chapter 10
1008 Words
Leah's pov
After our last encounter, I've been deliberately avoiding Xavier, and it seems he's been preoccupied with work. Thankfully, he's been unusually serious, likely due to his father's presence. According to Margaretta, Richard returned from Tokyo last week ahead of schedule, prompted by some issues within the company.
Mr. Richard has been around, but I've managed to evade him. My only impression of him comes from the framed photo in the hallway; I've yet to see him in person.
Since today is Saturday, I'm assuming Xavier and his father, Mr. Richard, will be around, because they will not be going to the office on a Saturday. Interestingly, Victoria has been missing since Mr. Richard's arrival. I haven't seen her in a while, and I'm not even sure if she's still around.
Regardless, her absence, combined with Xavier's usual weekend presence, has given me a brief respite and a chance to finally have some peace of mind.
My peace of mind will likely be short-lived, though. There's a good chance I'll run into Xavier today, and that thought alone is already making me uneasy.
Today's a busy day in the kitchen, as Mr. Richard hasn't had a proper meal since his arrival due to his hectic schedule. Margaretta was kind enough to lend a hand, ensuring everything was ready before Mr. Richard came downstairs.
I still haven't met the new staff member, Mary, whom Mrs. Margaretta told me I'd be working with. Apparently, she gave birth six months ago and was supposed to start last week, but I'm yet to see her. Maybe she's not feeling well; I'll have to ask Mrs. Margaretta about that later.
Mrs. Margaretta had stepped out of the kitchen to set the dining table in preparation for serving the meal.
As I struggled to reach a hand towel to remove the pot from the gas burner, I felt a sudden presence behind me. A heavy, masculine body loomed near, exuding a captivating scent that made my heart skip a beat. Hands reached effortlessly for the towel and handed it to me.
I turned to see Xavier standing there, an apple in hand, which he must have taken from the fridge. I wondered when he had slipped into the kitchen, as I hadn't noticed him until he offered his assistance.
His sudden kindness caught me off guard, and I speculated that maybe he was trying to make a good impression with his father.
Xavier's attire - a black short and a white singlet clinging to his chest, showcased his chiseled physique. After washing his apple, he departed as abruptly as he arrived, leaving behind the lingering scent of his cologne. I couldn't believe I had shamelessly ogled Xavier, especially given our tumultuous past.
Nevertheless I can't deny how gorgeous he looks every single day.
The dining room was filled with an assortment of delicious dishes, accompanied by appetizers and desserts. I had poured my heart and soul into preparing the meal, eager to make a good impression on Mr. Richard. Hopefully, he would be more appreciative than his son, Xavier, who never seemed to acknowledge my efforts.
As I finished setting the table, Mr. Richard walked into the dining room. I was finally about to meet my main employer. He bore a striking resemblance to Xavier, inheriting a mix of his father's and mother's facial features. Although I had never met his late mother, I had seen pictures and paintings of her around the estate.
"Good afternoon, sir," I greeted him, trying to sound poised.
"Ah, you must be Mrs. Grace's daughter," he said, his eyes locking onto mine for confirmation.
"Yes, sir," I replied with a slight smile.
"I see," he continued. "How's your mother's health? I hope she's recovering well."
I appreciated his concern, feeling a stark contrast to Xavier's indifference. While Xavier only seemed to care about our disagreements, his father showed genuine interest in my mother's well-being.
She's pulling up, I replied.
"I'm glad to hear that your mother's health is improving," Mr. Richard said, his eyes sparkling with kindness.
As he served himself a small portion of food, he asked, "Is this environment treating you well, Leah?"
I was taken aback that he knew my name, but I replied, "Yes, sir, it is. Thank you for asking."
Mr. Richard glanced around the dining room, his eyes scanning the space as if searching for something. "Is everything okay, sir?" I asked.
"Not really," he replied. "I haven't seen Xavier. Isn't he joining us for lunch?"
I offered, "I can go call him for you, if you'd like."
Mr. Richard nodded, saying, "Oh, Leah, that would be appreciated."
I left the dining room and headed upstairs to fetch Xavier. I knocked on his door several times, but there was no response. Concerned, I decided to peek inside his room to check if everything was okay.
To my surprise, Xavier wasn't in his room. I wondered where he could be. Just as I was about to leave, my eyes caught sight of something on his reading table. I moved closer to investigate.
My curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself drawn to the item on the table. As I moved closer, it caught the light and shone, only piquing my interest further.
I gently removed the book covering the item, allowing me to take a closer look
As I drew closer, I saw a silver ice pendant gleaming brightly on Xavier's reading table. The pendant featured a poignant image of Xavier and his mother. Etched boldly on it was the date: 19th May 2021. I assumed it might be the date of his mother's passing, and a pang of sadness touched my heart.
realizing he must have missed his mother terribly.
Losing a mother is a pain I couldn't imagine.
I'd often noticed a deep-seated loneliness in Xavier's eyes, and now I wondered if his mother's passing had contributed to that emptiness.
Perhaps it had also fueled his arrogance, but that was no excuse for his behavior towards me.
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