Author's Note
Welcome to the last chapter. I have been looking forward to this for a long time. I hope you enjoy.
Side note: waaaaaah?! Me finishing a story?
Another week passes by slowly as my body keeps healing. Most of the visible bruises are gone and my arm is no longer in a cast. My ribs are still broken and wrapped.
But it is time. It is time for me to move forward. It is time for me to get a new job. I think to myself as I look over my body. I am wearing a plain white dress. The typical uniform of the academy. I hope I get this job… if I don't I am going to have to move to a new town. My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of a knock at my door. I step out of the bathroom into the hospital room. The door opens a few seconds later revealing Ian.
"Are you ready to go?" Ian questions as he steps into the room. He is wearing his usual black pants and white button up shirt with a black vest.
"I suppose so…" I trail off and walk away from the mirror.
"Are you okay Alex?" He questions as he opens the door. I walk out the door and look around. There are a few people in the hallway. A lot of Academy students learning about first aid are in the next hallway.
"Just nervous I suppose. I…" I pause until we make it to the elevator, "I just really need this job." Ian closes the gate in front of us. Within seconds the elevator starts to move.
"I have a good feeling about this place. I am sure you will do great." He gently puts his hand on my shoulder. I look up at him with a small smile.
"Thank you." We make our way to the small garage. Not long later we are on the road. I do not usually get to be on the roads… Ian keeps driving. He makes a turn and we head out of the main town. More and more trees appear on the sides of us.
After about 30 minutes we stop in front of a house. More like a mansion. It is huge with a beautiful dark wood exterior. The front gate was already open like it was waiting for us. There is a small pond in front of the front entryway. Bushes line the front wall. Whoever this groundskeeper keeper is does their job very well.
"This is it." I take a deep breath and open the door. Stepping out of the car I stare at the entrance.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Ian questions from the driver's seat.
"No. I will be fine…" I close the door and walk around the front of the car. I can do this. Why am I so nervous? I stop in front of the door and with a shaky hand I knock on the beautiful door. There is a slight pain in my side from the movement. I am not fully healed, but I must not let it show… I wonder what this man is like? Ian did not tell me much information. I do not even know his name. I wonder why. I wonder why this place has not kept any workers for very long?
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of footsteps stumbling on the inside. I see a figure walk up to the door. I cannot make out any features. The door opens revealing a man in a red robe that is loosely draped around his skinny body. The man has short but messy black hair. His pale chest is revealed. Looking up I see he has a light stubble on his chin as if he had not had time to shave. His dark brown eyes are squinting at me. Underneath his eyes are dark circles as if he had not slept well the night before. The most astonishing thing is that he is young and very beautiful. Maybe a year older than I am.
"Can I help you?" He is leaning heavily on the doorframe. He puts his other hand on his forehead as if he has a headache. The light smell of alcohol comes off of him.
"Ah yes. Sir, I am Alexandra Costello. I am from the Academy of Servitude. I am here about a job opportunity." I bow lightly and then straighten up. He is so young… I have a feeling I know why… his parents must have died and he inherited this when he turned 18. The strain must be hard on him.
"Why should I hire you? Everyone leaves this place anyways. Just save yourself the trouble and leave now." He starts to close the door. I feel my heart sink.
No. I have to try. "Please sir. Please give me a chance." I beg before the door is about to close. It stops meer inches away from closing. I need this job. The door opens back up.
"Fine. I will give you five minutes." He sounds agitated but it must be from his headache. He looks me up and down inspecting me. I do not move an inch. I am used to being inspected.
"Sir, if you will allow it, I can help with your headache. I am quite skilled at hot tea preparation." I suggest once he is done looking at me up and down. He grumbles as he motions for me to step inside.
As I walk inside the beautiful entryway I am immediately surrounded by warmth. It feels… it feels almost familiar. There are multiple hallways leading to other parts of the house. Directly in front of us is a round table with a vase on it. There are no flowers occupying it yet. Near the back is a staircase that leads up to the second floor. There is a walkway with a railing there. The house so far is absolutely beautiful. The door closes behind me and the man walks up past me.
The man says something as I start to walk towards the hallway to the right. I cannot quite make it out for some reason, but I keep going. I can hear his footsteps behind me as I walk into the kitchen. The man keeps quiet but I can feel his eyes on me.
