After the gala has ended almost a week ago, the atmosphere still electrified with discomfort; nevertheless, Zoey leaned on, buoying herself with the rhythm of her chores. Residing in an old relic, the Sinclair mansion had never been empty of edge-walking, but with Lily almost spilling her envy and Alex's care becoming dangerously hard to ignore, it was very much like walking the tightrope. A Lingering Storm Slowly, with the first light, dawn broke on Zoey's tiny room; the gray of day filtered through her window. Without being fully awake, she drew her blanket inwards around herself, taking in the quiet. Not even a sharp command or clipped tones from Lily graced this evening stillness. The gala had left more than an imprint on the household; there were scars on Zoey herself. She had become well acquainted with that night when he passed her a clipboard just as his hand brushed against hers; she noted the way his voice melted into a hush when he chose to speak to her above the cacophony. "Stop it," she muttered to herself as she shook her head. "You know better." Lily's warning was still heavy in her mind: "If I even suspect you're stepping out of line, you'll regret it."
Breakfast Interference
The day began like any other, but breakfast was anything but. Mr. Sinclair read financial pages with his usual frown while Mrs. Sinclair's brisk orders to staff were directed at Zoey too, ignoring her as usual.
Lily, however, seemed to be abnormally quiet. She was playing with her food and occasionally casting a glance at Alex who seemed lost in thought.
Zoey, as usual, was at the periphery, clearing the plates and pouring coffee, just about to reach for the empty glass of Lily when that girl spoke and gave Zoey a start.
"Zoey," said Lily, her voice sounding sharp.
Zoey halted with an empty glass in her hand. "Yes, Miss Lily?"
"I'll need you this afternoon. We're going into town, and I don't trust the driver to handle my bags properly."
"Of course, Miss Lily," came the reply, trying to disguise the irritation in Zoey's voice.
Alex looked up, expression unreadable. "Isn't that a bit much? She's not a porter."
Lily narrowed her eyes. "She's my maid; she does what I say."
Zoey bit her lip and avoided all contact with Alex's gaze as she walked the dishes back to the kitchen. It was becoming intolerable and she just wanted to get away from the fire.
'Breakfast Disruptions
The day started pretty much like any other, except the atmosphere at breakfast was anything but ordinary. Mr. Sinclair was reading the financial pages, looking rather stern; Mrs. Sinclair was barking orders at the rest of the staff as though completely unfeeling toward Zoey as per usual. Of course, this was usually Lily-in her not-so-usual form today. Picking at her food while stealing quick glances at Alex, who-in her estimation-seemed to be some light-years away from her thoughts and probably thumped some thought that was definitely not as per what she would have in mind. Well, as per usual, Zoey retreated to the background-clearing plates and pour coffee. Just about to reach out to grab Lily's empty glass when that girl spoke and brought Zoey back to the reality with a start. Melissa: Zoey said a sharp voice; "Yes, Miss Lily?" "This afternoon, I'll be needing you. We're going into town and I don't trust the driver to handle my bags properly." Of course, Miss Lily, was the answer with an edge of irritation trying to disguise itself in Zoey's voice. Alex looked up, expression unreadable. "Isn't that a bit much? She's not a porter." Lily narrowed her eyes. "She's my maid; she does what I say." Zoey bit her lip, avoided Alex's gaze as she walked the dishes back to the kitchen, growing almost unbearable and dreaming of escape from the fire.
The Outing
By afternoon, her spine creaked. Lily's tired but full haversack of purchases had her following like a pack mule through the crowded streets. She was no longer paying any attention to the other; only talking on the phone while gesticulating much like when she talked about her friends' outfits.
Zoey was utterly drained and battered up, but none of her words could escape from her mouth complaining would make the case worst.
The first time she'd stop dead in her tracks would be after passing a flower shop with Lily's complete attention focused on the display of delicate, white roses.
"Wait here," she ordered shortly, and she went inside.
Leaning against the building, Zoey let out a great sigh. She rubbed her arms, letting her mind trail off. This is her life today, trapped under Lily's thumb, always walking somewhere in the middle.
"Zoey?"
That voice startled her and turned around to find Alex looking back at her. He was wearing a casual button-down shirt and jeans, not what she normally saw him in refined formal clothes.
"Mr. Alex," she greeted, straightened up. "What brought you here?"
"Just Alex," he remarked, a smile crinkling in the corners. "What are you doing out here?"
"The Miss Lily would like some help," Zoey added, indicating at her stranded shopping bags.
His brows knit in confusion. "She doesn't have the right to treat you this way".
"Then okay," came hurriedly from Zoey. "I'm used to it."
"It isn't okay," Alex said instead and glanced towards the flower shop, back to her. "You deserve better than this, Zoey."
Her heart skipped a beat, but just before she could say something, Lily resurfaced and immediately narrowed her eyes at the scene in front of her.
"Alex?" she asked with a tinge of suspicion in her voice. "What are you doing here?"
"You know, I could very easily ask you the same," he said in his most smoothest, deepest voice.
Lily didn't say anything either; she clung to her friend and dragged her to the door. "Up, let's go,'' she said.
Zoey turned to look helplessly back at Alex, who simply watched them vanish into the crowd.
________________________________________
A confession
Zoey was about to sleep when there came a knock on the door. She stood there, hesitating, before turning the knob and opening it. Surprise filled her face: Alex was standing there.
"Mr. Alex-"
"Shh," he said, entering and closing the door behind him. "I just needed to see you."
There was a thump-thump in her chest. "You should not be here; if someone sees-"
"I don't care," said his voice, low and insistent. "I need to tell you something."
She backed away, hands shaking, "Please do not make this harder for me."
"Zoey," he said, coming a step closer. "You mean more than just a servant to me. I wouldn't care what my family thinks or what Lily wants; that's what I'm saying: you matter to me."
Tears brimmed the eyes of the girl and she shook her head in defiance, "No, it can't happen; you know it can't."
Alex reached out and brushed his hand near hers. ''I'm not bothered about the rules; I'm concerned with you."
The two of them stood there, on an edge where unspoken words hung heavy with meaning. After a little time, however, it would take before it became possible for either to make a sound when there came a sharp knock on the door.
Zoey froze, her breath caught in her throat.
"Zoey?" came the voice of Lily, cold and demanding.
Alex stepped back, his jaw tightening. "We'll talk later," he whispered before slipping out through the adjacent door.
Zoey opened the door to find Lilly standing there arms crossed with smirk on her face.
"Just wanted to check up on my sweet little angel if she's behaving right," said Lily, her words sugared. Except her eyes glinted with suspicion. "Yes, Miss Lily," was Zoey's forced answer, complete with a false smile. But closing the door also closed Zoey's heart up in a huge pain sort of ache that came with knowing it could never be.
"I'm just checking in on my sweet little angle to ensure that she's behaving," said Lily, her words sugar-coated. Except her eyes glinted with suspicion. "Quite so, Madam Lily," was the answer from Zoey, enunciated as stiffly and with the most artificial smile. But to close the door as well locked up the heart of Zoey in a large pain with the kind of pain that comes with the realization that it can never be.