Chapter 149
Three days had passed, and I was still doing my best to avoid Aston like the plague. I didn’t want to see him, talk to him, or even think about him. But, of course, that was easier said than done.
Aston made it easy for me to avoid him by leaving the house very early in the morning and returning late at night. I just happened to know his schedule because I overheard the maids talking about it. I wasn’t waiting for him to get back every night or anything… no, not me. As if I would ever do that.
But, despite my best efforts, I couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing or where he was going. It wasn’t like him to be out of the house so often. He was usually lounging around, bossing people around, or causing trouble. But now, he seemed to be avoiding me just as much as I was avoiding him.
I didn’t care what Aston was up to. I really didn’t.
But, as I was getting ready for bed that night, I found myself wondering if Aston was back yet. I told myself I didn’t care, but my curiosity got the better of me. I snuck out of my room and made my way to the hallway, trying to be quiet.
As I approached Aston’s room, I heard a faint noise coming from inside. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should just go back to bed. But my curiosity won out. I slowly turned the handle and peeked inside.
Aston was sitting at his desk, staring at a piece of paper in front of him. He looked up and caught my eye, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. I felt a flutter in my chest, and I quickly looked away, trying to play it cool.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
“Kira,” Aston said, his voice low and smooth. “What are you doing here?”
I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “Just getting a book from the library. I didn’t know you were back.”
Aston raised an eyebrow. “You weren’t waiting for me, then?”
I laughed, trying to sound sarcastic. “Oh, no, of course not. I was just… uh… looking for a book.” As if I even read, why was I such a bad liar?!
Aston smiled, and I felt my heart skip a beat. “Well, in any case, I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk to you about something.”
I hesitated, wondering if I should just make a run for it. But my curiosity got the better of me. “What is it?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
Aston leaned back in his chair, steeping his fingers together. “I’ve been thinking… maybe we should try to get along. For the sake of the household, at least. I think you’re making everyone nervous.”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Get along? You and me?”
Aston nodded. “Yes. I know we haven’t exactly seen eye to eye in the past, but I think it’s time we put our differences aside, for the sake of every one that is.” Since when did her care about others?!
I snorted, trying to sound sceptical. “You think? What’s brought about this sudden care for humanity?”
Aston shrugged. “I don’t know. Nothing.”
I looked at him, trying to read his expression. Was he serious? Or was this just another one of his games where he tried to play with my feelings?
I considered just walking away but that hasn’t exactly proven to be successful according to our history.
I watched as Aston approached me, a small smile on his face. I didn’t know what he was thinking, or why he was suddenly acting like nothing had happened between us. But I didn’t care. I just wanted to move on.
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Sun,
“So, what do you say?”
ཎྛས ཏྰ, 71%=
I was feeling a mix of emotions inside me. I was still hurt, still angry, but I was also relieved that he was reaching out.
“Sure,” I said, trying to sound calm.
Aston smiled, he was cool but I was on the verge of exploding out of happiness. I was so shameless. How could I even accept to be on hold terms with him after everything?
Uh! Who am I kidding? The hate I was trying to hold on to was slipping away like soap on ice. I didn’t even think that I was capable of hating this man.
I wandered the halls of the mansion, feeling lost and uncertain. It had been a week since Aston declared me no longer a maid, but I still didn’t know what that meant for me. Was I a guest? A friend? A something else entirely? I had no idea, and it was driving me crazy.
I tried to observe the others, see how they interacted with Aston and each other. But everyone seemed to have a defined role, except me. The maids bustled about, cleaning and cooking with purpose. I hated to admit it but being a maid at least gave me a role ay. A role I was not crazy about but a role. I felt so useless now.
I felt like a ghost hovering on the edges, invisible and insignificant. I didn’t know what I was supposed to be doing, or where I fit in. I felt like a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit, no matter how hard I tried.
I longed to ask Aston about it, but he was always busy. His office door was perpetually closed, and I could hear the murmur of his voice behind it. I didn’t know if I should interrupt, or even if I was allowed to. Maybe I was just supposed to figure it out on my own.
As the days passed, my uncertainty only grew. I felt like I was drifting through the mansion, without a purpose or a place. I hoped that somehow, someway, I would find my footing and discover what my role was meant to be but when??!!
After another long meaningless day, I went to sleep early like a chicken and I was jolted awake by blood-curdling screams and the deafening sound of gunshots. My heart racing, I sat up in bed, my mind foggy with sleep. What was happening? I threw off the covers and stumbled out of bed, my legs trembling beneath me.
I tried to make sense of the chaos, but my brain was a jumbled mess. I staggered to the door, desperate to escape the chaos. But it wouldn’t budge. I shook it, pulled it, and pleaded with it to open, but it remained stubbornly shut.
Panic set in as I realized I was trapped. I slumped against the door, my body shaking uncontrollably. What was happening outside? Was Aston okay? Was anyone okay? Was everyone okay? Was I safe?!!
Hours ticked by, or maybe it was minutes – I lost all sense of time. I waited, frozen with fear, for someone to come for me.
Finally, the door swung open, and a burly guard peered in. His eyes scanned the room, locking onto me. He nodded curtly and slammed the door shut again.
I was left staring at the closed door, confusion etched on my face. Why was there a guard outside my door? Was he checking on everyone? And what about Aston? Was he safe?
I sprinted out of the room, my heart racing with fear. I had to find Aston, had to make sure he was okay.
I reached the hallway, I skidded to a stop, my ears catching the sound of Aston’s voice.
He was screaming, his words echoing off the walls. “If anything happens to her, I will wipe out your entire pack and make you clean their dead bodies before shooting you dead in front of your pregnant wife!”
I stood there, frozen in shock. Who was he talking to? And who was HER? Was this about Mara? Did something happen to her? He was threatening someone for her. He sounded okay, I should probably head back to my room.
His words sent shivers down my spine. I had never heard him sound so fierce, so menacing.
His next words knocked off all my sense of reasoning. Like my brain was breached and his words were on replay.
“Kira is mine and mine alone.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. What did he mean by that? Mine as a slave? As a property or as a person? As his person? My heart was playing tricks on me.
As I stood there, trying to make sense of it all and get my knees to work, Aston stormed out of the room, his face twisted in a snarl. He saw me standing there, and his expression changed in an instant. He strode towards me, his eyes burning with intensity.
“Kira,” he growled, his voice low and somewhat frustrated. “Get behind me.”
I didn’t hesitate, moving instinctively to obey. Aston positioned himself in front of me and he pulled out a gun I didn’t even realize he was holding.