My Mysterious Love For him

CHAPTER-3

ADAM:

“Adam, you’re asked to meet Mrs. Richard in the dining hall,”

I

turn in the direction of Jass’ voice one of the kitchen helps, frowning at the order. Nevertheless I thank her for informing. Placing the plate on the counter that I was selecting for the appetizers for tomorrow’s luncheon. I move out of the kitchen pondering why she’d call my presence.

I hope it isn’t for another change for the event, since two days she’d barge in between and demand for arrangements to be changed just because she felt it to be. The entire staff’s patience was seriously being tested as we have to begin over and over.

Reaching the hall, I take a quick breath seeing the Richard couple were together muttering to themselves about god knows what. Mrs. Richard halts whatever she was about to say noticing me, her eyes squint showing her obvious dislike for me. Mr. Richard doesn’t even spare me a glance. I’d rather prefer his way to be treated than his wife’s.

They simply bear my presence around their home because of Sora’s fondness for me otherwise I’d have been kicked out the day when I was repeatedly considered her immediate family by her peers or teachers or anyone in general.

Our easy going interaction was misunderstood that’d be seen only between family members. Well, it wouldn’t have been the case if her parents didn’t miss on every important occasion of her life, opting for their long business trips or vacations.

A child needs a parental guidance in their growing years, something her parents consciously ignored. Still they like to blame me for her isolated behavior for them.

“Hopefully the arrangements are going well in spite of all the tardiness. I’d be personally checking them in few hours. Anyways,”

She doesn’t allow me to respond, jerking her chin at another employee who was standing behind. My brows crinkle in confusion as he rolls a small trolley holding a wine bottle in the coolant.

“This- she stretches her palm in its direction, “is the most expensive wine- Château Lynch-Bages. You are in charge of serving it for the guests tomorrow. Remember, this speaks our nobility so Not. A. Single. Mistake. Otherwise you’d be held for the consequences,” she clasps her manicured hands sporting a faux smile.

I internally gulp trying to keep my nervousness from my face. The task was not something unfamiliar. I have done it hundreds of times earlier, then why does my stomach flips in uneasiness?

*****

“Careful with the vase, Jasmine!” I exclaim eyeing in either direction, analyzing each task.

The luncheon was decided to be organized in the garden, the location was shifted third time by Mrs. Richard. Everyone was scowling at her retreating back when she ordered us and left. I can’t blame them, it was truly tiring to be on toes constantly, barely getting time to even have meals for the day.

I suck it up merely for Sora’s happiness, she mentioned it was rare that Marcus's entire family would be attending together. Apparently it’d be her first time to meet his elder siblings, strange. Though I kept my thoughts to myself, she was already jumpy since morning to be on her best behavior.

The girl easily gets worked up. 'As if you won’t,' my conscious mind mocked me.

I brushed it off walking back to the kitchen to see the preparations. It was chaotic to say the least. The maids almost running into me, I scooted away from their way. Delicious aroma of tender cooked meat, herbs wafted the air. My stomach grumbled reminding me, I should eat something. I sighed, creeping my hand to the basket of freshly baked garlic bread on the counter, snatching a small piece.

A harsh slap of hot spatula jerked my hand, a painful wince escaped my lips and the bread dropped on the floor. I glanced at Macy, one of the head cook glaring at me.

“You should know better than to steal Adam. You have spent decade working for this family yet your acts are shameful,” she clicks her tongue saying the words louder for rest of the staff to hear.

Macy, as bad as it sounds was leashed dog of Richards always going out of her ways to impress them. Everyone in the staff dislike her, it was evident as instead of frowning questionably at me they scowl at her.

I discreetly tuck my burnt hand back not allowing her to feel satisfied of the mark she’d left.

“You don’t get to speak with me over just a piece of bread which by the way the staff was permitted to have their share. Better concentrate on the curry before it’d be charred in the pot,”

She instantly attends the stove frantically trying to save the dish. I wave in general direction asking the peers to continue their tasks. Twisting the knob in the sink, I place my hand under the sprinkling cool water, heavily sighing as it’d definitely leave a mark.

I don’t have spare time to attend the wound, I could only hope it won’t be visible while serving wine to the guest.

The impending moment rolls in, the clatter of cutlery bypasses around, sound of several rushing feet going back and forth in every needed direction. I met Sora only for brief minutes as we were both preoccupied, she was looking beautiful in her lavender color dress with decent makeup.

Right now, I was angling the pricey bottle in the bucket of cold ice, fingers clutching the handle and gently pushing it outside. It was to be served with the appetizers, so I was the only one of the staff to be prancing around the main table or waiting in the corner to be called.

