I smiled, trying to navigate the dynamics between Jake and Sophia.
"Well, I'm still getting used to the estate layout, but the team seems...intriguing ," I said, choosing my words carefully.
Jake chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Intriguing"? That's a promising start, Miss Jennie. I think we'll get along just fine."
Sophia's gaze lingered on me, her expression turned cold. "I think 'intriguing ' is a generous term, Jake," she said, her voice dripping with visible disdain. "Miss Jennie, you're quite...curious. What really brings you to our humble estate?"
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Sophia's words probed deeper than I expected. "Just seeking a fresh start," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Sophia raised an eyebrow,her tone dripping with sarcasm . "A fresh start? How...refreshing . I'm sure you'll fit right in with our...dysfunctional family."
Jake shot Sophia a warning glance . "Sophia, don't be rude …..Let's keep the claws retracted" he said, his voice low and even .
Sophia's gaze never wavered from mine. "I'm just stating the obvious, Jake. Miss Jennie here seems like a... delicate flower, doesn't she?one that might wilt under our …prickly care "
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as Sophia's words stung. Jake, sensing my discomfort, stepped in. "Hey, Sophia, knock it off. Let's focus on our jobs at hand,Miss Jennie is our.... Colleague, after all."
Miss Lily stood up from her seat, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I think we've got the introductions covered. Let's get back to work, shall we?"
As the kitchen staff returned to their tasks, Jake leaned in, his voice low. "Don't mind Sophia, Miss Jennie. She's just...passionate about people she doesn't know….yet"
Sophia shot Jake a look, but he just grinned, unfazed. I watched them, wondering what secrets lay beneath their playful banter. As Jake turned to leave, his hand brushed against mine, sending a spark of electricity through my body.
"Sophia, why don't you show Miss Jennie to where the staff takes their breakfast ?" Miss Lily suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Sophia's expression turned glacial. "I'd rather not," she said, her voice turned icy.
Jake intervened, his voice smooth. "I'll show her, Miss Lily. Sophia's...busy."
As Jake offered his arm, Sophia's eyes flashed with annoyance. I took Jake's arm, feeling a flutter in my chest. "Thanks, Jake. I appreciate it.
As we walked out of the kitchen, Sophia's voice followed us, low and menacing. "This isn't over, Miss Jennie." I felt goosebumps as I wondered what she had against me.
Just then, Miss Lily's voice rang out, firm but controlled. "Sophia, Jake, a moment. I expect all staff members to treat our new colleague, Miss Jennie, with respect and kindness. Any behavior to the contrary will be addressed accordingly. Let's keep the atmosphere professional and welcoming."
I watched as she paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she gazed at Sophia. Miss Lily's irises, a deep, rich brown with flecks of warm honey, seemed to darken, and the gold specks within them sparkled like tiny stars, igniting with a hint of annoyance. Her gaze was piercing, yet controlled, as if daring Sophia to defy her.
Sophia's expression turned even colder, but she remained silent, her eyes flashing with defiance. Jake, however, flashed me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Miss Jennie. We'll make sure you're treated like one of us around here."
Miss Lily's gaze swept the room, her eyes lingering on each staff member. The warmth in her eyes softened, but the gold specks remained, a subtle reminder of her authority. Her eyes seemed to hold a deep understanding and empathy, yet a firm resolve that brooked no argument. "I mean it, everyone. We're a team, and I expect us to act like one. Miss Jennie is our new colleague, and she deserves the same respect and kindness you'd want for yourselves."
Her voice softened slightly as she turned to me, her eyes crinkling at the corners. The gold specks faded, replaced by a warm, genuine smile that put me at ease. "Welcome to the team, Miss Jennie. I'm glad you're here."
I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude and fear toward Miss Lily. "Thank you, Miss Lily. I'm excited to be here." I said trying to steady my voice,What kind of authority did she hold her staff ?My mind lingered on those gold specks ,what secrets did they hold? I pushed my thoughts aside,not wanting to dwell on it .
As I continued walking with Jake, I couldn't help but wonder about the dynamic between the staff members and me,most of them seem to have a personal vendetta against me, the ones that seem welcoming and kind was that their true intentions? …Jake leaned in, his voice low. "Don't mind Sophia. She's just a bit... prickly. But Miss Lily's word is law around here. You'll be fine."
