Chapter 24
Author's POV:
She lightly dropped her small pouch beside her bag full of clothes and looked at the bedroom. It wasn't what she was expecting to see.
The room was full of purple and white balloons.
Just how I like... But how.... who did this?
She took a few more steps towards the wall that was full of balloons. She frowned when she noticed something written on the wall. She pushed the balloons aside to have a better view.
Her jaw dropped when she saw what was written on the wall.
"Happy Birthday, butterfly."
Butterfly? It's him who did this... of course, it's him. This is his house who else will do it?
It was not written, it was plastered on the wall with colorful papers that were cut into alphabets. It looked beautiful and mesmerizing. Emma couldn't remove her eyes from all the decorations.
Yes, it was true. She always wanted these things for her birthday when she was a kid. Although she never regretted the birthdays she celebrated with Caroline, she just couldn't believe her eyes seeing what she desired to see in her childhood.
She had a closer look at her surroundings. Her eyes fell on the small 3-foot blue orchid flower pot. It was decorated with beautiful string lights all over it.
A small smile appeared on her face when she saw more different types of fairy string lights around the room.
The room was not small like her old one at her previous workplace. The one she was in, was bigger. Not much but it was enough enormous for anyone like her. The walls were painted with light yellow and baby blue color.
Her breath hitched.
H-how does he know that I like these colors in a room?
He knew everything about her... everything. She wasn't even aware of it. All the things were confusing and scaring her at the same time. She didn't know how to react. Why would he do something like that for her? Who was she? Just a mere maid.
She consoled herself lots of times saying that she was just a maid... just a maid. But, deep down she knew that if she was just a maid then she would never have been in that situation. It scared her a lot. She let out a deep breath that she was holding in for a long time and sat on the edge of the bed. She didn't see anyone around the house when she came inside. She wondered where was everyone.
Somehow it's a good thing at least he isn't here either. I don't have to face him tonight.
She sighed again and got up from the bed to pick up her bags. There was an average-sized closet beside the bed. She didn't have much stuff so that closet was big enough for everything she brought. She put all her clothes inside the closet along with her bag. Emma thought to text Venessa, letting her know that she reached safely.
Taking out her phone, she typed the text and sent it to Venessa and instantly got a reply from her.
′That's good. I'm already missing you!'
She smiled sadly at the text and wrote her back.
'I miss you too.'
She couldn't check Venessa's other text when she heard someone behind her.
"So I see you've come," that similar deep voice... that held the aura of power and control.
She gulped and turned around. He was standing with his sides leaning on the door wearing a white shirt and grey pants, his tie was slightly loose.
He took slow steps towards her until he was close enough. She of course was looking down, unable to look into his eyes.
"Did you like it?" He asked out of nowhere. She didn't answer. She couldn't figure out the words.
"Look at me when I'm talking," he said in his low voice which sounded more dangerous. She immediately obeyed him and stared right into his eyes.
He smiled when her eyes met with his. A beautiful smile that would capture any girl's heart. If Emma wasn't in that situation she would've been lost in his smile and the shine in his eyes.
Little did she know that she was the reason behind his beaming eyes and his smile... a real smile. It was almost unbelievable how Alexander let a little girl enter his life and mess up with his mind.
Yes, it was true. That girl did things to him... things that no woman could ever do. But why? Why her? What was so special in her that attracted him as nothing else mattered to him. Well, he already knew the answer.
He touched her face with her rough hand, caressing her cheek softly.
"Did you like your room butterfly?" He asked once again. Quite surprising how he didn't get mad at her for repeating himself.
It's her birthday. I don't want to scare her away. At least not tonight.
She was perplexed. He wants me to answer him? But if I didn't then I'm sure he would get mad... and that's the last thing I want right now.
She lightly nodded her head and uttered yes. His face had a satisfied look, it looked like he was expecting a positive answer from her. Surprisingly, his hands were no more caressing her cheek. He took a few steps back.
"Wait here," he said leaving the room. Emma frowned.
Why does he me to wait? Oh, how I wish I could just take a nap.
He came back after a few minutes with a gift box in his hands.
Oh god... please tell me it's not for me.
"Here, take this," he extended his hand to her that was holding the box. She didn't take it. She stared at it for some time before looking at him back, shaking her head.
