At Your Service, Master

Chapter Five

Mikaela wasn't sure what she'd rather have, Nicholas's endless compaints or just him not saying anything. She shifted uncomfortably by the window in the car. Nicholas said they needed to talk but he hadn't said a word since they left the hotel. He just stared out the car window with a vacant expression on his face.

Mikaela wanted to break the silence and ask him about it, but her guts felt like they were curling in her body and she stopped herelf and continued staring out the window.

She decided to distract herself by counting the cars that passed by.

Soon she lost count of that and began guessing all the names of the cars that passed by.

Then she got bored of that and began tracing all the buildings that passed by with her finger on the glass.

She felt relieved when the car stopped in front of Hawthorne Manor. Alfred stepped out of the car and opened the door for Nicholas and he stepped out of the car. "Meet me in my study" he said without looking at her and he continued walking through the front gardens and entered the front doors and was greeted by Mildred.

Mikaela sulked, following behind him and dragging her feet with her. Her eyes were sore from a day without glasses, her feet ached from running and her head itched from the frizz.

Well this must be it...

I've never gotten fired on my first day before!!!

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Mikaela carried a tray of scones and tea with a bowl of the finest sugarcubes from Switzerland by Mildred's orders and took her time as she made her way to the Study. Her hands were full so she used her forehead to bump the door in the form of a knock. "M-Master Nicholas?" she called trying to keep her cool.

"Enter" he said simply and she almost whimpered as she opened the door in fear. She peeked in seeing Nicholas sitting behind an antique mahogany desk and surrounded by shelves of books older than he was.

She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to pull herself together. Each step she took towards the desk seemed to take forever, finally she placed the tray on his desk and bowed her head politely. "Call me if there's anything else you need" she said and turned on her heel to leave the room as fast as she could but Nicholas didn't let her.

"Wait" he commanded and Mikaela felt her feet freeze into place.

She scowled as she heard him stand from his desk and walk around the desk to face her. "You ruined EVERYTHING" he said crossing his arms.

Mikaela tried to read his poker face hse wasn't sure if he was angry or playing. "E-Excuse me...?"

"Katy" he said. "You spoke on the phone with Katy and now she thinks I'm cheating on her"

Mikaela's eyes widened like saucers as she realized what she'd done after she replayed the events in her mind. "I'm SO sorry about that-"

"I don't care..." he said staring into her eyes and Mikaela felt her breath being taken away as he leaned forward. Mikaela slowly inched bacck away from him until she felt the rim of the desk behind her. Nicholas's hands found their placce at her sides on the desk and their faces were inches apart. "I don't think you understand how much of a mess you've made..." he whispered harshly.

Mikaela gulped not finding the words to say as she kept her eyes on the door behind Nicholas, trying not to meet his gaze. She just shook her head, speechless.

"Katy is Katarina Valentine, daughter of the CEO of Valentine Corp. She WAS my girlfriend..."

Mikaela decided this wasn't a good time to talk and just listened.