𝒜𝐹𝒯𝐸𝑅 𝒴𝒪𝒰

Chapter 6

"So you're not going to be there on Christmas?" I asked Dad, over the phone. Because he'd been invited to England the next week.

"Not certain," he said.

"That's not fair! Mom's in South Africa. It's a medical campaign—she won't be coming anytime soon."

"You can come with me–" He told me, "–and it's just a matter of few days." I shook my head, still knowing he couldn't see me. "Others would be here."

"Aren't you talking Andrew with you?"

"Yeah."

"That saves Edward. Dad! I can't travel all the way long just to see one stupid face."

"What are you saying—you have your Grandma, grandpa, uncles and cousins."

"Grandma? She's busy shoving into events."

He sighed, before falling silent.

"Okay. No worries. I'll manage." I said.

"So you aren't coming." It was not a question. He already knew me.

"Nope."

"Those children are unbelievable these days." I heard him mumble, before finally agreeing to me.

"Thanks! I love you, Dad." I cheeped, cutting the call.

I sat cross-legged in the middle of the couch, stuffing the cookies from the container on my lap—my family would kill me if they saw how clumsy I had gotten. But who cares? They weren't here to slur me. I aimlessly stared at the TV–a sitcom was going on. 'The Odd Couple'; occasionally making me wonder—would I turn this cringe after growing old?

God forgive—I would die out of boredom here. It was getting chilly day by day. The glass was getting cold every passing moment—my juice tasted like dead water. Unbearable and depressing.

When I was about to take another sip again, I heard low voices ghosting from the corridor near the kitchen. Picking off the drink, I quickly rustled toward the kitchen—the lights were turned off in that area, but the light of the kitchen fluttered in contrast. So it wasn't that menacing.

I went around to turn the lights on first, and no sooner had I turned—I was crushed with something strong. Which certainly wasn't in the way before.

"Don't you have eyes?" I slurred, noticing it was Dominic. His face—just ruins my mood! I wouldn't have gone harsh with anyone otherwise.

He folded his hands on his chest, yet again giving me his classic looks of indifference. How can someone's existence be so irritating?

I raised my brow—"What? Are you dumb?"

He didn't say 'yes'. He didn't fight back, or call me names. Instead, he took a step forward.

I stilled.

He took another step, almost brushing me. Instantly, I staggered to the side. Yet, his knee slightly grazed my thigh, while moving.

He paused—for a moment.

The bored expression on his face faltered for that one second, a faint smirk appeared on his lips. But the next moment, it was blank again.

"G-Go leave." I shuttered–oh damn me! "No wait." His attention shifted on me again. I cleared my throat, "what are you doing inside the house? Weren't you prohibited from entering?"

The backdoor near the kitchen, snapped open and slammed back. Matt strode inside, toward us.

"He was with me." He said, and I realized they were in the backyard, not in the kitchen.

"Why here?" I could not even finish, as Dominic shook his head, walking off. I opened my mouth and then shut it again. Let it go.

"He's quitting the job–was reporting on the current condition of the cars. Security reasons, Your Highness."

It took me a few seconds to process what he meant. "Quitting?" I narrowed my eyes, "Why?"

"Their semester finals are starting. He'd be graduating in May."

I almost said 'he could have taken a leave' but—oh! Lawyer. Gazing at his back—he almost crossed the main door by now—I wondered if had I been too rude to him. I hate this–people knew
but most of immediate servants were explicitly exposed to me—the real me. Not the lovely and bright Princess who was prepared to get adored by the public.

Dominic was one of them, who
It feels weird to wonder–if he walked in front of me one day in the future as a lawyer. How would I feel?

~
The doorbell rang suddenly.
I wasn't sure if I liked having visitors—sometimes I felt I did, but the other times–it was dead as hell.

The holidays had started finally. I made up my mind to spend the 31's night somehow with the girls—I don't know how. But my family wasn't here to know about it. Spending more than half of the the day in shopping—I was slowly settling with the dreadful realization–how redundant my life was getting. But it's just the last time for Christmas—I tried to truce with myself. Whatsoever.

I was already in the living room, wrapping up the gifts. I quickly dropped them as the bell kept ringing continuously—who the hell–?

Edward had an evil smile on his face, as soon as I parted the door to peek. "Sammyyyyy!!!" He shouted, slamming the door, and unbolting it ajar.

My eyes widened.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Instead of waiting for me, he walked inside, peeking at the unwrapped gifts. "Woah!"

"Hello!!" He waved his hand, turning toward me again when I stood rigid.

A stupid grin crossed my face. "What are you doing here?"

"Shut that! The fly would go inside your mouth." He said, learning the couch and jumping on it the next moment.

I folded hands on my chest, trying to suppress my smile. "Hello, Mister! Where?" I shook my hand, before him.

"Alright! So what happened was Dad was upset on your call and he shipped me here. Now get in." He pointed toward the open door. I quickly went around, shoving the door—it was only a few inches apart when my eyes landed on the guy.

Hands shoved inside the pockets, he was walking away–he stopped realizing my eyes were on him. Our eyes met for a few seconds—then he nodded his head in regard—turning away again.

It was his last shift.

I shut the door and turned to Edward with a creepy smile—seemed like it would be someone's Halloween tonight.