I don’t have time to find out.
I may not have the sway he does or the power, but I can be a petty bitch.
And I’m okay with that.
As quietly as I can, I climb from the bed, creeping into the closet to grab some clothes for the day before I lock myself in the bathroom where I do everything I need to, to get ready for the day.
Dressed and somewhat presentable, I sneak back out into the bedroom, the room growing lighter as dawn begins to break, transforming the dark sky into hues of oranges and red as the sun sets fire to the clouds.
It’s almost eerie being up in the house before the day has yet to begin but even though it’s barely seven thirty, I can hear a few people wandering the huge mansion. Voices travel through the walls and footsteps echo down the halls, making it seem that people are close but whenever I turn to see if I’m being joined by one of the many staff Malakai employs, I’mmet with empty space.
It runs a shiver down my spine, even though there is a logical explanation for it. It’s that same feeling when you turn off all the lights downstairs and have to bolt to your bedroom because all those childhood fears of monsters under your bed, and in your closet, come back to haunt you.
I race down to the kitchen the rest of the way. It’s still dark when I enter, but I can hear whistling coming from the pantry.
“Hello?” I call, trying to be quiet but not wanting to startle whoever it is.
“Mrs. Farrow?” Louis’s voice travels out from the open door and I relax a little at the friendly company.
“Olivia,” I correct.
He comes out with an armful of ingredients, a smile on his face, “Olivia,” He widens his eyes dramatically, “You’re up and ready bright and early today.”
“I’m a morning person.” I lie with a shrug.
If he doesn’t believe me, he doesn’t call me on it, “Pancakes?” He asks.
“I’d love some.”
I make myself some coffee, eyeing the pot of sugar stationed next to the machine, “Does Malakai take sugar in his coffee?” I ask, wrapping my hands around the fresh cup.
“Two,” Louis replies absently, mixing up the batter.
“Does anyone else?”
Louis shrugs, “Not sure, Olivia, the staff have a separate kitchen with their own supplies.”
I try to stifle the grin that attempts to pull on my mouth. I just needed to get Louis out of the room for like five minutes.
He’s busy at the counter while I drink my coffee, the sun almost fully risen beyond the windows and the house still caught in that sleepy state between night and day.
“Oh,” I click my fingers, coming up with a plan I hope will work. Guilt eats at me for manipulating Louis since he’s just so nice, but I needed him out of the room. “I saw a bunch of boxes and crates in the foyer when I came down.” I tell him, “Looked like a delivery of some sort.”
He frowns as he checks his watch, “The food delivery isn’t supposed to be here till this afternoon. Honestly, these people can’t get anything right. Did you know they left a whole delivery of perishables outside the door in the middle of August?”
“No,” I feign horror, that guilt swirling heavily in my stomach.
“Mm,” He grunts, “Let me go check that quick. You good in here?”
“Perfect,” I give him my best smile and watch him leave the room before I’m rushing toward the pantry. I find what I’m looking for pretty quickly and I’m back out in less than a few seconds. Grabbing the sugar, I dump it into a cup and hide it before I empty the contents of what’s in my hand into the jar.
It’s juvenile and ridiculous, but I can’t find it in me tocare.
“Hey Olivia?” Louis calls just as I’m putting the lid back on the sugar pot.
“Yeah?” I answer.
“Where did you see those boxes?”
