The dishes were not only piled horizontally but also vertically. If Alessa had to guess, there were over 200 hundred dishes in here. The mansion’s kitchen, which was not small, was half made up of these piles of dishes. According to Mrs.Rafferty, who begrudgingly led Alessa down to the kitchen, the dishes encompassed all the servants and the dinner party guest Kyle hosted tonight.
Alessa calculated that this was going to take her at least three hours and it was almost 10:30 PM. Not willing to back down from the challenge, she began scrubbing, applying a generous amount of soap to a pad, and creating copious amounts of little tiny bubbles.
She didn’t stop for anything. She didn’t stop when her wrist started hurting, or when the pain traveled up to her shoulder. Not even when her legs screamed out in pain for standing on them too long. Not even when her skin got so pruney that it started peeling. She only stopped when the last dish, a beautiful white and blue China plate, was washed and placed on the drying rack.
When she looked at the clock on the wall, as exhausted as her, it showed 3 o’clock. She rose out of the kitchen into the living room, her eyes already half-closing. Which is why it took her a few seconds to realize she had bumped into someone in the darkness. This person had a hard chest because Alessa’s already aching body yelled in pain at the collision. Then the only other thing she could make out was striped pajamas.
“I am sorry!” She exclaimed.
“Do you ever walk without tripping or falling?” Kyle said, and even though it was dark, Alessa knew his teeth were clenched. Why did he hate her so much she thought through her foggy, sleepy thoughts.
“Huh?” Alessa said. “I—I just finished the dishes.”
“What? You washed all of them…Who helped you?”
“No one. Mrs.Rafferty told no one to help one on your instructions.” Alessa mumbled.
“You did it all yourself?” Kyle said, and Alessa could detect awe and anger in his voice. She smiled in satisfaction. She had planned to tell him not to mess with her. Poke him a few times in the chest to let him know who the boss was, but she doesn’t remember doing any of that.
Right now, as she came too, she was on a softer than usual bed. When she opened her eyes she saw she was in a large room with a canopy surrounding her. Across from her, there was a large empty walk-in closet with its door opened, and her cardboard boxes were placed out on the floor of said closet.
She jumped out of bed and ran out to find Madison in the large mansion, calling out her name. Luckily she ran into Mrs.Rafferty.
“They are in the dining room dear,” she kindly said. “John asked me to put out lunch for you.”
“Lunch? What time is it?”
“12:15! You can go to the dining room now, I can get someone to get your plate ready.”
Alessa zig-zagged through the large confusing hallways of this house behind Mrs.Rafferty who then found some stairs that Alessa hoped led her to food, and eventually ended up hearing Madison’s laughter to an open room that was filled up with a large polished dining table. Only three chairs were filled up. Madison’s, John’s, and at the head of the table, guess who?
“You’re up!” Madison cheered. “I tried waking you up like five times. Come eat!”
Alessa’s eyes however were fixed on Kyle. Since her confusing morning—well afternoon—she had been wondering how she got up to her new room. Could it be Kyle who bought her there?
“How did I get to my room last night?” She asked, her eyes not moving away from the hazel gaze.
“Mrs.Rafferty, bring me the evidence.” He demanded, ignoring her question.
Mrs. Rafferty's red tight bun atop her head slumped slightly as she sighed but ultimately disappeared. A few seconds later, she comes out, holding one small butter knife.
“You said you washed ALL the dishes last night.” He bellowed. “Our maid found this on the side of the sink.”
Alessa was shocked. This man was calling her out for missing one thing. It’s not like she was getting paid to do this work for him. “Are you serious right now?” She asked, her voice shaking.
“All means all Miss—what’s your name?” Kyle pondered, curiosity dripping with his words.
“Alessa McClaire.”
“We’ll Miss.McClaire, next time, please make sure work is done to full completion.” He amusingly added. “You may go eat your lunch in the kitchen quarters. This area is for the guests and residents of this household.”
“Kyle!” John warned.
