Thread of Fate
Chapter 9
(Jonah)
Oujo-sama's cold words pierced my ears, down to my heart.
How can I not be concerned? She's with Chrollo! Even worse, in his house! ... And the recipe for rice porridge... SHE'S COOKING FOR HIM?! But oujo-sama can't cook!
I suddenly remembered about Chrollo not being in class because he's sick. But for oujo-sama to be the one taking care of him... I shook my head violently, struggling to expel the image of Lilianne oujo-sama in a maid outfit and feeding Chrollo. Only I know of oujo-sama's sweet side. We're childhood friends after all!
A huge part of me wanted to call back but I don't want her getting mad as she already was. I decided to calm down and take a deep breath.
"Oujo-sama will be able to handle it." I reassured myself. "Probably."
I went to the kitchen to fix myself and auntie a meal. Since my parents were away working abroad, I would manage things on my own but oujo-sama's mother, auntie Maria, would always come over and invite me to eat with her and her daughter, oujo-sama. It's thanks to her that I met Lilianne oujo-sama. It's because of her that I decided to be competent in everything, especially the household chores since oujo-sama doesn't have the talent for it, especially cooking. I whipped up a simple breakfast and went to the other house so auntie will have someone to eat with.
Using the spare key, I entered the house carrying a tray with two plates; one decorated with fried eggs, bacon and fried rice; the other with mostly vegetables and sliced fruits.
"Auntie?" I looked around and thought that she's probably still asleep so I went to the kitchen and prepared the breakfast there. Then, I went to auntie's room. Taking a small peek, I saw that auntie was just waking up. It was already past 8:30 after all. When she noticed me, she gave a small smile and I walked in and said, "Breakfast is ready, auntie Maria."
"Good morning, Jonah." She stretched and smiled so gently at me. It saddens me to see her in this state. Auntie is such a kind woman, too kind and wonderful to deserve this.
"Good morning." I greeted back. "Oujo-sama is out. Didn't she say good bye to you?"
Auntie shook her head. "She's always out on the weekends and she comes home before dark anyway so it's fine. I'm sure Lilianne takes good care of herself."
I smiled back at her. "Yeah... You're right. Shall I bring your food here?"
"No, we can eat breakfast in the kitchen."
I assisted auntie to the kitchen, feeling her fragile and thin frame which always upsets oujo-sama and me. We ate breakfast while chatting. I told her about the school, how well Lilianne is doing and pretty much everything that is positive.
"Well then, how does Lilianne put up with the bullying?" She asked, tipping her head to the side.
She completely expected it! I scratched my head and laughed sheepishly.
"I know that my daughter has the tendency to get bullied often. She catches attention the way a candle flame attracts butterflies." She said, eating a lettuce.
"Don't you mean 'moths', auntie?"
She shook her head and swallowed. "Butterflies. But yes, she also attracts moths... very hideous ones at that."
Sometimes I wonder if auntie truly worries about oujo-sama.
It was past lunch time and auntie went to her room to nap. The very moment I was left alone, my earlier worries came flooding back and a strong urge to see her and ensure her safety possessed me.
"But... where does Chrollo live?" I muttered, thinking. As the Student Council President, I should have a copy of my class's directory so I immediately went home and checked all the files in my room. "Bingo!"
I took out the folder containing the my class, 3-A, and went straight to the surnames starting with M.
"Morningstar... Morningstar... Aha!" I exclaimed and traced my finger across the parchment. "This address... It's a bit of a long walk from here." The direction is completely opposite of ours. I gave out a small sigh. "Well then, I should get changed and get going."
After changing to casual clothes— a plain sky blue shirt with a long soft black vest, and fitting blue jeans, and a pair of black sneakers—I started my long walk to Chrollo's house.
(Lilianne)
I was half-reading and half-organizing the books in the Morningstar mansion's library when Franklin arrived, saying that Pakunoda was calling for me.
I nodded. "Yes, I'll be right there."
"In the living room. You seem to have a guest." His last statement was what surprised me. No one knows that I work for Chrollo... except for one person that is.
I just nodded. "I got it. Thank you, Franklin."
Returning the book to the shelf, I quietly walked and made my way to the living room. I opened the door and saw Jonah sitting on one of the sofas and Pakunoda sitting next to him.
"Excuse me." I said and went in. Jonah's eyes widened upon seeing me. I couldn't blame him. No one expect me to wear a maid outfit, with cat ears to boot.
"Ah, you're finally here, Ms. Rosette. Our guest here, Mr. Jonathan Fidelis, wishes to see you." Pakunoda stood up and, before passing by the door, nodded to me, as though to say 'you can handle this'. I just blinked back at her, then turned my attention to the red-faced young man in front of me.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fidelis." I bowed.
