Thread of Fate

Chapter 8

(Lilianne)

Covering my mouth, I yawned, the coldness of the air conditioner making me feel drowsier than when I woke up. I had half a mind to lie down on the soft leather chairs in the long limousine driven by Nobunaga. I'm not sure whether I would be annoyed or grateful. I'm probably annoyed because I was woken up and almost abducted first thing in the morning. I'm grateful for the fancy ride. As much as I can walk to the mansion, it's still a long way. I crossed my legs and rested my head on my hand, my elbow resting on the window sill, averting my gaze from the small bag with the maid outfit and shoes beside me.

"Nobunaga, would it be all right to know why I am being called so early in the morning?" I asked in a nonchalant tone.

"Danchou wants you to tend to him while he's ill." Nobunaga answered bluntly.

My eyebrow twitched in irritation and I muttered, "Spoiled brat."

"Hm?"

"Nothing. I said 'boiled rat'. It's a method of punishing thieves and criminals in a book I read." I lied, straight-faced.

"I see..." That was his only reply and there was nothing but silence and the cool air conditioning until we got to the mansion. Nobunaga drove through the gates and stopped in front of the massive house. Pakunoda was waiting for me so she opened the door for me and I went out with the bag in hand.

"Welcome. I see you haven't changed yet." Pakunoda gestured for me to follow her inside.

"Well, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing this outside the house. And last time I checked, girls in maid outfits attract creepy stalkers from the neighborhood." I walked behind Pakunoda. She led me to a bathroom where I changed to my frilly maid outfit. When I was done and went out of the bathroom, Pakunoda stood there and said, "I forgot, Danchou wanted to change your headdress to this for the time being."

She gave me frilly headdress with- "Cat ears?"

"Do you have any objections?" Crap. I feel like she's taunting me.

I quickly regained my composure and said, "No." with a pleasant smile and calmly changed my headdress.

"Now, please follow me to the kitchen." Pakunoda turned her back to be and started walking.

"K-Kitchen?" I was very surprised. "Don't you have a chef?"

"He's on leave because Danchou wanted to taste your cooking." Pakunoda looked at me with a poker face.

Crap crap crap...!

I stiffly followed Pakunoda to the kitchen. Upon entering, my eyes widened in awe. It was such a big kitchen, white walls lined with different cooking utensils and cupboards, an oven on one end of the room with a stove. It was well-kept and maintained.

This could very well be any chef's dream! ... But I'm not a chef.

"Well, then, I'll leave you to it." And Pakunoda walked away, leaving me alone in the big luxurious kitchen.

Awkwardly, I looked around. It's very unlike me. Usually, I would be confident in whatever I do, not even afraid to screw up, but this time, I'm actually nervous. I looked around for a recipe book, opening random cupboards a little hurriedly, somewhere between panic and keeping calm.

Recipe book, recipe book! Where are you?

After opening every single cupboard and looking at every possible corner, I sat on the ground in despair.

This is so not like me... And I should have asked Jonah to teach me at least a simple dish!

Then it hit me. Jonah. I hurried to my bag on the counter and got my cellphone. It's only 7:00 in the morning but I have no choice but to wake him up. I dialed his number and anxiously listened to the ringing of his phone.

"Hello?" He picked up, his voice a little groggy.

"Jonah? It's me."

"Oujo-sama!" He perked up instantly.

"Can you tell me how to make a simple rice porridge at least?" I asked sweetly.

"Ah, if you want, I can go to your house now! Though, what for?"

"Oh, I don't need you to come over! Just tell me through the phone. Mom just asked me to cook for her for once. You know, you've always been cooking for us so... Ehehe..." I hoped to have sounded like my usual self.

"I see. Well, first off, how many people will eat? If there's only one, the measurements should be ..." And Jonah instructed me while I cooked, the phone kept between my shoulder and ear. My handling of the utensils were a little awkward, getting my apron stained, even cracking an egg was hard. Damn. Something's definitely wrong with me. My right eye twitched in annoyance as I unsuccessfully broke another egg in a small bowl .

"Jonah, is there no alternative? I think I'll need to practice later on." My voice was calm but inside, I'm slowly starting to panic and mope at my own disability.

"Well, you can just boil an egg." Jonah answered matter-of-factly.

"Gods, why didn't you mention that earlier?" I was a little irritated at him now.

"Ehehe... Sorry about that, oujo-sama. I just didn't think that you would have a hard time cracking an egg."

... If I didn't need you badly right now, I would have considered you dead, Jonathan Fidelis!

I gave out a sigh to relieve a little of my frustration. "So how do I start?"

"Boil some water first, then gently drop the egg in." Jonah instructed.

"Right, got it." I placed a small, water-filled sauce-pan on the stove. " Thanks a lot for your help, Jonah!"

"Sure, anytime, oujo-sama!"

