A Safe Place to Fall

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Just a Broken Man

I let out a deep sigh while picking up the shattered glasses on the floor. I wanted to kick down the door and punch the living daylights out of Jace but I could only do it in my mind. I didn't want to lose this job. All I needed was a lot of patience. After paying for the debts, I will save up for college. If I managed to do all these, I will quit this job and start a new life.

I never had the chance to go to college because I don't have enough money for that and I foolishly thought that I didn't need it because I and Lance were living happily. I was wrong. I should have prioritized that first. But it was too late to regret now. Things already happened and the only thing I could do was to sort these s**t out.

I finished cleaning the mess that Jace made and went down the stairs. Looking around the house, I noticed that there are a lot of things to do. I wanted it to look like a real house.

A small smile formed on my lips when an idea came up to my mind.

The house looked creepy because the windows were covered with thick curtains, the spider webs were hanging everywhere, and the covered furniture made it look more like a haunted house.

"What's with these thick curtains?" I muttered to myself.

I parted the curtains and dusted off the window. After that, I pulled off the white linens from the furniture. I’m enjoying this kind of work since I love decorating and arranging furniture.

I decided to go out to buy some stuff I could use to clean. Even though this house was big, there wasn't much stuff I could use to do my job. I picked up the card on top of the table and went outside. I didn't bother telling Jace that I will go out for a while because I know he wouldn't care.

While walking down the street, I saw an old woman selling hot buns in her small stall. I stopped and looked at the steaming buns. It smelled delicious.

"Ah, you must be the new maid?" She asked.

I was confused for a second until I got what she meant. "Yes. How did you know?"

"Well, if there's an unfamiliar face of a girl showed up in this neighborhood, it means she's the new worker from the huge mansion up there," she said.

I nodded my head. "Yes, you're right. I'm a new worker." I pointed at the steamed buns. "Can I get five of these please?"

"Of course!" She smiled and started putting five steamed buns inside a plastic bag. "How is the young man in there? It has been a long time since the last time I've seen him. Ever since he moved into that house, he never went out again."

My forehead creased. "And when was that?"

"I'm not really sure. I think it's about two or three years ago?" she said.

I took out my wallet and gave her the payment. "That was a really long time ago," I said. I took one of the steamed buns and took a bite.

"I hope you will be able to stay long though. I don't know the reason but there are a lot of maids who went there but they couldn't last long. They always end up leaving scared or crying."

I smiled. "I have a strong will. I won't back down easily."

The old woman laughed. "That's the spirit! I like you!" She exclaimed. "The next time you passed by, I'll give you free steamed buns."

"Thank you!"

I left the stall and continued walking down the road until I reached the grocery store. I bought all the cleaning materials I'll need and it didn't take that long for me to check out. After half an hour, I went back to the mansion and it was the same as before -- no Jace on sight.

It was surprising that there was no burglar who tried to enter this mansion. They could steal a lot of expensive stuff in here. I looked around and my eyes widened when I saw CCTV cameras attached in every corner of the room.

I immediately ran towards my room to check if there were cameras in there too but I was relieved to see there was none. So this was the reason that this house was safe. If someone will enter this house to steal, they will be caught right away. I wonder if Mr. Wilson monitors it? I felt like he had a huge role in this house. Like the main butler or something.

After checking in every corner of the house for CCTV cameras, I started cleaning the whole house. It took me more than an hour to finish cleaning and rearranging the furniture. I slumped down the couch and closed my eyes tightly. This is more tiring than working in a convenience store but it's fair enough since I'll gain a lot of money from this. Besides, I really enjoyed the outcome of my hard work.

The house didn't look like a haunted house anymore. I was planning to clean the garden next but I was too tired to move so I just sat on the couch.

My energy was replenished after thirty minutes of just sitting down. I decided to make something for Jace again. If Jace would do the same thing he did earlier then I have no choice but to let him starve. But I’m a woman with a deep conscience. I couldn't just do that so I tried to cook the most delicious pasta I have ever made. I tasted it a bit and nodded in satisfaction. Ma and Pa always compliment me before. They said I was a really good cook.

Well, I used to cook a lot in the orphanage because I really love doing it. When Ma and Pa adopted us, I learned a lot from Ma. She even taught me how to bake.

A sigh came out from my lips when I reached the door of Jace's bedroom again. I was holding the tray on my right hand so I could knock using the left one.

I knocked once... twice... and repeatedly but Jace didn't open the door nor tell me to leave.

"Silence means yes."

I was about to open the door when it suddenly opened just like what happened earlier. Jace's face was still hidden from the hood of his jacket and the darkness of his room.

"I brought you dinner."

He looked at the tray I was holding. Without saying anything, he took and slammed the door shut.

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. I slid down the floor and leaned on the door. Closing my eyes, I started to calm down.

The door suddenly opened. I yelped when I felt myself falling backward. I waited for the fall but there was a warm hand that touched my back and prevented the fall.

My eyes widened when I saw Jace's face for the first time. The light coming from the hallway illuminated his face. Jace has a sharp and perfect jawline, plump lips and beautiful tan skin. His hair was black and his fringes were falling delicately over his brown eyes.

Our eyes locked and all that I could hear was the loud beating of my heart.

Why am I so nervous around him?

I was cut out of my trance when Jace removed his hand from my back. I fell to the floor but it wasn't painful as I imagined it to be. Slowly, I sat up while rubbing my back. When I looked up, Jace has a smirk on his lips.

"So, you're Samantha Wales," he said.

I heard a click and the light turned on. I finally saw Jace's face clearly. There was nothing wrong with his face. He's not ugly, in fact, he's too handsome. He's not bald or something. Not a handicapped too. Then why was he isolating himself in this dark room?

"Y-yeah, Obviously."

I stood up and had a clear view of his bedroom. My hand started to tremble when I saw the mess. Boxes of pizza, soda cans, clothes, books, and magazines were all over the floor. I could feel my palm itching to clean the man's room and so I did. Without a word, I started to pick all the garbage on the floor.

How could he sleep in this messy room?!

He didn’t stop me so I kept picking up the trashes.

"What brings you here?" He was sitting at the edge of his bed while holding the plate of pasta and started eating it.

I was relieved to see him eating it instead of throwing it on the floor. “Money,” I answered shortly.

He didn’t talk again after that. When I finished picking up the trashes and putting it inside a garbage bag, I walked towards the bedside table to get the tray. I smiled a little when I saw that he ate it all.

Before I leave his room, I asked him the question that kept bugging me. “Why are you locking yourself up in this room?”

I started to panic when he looked at me sharply. I chewed my lower lip, a habit when I’m nervous. He stood up from his bed and walked towards me. His looks were scaring me. I didn’t know if I should run or wait for him to get to me.

I held my breath when our faces were inches apart. Jace’s eyes traced my face like he was scanning me. He reached out his hand and touched the strand of hair beside my face. His dark eyes were scary and intimidating.

He moved closer and whispered to my ear. “It’s none of your business.”

His hot breath sent warmth through my body. I pushed him away and ran outside his room. I went straight to my own room and locked it.

I leaned back on the wall and slid down the floor. My heart was beating so fast I felt like it will jump out from my chest. I don’t know why this was his effect on me. It was like I was afraid and expecting something at the same time. His brown eyes were familiar but I couldn’t remember where I had seen it. But I noticed something that kept flashing through my mind.

He looked angry but his eyes looked so sad and lonely.