Alex
"Oh there you are Alex. The lady would like to have a word with you as soon as your done with the animals," Emma came up to me as soon as I left my room. I nodded at the older woman. I couldn't help how nervous I felt. Was Mrs. Landchester going to scold me for what happened at the party? I took a deep breath before going back to my chores. When I was finished, I headed to her office.
"Good morning Alex. I got an interesting phone call yesterday. Soseki Westwood wanted to know if he could see you today. That is the guy you danced with, is it not?" Mrs. Landchester was reading a novel when I entered the room she was in.
I nodded, "I'm sorry ma'am. He asked me to dance and I didn't want to be impolite-"
"No need to apologize Alex. It was just surprising. I'm not upset that you danced with him. I didn't expect him to take an interest in you. I'm not insulting you, so don't worry. I've known his family since I was born. They are like family to me. If Soseki has feelings for you, then I don't blame him. He might even ask for you to work for him to get closer to you. I'd be sad to see you leave this mansion, but if it does happen, I wish you two the best."
"I don't feel that way about him. I'm sure that he just wants to hang out as friends. I would rather work for this house." I'd miss everyone in this house and I didn't know anyone in Soseki's place. I'd miss Allen. I've gotten close to the redhead and he was one of my best friends. I could feel my heart start to beat at the mention of his name. I couldn't let my feelings for him show. I was a worker here. There is no way that I would be allowed to be his lover. Maybe Soseki was a completely different story. I wouldn't be as happy though.
"I see. That's all I wanted to say. You're dismissed. After all, you don't want to keep the guy waiting."
"Thank you," I bowed to her, "Good day to you."
"I can't decide which one to wear," I complained. I didn't want Soseki to think that I was poor, so I wanted to look good when I see him. I didn't know what colors he prefered or what color combinations he thought were ugly.
"I don't think he really cares what color you wear. If he does, then that will be such a disappointment. It'd be nice if he was the one for you, Alex," Tina was helping me prepare for today. Soseki was going to be here in two hours. I didn't take very long to get ready, but Tina insisted I prepare long before he got here just in case. I wondered what he saw in me.
"I told you that I don't feel the same way about him. We are hanging out as just friends."
"Oh really? I'm sure that he asked you to dance as 'just friends'."
"Tina."
"Fine. So if you don't want him, can I have him?"
I laughed, "Go right ahead."
"What are you girls discussing?" We both looked up to see Allen standing in my doorway. He had a smirk on his face.
"It's girl things. You wouldn't understand."
"Didn't you hear? Alex has a date with Soseki today. Isn't it cute?"
"Tina!"
"Is that so?" I could swear I heard a bit of an irritated tone in his voice. He still had on a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. I couldn't help but be curious. Did something happen with him and Soseki? I heard that their families were close, but Allen didn't see to get along with him. I wanted to ask him, but I'd rather wait until Tina was out of the room. It seemed like something personal. Maybe they fought a lot as children?
"Yes. I'm so jealous of you, Alex. I'm going to leave so that I can get to cleaning. Maybe Allen here can help you decide what you should wear. See you later guys. Oh, and you should let me know how it goes tonight," Tina winked at me. I waved at her and looked back at the clothes on my bed.
"So you need help with an outfit? I'd say that shirt and those pants," Allen pointed to the green and red clothes. I didn't realize that he was directly behind me. I looked over my shoulder with a nod.
"Really? Thank you. I know my clothes are plain, but I don't really wear them for fashion. I usually buy clothes that are comfortable for me. I'm not that girly when it comes to things like this."
"You're lucky that you're talking to such a fashionable person. Goddess, where in the world would you be without me?"
"I don't know. Cleaning the dining room probably."
He laughed, "Good one. Do you want me to put your hair up? I'm good at it."
After changing clothes, I called him back into my room so that he could do my hair for me. I sat down on my bed, and let him do his work. I could hear him muttering about something as he ran his fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes as he worked.
"You can open your eyes, silly," he shook me when he was done. I looked in the mirror and saw my hair in cute ringlets.
"It looks so adorable. Thank you very much," I hugged him tightly.