"N-no master... you already did a l-lot in m-my room. I cannot accept th-this," she stated quietly but decently.
"Why not?" He growled.
End of being fucking nice. I got her a fucking gift and she refused it?!
"Ma-master I'm sorry I-I didn't mean it in a bad w-way... Your warm welcoming wa-was already a lot," she lied. She didn't feel anything warm in his welcoming of her. Even though the decoration was amazing but that didn't mean that none of those didn't freak her out.
"Take it, Emma. It's a small gift from me. Do not make me angry. I don't think I need to remind you of the consequences," of course, he didn't have to. She clearly remembered every consequence. Nothing was pleasing about those.
But the way he said her name was entirely different. It was almost as though no one had ever addressed her in that manner before. It was strange. That man in front of her with the purple sparkly wrapping paper on a gift box. So far, he had been the devil in her life... but she had mixed feelings about him at times. No, she didn't feel resemblance or love for him, nor was she attracted by his features like other women, she just had a different feeling about him. It was as if a new person was lurking inside him, afraid to expose himself.
Maybe his current personality was nothing but a coating that was hiding something.
She thought to herself. But, there was no time to think about all of those. She exhaled deeply and took the box from his hands. He was standing there impatiently.
Fuck... she's so slow. If it was someone else then I would've just...
"Unwrap it and see," he commanded.
She unwrapped the paper slowly and opened the box finding a beautiful emerald-stoned necklace. The necklace was beautifully adorned with emerald stones, the color of forest and light green brightened up the small navy-colored velvet box. Just like her forest green eyes brightened up his dark world.
Her eyes grew big and looked at him, shaking her head again.
"Si-sir please it's too m-much," there was no way on earth she could accept it. Even though she did accept an expensive gift from Ethan but it was because he was her friend, not a tormentor. Besides that, Alexander was not even aware of the phone Ethan gave her, Emma didn't want to imagine the wrath she would face from him after knowing about the phone.
The necklace looked far more expensive than any phone or other expensive materials she had seen. It was just simply beautiful.
"Why? Because I'm not Ethan?" He snapped. She flinched back with a shocked expression.
H-how did he find out?
She thought to herself. But she failed to realize that he was jealous. He was furious that she was hesitating to accept a gift from him.
"Did you think I wouldn't find out about the phone Ethan gave you?" Emma's throat was dry as a desert. She had no idea how did he find out.
"I know everything, butterfly. Being under my mercy now, you should know that nothing can go unnoticed by me ever." Alexander spat at her. He was furious when he found out about the phone, but he had different plans for that too.
He had a strong grasp on her arm tightly. Emma hissed and tried to pry her hands, making him only tighten it more.
"Listen here, little girl. It's your birthday today, so that's why I'm sparing you with only a warning and there are some rules that you gotta follow in my house. If you break even one of those you will be punished. Am I clear?"
She was too scared to answer him. Her feet were glued to the spot.
What kind of punishment I will get?!
"AM I CLEAR?" He yelled. She swiftly nodded her head not wanting to make him angrier.
"Good girl. Now take it. I have to discuss the rules with you. Come downstairs and serve me food. Do NOT be late. Other maids will guide you. So you better not be late. I will give you 30 minutes," he commanded. She muttered yes feeling relieved when he let go of her arm. It was painful.
Emma thought he was done talking to her and would leave to let her get ready in 30 minutes. But, instead, he stayed and stared at her. No matter how much or for how long he stared, the moment and her face always seemed new to him. He would never get bored of her face. It was something that any man would want to see every morning.
But, she wasn't going to be someone else's. She was his and his alone.
Unknowingly he leaned down and places his lips on her cheek and kissed her. Her breath hitched. She wanted to deny that there was no kindness or any good in him. But, for the first time, he didn't force her into anything. Was it actually because of her birthday or there was something good left in him?
She didn't know. She was beyond confused. But still wanted that moment to end as soon as possible.
On the other hand, for him it was heavenly. He never wanted that moment to end. He wanted to hold her like that and kiss her luscious lips.
Seconds later he pulled back and caressed her bottom lip with his thumb.
"Don't be late," he went backward and departed the room.
Why? Why me?
