I just followed the others here. But it seems like someone important." She said."By the look of things, this guest would probably stay here since we have been asked to come welcome them." The other one by my side whispered."Yeah, true. This was also how we welcomed that snake Miss Eleanor." One said."Hey, don't call her that." I shot at her.She hissed in displeasure. "I can say what I want. And stop acting so noble." She spat.I turned from her because it was clear she only wanted trouble."Is it male or female? I just want to know." Another whispered and thus the gossips started."What if it's a woman? May
I felt myself floating in an endless void, I felt disoriented and I didn't know what I was doing here, or how I got to this place. My feet landed on the ground and my footing balanced."Hello?" I called out looking around, but my voice echoed back.I moved forward, searching for a reference point, but there was nothing, only emptiness. Suddenly, a figure materialized in the distance. A woman stood at the center, with her back to me."Excuse me," I said, approaching her. "Where am I?"She didn't turn it speak to me, but just stood with her back to me.I paused before going forward. "Sorry to bother you, I just want to know where I am. I am lost." I said to her while still approaching her.The woman turned to me suddenly. Our eyes met and familiarity struck me instantly, but I knew we had never met before."Who are you?" I asked as I was having this strange feeling.In a flash, the woman stood inches from me, but I could swear she was standing far away a few seconds ago.Her skin trans
Finally, me and the girls were done. It was a total mess in here. I couldn't help but wonder what sort of grown adult would mess with books and leave them scattered everywhere."I'm hungry, let's go find something to eat." One of the girls suggested and the other supported with a nod."I'll go handle something first before joining you guys." I said and they made fun of me thinking I was going back to talk to Leigh, but I was actually going back to find Miss Felice.I stepped out of the library, with my resignation letter clutched in my hand. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. I did tell her that I had nothing to say before, but now, Leigh thinks it's a good idea to stop working here.I headed straight to her office, hopefully she was in. I knocked softly and let myself in when I heard her say 'come in' from inside."Ah! Iris, what brings you here?" She said lifting her head from a pile of paper work in front of her. She was busy calculating all the expen
As I walked away, a force pulled me back in place. I spun around, startled for a brief second before I got my composure. Leigh stood before me, his eyes blazing anger."Shit!" I whispered to myself. For a moment, I wondered if he had seen me hug Chad. A misunderstanding was the last thing I wanted right now between us."Leigh, what's wrong?" I asked carefully, trying to sound calm."Are you still seeing him?" he demanded, his tone rough and my yes shone."What do you mean?" I backed up a little.He moved closer in an intimidating way. "I am asking if you are still going in between Chad and I?" He scowled and I bristled."How dare you," I snapped at him. "You have no right to say that to me. Do I look like some cheap harlot that double dates? Hell, we aren't even in a relationship." I shot at him immediately and his expression changed as he realized he just fucked up."Look I..." "If you are going to keep talking to me this way then you better leave." I cut him off. Why does he always
I should really stop entertaining this kind of conversations and exchanges to not give anyone a wrong impression or false hope. I do not know if he's serious about his advances or not, but I have to avoid him too."Iris," Miss Felice called out to me and I hurried to meet up with her."Madam?" I said and she had this look on her face that was hard to put into words. She just stared at me for a quick second before opening her mouth to speak."You are one lucky girl Iris." She said in a rather fond tone which greatly amazed me."Ah!" Was all I could say because I didn't know how to react. She moved closer to me and placed her hands on my shoulder."Leigh is a child I watch grow up. He knows nothing about love, but since he has chosen to love you, and the goddess also seems to be in your favour, I hope you do not disappoint him." She smiled softly and I nodded."Oh, I remember you said you had something to tell me. You can say it now." She said and the words got stuck in my throat. I did
"Okay father. But I have to process my resignation. I cannot just up and leave." I said trying to sound reasonable and thankfully he listened to me."Okay." He sighed. "In two days time, I will come to pick you up. By then, everything should have been sorted out right?" He asked and I nodded."Okay dear, I will return to the hospital now. Please stay away from trouble my dear child." He patted my head and I smiled as I hugged him tightly."Bye dad." I said and he hugged me back before going his way. As I watched him leave, I clenched the resignation letter I already had prepared in my pocket. I had wanted to leave because I thought I had lost Leigh forever, but that wasn't the case now. I wanted to stay. I finally have a chance. But now, father wants me back home. What was I going to do now?"Iris!" Anne called me as she rushed towards me. "Are you okay? I heard that you were involved in a fist fight? I hope you won? Is it true that Eleanor wasn't carrying Leigh's child? So no more U