“It’s fine John. I much rather eat away from him.” Alessa said, though her eyes began to tear up, but she was determined not to let them spill. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“Funny, you don’t seem to mind the cushy room and board you are provided within my house!” Kyle spat.
“I didn’t go there on my own accord last night. It’s a mystery to me how I got up there. Thought you seem to know.”
“Clean the knife, then eat,” Kyle said, ignoring her statement.
“How can you be so cruel, and only because you heard a conversation that wasn't for you to begin with.” Alessa desperately asked. Kyle didn’t answer. His stone face remained unmoving. “Thank you for taking me to my room yesterday but since you are determined to treat me like a servant. I’ll behave like one.” She looked at Mrs.Rafferty. “Can you get someone to help move me to a room downstairs?” Kyle blinked more rapidly than usual.
With pity in her eyes, Mrs.Rafferty nodded her head. “James can do it.”
Alessa walked past Kyle but lingered slightly because she thought she saw a hint of hesitation in his eyes. It was almost as if they wanted to follow her as she moved past the room. He, however, persisted and looked straight ahead, so Alessa walked passed him.
Mrs.Rafferty and Alessa walked down into the kitchen but didn’t stop there. From there they continued toward a long dark hallway that barely let two people walk side by side. One side of the hallway was filled with small wooded doors. They didn’t stop till they got to the end of the sad hallway. Here Mrs.Rafferty opened the door to a very small room with an old bed, and a side table, with a miserably low lamp on top of it. On the left of the bed, there was a cupboard much smaller than the one in the room she woke up in. “This is it. I’ll have it clean if you want to wait to move it!” Mrs.Rafferty advised.“No, I am fine. I’ll clean it myself. There isn’t much to clean anyways.” She commented as she waved her hand in front of her face at the dust that constantly flowed in front of her. “Alright then dear. James should be down shortly.” Mrs.Rafferty said before leaving Alessa all alone in this—no other way to describe it—dungeon.Alessa opened some of the drawers in the cupboard to se
“Why do you keep testing my patience?” Kyle curiously asked. His eyes locked into hers, searching for something. “Who are you, that you don’t fear the repercussions you get when you challenge me.” Alessa said nothing. “You already lost your room, a night's sleep, do you want to keep going?” He pulled her in tighter. She swallowed involuntarily. His eyes followed the movement of her neck. He moved closer towards it. With his free hands, he traced her neck with his thumb, going all the way up to stop at her lips. She closed her eyes hoping shutting this sense down would get rid of the goosebumps that erupted all over her body. His thumb circled beneath her lips, and she wished she had time to come up with theories of why he was doing this, but she was too busy enjoying his touch. Why was she? She hated him! Why was her heart always betraying her brain when it came to Kyle Danny? A man she has just met.At this thought, she came to and shoved him away from her. She opened her eyes to
Alessa snoozed the alarm Kyle had put into her room for the third time. This gift was set to ring every five minutes from 5 o'clock. She fought to go back to sleep, but the loud noise of the machine just kept going. Finally, she decided Kyle had won this battle, and slid out of bed, and ran into one of the communal bathrooms down the hallway, only to run into James coming out of the men's side of the bathroom, his top half naked and glistening. His hard work around the mansion was on full display through his hard muscles.“Fancy meeting you here!” He grinned at her. “Can’t talk! Have to get to Camelot before six. I am going to have to catch the bus and it's already 5:15!” Alessa breathlessly said. “I can take you. Go shower. I'll drive you to get you there by 5:50, the latest.” He offered.“But why?”“I have to go into the office anyway. Plus this way I can drive you home. Maybe even have lunch together?” He smirked. Kyle would freak out if James and Alessa walked in together to Ca
