2

Chapter 2

5 years ago

"I'm not comfortable with this. Someone might see us!" I whispered to my girlfriend, who was currently planting kisses down my neck.

"Don't worry. Everyone's busy at the party," she murmured, her hands already wandering around my body. When she caressed the bulge in my trousers, I let out a small, involuntary moan.

"Fine," I relented with a defeated whisper. "Did you lock the door?"

"I'm not sure," she replied with a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "But doesn't that make it more exciting?" She licked my lips and pushed me onto the bed, straddling me effortlessly. "Don't you think?"

I wanted to say yes. I really did. But there was a nagging feeling in my gut, a persistent warning that told me something horrible would happen if we didn't stop this immediately.

"Wait," I said, trying to push her off. But before I could, the door swung open with a loud creak.

We both froze and turned to the doorway, where Richard stood, his face painted with shock and fury. Holy shit!  I think I'm getting fired today.

He slammed the door shut without saying anything but it was obvious that he was furious about the whole thing.

Of all people who can witness my moment of weakness, it had to be my employer's son who's currently celebrating his high school graduation party.

==============

"Excuse me, where's the bathroom?"

The voice snapped me out of my memory, and I turned to see Ashley, the event planner, standing beside me. She was poking my arm, clearly waiting for an answer.

"Right this way, ma'am," I said, leading her down the hall. She thanked me politely before disappearing inside.

Glad to hear that. I don't want to sleep on some cum-stained sheets.

Richard's vulgar words echoed again in my mind. Damn his crude mouth. Did I somehow warped his barely legal mind when he saw us in that compromising position?

The bathroom door opened, and Ashley emerged, her brow furrowed. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked, studying me.

"Of course, ma'am. Why do you ask?"

She pointed to my face. "You're bright red."

I leaned toward a nearby mirror to inspect myself. She was right. I was indeed blushing furiously.

"Oh. This is nothing. The weather is just unusually warm today." I loosened my collar to sell my lie. She just shrugged it off and we continued the house tour.

I'd already sent the housekeepers to prepare Richard's room, making sure it was ready with fresh sheets and toiletries before when he woke up from his nap. For now, I was focused on assisting Ashley, answering her endless stream of questions and taking notes to match her plans.

By late afternoon, we were outside on the lawn discussing table arrangements when Richard emerged from the house. His damp hair and fresh clothes suggested he'd just showered, and he looked ready for a night out.

Ashley's eyes widened. "Now, who is that hunk?" she whispered to herself before shoving her folder into my hands and strutting confidently toward him. I trailed behind her, already anticipating how this would go.

Richard tossed his jacket inside his car when he saw us approaching and stood impatiently until we reached his location.

Ashley extended her hand, smiling seductively. "Good afternoon. I'm Ashley."

Richard ignored her hand and diverted his focus on me.

"I'll be out for the night," he said curtly. "I have my key, so there's no need to wait up for me."

I nodded. "As you wish, sir."

He glanced over to Ashley who looked embarrassed from the lack of acknowledgement from him. Again, he focused his attention on me.

"Who is she?" he asked.

Before I could answer, Ashley repeated her introduction and offered him her business card. Richard didn't take it.

"Your father hired her to plan your welcome party," I explained.

"Okay," he said flatly before climbing into his car and speeding off without even greeting my companion.

"Damn. He's hot," Ashley muttered under her breath, clearly unbothered by his cold demeanor

I stared at her in disbelief. He just blatantly ignored her yet she still seemed impressed at the guy just because he's hot. I really can't understand people.

The rest of the day was a blur of Ashley's endless chatter about her grand ideas for the party. By the time we finished, I was exhausted and grateful for the silence.

I know Richard told me not to wait for him but I still took the chance that he would come home early. I even prepared his favorite grilled cheese sandwich and tater tots but after some contemplating that it might not be his favorite food anymore, I decided to eat it. I mean, the guy's fit now. He probably prefers healthier food these days. Besides, the last time I really knew him was when he was fourteen right before I left the manor to study in college.

I ate the sandwich in solace while I took the trip to memory lane. I can hardly recognize the Richard who recently slept on my bed. It was like meeting a new stranger all over again. However, his return made me realize how much time has passed since my mother took me here.

I remember how much Richard despised me when he first found out his parents allowed a kid to live with them. At first, his irritation was obvious every time he saw me. He would sometimes hurt me intentionally like pushing me down to the ground, using his foot to trip me or even kicking his soccer ball directly at me when he's playing outside.

He always apologized afterward, claiming he didn't mean it, but I knew better. His actions were driven by jealousy, like a child lashing out at a younger sibling which is ironic because I was older than him. One time, he even booby trapped my bed with a pin and my back bled from his ordeal but I didn't say anything to anyone, not even my mother. I mostly kept everything to myself.

But when he was finally used to my presence, he stopped doing those nasty things. Without a brother or a sister, I became his substitute sibling. He started to share his toys with me and would discreetly invite me to play with him.

Over time, we naturally grew close, to the point where he considered me as one of his friends. However, as the years passed, our interests began to diverge, largely due to our age gap. More chores and responsibilities were also given to me as I grew up. And when my mother passed away, so did my social skills. I became less joyful and withdrawn and it took me a long time to recover and come to terms with the reality that I was truly on my own.

How fitting that I just ate my dinner alone in the dining room.  Even after graduating from college, courtesy of the Prestons, I became a social hermit.

To end my loneliness, I washed the dishes and went straight to my bed for some shut eye. I checked my clock for the time. It was already an hour before midnight and still there was no sign that Richard was back.

As I lay on my bed, I caught a faint scent lingering on my sheets, a mix of his cologne and natural musk. It was nice but also disconcerting because it feels like someone was sleeping next to me.

I moved over to the edge of the bed and faced the wall instead. It appears I will be needing some fresh sheets tomorrow.