Firefrost: Mr Grumpy and His Little Flower

Chapter 1_ Isabelle 🌹

Nerves can be funny things. They wake up when you don’t need them, a bit like your mind feels something that you don’t and they try to warn you in a language you don’t understand. Unfortunately, they are not a real voice that can talk to you. But if they were would we listen?

The sound of the key turning in the lock break through the  stillness of the luxurious interior of this hotel, and I push open the door to the penthouse. The sun is just up on the city but this is the time I have to start. I had the permission to be here but it felt like there was a force in here that didn’t want me. I almost turned back and left. But I couldn’t do that. It was my first day on the job, and I was determined to make a good impression. Or as good as I could do.

I heard many got the job before me and were fired, because of one thing or the other. I hoped it would not be the case for me. I closed the door softly behind me and walked up the vast, luxurious interior of the penthouse. My whole apartment could fit in this parlor.

The interior was even more luxurious than I had imagined. Marble floors, chandeliers, and expensive artwork adorned the walls. It was a world away from my modest apartment. I think I didn’t fully grasp, until now how rich this man was. But the bad thing, he lived alone. The place though beautiful and luxurious, looked cold and empty somehow.

Ah yes! Who was I going to work for?
None other than the mighty, most wanted young bachelor of New York, Sebastian freaking Kingston.

The name itself sent shivers down my spine. When I was called for this job, I couldn’t believe that I was going to be this close to such a man. I had heard the rumors. A heart of ice, they said. Dangerous, some whispered. 

But to me, he was just another employer. Rich, handsome maybe but another employer. It's the first job I have found that pays this well and it gives me a perspective of a future for the first time. It gives me a perspective of a future, not just for me but for her too.

I headed to the kitchen, where I had been instructed to start my day. Mrs Langston explained a few things about my employer. He hated disorder and noise. He needed everything neat and clean.

One thing and most important, he hated to be disturbed.

The house was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that made you feel like you were trespassing even when you had permission to be there. There was a staff room for the employees behind the kitchen, where I found my apron. I put it on and began my tasks—dusting, vacuuming, and tidying up.

Honestly, there was not really much work as the house was immaculate. Just minor stuffs to take care of, it should be easier than I first anticipated. When Mrs Langston mentioned that he hated disorder, I didn’t think it was this, everything was immaculate and in its place. So first I made a coffee.

Mrs Langston didn't tell me how he liked his coffee, she didn’t have the information, so I made it the way I know how to. Simple.

As I stood by the counter, lost in thoughts and waiting for the coffee to brew, I suddenly had goosebumps lining up my skin and I felt like an electric current fill the air.

Was it the  air conditioning or something else? Was there a ghost here? Something – I don’t know what – made me turn around only to see a man standing in the doorway, his piercing blue eyes locked onto me. I froze. I recognized him instantly from the pictures—Sebastian Kingston, in the flesh! I felt like I shouldn’t be here, from the way he was looking at me.

God… He was even more striking in person, with his brown hair and chiseled features that made him look like a honest to God, real life greek god. He was shirtless, his hair was slight tousled, like he just woke up and ran his hands through it. My stomach knots at the sight.

Who made this man? Was a beauty like him authorized? No, that should be illegal. Since when do I have this kind of thoughts?

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” His voice was cold, demanding bringing all my scandalous thoughts to a screeching halt.

Have I been fantasizing about my new employer right before him? Get a grip Isa!

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest.

“I... I’m... my name is..." Wait what's my name again? Oh no! Did I forget my name? No, I must remember "I am... my name is.." his eyes narrow slightly making my heart jump. "Isabelle,” I say trying to keep my voice steady. I cleared my throat. That's it.
"Isabelle Summers" I remembered thank goodness. “I was hired by Mrs. Langston to be the new housekeeper.” I added fast.

He raised an eyebrow and, without saying another word, he dug in his pocket and pulled out his phone looking more than a little displeased. He dialed a number and waited, his gaze never leaving mine. My heart pounded all the while and my palms became sweaty.

“Mrs. Langston, did you hire a person named Isabelle to work in my house?” His voice was icy, sending chills down my spine.

He listened for a moment, then he hung up. Then he walked towards me with predatory grace. What? Did Mrs Langston tell him she didn’t hire me? Or maybe I was wrong and it wasn’t the right house? I stepped back only to be stopped by the counter behind me.

He came near, so close to me and reached out, my heart stopped. His hand brush past me and he retrieved a bottle of water behind me and then he left the room without another word, leaving me standing there, my heart still racing.

I drew in a deep breath, and pressed my chest. After I recovered, I resumed my work. So, this was Sebastian Kingston? Well, people might have been right, about him but that's not going to stop me. I just have to make myself as little as I can  and everything should be fine. Right?

As I cleaned, I couldn’t help but wonder what this journey of working for a man like this hold for me.

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Hello, 🤗 we're at the end of the first chapter. Thanks for reading.

1. How did you find it?
2. What do you think about the characters?
3. How do you envision the evolution of Isabelle’s relationship with her boss?

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