Winter (Not Edited)

Chapter 8

The days at Emerson Estate only dragged along, soon days turned in weeks. One month had passed since that night. Winter had learnt how to clean and manage the garden, she had done lots of things around the house in the time she's been living here.

Though Winter had been busy, the inevitable had started. She was becoming so incredibly lonely, her days were spent, cleaning, cooking, and either watching movies or having her nose in between a book.

She had also not been eating correctly, she would often forget to eat. That or she would lose her appetite, having to eat alone. Winter was struggling, but she wouldn't been so selfish to complain about having food, a house over her head, and plenty of clothes. She just needed someone to talk to, even with her being shy, she fended off of others' company.

Maybe she ought to try and befriend Emerson. From the few encounters she had before the night he got drunken, Emerson seemed much deeper than he put out to be. He was a mystery to Winter, and frankly anyone.

She was going to solve this mystery.

Other than handing him dinner, she didn't speak or talk to Emerson for the entire month of February.

Emerson was in his room, today was the exceptional "off-day" which truly meant he just had more time to focus in depth on his outside of work-work.

Since the night he had over his limit in expensive whiskey, he tried to ignore the girl currently working as his maid.

That night she appeared as an angel. Winter had helped him, after he woke up, his room was spotless. He would be lying to himself if he said he didn't like the way her fingers felt on his bare shoulders.

But Winter was his maid.

He study for a while before heading downstairs. Emerson thought about going out to town today, but decided against it as it was raining heavily and it was Sunday. Scrolling through his phone on the couch, he was so distracted that he didn't even hear the small footsteps coming down the stairs.

Winter headed downstairs to find a new cleaning rag as her other became utterly disgusting and she desperately needed to clean it. She also had laundry to tend to.

Busy in her own little world she grabbed the load of laundry out of the dryer and sat it in a wooden basket. Winter threw the clothes that were in the washer in the dryer to be dried.

She had wore her dress because she was cleaning and did not want to dirty any of her new clothes.

She checked the time, since Emerson was off he would be wanting lunch in twenty minutes. He never cared what Winter made, she just hope he didn't have to force it down. Winter didn't think her cooking was terrible.

Emerson was still sitting at the couch. He hoped Winter would realize he wasn't at the table and bring his food out here.

Soon enough small footsteps were heard behind Emerson. She walked with a tray of food in her hands. His eyes skimmed her body, she was wearing her old dress. Though that threw him off, Emerson couldn't help but notice how she seemed even paler than usual. His eyes raked over her again, even though she was thin when she had first arrive, she was not this thin.

Maybe she hadn't been eating correctly, he made a mental note to start observing her eating habits.

"You are wearing your old dress?" The statement came out more like a question. Emerson looked up at her as she stood straight.

She nodded. He wondered why she was so quiet.

"You would think with all the clothes I generously bought you, you wouldn't put that back on." Emerson huffed out. He watched as her eyes widen a bit before reverting back to their normal size.