(18+) Someone in the dark

Ch. 10: Creeping up behind

I didn't bother to go inside to refill the bucket so I could clean the rest of the windows on ground level. I had to change shoes and pants anyway since they were wet, so I figured I'd just continue tomorrow. If there was any use at all. The grayness I was trying to get rid of seemed to be inside of the glass, and it didn't help no matter how hard I scrubbed or polished. It was still there. But I was going to continue tomorrow, anyway.

It was then I realized that I kind of felt like the windows myself. Gray. I chuckled a bit at the thought of that. How ridiculous.

I was almost late to make lunch for Mr. Jackson, so I quickly put together a couple of sandwiches for him. Together with freshly squeezed orange juice and my little personal touch, the tiny flower, I felt quite satisfied when I carried the tray upstairs and rung the bell.

I was just about to walk down the stairs when I stopped and rubbed my chin. Maybe this was the time? I mean, it didn't really matter when it was, so now was as good as any. And I really wanted to see how my boss looked up close, and not only from afar, through a window.

I turned and resolutely walked over to the half wall next to the stairs. Its only purpose was to display another of Silver Fox Mansion's countless expensive sculptures. But now it served another purpose. Hiding me. So I croaked down, so he wouldn't see me, and it was just in time before the forbidden door opened, and a man stepped out into the corridor.

My heart rate shot through the roof, and I held my breath as I peeked around the corner. He couldn't see me. If he did, I would lose my second job in only a few months. I couldn't have that. But as long as he didn't see me, I should be safe. Unless Mrs. Lee suddenly showed up and ruined it all. That would end in tragedy for sure.

Because of the angle, I saw the perfect silhouette of a man. He was tall and quite slender and carried himself in a way that made me think he was stronger than he looked. He had black slacks and a white shirt that seemed to be a bit too large. It was probably supposed to be that way, though. And the oversized cuffs and the ruffles around the collar and down along the row of buttons in the front made him look royal. Like he was a King.

I was stunned. I hadn't even seen his face yet, and I was completely mesmerized. There was something about him that captured me, and not just physically. Yes, he was handsome with his broad shoulders and defined V-shape down to his hips. His hair was messy and made my fingers itch to touch it. To dig my fingers into it and play with his curls. And his ass...

But it was his aura that took my breath away. The hall had been empty and cold before he entered. And now the room was entirely different, swimming with warmth and colors, and all I could see was him. Everything else faded and became insignificant shadows.

He took a sip of his orange juice before he placed it back on the tray. Then he picked up the flower from the napkin and brought it up to his nose to smell it. I could see he was smiling to himself. He lowered the flower so he could look at it before he brought it up to his lips and kissed it. Then he put it back and picked up the tray.

I could see more of his face now. His jaw squared and strong. His chiseled cheekbones and plump lips forming a beautiful smile. He had a set of pearly white teeth, and an upturned little nose, and...

"Holy fuck! It's him!" I whispered to myself, wide-eyed, and ducked behind the wall again. I almost hit my head. My heart was racing a hundred miles an hour, and my palms were sweaty, and I was terrified that he'd seen me. But he left the hallway just as smoothly as he entered it, and as soon as the door shut behind him, I gasped for air after holding my breath.

It really was him. I saw his eyes, and I knew I'd seen them before. Those hypnotizing, brown eyes framed by his characteristic eyebrows. The eyes that welcomed me in the conservatory. The eyes that played that song on the piano. He was the one who had dried my tears afterwards. Those were the eyes that had talked to me in the library yesterday. Mrs. Lee didn't lie after all. I really did meet him the first day I was here. It was him. Joe. Joe was Mr. Jackson. Michael. He was my boss.