Chapter 4: Career Change?
(A/N: ooo what's this about?)
Niles was miserable. He was tired of his job as a butler. Having to clean someone else's laundry and do all their hard work. Doing mundane tasks like cancelling a reservation or stupid things like that. He had to get up early in the morning and leave his wife by herself. Niles felt like he was missing life. He started thinking about his dream of being a barrister again. It wasn't possible to be a barrister here, but maybe he could be something similar. At Oxford, he did obtain a law degree….
CC was worried about Niles behavior in the past few days. He seemed so unhappy. She worried that it had something to do with her.
They were in the dining room. He had prepared lasagna. It was never CC's favorite until she tasted his lasagna. That happened to be the case for all his meals. It was silent as they ate. It made CC uncomfortable.
"You know you can tell me anything right?" CC told him. Niles smiled at her.
"I know. We are married," Niles said, turning his attention back to his food.
"You sure there isn't anything you want to tell me?" CC asked. Niles knew there was something that he wanted to tell her. He was worried that she'd be mad about him suddenly doing a career change this late in his life. He hated to lie. He shook his head no.
"No, everything is fine," Niles told her. CC sighed.
"Not everything seems fine. You've been miserable lately," CC said, trying not to raise her voice.
"I assure you that everything is fine. I've just been tired," Niles said.
"Tired?! Niles, you've been so distant this past week. I can't help but think-" CC started but Niles cut her off.
"CC, I'm sorry I didn't mean to take it out on you," Niles said. CC relaxed a little bit. He was going to have to tell her sooner or later. "I'm tired of being a butler. I want to live my dream," He said.
CC nodded wanting him to continue.
"I know you said not to worry about money and that it doesn't matter to you. It doesn't matter to me either, but I regret not trying to become a lawyer. I mean I went to Oxford for it! Oxford! I felt like I've been wasting the time I spent there being Maxwell's butler. Maxwell is my best friend, but I think it's time I live my dream," Niles explained.
"Is that what's been bothering you?" CC asked.
"Yes, I've really been thinking about it lately and my job now," Niles told her.
"Is this really what you want?"
"More than anything," Niles replied.
"Well then, let's make it happen," CC said.
The next day, CC and Niles made their daily walk over to the Sheffields. Niles was nervous about how his boss was going to react. He had been Maxwell's butler for over 25 years now. Fran opened the door.
"Where's Maxwell?" Niles asked her.
"He's still sleeping. Why?" Fran asked.
"I'd like to talk to him as soon as possible," Niles told her. Fran nodded and disappeared. She appeared with Maxwell a few minutes later.
"What's up Old Man?" Maxwell said.
"I was wondering if we could go in your office," Niles said. Maxwell nodded and the couple headed into Max's office.
"So, what did you need to tell me?" Max asked.
"I'd like to put in my two weeks notice," Niles told him.
"Two weeks notice? You're quitting!" Max shouted.
"Please calm down Maxwell, let him explain," Fran shouted when she rushed into the office. Max seemed to calm down as soon as he saw his wife.
"Go on then," Max told his butler.
"I wish to begin my dream job as a lawyer," Niles said. Maxwell studied him.
"You're serious about this, aren't you old man?" Maxwell asked.
"CC's going to help set up a job interview for me. I guess sometimes even witches have connections with the right people," Niles said. Maxwell sighed.
"Well, if you makes you happy Niles, then I'm happy for you," Maxwell said. Niles beamed.
"Thank you sir. It means so much to me," Niles told his employer. Maxwell stood up from his chair and walked over to Niles.
"Your welcome," Maxwell said. Max hesitated for a second before hugging his best friend.
"Sir?" Niles asked.
"I'm going to miss you. You were never just my butler. You were my best friend," Maxwell told him. Niles immediately hugged him back. Niles felt like he wanted to cry. Maxwell could feel the tears welling up in his own eyes.
"Same to you sir," Niles said as Max broke the embrace.
"Don't call me sir, call me Max for now on," Max said.
"As you wish, Max," Niles told him. Maxwell smiled. He was happy for his friend even though he was going to miss having him around the house all the time. He could hire another butler, no problem, but he could never hire another Niles.