"Ah! Oujo-sama, you don't need to be so formal. You can just call me 'Jonah'." He stood up and scratched the back of his head, and laughed lightheartedly.
"Right then. Since you have given me permission, what are you doing here, Jonah?" My icy voice filled the room, showing the frustration beneath my cool and stoic expression.
Jonah immediately turned serious. "Oujo-sama... I just needed to reassure your safety."
"Master Chrollo will not hurt me."
"'Master'? That's what you call him?"
"I work for him."
Jonah was more surprised. "W-what do you mean?"
"He's my employer, Jonah. I work for him as a housekeeper on the weekends." I explained coolly.
Jonah just stared at me, dumbfounded. I sighed. "Take a seat."
He did so and I sat on the couch opposite. "During the second week of the month, Chrollo approached me and offered me a job. I don't know how but he found out that I was looking for one. So here I am."
"Why did you accept?" His lips pursed tightly.
"I had no choice. You know that. This job is almost perfect. I am not mistreated, my salary is more than enough, and even the work isn't so hard." I looked at Jonah, my serious expression piercing his eyes.
"But..." He bit his lower lip, obviously upset. "Why didn't you tell me?"
I sat back on the sofa, my back leaning on the soft yet firm cushion. "Look at how you are now. The moment you realize that Chrollo is the one who offered me that job, you'll press upon me to reject it, hands down."
I hit the nail on the head. Even Jonah couldn't deny it. Then just when things were finally settling down, Jonah, sharp as ever, saw the small burns on my right hand.
"O-oujo... sama..." He stood up, very shaken, his blue eyes glued to the stained birthmark. He slowly approached me and then knelt, taking my right hand gently. "These burns..."
"They're only of first degree. Don't overreact." I said but in truth, even I feel a little upset at my rose birthmark getting a little ruined. Somehow, it feels as though my bond with Jonah was founded on this rose-shaped birthmark.
"No... You got this when you just dropped the egg in the water, didn't you? It's all my fault. I failed." He kissed my fingers in deep regret.
(Jonah)
"Hey... Your instructions were fine, Jonah. Like I said, stop overreacting. There was no one to cook for Chrollo anyway so..."
"So you took up the task?! Oujo-sama, why didn't you tell him that you didn't know how to cook?!" I was shocked by own outburst. I never yelled at Lilianne oujo-sama before. It was shocking for the both of us.
"I realize that now so I'm sorry." We both turned to the voice. My body stiffened in anger.
"Chrollo!" I stood up and glared at him. "This is all your fault! How can you have her cook?!" I stormed at him and grabbed the collar of his robe harshly, my blue eyes meeting with his gray ones. "You stalk oujo-sama to the point that you even knew that she needed a job but you didn't know she can't cook?! I wouldn't have minded her calling me for instructions if it was for her mother but of all the people she was doing it for, it had to be YOU! She got hurt because of you!"
"Jonah!" Oujo-sama's voice echoed in the living room and it cleared my head, making me let go of Chrollo. She stood between me and him. "I will not have this. I told you that I need this job. I accepted it and therefore I allowed myself to get hurt and it is to be my responsibility. Master Chrollo has nothing to do with this. It is my duty as his maid and housekeeper to complete the tasks assigned to me."
Her tone was so cold. It felt like being soaked in cold water, waking you up to the reality. She turned to Chrollo and said to him, "Master Chrollo, you should be resting or taking a nap. I will not have you going round and about in your state. Rest and make sure you are able to attend classes on Monday."
Her tone towards Chrollo was the same with mine, cold. I'm not sure if something else happened, but it makes me feel a little better.
"I still have other tasks to attend to." Oujo-sama faced me and said, "Do you have anything else you need, Jonah?"
"Well..." I tipped my head to the side. "Can I help you?"
"Pardon?" She raised a silver-blonde eyebrow at me.
"I want to help you complete your tasks, even just for today. Your hand... The burns are not swollen anymore but they hurt, don't they?" She looked at her hand, then at me.
"Sometimes... but it's not something I can't manage." Oujo-sama answered, typically.
What's unusual was Chrollo saying, "Go on ahead. Help her out."
We both turned to him in surprise. "Just for today." He added and left us. "I'll be resting now."
The tension in the room completely dispersed as oujo-sama and I looked at each other. At the same time, we laughed.
"To be so worried." She shook her head, smiling. "Well, thanks for coming, Jonah." She then gave me a sweet smile and I couldn't help but smile back.
"You're welcome, oujo-sama. Always..." I replied and then said, "Well then, where do we begin?"