I quickly rinsed my sticky hands in the nearby faucet, then wiped them on my apron. "It's really messy." I muttered. Seeing the faint smoke coming from the sauce-pan, I took an egg with my right hand and carefully positioning my hand on top of the pan, I was slightly surprised by the heat. Thinking it was fine, I let go of the egg. There was a small splash and some drops of hot water burned my hand.

"Ugh!" I winced and proceeded to the faucet to soak my hand in cold water.

Just then, the door opened. "Ms. Rosette? Are you all right?" It was Pakunoda.

"Yes, almost done." I answered, and Pakunoda looked at the mess then at me. I smiled at her sheepishly.

"Your phone." She pointed out.

"Oh, I called someone. I'm sorry."

"It's still on." Pakunoda's words surprised me. I took my phone and yeah, the call hasn't ended yet.

"Hello? Jonah?" I called but there was no one on the other line. "Jonah? Are you ok?"

"... Oujo-sama, where are you now?" His voice sounded horrified, angry and anxious at the same time.

It's time to tighten the leash. I thought as I bit my lower lip.

"Nowhere. We can talk about this later but right now, you need not be concerned." I answered in my icy tone and ended the call. As I put my phone away, I felt a pang of guilt and frustration well up in me. Was I too harsh? Jonah helped me prepare food for the obnoxious and arrogant Vice President without knowing. If he were to find out where I work, he'll surely flip. A few more minutes later, I put out the flame and drained the water from the saucepan. The small burn marks at the back of my hand weren't noticeable but they throbbed. I peeled off the shell from the egg and then sliced it in half. Finally, I poured the rice porridge into an expensive-looking and intricately designed ceramic bowl and put in the sliced boiled eggs.

I placed the bowl on a tray and then prepared some herbal tea in another expensive-looking tea set. It was a white ceramic tea set with intricately designed blue roses outlined with gold. After properly organizing all the eating utensils and the food, I wiped my forehead with my arm and gave a relieved sigh.

"Now to take it to Chrollo." I picked up the tray and headed out of the kitchen, pushing the door open with my hip and walking to the direction of the staircase. On the way to Chrollo's room , you can feel the air of luxury and most people would be in awe but I felt pity because in this massive, luxurious house is a sense of emptiness. After climbing the stairs, a wheeled serving tray stood waiting for me. I placed the tray on top and continued walking to Chrollo's room, encountering the usual twists and turns. It wasn't long before I was in front of the cream-colored French doors. The two guards, Uvogin and Bonolenov, stood aside and opened the doors for me and eyed me as I nodded to them and pushed the tray in. Chrollo looked at me as I went in. He was sitting up on his bed, looking better than yesterday but not completely recovered yet. He seems to have difficulty in sleeping because of the dark circles under his eyes. It doesn't at all look good with his pale complexion.

"Good morning, Master." I smiled sweetly at him as I stood, and poured him a cup of tea. I handed him the cup and said, "You're up quite early for a weekend."

"I couldn't help it. It was very difficult for me to sleep last night." He took a small sip and after a pause, smiled and said, "Not bad."

"Thank you." I nodded and took the bowl of porridge.

"Lilianne." He called.

"Yes?" I faced him and he patted the space beside him, a small joking smile on his face. "I see. As the master wishes."

I saw a hint of surprise on his face as I took my seat beside him. He certainly didn't expect me to comply so easily. With the silver spoon, I took an average amount of porridge and slightly blew on it for it to cool. "Now then, Master, say 'aaaah'!"

(Chrollo)

I watched in surprise as Lilianne Rosette, my maid on the weekends, gently blew on the rice porridge with her thin pink lips. My gaze focused on her glossy lips and my suddenly skipped a beat. Her mere presence by my side gives me a light and fuzzy feeling, especially in my chest. And now she's doting on me... with the cat-eared headdress I bought!

"Now then, Master, say 'aaaah'!" Lilianne cutely said, her one hand holding the spoon while the other is holding the bowl, and unconsciously, my lips parted on their own. She put the spoon in my mouth and suddenly my senses went haywire. I didn't know where to focus, the taste of the food, Lilianne's sweet change of heart, or Lilianne!

What's going on with me? I thought when Lilianne withdrew the spoon. And Lilianne too! It's so uncharacteristic of her!

"So how is it?" She asked.

"Oh, it tastes great!" I complimented. It truly did. I made the right decision to make her do the cooking.

"Really? I'm glad!" Lilianne looked really happy and her aura felt so sweet and warm.

So... cute! I felt the blood rush up my cheeks.

"Oh! Master, there's some porridge on your cheek." She took a napkin from the tray and gently wiped my red cheek. At that instant, I went deaf, my mind went blank, and my heart stopped beating. I completely went stiff.

"Master? Are you all right?" I suddenly felt her hand on my forehead, which made me jolt. "Your face is very red."

"I-I'm fine! I just need some fresh air." I said, lying. I don't feel fine at all. I feel a lot worse. I feel dizzy and I can't think straight. My chest feels tight for some reason.