I smiled, feeling a sense of relief . "I appreciate that, Jake."
The walk to the staff room was quiet and slow, my thoughts a jumble of emotions. But one thing was for sure – this estate and its staff were more than what they seemed. I noticed Jake stealing glances at me, trying to read me. I wonder what he saw,did he think I was a naive newcomer or did he sense my unease beneath my surface Fortunately, we reached the staff room, and Jake announced, "We're here," as he opened the wooden door.
The aroma of freshly baked croissants and rich coffee wafted through the air, teasing my senses. As we entered the luxurious room, white with elegant gold accents everywhere, that added a subtle touch of elegance . The room was filled with plush velvet chairs and carved wooden tables, like a mini bar space with a warm and inviting atmosphere , and the food was displayed like a buffet, tantalizing my taste buds. I felt a pang of hunger and excitement maybe this estate wouldn't be so bad after all
The soft hum of conversation and the clinking of fine china filled the air, only to stop abruptly when I entered the room. I felt their eyes swivel to me almost instantly, but I wasn't bothered.
The buffet was a culinary haven, showcasing an array of French delicacies that tantalized my test bud and tempted my senses . "Wow, this looks incredible. I'm starving," I said, my eyes widening in amazement. Jake chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "We take our meals seriously around here. Luckily, you still have your appetite. Miss Lily insists on the finest cuisine. Let me introduce you to some of my favorites."
He guided me to the buffet, his hand brushing against mine, sending a spark of electricity through my body. "This is Coq au Vin, a classic dish made with braised chicken in red wine. And this is Bouillabaisse, a hearty fish stew from Marseille, cooked to perfection with a dash of saffron and fennel." As we approached the dessert table, Jake's eyes sparkled. "And for dessert, we have Macarons, Éclairs, and Tarte Tatin. The Tarte Tatin is a caramelized apple tart that's a personal favorite of mine, made with love and a hint of cinnamon."
I smiled, feeling a warmth in my heart as Jake's guidance encouraged me to try new flavors and food.
"I'll try the Coq au Vin and the Tarte Tatin, please."
As we sat down to eat, Jake eyes lit up as he explained each dish, telling me about the ingredients and the cooking techniques, his passion for food evident in his enthusiasm .
"You're enjoying the Coq au Vin?" he asked, his eyes meeting mine.
I nodded as I closed my eyes letting the flavors dance on my eyes , slowly savoring the flavors and textures ,The Coq au Vin was rich and tender, with a deep flavor of red wine and mushrooms that melted in my mouth. The Tarte Tatin was sweet and caramelized, with a crumbly pastry crust that gave way to a tender apple filling.
"It's amazing. I can see why it's your favorite." Jake's smile spread across his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners and his dimples deepening, making him look even more handsome."
"I'm glad you like it. The chef puts a lot of love into each dish." He said beaming with pride
I almost choked when I remembered the encounter with the chef. "Well, if he could stop me from eating this, he would," I chuckled lightly. Jake laughed, his voice low and husky. "I think he'd have a hard time doing that."
Just then, the gardeners, Michael and Emily, poked their heads into the room. "Hey, Jake! Hey, Jennie! Just wanted to say hi to everyone before we head out," Michael said, his smile friendly. I nodded curtly, while Jake waved. "Hey, guys! Enjoy the rest of your day."
As the gardeners left, Jake turned to me. "They're lovely people. We've got a good team here." I smiled, feeling a sense of wonder. "It seems like it."
As we finished our meal, Jake leaned in, his voice soft and husky,his breath whispering against my ear making my heart skip. "I'm glad you're enjoying the food. Maybe I can show you around the estate later…..,but I have errands to do, and you have your work to do." I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest. "I'd like that. Have a good day, thank you for everything. I'll get going " I said as I stood up
As I left the staff room , I couldn't help but wonder what the rest of my time at the estate would be like. Would I be able to navigate the complex dynamics between the staff members ,my job and the young master ? And what secrets lay beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic place? I pushed my thoughts aside, focusing on the present moment. For now, I was just grateful for the delicious food and Jake's friendly company.