Their Pet

Chapter 9

Willow

Nick walks me back to my room once we finish cleaning, which is thankfully down the hall so I don't have to walk down those tortuous stairs again.

"You did good today." Nick says as he opens my door for me. "You'll have to do this every day at 7 AM."

"Thanks." I say, still lingering in the doorway. "Are you not going to be accompanying me anymore?" 

Nick gives me a sad look as he shakes his head.

"That sucks. It's gonna be boring cleaning all alone." I pout. I'm gonna miss having someone to talk to. Cleaning 6 huge rooms takes hours.

"I know. We can still eat together at breakfast though." Nick says.

"That's good. I do not want to face those people alone." I shudder, thinking back to the dirty looks they were giving me.

Nick laughs. "Don't worry, I have your back."

That brings a wave of comfort over me. It's been so long since I had anyone in my corner. And even when I lived at home, the only people I had were my parents. I never made friends easily. 

"Do you have more work to do? I don't think I have anything else to do today and I'm not sure if I'm allowed to leave my room, so I was wondering if you'd want to hangout in here with me?" I ask, giving him a hopeful look. It's only the afternoon and I don't want to sit in here all alone for the rest of the day.

"I have to go outside and tend to the garden. You can come with me if you want to, or you can go explore the house. The Lords didn't say anything about you having to return to your room once your done." Nick offers. 

I purse my lips as I consider his offer. I really don't want to be cooped up in my room, but what if they get angry that I left? But then I remember that I want to go to the library. Who knows the next time I'll get this opportunity and I won't be able to find it on my own.

"Actually, do you think you could show me the library? If you don't have time that's okay, I can ask someone else to take me."

"Yeah of course, follow me."

I follow Nick down the long hallway and steps. We stop on the third floor, where majority of the guests bedrooms are. All the way down the long regal hall we stop at the huge oak doors at the end. 

"Here's the library. I'll probably see you at dinner, but its best if you don't speak to me while I'm serving The Lords."

I frown at that. "Why?"

"It against the rules to converse while serving them dinner." He explains

"Oh." I say, a little solemn at that news. I would rather eat dinner with Nick than The Lords. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast then?"

Nick smiles and gives me a nod. I hesitate for half a second before engulfing him in a quick and unsure hug, that thankfully he reciprocates. "Thanks for today." I tell him. "I had a nice time."

Nicks lips quirk up in an amused grin. "A nice time cleaning? I guess it's not hard to please you."

My cheeks heat up and I playfully shove his shoulder. "Well, after a year of solitude in a cage, yes it was a nice time."