“This is pimping. You know that? Maybe I'll take a video of all of this and upload it online like the other girl.” Alessa protested as they took a seat on the table the restaurant matradee led them to.“Not there!” Kyle said. “Sit next to me. If you sit there he will be too close to you.” “Isn't that what you want?” Alessa scoffed, not moving which prompted Kyle to get up, pulling Alessa’s chair and forcing her up. “He can look but can't touch!” Kyle said, guiding Alessa to a chair next to him and snapping a finger at the waiter to take away the placemats across from Alessa's new seat. “Good, now he has no choice but to sit across from me.”“Look but can't touch. You are gross!” Alessa gave Kyle a dirty look and she could've sworn she saw the side of his lips curl into a smile. Though whatever that was, it didn't last long as a stocky man walked towards their table. “Jason Merlin! Welcome!” Kyle greeted, getting up and shaking this man’s hairy hand.“What is this?” The man said, og
Kyle finally turned his car into an unpaved road with a wet muddy road. They both shook as Kyle's car drove over the patchy road. One such violent shake caused Alessa’s hand to slip on top of Kyle's, which was resting on the gear shift. They quickly moved away. The running image of them in bed changed into Kyle wrapping both his hands into hers as he kissed her. What is wrong with me, she thought? Finally, she admitted to herself that even though Kyle was pig-headed, she was attracted to him. The car halted with another jolt to their bodies, and they both slipped out. Still not talking. Alessa followed Kyle as he led her to a group of photographers standing in front of a stage. “Speech?” Kyle asked, finally breaking his silence. Alessa took out the index cards she had transferred the speech onto from her pocketbook and handed them to Kyle. He glanced at it and this time, she knew for sure, he smiled. “What?”“First time I am reading a speech where they are dotted with hearts.” Ales
The plan was working well. It had been at least five days since Alessa had seen Kyle. Although Alessa had a feeling Kyle was also trying not to run into her. Though oddly, James was busier than usual. She had barely seen him lately too. It was probably a coincidence, Alessa thought.This also meant Madison and she was allowed to start working on PHAT things freely, although Madison was always occupied with John now that they lived together. On one such night when Alessa went up to the kitchen to get some cereal, which she found the servants were free to do, how damn kind of sir Kyle. She ran into Madison, tip-toeing on the black marble floor in the living room. Alessa came up behind her and tapped her shoulders. Madison yelped. “What the…” “What are you doing?”“Going to see John.” “Why are you doing it like this? I am sure you are allowed to see your fiance at night.” Alessa rolled her eyes.“I know but it's more fun this way. We are pretending to be forbidden lovers. It makes th
1“Kyle, she was just joking.” James hopped down off the kitchen counter to stand in front of Alessa.“James I am not sure why you're up at this hour, half naked with one of my workers, but I suggest you go put some clothes on before we talk.” Kyle calmly said. “He was keeping me company,” Alessa yelled out from behind James.“Oh god. Why are you poking the bear?” James turned around to give Alessa a warning look. “Why do you tiptoe around him all the time?”“Because he is my boss!”“Well, he is not my boss.” “Ok, he is our landlord. Can you stop snapping at him every time you see him?” James’s voice sounded calm and urging all at the same time.“That's enough James. Get some sleep. Unlike some people, you actually have work to do.”“Night boss,” James said, letting out a long exhausted whistle as he made his way to the basement. Kyle came closer but his eyes were on Alessa’s neck. To where her now healing rock scar was. She put her hand over it to cover its current progress. “So
Alessa was waking back up in the same room with a canopy and a large closet. Her head, throat, and stomach churned, mainly because she remembered her confession to Kyle. Her stomach gave a bigger lurch when her phone rang. “Hello,” she weakly said.“Did you finally lose your virginity?” Madison screamed on the other end of the phone. “Shh—not so loud! I have a headache.”“I went down to look for you today morning but you weren’t there so I guessed may—““What are you talking about?”“You and James?”“Me and James what? Nothing happened. I am sleeping in the room next to you, I think.”“Why?”If Alessa had to guess, it was Kyle who bought her up here—just like last time. “I got a bit drunk yesterday. Not sure how I ended up here.” She truthfully said.“Wait what? Did you really get that drunk with someone on your first date? That's so unsafe!” Madison berated.“You were the one who orchestrated this whole thing!” Alessa yelled.“I know—but I was expecting you to have your wits abou