AN UNEXPECTED CONFESSION
982 Words
The morning sun bathed the Kingsley Mansion in a warm golden glow.The mansion was unusually lively.
Every maid hurried from one corner of the house to another, carrying buckets, cleaning supplies and freshly washed curtains. It was the mansion's monthly deep-cleaning day. Bella stood in the center of the hallway with a clipboard in one hand and a feather duster in the other.
"Okay, everyone!" she announced. "The east wing first. Maria, you're handling the guest rooms. Sarah, take care of the study. I'll clean the bedrooms upstairs". The maids dispersed immediately.
Elara, who had just finished watering Mrs. Victoria's flowers in the garden, walked inside and noticed Bella rubbing her forehead tiredly.
"You look exhausted."
Bella sighed dramatically. "I am."
Elara laughed. "That bad?"
Bella held up her clipboard. "I still have four bedrooms, the library and the family lounge."
Elara's eyes widened."You're cleaning all those alone?"
"The others already have their own sections."
She sighed again."I'll survive."
Elara smiled softly "No, you won't."
Bella looked at her "What?"
"I'll help you."
Bella blinked "Lara...You don't have to."
"I know." Elara smiled."But I want to."
Bella's expression softened."You really are too kind."
She looked down at the clipboard."Alright....You can help me with one room."
"Which one?"
Bella pointed down the hallway. "Mr. Liam's room He's probably downstairs with Aunt Victoria anyway."
Elara nodded. "Okay."
Bella handed her a basket filled with cleaning supplies."Just dust everything and change the bedsheets Leave the windows for me."
Elara smiled. "No I will do all ."
A few minutes later...
Elara gently pushed Liam's bedroom door open. Liam's room felt warm and welcoming.The walls were painted a soft grey, with shelves filled with books, football trophies and framed family photographs.
A guitar rested neatly beside the window.She smiled "This really suits him."
She tied her hair into a tighter ponytail before getting to work.
She dusted the bookshelves.Folded the blankets.Wiped down the bedside table.Then she carefully removed the old bedsheets. Just as she spread the fresh ones.
The bedroom door opened.Elara turned quickly.
Liam stood there holding a bottle of water and his car keys.He looked surprised.
"Lara?"
She smiled politely. "Good morning."
"Morning." He looked around the room."What are you doing?"
"I'm helping Bella clean."
He frowned slightly "Why?"
"She had too many rooms today So I volunteered."
Liam chuckled. "You're helping the maid?"
Elara nodded "I don't mind Besides...Bella has been so kind to me I wanted to return the favor."
Liam smiled warmly "You're a really good person."
Elara felt slightly embarrassed. "I'm just helping."
He leaned against the doorframe, watching her continue making the bed.
"You know...I've never seen anyone volunteer to clean a mansion before."
She laughed "There's a first time for everything."
Liam laughed with her.
"I suppose so."
After a moment, he asked,
"How much longer will you take?"
"I'm almost done."
"Good."
She looked up. "Why?"
He smiled "I'd like to talk to you."
Elara blinked."Talk?"
"Yeah....If you don't mind."
She nodded "I don't mind."
"Great....I'll wait downstairs."
Twenty minutes later...
Elara finished arranging the pillows before looking around the room.Everything sparkled.Satisfied, she carried the empty basket downstairs.
Liam was waiting in the family lounge, lazily flipping through a magazine.The moment he saw her, he smiled. "Done?"
She nodded. "Completely."
"Thanks." He stood.
"Come on."He led her back upstairs. "My room?"
Elara looked confused "Why not the living room?"
He laughed "Because my mother will interrupt us every five minutes."
She giggled. "Fair enough."
They returned to his room.
Liam closed the door halfway not fully shut and gestured toward the neatly made bed. "Sit."
Elara sat carefully on the edge of the mattress.Liam sat beside her, leaving a respectful distance between them.
For a moment...Neither of them spoke.Finally, Liam smiled.
"I realized...I don't actually know much about you."
Elara smiled back "I guess you don't."
"So...Tell me about yourself."
She thought for a moment.
"My name is Elara Bennett."
"We already know that."
She laughed.
"I'm twenty years old."
Liam nodded. "I'm twenty-three."
She smiled."I know."
"You do?"
"My aunt told me."
He grinned. "What else?"
"I have two younger siblings." Liam looked surprised.
"Really?"
She nodded. "A boy and a girl. They're both in boarding school."
"Who takes care of them now?"
Her eyes softened "Aunt Victoria."
Liam smiled proudly "That sounds like Mom."
Tears almost formed in Elara's eyes."I'll never be able to repay her. She's paying their tuition fees.
Making sure they have everything they need. I don't know what we'd have done without her."
Liam gently placed a comforting hand over hers "My mom loves helping people."
"I'm glad she found you."
Elara smiled."So am I."
Liam hesitated before asking,"Can I ask something personal?".
She nodded."You can."
"...Do you have a boyfriend?"Elara blinked.Then laughed softly."I used to."
Liam tried not to sound too interested.
"What happened?"
"It was a long-distance relationship.We hardly saw each other. Eventually...We both started losing feelings. So we ended it."
Liam tried his best to hide the smile threatening to appear on his face. "So...You're single?"
Elara laughed. "Very single."
Liam scratched the back of his neck nervously."You know...I think you're really beautiful."
Elara froze. "I've only known you for a short time.But...I'd really like to know you better. As more than just my mom's guest."
Elara looked at him in surprise.Then smiled gently. "I'd like to get to know you too......as friends."
Liam laughed. "I'll take friends."
Both of them laughed together..
At that exact moment...The bedroom door slowly opened.
A tall figure stood silently at the entrance.
Alexander.
His cold gaze shifted from Liam......to Elara.His jaw tightened.They were sitting close together on Liam's bed.
Laughing.
Smiling.
Something inside him twisted painfully.He didn't understand why.But he hated the sight before him.
His voice came out colder than ice.
"...What exactly is going on here?"
Both Liam and Elara turned sharply toward the door.
Their smiles disappeared instantly.
- Writer
