Seraphina

A knock on the door woke me up, and I jumped up with fear, thinking that it was Kaelan.

I was still suffering from the trauma of what happened yesterday, and worse, Celine had been too scared to reveal Kaelan’s secret to me.

I didn’t even think that I would have been able to sleep peacefully knowing that I was under the same roof with Kaelan Crowe, but I had. However, that was after staying up until past midnight, swimming in fear even though I had locked the door. I didn’t even know when I got carried away with sleep until now.

“It’s me, Celine,” Celine said gently when I didn’t open the door.

I sighed with relief as I went to open the door.

“Good morning,” Celine said.

She walked into the room carrying my neatly folded clothes that she had helped me launder yesterday. For the first time in my life, I had slept in towels.

“Oh, thank goodness!” I said and collected the clothes hastily from her. “You are an angel, Celine!” I gushed.

Then I hurried into the bathroom and gave myself time to freshen up. I brushed, washed my hair and combed it, before having my bath and applying lotion on my skin, all inside the bathroom. I didn’t come out until I was dressed in my clothes.

“You look better,” Celine complimented.

“I actually feel better,” I answered.

I wasn’t exactly better, because inside me, the shock of everything that happened and what I heard was still there, but aside from that, being freshened up and in my own comfortable clothes made me feel better.

“And oh, good morning,” I said when it occurred to me that I hadn’t exercised my manners. “I was so caught up in the excitement of seeing my clothes after sleeping in that towel that completely forgot to reciprocate the pleasantries,” I explained extensively.

“It’s nothing,” Celine said with smile. “I totally understand how you feel,” she added.

“Thank you,” I sad, as though I couldn’t thank her enough.

Without Celine here, it would have been worse. I would have lived in horror and dread.

“There is no need to,” Celine said warmly. “Would you come down to have breakfast or should I bring it up here for you just as I did with dinner last night?” She asked me.

Another thing with Celine was that she was so understanding and very considerate. Even though Kaelan was her boss, she still considered me in a lot of things. I really couldn’t thank her enough, especially as she always knew what I might prefer, or even gave me options about almost everything. I had only known for a little of forty-eight hours, but it felt like I had known her for ages.

However, her question made me shiver with dread.

“Where is Kaelan?” I asked her.

“He is almost ready to leave for work,” she informed me.

“So, that means that should I go downstairs now, I would likely run into him?” I asked her.

Celine nodded before she answered. “That is a possibility, yes,” she said.

I swallowed hard and tried not to let the fear building inside of me to come out. Celine was doing enough already. I didn’t want her to see me as one scared cat even though I already displayed that attribute the day before.

“I don’t want to see him,” I muttered.

It was even a good thing that Kaelan hadn’t attempted to see me, or even demanded that I be brought to his presence. That would have made me pass out in fear, so now that he was leaving without seeing me, I might as well help myself by staying out of the way.

“What did you say?” Celine asked.

It was obvious she didn’t hear me clearly, and I didn’t even want to repeat it, because it wasn’t meant for her ears to begin with. Celine was treating me like an elder sister; caring for me and protecting me in a way, which was something I hadn’t experienced before.

Being that my parents passed when I was still a teenager and I was older than Aria, I had had to do all the care and protection. Even when I started dating Thorn, he was so spoilt that I had to also take care of him all the time.

Thorn couldn’t lift a finger to do anything, not even fold his socks, and I did all that for him without complaining, because I was in love with him. Only now did I realize that he was nothing but a spoiled and entitled brat.

“I will have my breakfast here instead,” I told her instead.

“Is that what you said the first time?” Celine asked me.

“No, but please, don’t ask me to repeat it,” I pleaded with her.

“Of course I won’t,” Celine said. “But I want you to know that I am always here for you. I know that we only recently got introduced, but I already see you like someone who is dear to my heart, and so, you can always talk to me,” Celine expressed with tenderness.

“Thank you,” I appreciated her.

As much as I appreciated her kind gesture, I knew that it would be a waste because I wouldn’t even be living here.

I wanted to be far away from both father and son for now…especially father.

“I will bring your breakfast then,” Celine said.

She got up to leave, but she stopped and turned to me, as though she had forgotten something.

“Did you forget something?” I asked her.

“Yes,” Celine said.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Mr. Kaelan wants you to get ready, as he will be back here by noon to take you shopping,” Celine said.

Fear gripped me instantly.

After what happened yesterday and a secret I still didn’t know about? I just couldn’t.

“Hold on a second,” I told Celine.

Then I took the pen and small piece of paper that had been inside my purse and quickly scribbled something.

I folded it and walked up to Celine and gave it to her.

“Please, give this to him for me,” I requested.