Unexpected Cohabitation

Part 1

I'm panting heavily and drenched in sweat by the time I reach Young Master's house. I know he'll hate to see me in my current state. So, I take a deep breath, straighten myself a bit and try to adjust my desheveled clothes as much as I can, before finally entering.

"...Yes, I saw Young Master Tom push Mr. Elliott's finacée down the stairs."

I freeze at those words. When I search for the source of the meek voice, I'm faced with a young brunette with her head bowed as her hands fiddle with the hem of her uniform.

I can't see her facial expression. I'm sure no one else does, seeing how low she keeps her head.

I don't know if it's because I'm shocked by what she said or if it's because I was momentarily stunned by her words, but I can't help staring at her, wide-eyed.

I don't understand. She's a newly hired maid in Young Master's house. Well, I'm not sure if I can still call someone who's been working here for a little over a year a "new" hire... Anyway, my mother said she was kind, honest and hardworking, though I'm pretty sure she kept praising her mostly because she was hoping to get me interested enough to want to meet and, eventually, date her.

Now... I'm not too sure if that was really it. Maybe mom was just saying good things about her new colleague to hypnotize herself into thinking she was a good person? She had to work with her, after all, so it was better to maintain a good relationship, if only for the sake of her work life. I have no idea why else she'd have said those things otherwise, because that "kind" and "honest" young woman just said the biggest lie I've ever heard. What's more, her lie could cause harm to Young Master, one of the people she's working for!

The Young Master I grew up with would never do something like hurting others. He was pampered by his family and as a result grew up to be arrogant, selfish, lazy, prideful and immature, but he is not a bad person!

Thankfully, I have proof with me. We'll be able to show everyone the truth:

Young Master is innocent.

I smile.

That's a fact that never should have been questioned in the first place.

Just when I'm about to make a move in their direction, I catch him glancing at me. It's brief. I'm sure no one else noticed he'd just looked my way. Still, I immediately understood what he was trying to tell me, though it took me a moment to agree to it. With only his clear, bright eyes, Young Master ordered me to stay in my place. Quietly.

I frown.

I have proof of his innocence. He never pushed Mr. Elliott's fiancée. Why would he ask me to stay here and not come forward when he's being unfairly accused of something he didn't do?

I stare at him. I'm sure he must sense my questioning gaze on him, though he doesn't respond. Instead, Young Master displays his habitual unbothered expression as he stares right back at his father.

From where I stand, I can't see Mr. Gartner's face. What I can see however is the way his hand clenched and unclenched by his side right before he took his first step towards Young Master.

My heart skips a beat for some reason.

I subconsciously move forward. Then I realize what I'm doing.

I can't go against Young Master's wish. So I take a few unwilling steps back.

My grip on the cassette tape tightens behind my back.

I'm sure I've paled. My heart is drumming uncomfortably.

When my eyes return to them, I find that Young Master doesn't seem to share my anxiousness.

They're his family, I reason with myself in a vain attempt to get rid of this uneasy feeling building in the pit of my stomach. I have no reason to worry. Young Master himself doesn't seem worried. He must have a plan.

I bite my lip--a habit of mine Young Master has always disliked. I tried working on it but it seems like it's not something I'll ever be able to get rid of entirely, no matter how much time I spend on trying. The most I've been able to do until now is try to control it when I'm around Young Master.

I don't have the emotional or mental strength to control this habit of mine at the moment. Thankfully, Young Master isn't looking my way. I already look like a mess, I don't want his mood to sink further from seeing me doing something that annoys him.

From where I am, and because of Young Master's orders, all I can do is hope that they'll listen to him this time. If I, the son of a mere housekeeper, someone unrelated to him by blood, knows he doesn't have it in him to do such a horrible thing to another living being, surely his own kin won't be misled by a stranger's lies, right?

Unfortunately, my hope that they would believe in him is proven wrong the moment the reassuring thought crosses my mind.

My heart sinks as the sound of what can only be a slap echoes through the spacious living room.