Lucky's (Mis)Fortune (MXMXMXM)

Lucky's (Mis)Fortune: CHAPTER NINE

My list of chores wasn't as intense as I thought it would be. I had to water plants, clean the cellar, clean the pool, pay the household bills, and make a couple of calls.

Everything was done within four hours and now, I could go walk back to my room. My back was kind of sore from hunching over while cleaning wine bottles but overall, it felt easier compared to other jobs I've had in the past.

I walk towards my room, not coming into contact with anyone in the house. I stop for a second, looking around, realizing how quiet the house was considering that there should be at least five other people here. Of course, the house was quite big, big enough to get lost in but I sort of expected at least to see Mr. Lewis or Ms. Angela walking around, working but there was not a soul nor a sound in sight. 

I frown but eventually continue walking to my room. I throw myself on the bed in my work clothes, sweaty and dirty but I couldn't find myself caring. I was just going to take a short nap and when I woke up, I would do my homework before taking a shower and calling it a day.

Yeah, that sounds perfect.

I close my eyes, attempting to sleep but find myself unable to. I groan, standing up and over to my closet to change into something more comfortable.

All of this still felt strange. The space I had as a room, how elegant everything was, the thought that I had a huge closet. Albeit, not even half of it was filled but still, it was crazy to see where I was living now compared to only a couple of days ago.

That fact made me happy. A lot of things around here confused me and I still needed to settle in like, am I supposed to cook for myself or eat was is made? Where am I supposed to eat and when will I get my first pay? Although, I didn't see the need for pay. The fact that Mr. Sawyer, the owner of this house, was giving me a roof over my head, warm showers, and food was beyond what I needed. But then again, I still needed to pay for school and needed money for when I would eventually quit or be fired.

There's a knock on the door before I lay down again. My face instantly forms into one full of confusion as I go to open the door. 

"Oh, hey," I say to Aiden, surprised.

Aiden has this type of boy-ish, sweet smile, the type that would make anyone's stomach fill up with butterflies by simply looking at it. His auburn hair seemed fluffier than yesterday, like he hadn't made an effort to style it. It didn't help that I had to look slightly up because of our three inch difference (an estimate I made) because it just made him seem like the perfect guy, especially with the dimples that were on his cheeks. 

"Dinner will be ready in around an hour if you want to come eat with us. Usually Mr. Lewis and Ms. Angelina eat with us while the others eat in the staff kitchen but considering it's your first day, we'd like to feel more welcomed," he says. I got the impression that he was a little nervous or shy by the way that his feet fidgeted a little but with his hands in his pocket and the consistent eye contact, he was good at hiding it.

"I..." I pause, thinking about what to say. It wasn't exactly good manners to refuse an invitation from my employers but at the same time, I just knew that I'd feel awkward if I had to sit in front of them again. But I also took into account that it'd feel just the same if I ate with my co-workers. It might actually even be better to eat with them and Mr. Lewis and Ms. Angela, after all, I get along with them and have become familiarized with their presence. 

I apologize once I realize that I had taken a long time to answer. "Um, well, are you sure everyone else will be alright with that? I wouldn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable."

I mostly meant Eliott by that. I had a feeling that he was the least fond of me.

"No, no, of course that wouldn't make us uncomfortable. We could chat and get to know each other better, you know? We don't know how long you'll be working here but during that time, we shouldn't treat each other as passing strangers. Think of it as... as a type of sort of team-building," he laughs. 

I laughed too because that sounded like utter bullshit. One thing I knew for sure, employers never want to personally get to know their employees if it could be prevented. However, I should take into account that this wasn't like any of the other jobs I have gone through before. These people are shady, I remind myself, and perhaps they wanted to know just how trustworthy I actually was. They wanted to know if I was better dead after being exposed to their secrets or if I could continue here, knowing that I had to be a loyal servant.

"Well, if you insist," I respond with an easygoing smile, hoping that he wouldn't catch any of my inner thoughts.

He looks at me for a while, no words coming from either of us. I take a step back, flustered and he says, "You have a pretty smile." He chuckles, as if it weren't a big deal.

The thing was, it is for me. No one had ever told me such a thing and for whatever reason, it hit my heart in all of the wrong ways. 

"Oh."

He grins awkwardly, rubbing the back of this neck, probably realizing just how abrupt the statement had been. "Uh, have you seen the garden in the back? Eliott is really into it so it's beautiful back there."

"Briefly," I respond. "I went out back to clean the pool and got a glance at it."

From what I had seen, the scenery had been breathtaking with all kinds of flowers of all colors arranged in a perfect order. I think there was also a mango tree of perhaps it had been another type of fruit. Anyway, I had never expected it was the light brown-haired's handy work. He had been the coldest and most unbothered. If anyone, I would have thought it had been Aiden.

"It's unexpected that it's his," I voice out, quickly regretting it. It wasn't my right to have an opinion about any of them.

He laughs, nodding. "I've heard that before. Everyone who doesn't know him thinks he's a big bad wolf but oh, he's far from that." His eyes twinkle as he speaks of his lover and I can't help but feel a little jealous, wishing someone cared about me that way. "Wanna know a secret?" He asks quietly, taking a step towards me. I nod, getting closer too. "Eliott is actually the softest out of the three of us. He knows how to protect himself and others and wouldn't hesitate to take out a gun," I shiver at that, "But he's also someone that sings to his plants and cries during movies. Just don't tell him I told you that!" He exclaims, panicked before looking a little embarrassed. "He also has major trust issues."

"Well, it happens to the best and worst of us." I shrug, relating to the last claim he had made.

He silently agrees, thinking deeply before coming back to his senses. "I'll get going and I'll see you later. I hope to get to know you better." 

He winks playfully, turning around and walking away.

My heart jumps a little before I have to remind himself that he is a taken man and far out of my league, easily making me calm my heart down. I laugh, thinking that maybe I'll have a friend here before closing my door.