chapter 4

Emma

Emma was agitated by the large number of bedrooms she had to clean. Her back hurt from the cleaning. She'd already done two rooms. Martha hadn't informed her how many rooms she needed to clean, so when Emma questioned, she told her to clean Mr. and Mrs. King's room, Miss Sofia's room, and Master Alexander's room. She had four more massive rooms to clean.

Her thoughts turned to Alexander, her master. Everyone in the home referred to him as Alexander. No one knew what his true name was. That's odd.

But that was none of her concern, she reasoned and returned to her job.

She made her way to Sofia's room, and when she got there, she twisted the doorknob and discovered it was locked.

 Maybe she is in there.

Emma's knocked on the door. She had to knock twice since there was no response at first. She flinched when the door was violently opened after the fourth knock.

"WHAT?" Sofia snapped.

"I-I came h-here for cl-cleaning," Emma said looking down.

"Not now, go away and clean Alexander's room first," she said and was about close the door but stopped.

"And don't you dare touch anything of his. He will kill you. Understand?" She continued to stare at her. Emma gave a brief nod of her head. The door slammed in Emma's face. She exhaled a breath of relief. Emma was frightened. She shook her head and headed over to Alexander's bedroom. She hoped he didn't return from work because he had left early and it was already afternoon. She was going down the hall, enjoying the grandeur of the home and the paintings on the walls.

She came to a halt in front of a door and gazed at it. It was a black wooden door.

Black door? All of the other doors were in brown or hazelnut color why is this one in black?

The door had a weird aura about it that she couldn't place. It was terrifying. She turned the knob carefully and opened the door. Thankfully, the door was not locked.

Her eyes widened in surprise at what she saw within. It was a beautiful room. The most beautiful room in the home. The room looked like an apartment! There was a large wavy-shaped bed and very long windows that revealed the outside of the home, and she gaped at the scene.

It was invigorating. She didn't know where to begin with but eventually, she chose the closet. She took the mop and began cleaning the closet. It was large and made of glass.

She mobbed the floor once she was finished, which aggravated her backache. It appeared like she needed to put something to it to alleviate the discomfort.

The floor was so clear that she couldn't see any scratches or dirt on it. Then why am I even cleaning?

Because you are a maid and this is your job.

Her inner voice said. She sighed and continued to clean the already clean floor.

Once she was done, she stood up and instantly flinched back in pain. This back pain will kill me.

She cleaned the entire room in 30 minutes and then desperately wanted to go because she was exhausted and the pain was becoming worse. She walked gently towards the entrance, careful not to touch or destroy anything. Emma recalled what Sofia had told her. She reached for the door, twisted the handle, and was ready to walk out when she collided with someone's chest. Wait, someone's chest?

Emma cocked her head and saw the identical set of grey eyes that had made her tremble in terror. She took a big gulp.

He seemed to be peering into her soul. His gaze pierced through her body like a drilling machine which made her tremble.

"I'm sorry master I didn't see you," She hurriedly apologized in order to get out of there. He didn't respond, and he didn't take her out of his eyes. She cleared her throat to get his attention, but it didn't work. He decided to speak after a few seconds of standing there like that.

"What's your name?" He asked in a deep voice. Emma stayed silent for a second. Why would he want to know my name?

 "Don't keep me waiting, butterfly," he growled.

Butterfly? Why did he call me that?

"E-Emma, master," she answered uncertainly to avoid angering him.

"Beautiful," he muttered and her breath caught in her throat. She was truly afraid of that man. He held an aura that made him even more terrifying than his sister.

She shivered with terror. He lifted his hand, and she closed her eyes, expecting him to hurt her, but instead, he tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear and softly caressed her face. Emma trembled and moved back as he was touched. That appeared to enrage him, and he looked at her with clenched fists and furious eyes. She was screaming from terror inside and glanced down.

"I-I'm s-sorry, master," she had no idea why she was apologizing. But she believed that would settle him down. That was exactly what happened. She glanced into his eyes and realized that he was no longer angry, and his hands were no longer clenched. His face, though, was expressionless. He grinned as he entered his room, closing the door behind him.

Emma quickly walked towards the kitchen. She immediately called Martha as she found her washing the dishes.

"Martha!" She called her. Martha turned around and gave her a small smile.

