OLIVIA'S POV
"Thank you for breakfast Olivia," Taylor smiled at me.
A genuine smile.
"You're welcome." I smiled back.
"Do you need help with the dishes?" He asked, getting up from his chair.
I shook my head.
"No, thank you I will manage."
"Do you need help with the dishes?" Leon said in a mocking tone.
Taylor and I simultaneously looked at him.
"What? That's what he fucking sounds like. She doesn't need your help buddy it's her fucking job." he huffed.
"What's wrong with you?" Taylor snapped.
"Nothing you fucker. We've got to get to work let's fucking move." He pushed his chair and stomped away.
I looked at him confused as to what his problem was.
"Sorry about that Olivia." Taylor rushed out after him leaving Lucien and I.
During the whole exchange he hadn't said a word or lifted his head.
"How are you feeling?" His voice was soft, calm and friendlier.
"Better, sir." The words came out automatically.
He lifted his head. His eyes moving over me slowly.
"You didn't eat breakfast."
"I am not hungry."
That wasn't true, but how could I eat when that predator was sitting there looking at me like I was a goat ready for slaughter.
He stood up and walked towards me. I froze, my body bracing itself.
He stopped just before he reached me.
"You're shivering."
"J-just a little cold."
His hand lifted. I flinched before I could stop it.
Something flickered on his face.
I didn't know what it was.
Then his face hardened.
"I didn't raise my hand," he said.
"I know," I whispered. "I am sorry."
He sighed, like I had disappointed him.
"You don't need to apologize for being sick," he said. "Come and sit down."
I obeyed.
He poured me a glass of orange juice and placed it in front of me.
"Drink."
I did.
His gaze softened just enough to make my heart ache.
"You work too hard and forget to take care of yourself," he placed his palm on my forehead.
No one had ever said that to me before.
My throat tightened.
"I will do better." I said quickly.
"That's not what I said," he tilted his head slightly. " But I can fix that."
My fingers curled around the glass.
I thought of Leon's voice.
Of his smile.
The way he looked at me.
Should I just tell him?
I looked down. "I am fine."
His fingers grazed my lips where the cut was.
I involuntarily flinched. I looked up at him.
A frown formed on his face.
"I fell," the lie flowed out of my mouth before I could stop it.
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
"Alright. If that's what you want to tell me."
Relief flooded me so suddenly.
Did he really believe me?
"Someone else will cover your chores today, go and rest," he said.
"But…"
"It wasn't a suggestion."
"Yes, sir."
He stepped back, fixing his hair and straightened his sleeves. The moment went as quickly as it came.
He walked past me, he paused and turned back.
"Olivia."
"Yes?"
"You don't have to be afraid in this house," he said calmly. "Nothing will happen to you. Unless I allow it."
I slowly nodded my head.
My body feeling warm.
As he left the room his scent lingered, bergamot and cedar, wrapping around me like a warm blanket.
I was so lucky.
I was protected.
The rest of my day was peaceful and I was happy.
But then the nightmare came at night.
The night before I had slept in the cottage behind the house because I was afraid.
Afraid of Mr Leon.
But tonight I couldn't.
I was the first one to go upstairs, I paced up and down.
Fear threatening to cripple me.
My stomach twisted into a knot that kept pulling tighter and tighter.
For a moment my mouth completely dried out and then it suddenly became too wet.
I tightened my jaw trying to contain it.
Tonight I couldn't run.
Mr Leon warned me.
"If you pull your little stunt I am going to tell him. I will come over and make you feel good."
I couldn't let that happen, Lucien and I had just reconciled.
The back of my throat burned from the threat of bile. My hands trembled as a memory played in my head.
I remember when I was ten I had planned to confess to Lucien.
I had written a letter in my shabby handwriting and was ready to give it to him.
I remember how happily I skipped when I was looking around for him.
But all that happiness disappeared the moment I saw him choking a bloody girl. She was covered in blood from head to toe.
She had to be about the same age as him.
The workers were trying to pull him off her but he held on until she had gone limp.
I later heard from my mother that the girl had confessed her love to him, she had been following him around and buying him gifts he never asked for.
The girl had gone into a coma and that was the reason why he had to move here.
So that was another reason why I never dared to tell him how I truly felt.
But now Mr Leon was holding it against me.
I thought it would be a one time thing but he wanted more.
I couldn't do this. I didn't like it.
How was I gonna escape this?
I sniffled, biting my lip till I tasted blood.
Should I just kill him?