Imperfection Series

Chapter 14

Book 1 Chapter 14-02

Shane shrugged and looked away from her, he was suddenly too shy to withstand the look she gave him, "I know I will not take credit for the painting but as it was gifted to me by my father, it has automatically become mine. I drew the flower, wanting to give it you when you become older, say fifteen or thereabout but I never expected the next day to be the last day I will see you, until yesterday" he sighed, "you can keep it now, it was intentionally left for you so..." He shrugged once more, what is wrong with him?

Lilly opened her mouth to speak but she was devoid of words and she did the first that came to her mind, she walked up to him and hugged him.

Shane was shocked at the action, never in one million years did he expect her to hug him. Oh but it's been so long he had her in his arms, he curled his arms at the small of her back, burying his face in the nape of her neck, breathing in her natural scent that smells just like a lily.

His breathing on her neck woke Lilly from her childhood memories, she stiffened, not knowing what to do as she realized she was hugging him and not just that, he was hugging her too. The thought of what would happen if anybody see them now made her jumped back like she has been burnt, "I'm so sorry sir, I didn't mean to, I was just...I'm so sorry....please forgive me" she let out series of apologizes.

Shane who had been taken aback by how quickly she left his arms just as he was enjoying the feeling of holding her again, was a little hurt when he heard her apologizes. Now, he would be apologized to because she hugged him when she used to do that a lot back in the days. He cleared his throat to hide the hurt he felt, "it's fine. Get em...the...the bucket and towel, there is a restroom here, get water there and let's begin with the clean up" he turned to the shelf and started arranging it, not wanting to look at her for the moment.

Lilly wanted to say something but she didn't know how to, watching his back as he got busy with the shelf, she couldn't help imagining how good it felt to be in his arms, his chest was strong and his cologne so lured her in. Realizing her thoughts, she rushed out immediately to pick up the cleaning utensils she dropped, she then entered the restroom to fill the bucket with water.

Shane watched her from the corner of his eyes, he didn't know why he was feeling hurt. In truth, she shouldn't have hugged him in the first place, he is her master and she is the maid, it's right for her to apologize but why does he feel hurt she did? Why does he want to join her in that restroom and drag her into his arms? Why did he feel at peace when she was in his arms? Why is her flowery scent itching his nostrils and burning his throat? Why? Why? Why? Why is he thinking about all this and feeling like this? What in the world is happening to him?

He was still lost in his thoughts with his whys, his face in a frown when Lilly came out from the bathroom, seeing the frown on his face, her heart missed a beat, is he thinking of the punishment to bestow on her for hugging him? "Sir?" She called, not sure about her stance with him anymore, is he going to berate her now?

Her soft voice sipped into his thoughts and he looked at her, seeing the guilty and fearful look on her face, his frown deepened, "why are you looking like that?"

"Sir, about earlier, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"In case you have forgotten, I hugged you a lot when you were little. I don't know why you are so worked up about earlier, you have already apologized and I said it's okay. If you apologize one more time, I will be forced to punish you, is that clear flower?" He interrupted with a stoic face.

"Ye-yes sir" she bowed.

Realizing what he called her at the end of his warning, Shane sighed, is he ever going to stop calling her that?

"But sir, you seem to have forgotten, my-my name is Lillian sir" Lilly thought she had to remind him, it's not that she doesn't like him calling her flower but that it will be a great risk to her job should anybody hear him. She can't afford to lose this job, it's her only source of raising money for her mother's surgery and her education.

Shane smiled when he heard her, his previous anger already forgotten, "but I have been calling you that for a long time, it won't be easy to drop."

"But sir, I was only a little girl then, I don't want ma'am..."

"Don't worry, I won't address you like that in the presence of anybody, just the two of us. How about that flower, it will be our little secret" he winked when she looked up at him.

Lilly was lost, their secret? Why does it sound like a taboo and at the same time alluring? Unknowingly, a smile curved on her lips.

Seeing her smile, Shane knew she agreed and he let out the breath he had no idea he was holding, "now, with that decided, let's clean this place up."

"Yes sir" Lilly nodded, bringing forth the bucket filled to half with water and the towels, along with the detergent and others. She had no idea that simply agreeing to be called flower by him will bring her many sleepless nights with her thoughts all about him.

Shane took a dampened towel to clean the shelves while Lilly focused on the floor, sweeping and mopping. It was such a rare sight to observers, a boss and a maid cleaning an old studio that hold much memories to them. They were just like little lovers or so it appeared to the person that came in, hoping to help but ending up leaving without being seen.