The murmuring with exchange of laughter filled the air along with warm sunrays of early winter. I swallowed my nerves, wishing my greetings with a practiced smile serving the guests one by one. I hesitantly glanced at the new faces as I have already seen Sora’s parent in laws, of course Marcus as well.

"Ah, Addy!!” Sora almost yells, heads sharply turned in her direction. I mentally face palm myself, so much for elegance.

She turns pink mumbling her apology to the elders on the table, her mother pin me with a glare obviously blaming me for her abruptness. I give an apologetic look, trudging to stand beside Sora’s chair.

I smile seeing Marcus’ hand grasping hers under the table offering reassurance and not reprimanding her. It must have looked as a simple mistake but not for these elites, they painfully put in efforts to perfect their image in every tiniest of occasions.

I can’t think in my dreams to live such hectic life even for a single day.

“Good afternoon Adam,” Marcus greeted me with a subtle smile.

I shifted on my feet awkwardly not used to be addressed so formally by someone. I cleared my throat returning his greetings, filling their glasses with the dark cherry colored drink. The sweet yet strong smell was truly tempting but it’d take months of my payment to even afford to taste few drops of it.

“You know, I’d have been jealous as my fiancé could not stop herself from talking about you constantly,” He teasingly squint his eyes at her.

Sora tilts her head high, “So what, he is my favorite,”

“But I’m your most favorite,” Marcus kisses her cheek making her playfully hit him.

“C’mon Marco you can’t be jealous over a maid here,” A shrill chuckle from front snaps my attention.

She meets my eyes, her expression twist, “And what is that patch on your face? It’s scary,”

I haven’t seen her before so it indicated she was Marcus’ sister from the comfortable way she interacted with him. Her blue eyes similar to him was giveaway though his eyes reminded of calm waters but her perfect features, the over confident gaze would make anyone weary in her presence. Her neatly manicured red painted nails clink on the glass, taking a deep breath I oblige by serving her wine.

I only notice now, there was another empty seat, must be waiting for their elder brother. ‘Another douche to be bared for the day.’ Sora opens her mouth to counter her statement, I shook my head stopping her.

It wasn’t like something new, I was used to these ill- treatments. Marcus whispers something in his native language to his sister, I don’t stick around anymore than needed.

Everything was going well yet there was awkward gazes shared between the families, everyone was waiting for De Luca’s elder son to join them. He must be someone important as no one was daring to touch the main course until he showed up.

I wonder what was taking him long or it was the common annoying trait to leave everyone waiting just to make his grand entry. The bright rays trickle my skin, I better don’t sweat too much as I’m wearing a white shirt. My soles were beginning to itch in the new formal shoes, I have to wear for today.

Wrapped in my own thoughts, the repeated call of my name skip my attention. It takes someone to nudge my shoulder. I come out of my reverie scrambling to refill Mr. Du Lucas’ wine glass. In the haste, I trip on my feet, everything happens in slow motion as the bottle slips from my hands, I gasp expecting a bad fall on the ground.

Instead, an unfamiliar touch of two strong arms wound around my waist holding me in place.

Absolute silence scatter, only now do I realize my eyes are tightly shut in fear. It takes me several seconds to summon courage to open my eyes though the moment it lands on the man few inches from my face, my breath gets clogged in my throat.

'What a sight he was…'

Grey eyes with speckles of blue are staring down at me with unknown emotion, completely deluding my senses from the track. I bashfully take in his features. Nicely trimmed brows are pinched like in concentration, in the middle they’re grazed subtly, I haven’t ever seen such edged jawline, a matt of scruff magnifying his manliness.

Slightly crooked nose, further swiping my gaze down to pair of mildly chapped, yet luscious lips. A series of small breath from them fan on my cheeks making my skin tint in warmness. His hair is in buzz cut, my fingers would have to hold tightly to feel their texture. The unsettling thought widens my eyes, I flash my glance to his, afraid, if he’d hear my thoughts.

Or my heartbeat clashing across my chest with unbeknownst sensations.

A shriek cut through whatever trance I was stuck in, I try to peel myself from this exotic man. But he tightens his grip on my body, the action making me frenzy with swam of tingles. Pleasant, warm yet dangerous.

He seems to take entire time in the world to release my body, I immediately create distance from him.

“What the hell have you done, Adam!!!?” Mrs. Richard exclaims, her fury eyes ready to burn me.

I avert my eyes to the direction everyone seems to be gazing in disbelief, a loud gasp escapes from me. I slap a hand on my mouth at the shattered pieces of Château Lynch-Bages bottle, uselessly lying on the ground.

'Oh darn it!' I shift my gaze to the man internally mumbling, ‘You could have saved the bottle not me.’

I’d surely be paying for the consequences. ‘Why do rich people have such expensive drinks?’