"Whoa," I heard him catch his breath. I could feel him relax in my arms. I moved back in embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't make you uncomfortable, did I?"
"It's fine. You just surprised me is all. It wasn't a bad thing, really."
"A-anyways. I'm going to wait outside," I got up, feeling my heart race. Why was I reacting like this? I usually wasn't this fluttered in front of him. Maybe my feelings really have gotten stronger. I didn't want him to find out. There's no way he'd ever feel the same way. What if it made him uncomfortable around me? I didn't want to ruin our friendship.
"Morning Alex," Soseki greeted me, getting out of his car. The driver was a man with short blue hair and a grumpy look on his face. I wonder if the guy worked with Soseki's family.
"Good morning. What's the plan?"
"Well, I was thinking we could have a picnic at the park today since it's going to be sunny all day. The driver is named Klaus. Klaus, this is Alex."
"Hmph," he adjusted his glasses cockily, "Not what I expected her to look like at all."
I tried not to get irritated by his rudeness. I'm guessing that he wasn't expecting Soseki to be hanging out with a commoner like me. Soseki seemed to ignore Klaus and grabbed my hand.
"Shall we go, milady?"
"Ok. This is a really nice car."
"Thank you. So Alex, why are you working at the Landchester's? I haven't seen you before Tuesday and you don't look like you're related to any of the others."
"I saw an ad in the paper and I needed a job," I shrugged, "I'm not really good at anything but cleaning so it isn't too hard of a job."
"I see. Sounds like you enjoy it there."
"It's pretty nice. Mrs. Landchester and all the other maids were very welcoming when I first arrived."
"These sandwiches are delicious," I took a large bite. We sat on a bench in the park. I could see a bunch of children hanging out on the playground. I admired their energy. They didn't have a worry in the world. I wondered if I was ever going to have kids in the future. I hadn't planned on getting married anytime soon, but it must be a nice feeling knowing that you gave life to someone.
"My cook is very good at his job. He went to school for it, so he knows what he's doing. I'm sure he'll appreciate that you enjoy his food."
"I've been cooking too, but I don't think I'm anywhere near his level. If he's this good at cooking simple foods, his meals must be like heaven."
Soseki nodded, "That's true. So he came back to the house, didn't he?"
"Allen?"
"Yes him. I heard his mother tell mine that he went on a trip recently."
"I arrived a couple of days before he came home."
"I see," his voice grew cold, "It would have been better if he hadn't come home at all."
"What do you mean?" I cocked my head, "You don't see seem to like him."
"I don't. He's been a pain ever since we were little. Honestly it's his attitude. He thinks he's so much better than everyone else."
"Maybe he changed on his trip. He doesn't act like that around me."
Soseki looked at me, "Maybe you just haven't noticed it. Or he's just hiding his true colors from you."
"Maybe," I didn't believe him, but didn't want to let it show out of politeness.
After we finished eating, he drove me back to the Landchester house. I waited for the gate to open as Soseki got back into his car. He rolled his window down, "I had a great time today. Sorry that I had to cut it short, I have a lot of things that I have to do."
"It's fine. It was a nice picnic," I gave him a smile, "I'll let you know if I ever want to hang out again. Mrs. Landchester should have your phone number so I don't have to worry about that."
"I'll be waiting. What do you want?"
"Huh?"
"I don't want anything. I'm just here to let Alex into the house," I heard Allen's voice from behind me. I turned to see him glaring at Soseki, "In case you forgot that this is my house."
"How could I forget? I honestly don't know what's bigger, your ego or your house."
"Big talk for someone as lazy as you. You still live in your parents house at your age grandpa?"
"Let's go Klaus. See you later Alex." Soseki took my hand and kissed it, "I had a nice day with you."
"See you," I sighed when he rolled up his window and the car drove off. When I turned back around, Allen already had the gate open.
"Did you have fun with that loser?"
"Aren't you being a bit harsh?" I scolded gently.
"I'm sorry. I've never liked him. I'm sure he feels the exact same way."
"Let's just go inside. I'm sure that Tina is waiting for me."