"Yes, my child?" she asked softly.

"Uh...a-actually I-I couldn't clean the l-library. Because I co-couldn't reach the t-top," she stuttered again and it annoyed her. Martha chuckled and shook her head.

"It's okay dear. I will tell someone else to do that," Emma gave her a satisfying smile.

"Thank you so much, Martha," she whispered looking down.

"It's alright dear. As you're free now can you wash the dishes for me?" She asked.

"Oh yes of course. I'll do it," Emma said and walked towards the sink.

"Thank you, sweetie," she heard her footsteps fading away from the kitchen.

I guess it won't be so bad working here. If I stay away from that man...

Her subconscious spoke up. She prayed she was correct. She didn't want to deal with any issues. At the very least, it was preferable to her foster parent's home and the dreadful hostel where she was staying. She had strict owners, but they didn't abuse her, and while several maids didn't like her, she wasn't much bullied. Everyone minded their own business. But it was clear that she yearned for Miss Garcia.

She did, however, finish cleaning all of the items in the sink. She wiped her hand with a tiny towel and went to go, but she collided with someone. She was unable to maintain her equilibrium and fell.

Emma cried out in agony and closed her eyes, still unable to identify who that person was.

"Are you alright?" A male voice said. She snapped her eyes open and her eyes met with a familiar beautiful pair of blue eyes. It's the library guy. He extended his hand forward to her.

"Come on get up beautiful," She reluctantly grabbed his hand, and he had her up in a flash. She was taken aback by his unexpected move, which caused him to laugh. Emma bowed her head in shame.

"I'm sorry I didn't know you were here," she said lowly.

"No, don't apologize. The mistake was mine. I should have seen where I was going," he said with a toothy grin.

"O-Okay I should go now," she walked past him to leave but he grabbed her hand from behind. Her eyes widen in shock. What is he doing?

Emma turned around and harshly snatched her hand away from his. I don't like any man touching me. He seemed to be shocked at her reaction.

"I'm really sorry beautiful I just wanted to talk to you but you're always in a hurry," he said and chuckled.

"I-It's okay. Wh-what do you want to talk about?" She asked.

"Well, for now, I just want to know you," he said and sat on the kitchen counter.

"L-like what?" She whispered.

"How old are you Emma?" He asked with a smile.

"I-I'm 17," I replied. He grinned.

"You're too young for a maid. Why do you work here?" He asked.

"My guardian cannot bear my expenses that's why I have to work."

"Interesting. You're really brave Emma," he gave her a smile which she returned that time.

"W-What about you? How old are you?" He was about to reply when someone shouted at them.

"What the hell is happening here?" A voice spoke up. She froze as she heard the tone and turned around to locate him. Her eyes were wide with dread, and she began to tremble. His powerful aura was smothering him, and his eyes were as dark as dark night. She began to take a step back.

"Nothing, we were just chatting," the library guy said as if his presence was not affecting him. How could he act so normal around master?

Alexander took fast steps towards them. "I suggest you watch your tone Ethan or else I'll take care of it," he growled.  So, his name is Ethan.  Emma gulped and lowered her head. She didn't want to witness that.

"You don't have to get angry Alexander."

"Sh-" He cut off Ethan.

"I don't want to hear anything. Just because you're my cousin doesn't mean you will go around and talk with my housemaids and you," he said pointing at her. She wanted to run away from there. She never knew they were cousins. She would never have talked to Ethan if she knew they were related.

"I don't pay you to have gossips here," he growled at her making her flinch.

"Hey bro, don't shout at her it's not even her mistake," Ethan said trying to defend Emma.

"Leave Ethan. Go to your house," Alexander said to him. Ethan sighed and walked away from there.  Oh god no, now I'm alone with him.  Once Ethan was gone his eyes got back on her. His intense stare again pierced through her soul. He started to get closer to her.

Alexander came to a halt when he got near enough to touch her, but she took a few steps back. Her action enraged him even more, and he tightened his grasp on her hand. He yanked her closer to him. Emma's eyes were wide and tearing up as she looked at him. When he realized that, his eyes softened and they locked gazes for a few seconds. He let go of her hand after what seemed like a lifetime, and she jerked back.

"Get back to work," he said with a hard tone and walked away. Emma bit her lips trying to hold back the tears.