The kitchen is just as beautiful as the rest of the house. It has that same dark wood cabinets with a black stove. There is an island in the middle with what looks like white granite countertops. As I walk around the island I gently drag my index finger along the counter.
Walking up to one of the cabinets I open the door and am met by a few tea sets and a kettle. I pull down a white China tea pot and two matching cups. Then the black kettle. Within a few more seconds I have the kettle on the stove and starting to heat up. After a little searching I find a few types of tea and spoon a few leaves into the teapot. I look up and am met by the man staring intently at me with wide eyes.
"Is everything alright sir?" I ask and stay on my side of the island. He is sitting on a barstool across from me.
"Yes… What did you say your name was again?" Any irritation that he had before seems to be gone.
That is a good sign. "My name is Alexandra, sir. And I apologize. My mentor did not mention your name."
"My name is Mark." He keeps looking at me and then glances at the stove where the kettle is heating up. "How did you do that?"
"I am not sure what you mean?" He surely must not be talking about making tea. The kettle begins to steam and make a high pitched noise. I walk over and pour the water gently into the teapot.
"Nothing… tell me about yourself Alexandra." He leans forward so his elbows are now resting on the island. "How long have you been a maid?" I set the teapot between us and walk to the small refrigerator. I pull out a glass of milk and set it beside the pot.
"I started at the school when I was 6 and then started working when I was 12, sir. I am very well trained." Within a few more minutes the tea is ready to be poured. I put the tea into the cups and put a little milk in both of our cups.
"How many other places have you worked?" Mark questions as I put back up the milk.
"I have worked for six other families." I say as I walk back to in front of him. He slowly picks up his cup and takes a sip. I see a faint smile cross his lips but disappears almost immediately.
"Why so many? You are still very young." He questions and keeps the cup in his hands. I rub my finger along the side of the cup.
"... I," after a long pause I am finally able to speak again, "I never really fit with the other families." I look into my cup. Because of how different I am. I slowly take a sip and then look back at him. He nods slowly.
"What do your parents do? Do they know about your job?" His intense eyes keep looking at me.
"My parents," I take another sip as I pause, "they died when I was five sir. I lived on the streets till I was six. That was when the Academy found me." Something seems to change when I say this. My thoughts must have been correct.
"I am sorry for your loss." He quietly says as he takes his eyes off of me and looks into his own cup.
"And I am sorry for yours as well." I watch him as he looks up at me.
"How did you…" He begins but stops and nods. "You are very smart. Why do you work as a maid?"
"This is the only life that I know." I take another sip. Mark's entire body seems to be more relaxed now. He nods and sips at the tea.
"Well… I believe I have made a decision." He finishes his cup so I refill it for him.
"And that is sir?" I finish my own and do the same.
"I knew the moment you walked into this kitchen. I want you to work here. How early can you begin?" He questions and leans back a little.
"I can start immediately." I smile. It feels like a rock has been lifted off my shoulders. "How did you decide so quickly? If I may ask sir."
"You immediately walked into the kitchen with no problems and were able to navigate with ease." He looks around the kitchen. "People that worked for me for weeks could not even find the kitchen." We spend the next few minutes finishing up our tea together. "Do you know how to cook?"
"A little. It is not my specialty though sir." I admit and clean the dishes.
"I will be looking for a chef in a week or so. I currently do not have any more workers here. You will be working non stop for a while." He stands up and walks up next to me.
"That is alright sir." I say with a smile and turn to him. "Thank you so much for this. I need to let my mentor know to go back." I almost forgot that he is still outside. Mark nods and follows me as I walk back to the front entrance and back outside to the car. Ian opens the door as I tell him that I have the job.
"That is great Alex. I told you not to worry." He pulls me into a hug. I hug him back. Something feels different. Ian does not seem to want to let me go. "Just be careful okay Alex." I nod and can feel Mark watching us from the doorway even though my back is to him. Ian presses his lips to my forehead and slowly lets me go. "And don't forget about me."
"I will be fine. You always worry too much. And I could never forget you." I walk back to Mark and wave as Ian leaves.
"I will give you a tour of the house now. Then I will let you look at the uniform I have," he pauses as we walk back inside, "Alex." I jump slightly and glance at him as he says my other name. "Is it alright to call you that? I heard your friend call you that."
"Y-yes sir. Although none of my masters have called me that before. They say it is too masculine. Usually only the children do." I look down at my hands.
"Well I like the name. It suits you." I see another light smile cross his lips.