"Well, then, I'll open the window." She got off the bed. Dull foot taps can be heard as she walked towards the window. She drew the curtains and opened the glass window. The warm sunlight shone on Lilianne's figure. Her silver-blonde hair, and fair complexion, adding the sweet smile on her face, made her sparkle. "How's that, master?"

I was entranced. But more importantly, it didn't take long for a warm liquid to trickle down my nose.

Crap! I looked at the napkin I used to wipe what I thought was sweat under my nose which turned out to be blood.

"Ah! Master! You're nose is bleeding!" Lilianne exclaimed and ran over to me. Her hands were about to make contact with my wrist when I moved back. I might die of blood loss if she ends up touching me.

"Ah, no! Please call Pakunoda." I said, laughing nervously.

"Oh, yes, sir." And Lilianne hurriedly left the room.

Almost in no time did Pakunoda arrive with a first aid kit. She took a good look on my condition and turned to Lilianne.

"You may leave us for now, Ms. Rosette. I'll have you called when this has been dealt with." Pakunoda told her then returned her gaze to me and started treating my nosebleed.

Lilianne left without a word.

(Lilianne)

The doors closed behind me as I left the room. "I'll be cleaning in the kitchen." I told Uvogin and walked off. As my dull footsteps echoed in the empty halls, I couldn't help but feel slightly upset.

Did he think I couldn't handle a nosebleed? Do I look that incompetent? And after all that trouble of waking Jonah just to be able to cook properly for him... or showing him how sweet I can be.

I stopped in my tracks, eyes wide at the realization of my own thoughts. I shook my head rigorously.

"I sounded like some unappreciated girlfriend for a moment there." I rubbed my temples as the word 'girlfriend' bothered me even more. "It's his fault for being an idiot." I muttered.

That liar. Give the mansion a call to pick him up, huh? Yeah, right! You went home dripping wet, you bastard.

My thoughts were filled by him for some reason and I was irritated by it. I was irritated at how a simple thing such as what happened earlier at his room could get to me and make me feel like this.

"Gods I hate him." I muttered as I pulled open the door to the kitchen. "Well, time to work and forget about it. Emotions like these will only get in the way of my job."

And I set out to clean all the mess I made all because I wanted to prepare a proper meal for my sick 'master'.

(Chrollo)

"There. All done, Danchou." Pakunoda finished and I held a tissue up my nose.

"Mm... Thank you, Paku." I said and finally removed the tissue. No more blood was running down like earlier.

"What happened, Danchou? This is the first time your nose bled since you got sick. Did Ms. Rosette do something?" Pakunoda stood, eyes ready to pick up any sign of the truth.

"Well... Nothing really." I averted my eyes from her.

"I see." I feel like she figured out already. "Well, now that you're nose is fine, you should finish your breakfast. It seems Ms. Rosette went to great lengths to prepare it properly for you." Pakunoda glanced at the almost untouched bowl of porridge on the tray.

"Eh?" I looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean, Paku?"

"Hmm... I wonder," Pakunoda went to the door and said something to Uvogin which caused him to leave. "I get a feeling there's something being ignored which needs immediately attention." she said when she came back.

Before long, Uvogin came back with Lilianne whose apron was soaked and whose hair was finally tied up to a high ponytail. "You called for me, Pakunoda?" She asked as she went in.

I eyed her fully this time and I finally noticed it.

"Your hand." Pakunoda pointed out.

"Eh?" It's like Lilianne only noticed it now. She looked at her hand whose burns had started to swell. "It's ok. They don't hurt much. It's only a first degree burn."

"Right," Pakunoda obviously doesn't believe her. "Let's apply some ointment anyway." Pakunoda took a small cylindrical case. A sweet scent and refreshing scent filled my nose the moment she opened it. She took Lilianne's injured hand and applied the ointment. "It's a pity it might mess up your beautiful birthmark a little."

"It's fine." Lilianne smiled slightly. "The cream feels very cool."

"mm..." Was all Pakunoda uttered. After the application, she left the room and the first aid kit.

An awkward silence filled the room.

"Um-" Before I could properly say anything, Lilianne spoke up.

"Will you finish your breakfast?" Her voice sounded so professional and icy that I was dumbstruck. I could only nod. "I see. Well then, I shall proceed to my other duties. Please make sure to take plenty of rest. It would be troublesome if you were to be absent again on Monday."

And with that, she left, leaving me completely puzzled. The last thing I heard was the clicking of the door and the room suddenly felt so lonely and empty. I let out a heavy sigh. I feel tired all of a sudden. I looked at the unfinished food beside my bed. Then after a moment, I took the bowl and started eating. It was really good, especially when you eat it with the boiled egg. It's not delicious because of how it exactly tastes. It's good really but there's some other ingredient that beautifully complements the simple dish. I decided that I will just ask Lilianne later after I take a nap. So after drinking some tea, I lied down the soft messy bed and slowly, I fell asleep... with sweet dreams.