33- My First Kiss

Ashley Walters pov

When I wiped my nose with his t–shirt, I felt him shaking with mirth, but I did not dare to look up.

Holding my hand, he brought me back to his room, “You are asking me to bring her back, kitten. Do remember. I am doing it for you.” His body language was enough to tell me that he was still not convinced, “I wanted to keep you safe. You don’t know people around here.”

Once inside, I turned to him, “Don’t worry about my safety, chief.” I saluted him, “There is a personal bodyguard assigned to me by some pervert. He will keep me safe.” I was sure there was this devilish streak in my voice.

His eyes went wide, he threw back his head and laughed loudly, “You knew? B… but how?”

“My friends noticed him just last night.”

“Your friends sound sharp.” He seemed impressed by them. I wanted to ask him what he had decided about Sarah.

“So… Justin? Umm…”

“Ok. Bring her back.” He sighed and nodded, then took me in his arms, “but I have got few conditions of my own.”

I was taken aback by it, “What? Conditions?”

“Yeah. Take it or leave it.” He shrugged nonchalantly, “Decide it now or let the matter go.”

“No, I want to hear those conditions, chief.” I narrowed my eyes tilting my head up. The way he was holding me, I did not think I could say no to him.

“Then hear me out.” Making me sit on the edge of the bed, he kneeled on the floor. For some reason it made me feel like we were an intimate couple where this man was deeply in love with me.

Come on, Ashley Walters. Wake up. Come back to the real world. I tried to warn myself.

He held my hands on my lap, “These conditions are nothing but your basic rights, Ashley. I had been thinking to offer you clothes, shoes, any necessity… you should watch movies even if I am not there, go and have your meals on that dining table like everyone else in the house…”

“Justin… No!” I was kind of terrified and freed my hands from his grip, “I am just a maid!” I cupped his cheeks, “Just a maid, Justin. Nothing else.”

“You are NOT a maid, Ashley. Stop calling yourself that!” He snapped, “That was why I was not asking you initially. You are stubborn, Ashley. But for all the wrong reasons. Know your rights, girl.”

“No,” I tried to be loud, “You can’t change it, Justin but…” He did not let me finish.

“YOU ARE NOT A MAID!” His voice raised louder than mine, “DAMN IT!”

When I went quiet, he spoke again but this time there was less harshness, “Every maid in the Deluca house signs a contract before he or she is hired. Did you sign any such contract?”

I stayed silent. No, I did sign one but that was not an employee’s contract.

“See?” He nodded at me, “You signed the other kind of paper but not a job contract. Anyone living here without signing this job contract is part of the family. Whether it’s my cousin Sean or Sarah or even my closest friends Keith and Terry.”

are my conditions. You need to live here as we all live. You can go to the kitchen and order the on–duty maid to make you the food you like. You can cook something for yourself whenever you want. Get

How could I spend his hard–earned money like

finger, “We have become allies in no time. You are under my roof. How many times should I remind you? You are my responsibility! You are doing that job because I wanted you to go out and have your way. I wanted you to feel happiness and freedom. Bringing her back means I need to keep an eye on her again. It might have consequences,

to argue but he quickly placed his finger on my lips, “I know her. Stop thinking

quiet, “I trust you. You can’t kick everyone out of this

me.”

He muttered under his

did you

one year. But if you want her back now? I will allow her to set her foot here on these conditions. If you accept them

“But Justin…”

your sleep so that we can shop for your clothes and basic stuff.” With that, he left the

that Sarah might make me uncomfortable while I was more worried about Electra Deluca. She was a strong

if she would not pay me our agreed amount by

pay you the said amount. Don’t you trust him?‘ Someone inside my head spoke to me,‘ He calls himself a man of his word. He won’t let anything happen to

Oh, man!

and plopped down on my mattress. It had become close to my heart. Soft,

spongy.

here, it stayed with me like a friend. I smiled to myself at these odd notions and started thinking about

not a maid. However, I did not belong to his class either. I was below their status. Lots of money with big houses and an army

Lots of time to think about my

able to make it

come over to take care of you? I

address.‘

That was sweet

sick. I just need time to

It’s ok. Take your time. I will miss

sent her the message

aside I started thinking about the pros and cons of my

you, Sarah. Why am I taking the pain for you?

voice spoke in my head. Lately, it had been scolding me a

forward to my job but tonight I was

lawn that spread over acres. What if I will accept the freedom offered by Justin? What if I offer Electra Deluca half the amount and request

let me feel the breeze against my hair, to let me bask in the sunlight without a

I doubting my self–worth? Why I was so insecure of

bounced in panic when I

I went to him and put my arms around him.

expecting someone else?” I felt his hand in my hair. Amusement was evident in

proposal… I don’t know

face, “Look up and tell

did not have any other

would rather be happier if you keep Sarah away from this equation. You

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