When The Puppet Falls For The Puppeteer

"Trying to manipulate the manipulator?"

"Its okay Mrs. Irene, you are already doing so much for Lillie and I" I said, politely. 

"No, I don't do anything at all since you are here, you cook for everyone. You take care of so many of my chores. See even right now you are holding laundry not just yours and Lillie's but also of young master's and Dan's" she said looking at my hand

"Its okay Mrs. Irene. Marcus already do so much for us. Its the least I can do" I said keeping the clothes in the dryer. Its because of him I was bailed out. He paid $15000 without hesitation. After the brick incident, he even compensated the treatment of those kids, as a penance from my mom's side. 

I came out in the living room wiping my hands and regretted it istantly

"Ash, Dan! Oh My God I am so sorry" I turned around apologising for walking on them when they were at the couch making out

"My-myra bear" Ash got up with a hesitant laugh. "Hey I-I didn't realize you were here. She said and Dan added "yeah she kind of lives here" "I-I am sorry I should have seen. I will leave you two to it." I said moving out with a soft giggle

"No you can stay" Ash said

"No you guys carry on-" "Red!" I heard him calling me from his room

"Looks like she cant stay" Dan commented and Ash just rolled her eyes

"I-I will se you guys"

"Red!" 

"Yeah, coming," I called out, turning toward the stairs.

I climbed quickly impatience in his voice. If he had to call me a third time, he wouldn't just be irritated, he would lose his temper again.

I stepped into his room, heart already a few beats ahead of me.

"You called me," I said softly, unsure if I was interrupting something—or walking straight into it.

He didn't look up.

"Is Ash still here?" he asked, eyes fixed on his laptop.

"Yeah... she is."

He nodded slightly, lips pressed in that distracted line he wore when he was thinking about ten things at once. I stood there, arms folded across myself like armor.

"You needed something?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Yes." He finally shut his laptop and set it aside.

"You've finished the class notes?" he asked.

"Yeah - I have kept yours here on your table. All of them" I showed him the folders.

"You did all of them?" His brow lifted. "I asked for only Literature"

"Its fine not that I am doing your homework for the first time. I am used to doing yours even though when you were three grades higher than me. Its easier now that we share the same classes."  I  smiled faintly

He gave a slight, almost nostalgic nod. "Yeah. You did."

A pause. Then—"Anyways I called you because, Jess wants to throw a party. She asked to use the house, and I said yes. You'll probably see flyers at school tomorrow. I want you to handle the arrangements." His voice was dismissive, like it was a passing detail.

"Oh—okay. I will." I hesitated. "But... if there's a party here, Lillie and I can stay at my place for the night, I mean offcourse I will complete the setup before —"

"No," he cut in. "You'll stay for the party."

"I just thought... I wasn't allowed—"

"You are," he said, eyes sharpening, "if I say so."