Chapter 5

It has been two weeks since Alexa woke up. All her wounds and scrapes were healing gradually under the care of doctor Ethan assigned to her. From the minute she stepped into the door, Ethan had never left her side. He didn’t leave for the office just to make sure she was alright, and he could give her what she needed. And whenever she went to the hospital, he was there to accompany her. On the days he couldn’t be there, Ina and Maxime waited on her hand and foot.

Alexa got used to their routine, so when Ethan failed to come home for 3 consecutive days, she wondered what he was up to. Every time the door of her room opened, she got excited in anticipation, expecting it to be Ethan, but each time, it was someone else.

Her shoulders hunched in disappointment when it was Ina and Maxime who entered.

“Good evening, Young Lady,” Maxime greeted her with a smile plastered on her face. She placed Alexa’s food on the bedside table.

Ina rolled her eyes and placed the medicine kit on the top of the bed. ‘Why does Maxime greet her like that? She’s not even Ethan’s girlfriend to be greeted so nicely. She’s just a stray cat who acts like an innocent kitten. For all I know… She’s just asking Ethan for sympathy.’

“How was your day, Young Lady?” Maxime asked again.

“It was fine… I’m getting bored.” Alexa smiled awkwardly.

“You know that you can roam around the villa? I will accompany you.” Maxime suggested.

“We have loads of work to do. You are not her babysitter, and she can do it herself. Besides, she’s not limp.” Ina said, disagreeing with Maxime’s offer.

Maxime rolled her eyes at Ina. ‘Why does she always disagree whenever it’s all about Alexa? She’s a killjoy.’ Maxime mouthed her apologies to Alexa. And the latter nodded, reassuring her it was okay.

“Thank you,” Alexa said to the two servants.

Maxime smiled at her widely. “You’re welcome, young lady,” she said, which had Ina hissing.

Maxime poked Ina secretly on her arm, which got her more irritated. She walked out of Alexa’s room in a huff.

“Sorry for that,” Maxime awkwardly apologizes. “She’s been having red days.,” making excuses for Ina’s behavior.

‘Maybe she doesn’t like me.’ Alexa thought. ‘It’s okay, I cannot please everybody.’ She shrugged those thoughts off and smiled at Maxime.

“Can I ask you a favor?” Alexa asked.

“Anything for you, Young Lady,” Maxime smiled from ear to ear, eager to please.

Maxime is a short lady, about 4ft and 9inches. Her chubby cheeks made her cuter. She’s not lean, but she’s not fat either. Wearing a maid’s uniform does not hide her curves. Instead, it shows them off, giving a view of her perfect symmetry. She’s bubbly, soft-spoken, helpful, and fun to work with. There’s never a dull moment when she’s at work.

“Can you please stop calling me, young lady? Call me Alexa instead,” Alexa smiled at her.

“Ohh, no, young lady. Master Ethan might get mad if he hears me calling you by your name.” Maxime shook her head, fear showing in her eyes. Alexa noticed it, but she smiled and shook her head, too.

“But he’s not here,” Alexa shrugged as she looked around the room.

“Okay, here’s the deal: you have to call me by my name whenever your master isn’t around. Don’t worry, I won’t tell.” She said, encouraging her.

Maxime smiled. “Alright, if you keep insisting… this will be our secret.” whispering the last sentence, which had Alexa chuckling. “Alright.”

“Eat your food before it turns cold.” Alexa nodded at her reminder.

“I should get back to work, or else Ina will report to our master... She always does,” Maxime said in an irritating voice. “Be careful when you are with her. That girl is a villain.” She rolled her eyes.

Alexa chuckled. “Alright, go now… I don’t want you to get in trouble.” Maxime bowed her head before exiting Alexa’s room.

Her room got quiet after Maxime left. Ever since she came into the villa, she always stayed inside her room, afraid that her father or Max would find her here if she roamed around.

******

AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM

Ethan continuously tapped his hand on top of the table while looking at his wristwatch. He was sitting in a meeting with architects and engineers presenting their designs and plans for a villa he was planning to build.

This villa will be on an island he bought a few days ago. He wanted to finish the building as soon as possible because he was taking Alexa there for her safety. ‘Come on, what is taking them so long presenting this shit?’ Feeling annoyed, he looked at his secretary.

He was growing impatient to get out of the meeting because he wanted to see what Austin found about Alexa. They were meeting in the hideout to discuss information he had been waiting for.

Ethan called his secretary over.“Tell them to stop the presentation and revise all their work. I don’t want their designs. And please end the meeting now. I have errands to do.” Ethan whispered to him. The secretary nodded and interrupted the presenter as Ethan stormed out of the conference room, leaving them all dumbfounded.

“I’m sorry, but the meeting is over. Mr. Reed has an urgent matter to attend to, and he wants you to revise your designs. We’ll reschedule the meeting for next week. Mr. Reed hopes that the designs will be available when that time comes. Thank you.” He bowed his head and followed Ethan to his office. Leaving the architects in the conference room.

“Austin, where were you?” Ethan called him as soon as he was out of the conference room.

“I’m at the hideout. Are you on your way?” Austin asked.

“Change of plans. Let’s meet at the villa. Stay inside my office, and I will see you there in an hour.” Before Austin could answer, Ethan dropped the call.

“Damn it,” Austin muttered. “This hideout is three hours away from his villa. How will I get there in an hour?” He took the keys from his pocket and went to the parking lot. Luckily, he brought his sports bike with him.

After a long drive, Austin arrived at the villa. He went straight to the office, where Ethan was already waiting for him.

“Tell me what you found?” Ethan said as soon as Austin opened the door.