Lucky's (Mis)Fortune: CHAPTER EIGHT
Lucky's (Mis)Fortune (MXMXMXM)
Attending class the next day, another lecture I shared with Liam, I was sure of one thing and one thing onlyâI could not let a single detail about the dangerous activities slip from my mouth. I had a small script I repeated over and over in my head of what I could say to him when he inevitably asked about my new job. 'Oh, yesterday was great. The house is beautiful and everyone is lovely.' Vague and simple. Except that sounded pretentious and unlike myself. I would never say 'oh' or use the word 'lovely' in a sentence.
"What's up, Lucky."
I look up at the sound of the familiar voice, smiling up at Liam who did the same in return. He takes the seat beside me, tossing his bag aside before turning to look at me. He had a wide, excited grin drawn on his lips, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. I felt a little guilty that I would be lying to him but he would be much more satisfied with the details I could give him. Beautiful house, lovely people.
"So? Tell me!" Was all he said, almost jumping.
"Well, the house is beautiful and huge. Whatever you're imagining times two. And it has a beautiful garden and a fountain in front," I said genuinely, a little excited myself at these details. I hummed thoughtfully, "You know what's so cool? The house is surrounded by gates and has to be let in by the owner himself. Can you imagine living somewhere like that?"
By the time I was done, his eyes were two times wider, filled with intrigue. Whether that's good or bad, I still need some time to decide.
"What about the people; The owner? The other employees? They better be treating you right!"
"Lovely people," I said through gritted teeth. I mean, for the most part, that was the truth. Mr. Lewis is sweet and Mr. Sawyer turns out to be alright as well as his boyfriends (well maybe not Eliott but Aiden's kindness sure makes up for it). Miss Angela too... but none of that takes off from the fact that I was deceived by everyone in that house. "Everything is great, seriously."
"How long do you have to work?"
"Times are extremely flexible. Every day, they'll give me a list of things to do before the day ends. So really there's no set amount of times," I reply.
"That's a good thing, right?"
"In a way, yes."
Just then, our professor comes in so we instantly go silent. I turn to my notebook and Liam lays his head on the table. I could tell he was tired, I would bet he was out late last night at a bar or something.
I feel a tug on my heart, a part of me wishing that I could have half the life he had; carefree, youthful, full of love. He always told me a lot about his parents, unknowing to the absence of mine. This is fine because I never let him know and even though it was not the intention, to me it seemed like bragging but he wasn't.
Would I be such a bad person to say that a part of me hated him whenever he mentioned his "annoying and pushy" parents, as he would describe them.
I noticed I was staring then and I looked away. He was sleeping now. I pay attention to the lecture and take detailed notes that he would later ask for.
That's just my life. And it's fine, really.
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When class was over, I stretched my arms over my head as students piled out of the classroom. I wanted to get home as soon as possible and finish my chores even faster so then I could sleep the rest of the day off.
I push Liam awake--Quite literally. I pushed him off his chair which easily stirred him awake with a groan which made me extremely amused. I laughed, he glared at me, and then I laughed more.
It was nice to laugh once in a while.
"Fuck you," he groans, still half-asleep, rubbing his ass.
"No thanks," I reply, packing my things inside my backpack.
He stands up, still complaining, and puts his unused things inside his bag, complaining even more, mumbling profanities. "Hey, can you pass me the notes later?" He questions, as expected.
"Sure." I roll my eyes playfully.
"Asshole." He pauses. "To pay you back, I'll drive you to your job today!" He exclaims, his eyes bright. I believe that he liked the idea more than I did.
I sigh, standing up. "No. It's fine," I tell him and walk away, not letting him retort.
"Oh, come on, I want to see the house! I've never seen a mansion close up. Never been close to the neighborhood in my whole life. Please, please, please, Lucky!"
He kept whining while I kept silent the whole way to the outside of the building. I was starting to get annoyed when someone waved at us coolly, leaning on an even cooler-looking car. A bright blue sports car. It was Leo with that arrogant smile of his waving directly at me. I glanced at Liam who was looking at him with confusion. I walk over to him slowly, unsure.
"Uh, what's up?" I ask, confused. Liam reached to stand right next to me, his arms crossed on his chest.
"My brother told me I should take you home so, here we are," he says, opening the passenger door and playfully gesturing for me to go inside like a servant would do to a princess.
"I can walk."
"Except you can't because like you'll soon understand, what Khael says goes." He says this with an overly sweet tone, leaning on the open door. "Not much defying him, especially at home. So, please, before I have to force you inside, get in," now he spoke in an angry tone, one that made me shiver and scared to go against, as much I hated to admit.
I roll my eyes and turn to Liam. "I'll see you in two days." Our next class together.
He waves slowly, probably not having an idea of how to react. I understand, I wasn't sure how I was supposed to react either. I glare at Leo who just smiles as I step inside of the car. I place my bag on my lap as he closes the door and I put my elbow on the window and lean my head on my hand, exhausted.
"Cheer up, Lucky, you have a twenty-minute drive with me. Isn't that amazing?" He asks sarcastically.
"Oh, yes, the best," I reply with the same tone, closing my eyes.
"Come on, amuse me. We should become like besties since you're gonna be living in my house and all." He says way too chirpy, clearly seeing my exhaustion and trying to annoy me.
I used to have no opinion on Leo but now, he was increasingly becoming more and more insufferable. I keep my eyes closed, not wanting to give in. "What is in it for you this time? What are you getting from your brother by having you pick me up?" I ask, just curious.
"He is letting me beat the shit of a man that beat me up a couple of months ago." I open my eyes and I see the smirk on his face. He glances at me and his smirk widens. "What? Surprised? The bitch was a traitor and was always a bastard." He shrugs. "He deserves it. Khael is usually not much for revenge so him letting me do this is a privilege, really," he says dramatically.
I roll my eyes and go back to my previous, half-asleep position. Leo kept yapping the whole way over to the point that I had the urge to rip my ears off. Thankfully, my sanity was intact by the time we arrived at the mansion.
I get out of the car and so does Leo but he walks fast, excited I would say so he's at the front door when I'm only halfway there. I take my time but when I get to the door, Leo is already inside and the door is locked. I sigh, leaning my head back in exasperation.
"Seriously? Couldn't he be more childish?" I mumble under my breath before letting out a sigh.
Reluctantly, I knocked on the door, scared that I would be disturbing someone. I wait a couple of more seconds before knocking again and then I wait again and knock again. Finally, the door opens but it opens so suddenly that I need to take a step back, nearly tripping. The other person grabs onto my wrist.
"Thank you," I gasp as Elliot pulls me, setting me upright.
He takes a step back. "You haven't gotten a key?" He questions uncaringly, asking for the sake of it. Not because he actually wanted to know.
"Uh, no," I respond, following him. Why was I even following him?
"I'll get Ms. Angela to get you a copy and a key for the cellar and the other rooms you are allowed to be in." He spoke with grace yet very unbothered. "We don't need any unexpected knocks that would make us panic without reason." I had followed him into the kitchen where he was getting himself a glass of water.
"Sorry about that. I was with Leo but he locked the door behind him."
"Typical him," he mumbles, looking at his glass. He looks at me and I have to blink but he doesn't, he raises an eyebrow. "Don't you have things to do?"
I relax from the unconscious tension that has gathered on my shoulders. Well, what a polite way to tell me to fuck off. *Note the sarcasm*
"Right. I'll leave," I say, mentally slapping myself as I turn around and head to my room.
To work I go.