Chapter Five - Learning The House Rules
873 Words
Chapter 3: Learning the House Rules
Lila woke before sunrise.
For a few seconds, she stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, wondering where she was.
Then it came back to her.
The Hawthorne Estate.
Her new job.
Her new room.
Her new life.
She sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes before glancing at the digital clock on the nightstand.
5:42 a.m.
Old habits died hard.
Her mother had always believed mornings were meant to be productive.
"The day feels easier when you start before the world wakes up," she'd often say.
Lila smiled faintly at the memory before climbing out of bed.
She showered quickly, tied her hair into a neat ponytail, and changed into the navy uniform Claire had left folded on the chair the night before.
It fit perfectly.
Looking in the mirror, she barely recognized herself.
She looked... professional.
Not like the woman who had wandered into the café soaked by rain just a few days earlier.
She took one last deep breath before stepping into the hallway.
The mansion was almost silent.
Only the distant hum of the heating system and the ticking of an antique grandfather clock echoed through the house.
In the kitchen, she found Claire already making coffee.
"You really are an early riser," Claire said with a smile.
"I've always been."
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Claire handed her a mug.
"You'll need this."
Lila accepted it with a grateful smile.
"Thank you."
Claire spread several sheets of paper across the kitchen island.
"I know this looks overwhelming."
Lila's eyes widened.
The papers contained schedules, grocery lists, maintenance contacts, cleaning rotations, and notes for every room in the estate.
"This is... organized."
Claire laughed.
"My husband says it's excessive."
"I think it's impressive."
Claire pointed to the first page.
"You won't be doing everything alone. We have a groundskeeper who handles the gardens, a maintenance team that comes twice a week, and a chef who prepares dinner on weekdays."
"So I'm mostly responsible for the inside of the house?"
"Exactly."
Lila nodded.
She could do that.
"I'll also need you to help with errands from time to time."
"Of course."
Claire hesitated before adding, "And one more thing."
Lila looked up.
"My son."
Lila almost smiled.
"I had a feeling he was coming."
Claire sighed.
"Ethan isn't rude because he dislikes people."
"He doesn't?"
"No."
"Then why does he seem so..."
She searched for the right word.
"Distant?"
Claire nodded.
"He's been through more than most people know."
Lila lowered her eyes.
"So have I."
Claire reached across the counter and gently squeezed her hand.
"I know."
Neither woman said another word.
Some pain didn't need explanations.
---
By mid-morning, Lila had already finished organizing the breakfast dishes and dusting the downstairs library.
The library quickly became her favorite room.
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined every wall.
Sunlight streamed through massive windows overlooking the gardens.
She traced her fingers lightly across the spine of a classic novel.
"You can read them."
The unexpected voice made her jump.
She turned to find Ethan standing in the doorway.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I wasn't taking anything."
"I know."
He stepped farther into the room.
"My grandfather collected most of these."
"It's beautiful."
He glanced around.
"I suppose."
"You don't come in here often?"
"Not anymore."
She noticed the answer was short.
Final.
Like there was a story behind it.
She didn't ask.
Instead, she returned the book to the shelf.
"I like libraries."
Ethan leaned against the doorway.
"Why?"
"They're quiet."
He almost smiled.
"That's your reason?"
"They're one of the few places where nobody expects you to explain yourself."
For a second, Ethan simply looked at her.
Then he nodded once.
"I never thought about it that way."
It was the longest conversation they'd had.
And somehow...
It felt easy.
---
That afternoon, Lila was polishing the dining room table when she heard raised voices coming from William Hawthorne's office.
She hadn't meant to listen.
In fact, she immediately started walking away.
But one sentence stopped her.
"...I'm not taking over the New York project."
Ethan.
William answered, his tone firm.
"You've avoided it long enough."
"I said no."
"You don't get to keep saying no forever."
The office door opened.
Ethan stepped into the hallway, stopping abruptly when he noticed Lila standing several feet away.
Embarrassment flooded her face.
"I'm sorry."
"I wasn't trying to listen."
"I know."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
He looked tired.
Again.
"You don't have to apologize for hearing something that wasn't exactly quiet."
Lila gave a small, awkward nod.
"I'll... finish the dining room."
She started walking away.
"Lila."
She turned.
"Yes?"
He hesitated.
Then said quietly,
"Thank you for pretending you didn't hear anything."
She smiled gently.
"Everyone deserves privacy."
For the first time...
Ethan smiled back.
It was small.
Gone almost as quickly as it appeared.
But it was real.
And somehow, that tiny smile stayed with Lila for the rest of the day.
She had no idea that it was the first genuine smile Ethan Hawthorne had given anyone outside his family in months.
Nor did she realize that, little by little, she was beginning to change the atmosphere of the house itself.
- Writer