We spend the next hour walking around the giant house. The upstairs portion is where his bedroom and guest rooms are. He also has his study up there as well. Turns out he is an actor so he mainly stays home until he can get another role. The downstairs is where the living room is and a beautiful fireplace. Outside there is a pool and a stone hot tub. Even farther down the path is what looks like a golf course. Back inside he shows me the wine cellar and where the servant quarters are. He leads me to where I will be staying.
"I am sorry it is not that large." Mark begins but I hold up my hand.
"It is more than enough. Thank you." I smile and touch the small bed in the corner. He leaves for a minute and comes back with a black and white dress.
"I hope this fits alright." I take the dress from him and hold it up against me.
"It looks like it will. Thank you." I look it over as he walks outside to let me try it on. It fits perfectly as if it was made for me. I look around the room and see a small wardrobe. I open the wardrobe and there is a black butler suit hanging from the hanger. I change back into the simple white dress and pull out the suit gently. I wish I could wear this…
"You can wear that if you want to." Mark's voice comes from behind me. I jump and turn to face him. He is changed out of his red robe. He is wearing a black shirt and blue pants. He also has dark rimmed glasses.
"S-sir. I cannot." I hold out the hanger to him and he shakes his head. Gently pushing it back to me he adds,
"No. I want you to be comfortable." He says with a kind and calm voice. All signs of his previous predicament are gone.
"Th-thank you so much sir. No one has ever let me wear a butler uniform." I set it down on the bed and feel a sharp pain in my side. I press my hand gently where the pain is coming from.
"Are you alright Alex?" The concern in his voice makes me question why people leave this place.
"Just an old injury. It is still healing. I will be fine." I look over at him. There is concern in his eyes. "No need to worry."
"Okay… if you are sure." I nod and sit down on the bed. "Take the rest of the day off and get settled in. I have some old friends coming over. All I ask is that you stay hidden."
"I will sir. Thank you again. Thank you for everything." I gently touch the suit that is beside me. "Are you sure it is okay?" I question and look back at him.
"Of course. I know it is hard to play a role that you do not want to."
"But it is… it is different. Other people call it unnatural…" I trail off remembering what old bosses would yell at me. I close my eyes and shake my head to get rid of the yelling. His hand appears on my shoulder and I open my eyes.
"If everyone was the same then the world would be a dull place. The main two things I want you to do is be honest to me and be honest to yourself." He sits down beside me. "I know what it is like to be different…" He trails off as well.
We sit there together in silence for a few minutes.
Be honest with myself…
"I need to get going. My friends should be here shortly." Mark stands up and brushes his pants off with his hands. He walks to the doorway and stops. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable here. If there is anything you want or need you let me know." He keeps walking. I hear his footsteps walk up the stairs.
This is going to be a good place to work. I can finally do what I want. Even if I do not understand it… I lay down on the bed and close my eyes. I find myself drifting off to sleep within a few minutes.
"You seem to be in a good mood Mark. Is everything okay?" A male voice fills my ears. It is a smooth and beautiful voice. I sit up in bed and look around the room. It is dark and no one is there.
Maybe sound travels easily through the house. I think that might be his friend. I stay laying on the bed and look up at the ceiling.
"Yes. I noticed that as well. Are you seeing someone?" Another male voice questions. This one is a little higher pitched and has a strange accent to it.
"No no. It is not like that…" Mark begins. He sounds almost flustered.
"Then what is it that has gotten you in this mood? We have not seen you like this for months." The first voice says. He sounds beautiful. There is a long pause. The light sound of poker chips clattering against each other rings out.
"I have a new worker here. They seem to be a good fit." My heart skips a beat at the sound of the word they. "I am just happy to finally have someone who might be able to stay."
"Well where are they?" The second male voice asks.
"Yes. I would like to meet them." The first voice adds.
What is this feeling? Why am I so happy?
"I just hired them today. I am letting them rest. Plus…" Mark pauses as if in thought. "I think they were abused by their previous boss. I saw a lot of faint bruises on them."
"That is terrible… why would someone do that?" The beautiful voice questions. The concern in his voice makes my heart skip a beat.
"I do not know. I would never hurt them." They keep talking but it is harder to hear them now.
This is going to be an interesting new life. I close my eyes again and feel myself drifting off again.
Thank you for reading this shorter story. If this is the first time you are reading about Alex go check out "A Maids Tale". Their story is not over.