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CHAPTER EIGHT
Time goes by slowly. I’m getting restless and going mad with boredom. The weeks are flying by, and Christmas is only a day away. But that’s far from my mind. What is, however, is there’s still no sign of Milton.
It’s not Grantham manor. Nor is it bubbly, happy Hilary or placid, quiet Peter. Not even the two elusive security guards, Barnes and Cole, who don’t seem to stop working and mostly guard in the shadows. And it’s certainly not the two large masses of fur lying on the bottom of Milton’s bed with me while I pine for their master.
Everything has been great—I like Hilary. She’s been teaching me how to bake, which I’ve been enjoying. Sometimes I even go on silent walks through the gardens with Peter and the dogs when I need fresh air.
But it’s not enough. It feels like I’ve lost Milton all over again. There’s a gaping hole in my chest that only he can fill.
Having abandoned my own room, the dogs and I have taken up residence in Milton’s bedroom. But his scent is fading. Our texts, which became more infrequent as the weeks went by, have fizzled out completely. And the last two days, he hasn’t texted me at all.
He says he wants me but stays away. It angers me that it’s so easy for him to while I break that he does. It only reveals how much deeper I am into him than he. As if he doesn’t need me like I need him. The world around me feels void. He gets to show up whenever he wants, but I’m not allowed to. He fucks me…and then that’s it.
On top of it all, it’s Saturday again and my thoughts put me off breakfast. Having not refused food since she came, Hilary doesn’t hide her concern. But I can’t stomach anything. It’s another Saturday, which means Milton will be at the club, and maybe Rika will be too. Something else I haven’t been able to get out of my head.
The last few Saturdays have been the same. I’ve felt nothing but queasy thinking of him around anyone else—especially her. Even though I don’t know what she looks like.
I shove the comforter off me with a sigh and get out of bed, fed up with being miserable. The dogs follow behind me as I go downstairs and into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I pull out a water bottle and give a piece of bacon to Blue and Bea from the cupboard.
Leaning against the island, I watch Hilary and Peter walking outside together. They’re wearing adorable matching hats and scarves she knitted herself. Peter hates wearing them, but she forces him to saying he’ll catch a death if he’s not careful.
My heart melts that they’re holding hands. Even from the short time I’ve known them, I can see how beautiful their love is. Peter is protective, and Hilary idolizes him. They worked for Milton’s grandfather. After later finding out that they’d been suffering without the work, Milton took on their employment. Hilary said he saved them, but I never asked how feeling like it was too personal of a question. But I don’t think Milton’s grandfather was a very nice man from the vibe I got.
“I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. Any problems, call me,” the gruff voice of Barnes comes from the hallway. Leaning a little to the left, I see he’s talking to Cole while shrugging on a cargo jacket.
“Yes, sir. Have a nice Christmas.”
“You, too. Don’t forget to check the east side when you’re doing your checks. You missed it yesterday.”
“I won’t, sir.”
With that, Barnes walks out. The door closes in the distance, and I look back at the water bottle, my mind a whirl of thoughts. Leaving it on the counter, Cole is gone as I run upstairs, veering left in the direction of my room that I’ve only been in a handful of times to grab clean clothes.
With the dogs following, I go to my closet and stop to look around. All these pretty, pricey dresses and nowhere to go.
Unless…
Stepping over to the rack, I again brush my fingers against the glamorous gowns. Would it be so bad to get dressed and persuade Cole to drive me to the club?
I’d have to be quick in hopes Milton isn’t watching from cameras I’ve yet to find. I’m sure I’ll be in for severe punishment if I’m caught. But maybe Iwantto be. I’d take any interaction right now, even if it is his wrath.
“What do you think?” I ask the dogs. “Shall we go and see Milton and wish him a merry Christmas?” Their tails begin wagging at the sound of his name, and I smile. “Good answer.”
* * *
Walkingdownstairs in a pair of black Louis Vuittons, the gown I chose to wear is floor-length and sexy. Dark red in color, the waist is fitting, the neckline low, and the skirt long and flowy. I’ve flat ironed the curls from my hair and painted my face, making my eyes dark and lips the same as my dress.
When Hilary sees me, she almost drops the basket of clean laundry she was carrying upstairs. “My goodness. You look stunning.”
My cheeks get hot. “Thank you.”
“Whatever is the occasion?” Her eyes are lit with humor. “I was only thinking of making meatloaf tonight, dear.”
“Milton has requested I go to the club,” I lie, having been over what to say multiple times inside my head.
“I see,” she says, but I know that she doesn’t believe me by the flicker of uncertainty. There’s not much you can get past Hilary. She’s as sharp as a nail. “He didn’t mention it.”
“It was a last-minute arrangement. I’m just on my way to tell Cole now.”
