Imperfection Series

Chapter 10

Book 1 Chapter 10-01

The stupid party finally started, with his mother's friends bombarding him with questions, which is what he hated. He had done so as a child, as a teenager and still do as an adult, why do they want to know so much about him?

To add salt to his wounds, their sluts of daughters won't even let him be, they are even asking about his private life. Just what is it with them?

After managing to have dinner with them and enduring for a few more hours, he excused himself to make a phone call and escaped to the garden but he regretted it immediately he done so. The garden holds memories, especially those he shared with his father and little Lilly, he smiled at his father's nickname for her but he never called her that, he hardly calls her her name.

He stood watching the white lilies growing in the garden, they looked so beautiful with the moonlight on them that he was tempted to pluck them. As he thought, he did. He plucked a single lily and brought it to his nose to smell it's enchanting fragrance, he had always loved lilies more than roses, he doesn't know if it's because of something or someone.

As a young boy, he never bothers about flowers, he always sees it as girl's fantasy but after seeing the little girl playing with his father once when he had returned from school, and after learning that her name is Lilly, he had taken a preference to lilies without him even knowing.

He turned then and left the garden, walking on the terrace, he sighted his father's old drawing house. At first he was surprised that his mother still left it and made a mental note to ask for the removal in the morning but something got the best of him and he decided to check it out one last time, it was after all, his best place in the house when he was a boy.

Getting there, he saw someone leaning on the window, desperately trying to see what's inside. He furrowed his brows and unknowingly, he increased his pace. When he got closer and saw the deep brown hair and the lose fitting maid attire, his pace slowed and his heartbeat increased, what the hell?

As if sensing his presence, the person in question turned and he saw the adult version of the little face he had just been thinking about, her eyes twinkling under the moonlight but she soon bowed her head, removing those eyes from his sight, "I'm sorry sir, I wasn't trying to steal or anything. I was just trying to have a look of what's inside" her silky velvet voice flowed into his ears. It seems to be giving the night a soft enticing song.

"Why don't you just enter?" He asked, his voice appeared even more softer to his own ears.

"Ma'am kept it locked up, no one is allowed entry. It's what I was told."

"I see" he looked at the old looking glass windows, the little hut looks dusty like it hasn't been cleaned in years, confirming her claim, "do you really want to see the inside so bad?"

Lilly looked up at him briefly, taking a second pause to contemplate her answer, "no sir. It's just some random desire. I promise I will not return here again."

Shane smiled, he could see through her lies, "you and I know you are not going to keep to that, right flower?" He said before he could even stop himself.

Lilly's head jerked up at the nickname, it has been so long someone called her that, and only one person calls her that, him. So if he addressed her like that, does it mean he remembers her? Her fast beating heart increased at its rate, she didn't know what to say. He, calling her that name erased her mind from all the defenses she had mustered up.

Shane looked at her wide eye expression, the name had fallen out of his mouth and he couldn't take it back. Moreover, her, looking at him like that shows that she remembers, she remembers him calling her that. And of course she remembers his father which is why she is here fighting to see the studio while others are inside.

He sighed, for the moment speechless on what to say, his eyes resting on the old hut, "you miss him don't you?"

Lilly, surprised at his question and why it came out of the blue, she looked behind her at the hut and heaved a deep breath, knowing she can't lie to him anymore, "yes" and I miss you too, she wanted to add but didn't.

Shane nodded, he knew it, if not, why would she be here? He looked at her from the corner of his eyes, wanting so badly to ask if she missed him too but he couldn't. He can't forget their statues now, she is his maid and he is her master, some questions are not meant to be exchanged between the both of them regardless of their history.

He cleared his throat before saying, "you shouldn't be here, I'm sure you will be needed inside by now."

Lilly looked back at the big house, which she can still see from the window, people moving about like tiny dolls. Indeed, there are guests in the house and Mrs. Paulina would be really angry with her if she doesn't see her, "then sir, if there is nothing else, I will leave first" she curtsied with her head bowed before turning to leave.

Shane watched her take the first step, the second, third, fourth and fifth and he let his mouth loose, "why did you do it?" He has to know, he doubts if he would have another chance like this with her.

Lilly paused on her step and looked back at him, "sir?"

Shane swallowed his saliva before asking, "why did you choose to be a maid here?" He looked at her, his eyes boring into hers.

Not able to hold his gaze anymore, Lilly looked away. He asked a question, but can she tell him the answer? She herself doesn't know anymore. First she suggested to work her to her mother in order to be able to raise money for her school but now, she wants to raise money for her mother's surgery, although she doesn't know how long it will take her but she knows she will get it. All she asks is for her mother to be alive.