A/N: New chapter hooraaaaaaaay

Thanks so much for over 11000 views on this story! Its about five hundred away from being my most viewed. Crazy.

Also I posted a one-shot within the same universe as this story last week so just in case you missed it, it's second from the top on my profile. If you ever wanted to see more of everyone's favorite clumsy businessman, go check it out after you read this chapter.

Thank you to Muttlpe Mike and Kitkatkatester for the reviews and insight last chapter :)

Enjoy!

Once Ella and DJ had disappeared from sight, Mike headed back inside the house to revert back to normal, but not before taking a short amount of time to process all that just happened. He had his hand on his cheek as he meandered towards the attic steps, almost trying to recall Ella's hand that had brushed against it; it had surprised him for sure, and probably wouldn't have minded it so much if it hadn't been in that particular spot.

"Why did that even happen...stupid reflex…" he thought out loud to himself as he opened the door that lead to the staircase. He sighed. "I made such a fool of myself." The more he thought about it the more mistakes he could think of.

As he slowly ascended to his bedroom his brain transitioned to the good things that happened. The conversation that felt endless in a good way, her smile, the way she moved about the yard as gracefully as she would a ballroom if given the chance...he would've loved to go and tell his friends about it, maybe get advice for next time from those more experienced...but he couldn't, now could he? He was stuck to break it all down by himself.

"It couldn't happen again, certainly not…" he thought as he opened the door and entered his room. "Things like that don't happen twice...they just don't…" Not to him. He was just a servant after all. A lowly, dirty servant.

A servant...who just so happened to have attracted the attention of a princess.

Mike almost ritualistically put on what was left of his raggedy work clothes while he contemplated the situation that just played out in his yard before going back to his chores that should have been done already, oh god he needed to get them done before Scott or Noah came home-

As he started a stunted flurry of chore completion, down the road, his friend, stepbrother, and real brother were wrapping things up. Vito had finished his food and was getting ready to leave, exiting the house only to stand in the garden when Mal stopped him in his tracks from behind with a gloved hand on his shoulder.

"Ey yo, I thought we was done wit' talkin!-" Vito said before realizing who'd stopped him. "Oh. Uh, waddup?" he asked awkwardly.

Mal gave him a thoughtful look. "I'd like to ask a favor of you, Vito. Since I can't exactly, you know...maim your brother right away due to the circumstances, as much as I would love to." He was not good at saying things lightly. Too used to violence as the answer. "You said you didn't like what he was doing to Mike, so make sure it doesn't get any worse before I get there." His eye looked down at him with intensity.

"...ey, so, ya want me to protect Mike?" Vito asked for clarification. If so, then...yeah, he could do that. "And you ain't gonna really 'maim' Scott...are ya?" He didn't like Scott's actions but he didn't want to see him hurt either.

"Of course not; why would I stop at maiming him?" Mal asked in reply, his expression not changing at all.

Zoey was able to hear the conversation, as she was still inside near to both of them, and she interjected, "I think that's enough from you, Mal, thank you." Mal gave her a look but backed off, removing his hand from Vito's shoulder.

"...I don't wanna see my brother hurt none, yo, even if he might be deservin' it...I can try an' keep him off Mike, but..." Vito trailed off.

"This isn't about hurting anyone, it's about keeping them from being hurt even more," Zoey insisted. "Mike needs someone to be there for him while we figure out how to help him from out here, and it sounded to me when we talked earlier that you already are that person." She offered a small smile.

Vito took in what she said. "When you put it that way, yo, it makes more sense…" he decided.

"Good," Zoey replied. "Now you head on home, now. It was nice talking with you, Vito. Feel free to stop by whenever you feel like discussing plants again."

"Ey yo, I didn't mind it as much as I thought I would. And uh, your house is nice, or whateva…" Vito said in return as he started to move towards the road. "And thanks for the food." He glanced again at Mal. "We'll prolly talk again soon." He waved as he exited the front garden and started for home while Zoey waved back and Mal watched him walk away.

"It's strange, knowing him and Scott are related," Zoey admitted once Vito had left sight. "They don't seem to have much in common." Based on her limited knowledge of both of them, especially Scott.

"Mm," Mal hummed in reply.

"You're not serious about what you said earlier, right?" Zoey asked, referring to his rather violent insinuation.

"Would I say it if I didn't mean it?" Mal asked in response before turning to go back inside.

Zoey sighed. "I don't think Mike would want you hurting anyone for him…"

She got no response, and it was not too long before she could hear the distant sound of the guest bedroom door closing shut.

Duncan was kicked out of Alejandro's office, since the skeezy lawyer had an actual appointment. On his way out he spotted Noah waiting in the front lobby. He would have stopped and given him a few choice words but Courtney had been assigned to see him out and he didn't want to cause a scene so he simply sent a glare in Noah's direction before leaving the building. Noah didn't dignify him with a reaction. "Go on ahead, sir," Courtney told Noah while she made sure Duncan left.

Noah nodded and headed back into the office, a smirk slowly gliding onto his face when he entered and Al looked mighty pleased with himself.

But back to Duncan.

"Do you know what's going on in there? he asked Courtney once in the doorway.

"I can't tell you anything about Mr. Burromuerto's clients, I'm just his assistant," Courtney said matter of factly. "I wouldn't worry about it, it's not as if you could do anything about it anyways." That might've been saying too much without saying anything at all.

"What do you mean by that?" Duncan said, seeing an opening and stopping in his tracks.

"I didn't say anything. Have a good day, sir," Courtney said before gently pushing him out the door and closing it behind him.

Duncan stared at the shut door before sighing. "Still nothing…" He turned and started for home.

Back in the office, Noah asked, "I take it that you were successful?"

Al smirked. "Went off without a hitch, señor. Everything is in order now. All that's left is to update the house ownership information, which shall be done by tomorrow."

"Why not just get it over with today?" Noah asked, his impatience obvious.

"You are not my only client, must I remind you. Have a little more patience, and it should sort itself out...he is your stepson, after all. Surely it won't be too difficult, or you wouldn't have relied so heavily on his cooperation." Al wasn't aware of how Mike had been treated, nor did he think to look into it. He was more focused on getting his money, after all. It was not as if Noah had dropped any hint that he intended to get rid of Mike when he was done being useful.

"...I'll cross that unfortunate bridge when I reach it, Al, " Noah said cryptically.

"Be sure that you do, señor."

This day just keeps on giving. I'd say it has at least one more chapter in it, no promises though. The future beyond this one day is fuzzy rn so bear with me.

Lemme know ya thoughts. As always, stay safe out there, y'all, and I'll see you next time :)