It's only a phase, isn't it? | 18+ | +MAIN FOCUS+

Chapter 10

"Kace," she remarked, her arms crossed.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't see you..."

"Come with me," she replied, holding up a finger.

Ah geez.

"Kace..." she then whispered with a smirk once we were in private. "Do you understand what that was?"

"What? Oh, yeah... I brought Jalen her breakfast, as I should. It's my... duty and all-"

"You're in love!"

"What?!" I gasped. "Don't make such a preposterous claim."

She raised her eyebrow.

What is going through her head?!

"I saw how you acted around her. You've been way off lately, too. I can even tell with the vocabulary you're using now. You're trying to hide something."

"Ugh... what kind of person do you think I am? Listen to me. We were sent here to attend to Jalen, as her butlers. We're not allowed to physically do anything to her, and that includes falling 'in love' or whatever. I'm just following orders, Annie. And you know for a fact that the one I love is you."

She smirked again.

"And Jalen."

"Would you hush up about that?! That can't possibly be the case!"

"Hmm. Say what you want, Greenie. But you know for a fact that there's a fine line in being a butler and being in love, which you know for a fact you're gonna cross eventually," she muttered. "Being a butler means protecting her as the family requests, and not getting involved in her personal affairs. Being in love means sacrificing any rule and your position for her sake... which one do you find yourself leaning towards?"

With that, she left.

As she stepped away, I almost couldn't believe her. But then again... I couldn't stop myself from wanting to check up on her after breakfast.

And there she was, lying in her bed. The small tray was now on the ground. As I picked it up, I noticed her begin to shiver.

Ugh, that asshole's traumatized her...

I frowned and slowly pulled her covers over her.

"Rest now, Lady Jalen." I assured, leaving the room to place the dishes in the sink.

After some time of Annie and myself cleaning the house, I heard a knock at the door. A bad feeling in my gut told me that this was probably the one person I didn't want to deal with.

And lo and behold when I opened the door...

I gazed in fury at her trashy boyfriend, but was oddly satisfied by the injury that still remained visible above one of his eyebrows, which now furrowed at the sight of me.

"Oh, it's... you."

"I thought I told you not to come back," I replied, growling.

"Right, but I was wondering if Jalen was around so I could give her this-"

I cut him off.

"I'm gonna stop you right there," I began to yell. "After yesterday, it's very unlikely that she'll ever trust the likes of you again. And no one in this house ever will. I have informed the family of your disturbing behavior, and no one in the house even trusts you here anymore."

That was a bit of a lie... I hadn't informed them yet, as that would break the sort of "NDA" I had with Jalen herself.

"What-"

"Now, I'm gonna give you ten seconds, and I'd better not see you try any bullshit. I'm going to call the police."

"Oh, really? What for?"

"Trespassing on private property. Don't fucking test me. I will put your ass in jail if I have to."

"Why do you care so much? I'm Jalen's boyfriend, she would trust me."

"Yeah? Well, now, you're Jalen's nothing."

"But-"

"Jalen's nothing!" I shouted again, slamming the door in his face and picking up my phone. It was satisfying, seeing him rushing away.

"Ugh!" I groaned, stomping into the kitchen, the noise from my sandals unsettling me. "Can you even believe the audacity of-"

I paused when I saw Annie smugly grinning at me, her arms crossed.

"-that... guy?"

"Sooooo..." she droned, walking up to me with that same smug grin plastered on her face. What was she up to?

"...you gonna tell me when you two get hitched?"

"What?!" I gasped.

"It's obvious! You like her! Ooh, I knew it..!"

I gasped again and put a hand over her mouth.

"As I said... will you hush up about that theory?! I don't even think of her in that way! Never once have I! I am here to serve Jalen as her butler only!" I whispered fiercely.

As I took my hand away, she only scoffed.

"Sure you are."

"I'm being serious, you stupid Jar-head."

I could only stare as she walked away, waving her hand at me.

"Okay... whatever."

"Get back here, I'm not finished with you yet!"

Oh well. No stopping her now. I sulked a little as I walked upstairs. I needed to get my medicine.

But... I had to... pass by Jalen without waking her up..?

My feet stopped dead in their tracks, glued to the steps. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't... move...

I turned around and ran back downstairs to the couch, covering my face.

What's wrong with me?

As I tried to still my heart and my breath, I could only piece together one conclusion.

What if... I am in love with Jalen?

—-

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey, everyone! It's been a hot minute since I updated, but I'm back. And while you may or may not be in the c*rona quarantine, perfect time to catch up here, eh?

Next update will be in a few days. Make sure to keep an eye out for it! Also, the book is now 1/3 of the way complete! Hooray!