A/N: I really do hope you guys like this story. I feel that USUK is my strongest ship to write about, but I am not absolutely sure. I also planned on probably writing a sequel to My Light in the Dark but I am not sure yet. ESPECIALLY after that disaster of An Almost, But Not Near, Perfect Life which is the sequel to Dangerous Protector AND I plan on writing a third installment to that which may end up being shit. FUCK
I wake up to Sophia opening the curtains and the morning light filling the room. It was mid-August and the leaves were already beginning to transition from green to yellow. And then it struck me. I bolted upright in my bed, my eyes wide open.
"Sophia, where is Mr. Jones?"
She lets out a small squeak and quickly straightens her apron.
"He is in his quarters sir, he seems to be having trouble with his tie, I told him to just use the clip-on, but he says that you would yell at him again and he doesn't want to get fired on the first day."
"Why is it that all my staff are so nervous? Am I really that terrifying of a guy?"
I look over at Sophia. She can't even bring herself to look at me. I can't help but feel that it is my fault she has her anxiety. She's only 16 and has been here for two years now.
I small hand tugged on my coat. I turned around and saw a small girl no older than 14 peering up at me with large brown eyes.
"E-Excuse me sir, I heard that you was hiring for a maid at your house. C-Could I have the job?"
I couldn't help but feel baffled as to why she was asking me this question.
"How old are you darling?"
"I-I'm fourteen and a quarter sir. I need the monies to h-help pay for school since me mum and dad passed away last year."
It broke my heart seeing that small little girl trying to pay for her school with nowhere else to go. I brought it upon myself to take care of her. Though I never ended up adopting her, she was always like a daughter for the next two years.
I sigh and get out of my bed, walking over to her.
"Sophia darling, why is it that you are always so frightened around me?"
"I-I'm not sir, it's just that I heard you yelling at Mr. Jones yesterday and it gave me quite a fright."
I place a kiss upon her forehead and took a step back.
"You were always like a daughter to me Sophia, there is no need to be afraid. Now, go get Mr. Jones and then go to school, you are already late."
She gives me a quick nod and hurries out of my bedroom. She wanted this job to pay for school but now she barely goes and spends most of her time taking care of me.
I go to sit down on my bed only to be interrupted by my new 'butler', bursting through the door.
His hair is a mess, his glasses crooked, shirt untucked, tie awfully tied, shoes untied- they were sneakers no less-, and the shirt is even buttoned crookedly.
"What in the name of God happened here? Did a tornado blow through your room in the 20 minutes you were awake?"
"Sorry man, I'm just not used to this stuff."
I sigh and reach over and put my robe on.
"Come over here and let me help you with your uniform. By the way, whenever Sophia says something, please do so to listen to her. She has been here for two years and knows the rules better than just about everyone. Use a clip-on tie tomorrow."
I spend the next ten minutes fixing his suit and handing him the proper pair of shoes.
"Now that you are up to par, go fetch my breakfast from Michael in the kitchen while I get my clothes on."
"Yessir."
He gives me a salute and hurries out the door. It hasn't even been an hour and he is going to be the death of me.
"Alfred."
"Yeah?"
"Why is there only one piece of toast and one piece of bacon on my plate?"
"Idunno."
"Come here."
He walks over to my desk and tries not to meet my eye.
"Alright man I'm sorry. I at some of the food. But that's only 'cause Mike wouldn't give me any to eat and I was starving."
Bloody hell.
"Oh well, I will make sure Michael feeds you at least something in the morning when you go to fetch my breakfast. Now since I have nothing else for you to do at this very moment just go and just of my books. And at least try to do a good job on them. They are rather old."
As he goes and begins dusting off the novels, I could swear I hear him mutter "just like you" but I decide to ignore it.
After about 15 minutes, I have finished my breakfast and I am now in the midst of reading a business report from a company in Dublin as it begins to rain outside. It's always raining in Bawtry nowadays. Aside from the patter of the rain against the window, I now hear a slight whistling from Alfred.
"Alfred, what in God's name are you doing?"
"Dusting the insane amount of books you have."
"No, I mean why are you making that noise?"
"I'm just whistlin' a song my dad always sang to my mom."
I roll my eyes and let him continue his work.