At Your Service, Master

Chapter Nine

 Mikaela stripped off her shirt in her room and swiftly changed into her uniform. Mikaela stopped for a moment with a frown. Something feels different... She thought to herself touching the lining of the end of her skirt.

She fumbled the lining seeing that it was a little rough for Candice's work and seemed a little rushed. Mikaela could've sworn the skirt had been smooth to the touch this morning. Mikaela slipped on her shoes and walked to the full-body mirror hung on the other wall. She turned slowly and craned her head, examining herself from every angle.

Something is definitely different. She decided but she couldn't put her finger on just what could it possibly be. She heard Bernard knock on the door. "Mikaela, Nicholas is requesting that his dinner is to be taken up to his room"

"Okay, I'll take it up right away!" she called and she heard his footsteps fade down the hall. She threw back her long hair and headed toward the kitchens while tying the white bow of her apron behind her.

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Her hands were full since she was holding the silver platter with dainty cups of tea and milk. There was a platter of salmon with a thousand islands salad and a small bowl of assorted slice fruits off to the side. She kicked Nicholas's door as a knock. "Master, may I come in?"

"Come in" a voice groaned tiredly. Mikaela balanced the platter on one hand and quickly opened the door before evening the weight on both hands again. "Where were you?" he asked in an annoyed tone.

"Having a stroll around the park" she answered entering the room and seeing a lump under the covers. She placed the tray on his bedstand and pulled the golden ring to turn the lamp on. "A little lazy today aren't we?" she said standing, waiting to be dismissed.

He lifted three layers of sheets from his face and Mikaela couldn't help but laugh. He was still wearing his suit for work, it was all wrinkled now and his tie was undone. His hair was unruly like he had a long night at a bar and woken up on the pavement. "I've had better days..." he groaned sitting up and slumping against the head board.

Mikaela frowned examining him. His face looked a little red and his eyes were cloudy and glazed. "Are you okay...?"

It took a moment for him to react. "Nonsense..." he said reaching for his cup of tea from the tray. His hand shook as he took the cup in one hand and brought it to his lips. "I just had a long day at work" he finished. His lips curled in an expression of distaste. "This is tasteless" he complained.

Mikaela cocked a brow. "You're sick"

"I'll take that as  compliment" he said returning the cup to the tray.

"No, I mean that you're REALLY sick" Mikaela insisted.

He rolled his eyes and sank into his sheets again. "Don't be silly, I haven't been sick in years" he muttered under the sheets.

Mikaela glared at the small patch of brown hair that was sticking out from the top of the covers. "Suit yourself..." she said lifting her chin. "Good night, master..." she said turning on one heel and marching to the door. She flicked the light switch off and closed the door behind her.

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The morning went by as usual, Mikaela woke up before the sun rose to practise her knife and gun skills in the training yard then when she saw the sun rise, she began preparing breakfast. Candice told Mikaela Nicholas didn't feel like eating after she set the table.

That ticked her off and she was muttering curses all morning until she opened the front door for him to depart in the car. His posture was horrible today, Mikaela noticed watching him descend from the stairs and trudge across the marble floor.