Chapter 9 A NEW FRIEND

AUDREY'S POV

I had nothing to do all day. I was just there in the mansion. Albert had stepped out for a while and he had not returned yet. He said something about going out to find an apartment that was close to this place.

He wanted to keep an eye on me at all costs. I could understand why he wanted to do that though, Liam's behavior earlier this morning wasn't exactly very hospitable or friendly.

It was already night time and none of them were back. Not Albert and not Liam. It was a little past eight.

I got down the stairs and moved to the kitchen. I had nothing all day because I was moving in and I also thought that I should make something for Liam.

I saw a maid there. She jumped when she saw me and placed her hands over her chest. I was startled to see her too. I didn't hear anyone when I came in earlier today. The house was very silent. Well even if it was a mansion and I mean a very huge one, it still would not be hard.

The huge sitting room just after you open the doors and walk right in was just a corner away from the kitchen.

"You startled me." She said, still breathing a little too hard from the shock.

"I'm sorry." I apologized

"I didn't mean to."

"It's...not a problem." She said and turned to continue what she was doing.

I look at her appearance. A black top over denim jeans and hair tied to a bun. I unconsciously put my thumb in my mouth and ate my nails.

It was a bad habit I did when I got curious about something and I mean, very curious.

She looked back, "is something the matter. I can't help but hear you breathe." She said,

"Was that supposed to be funny?' I thought.

I didn't know. I didn't particularly take any offense but I was bothered about something.

She was petite and from the way she spoke, she was learned and perhaps a teenager and she was very peculiar in a way.

"Could she be, maybe,..."

I didn't want to think about that.

"Really, tell me, is there something that you want to say to me?" She asked and looked at me fully.

She had abandoned the fruits that she was cutting and now her attention was fully on me.

"I wanted to know how you got in. I mean when I came here earlier today, I didn't see or hear anyone." I replied.

"Oh I have a key to the house and by the way, who are you exactly?" She asked.

She looked very curious, it was very obvious on her face. I guess Liam didn't tell her.

She must be close to him seeing that she also has a key to the mansion and could come in and go whenever she liked.

"I am also curious to know who you are." I said.

"I have to be very cautious, the boss never told me that any woman would be coming by today and besides, he isn't one to always come home and so I... practically own the house. He left me in charge."

Her voice didn't sound so confident as she said that.

"I'm sorry, how old did you say you were again ?" I had to ask.

"I don't believe that we have spoken to each other about our age now have we?"

She caught on to what I was trying to do. I wanted her to indirectly tell me her age because I didn't think that she would answer if I asked her outrightly.

I looked down before looking back up to see her face, "18?

She rolled her eyes, "not even close."

"19?"

She threw her hands up in the air, "why is everyone like that?"

She sounded a bit frustrated but not so much.

"Everyone?"

"Yes everyone, you all look at me and then think that I am a teenager. I may still be on college but I am not a teenager"

"Oh, then how old are you because you look like one to me." I said as a matter of fact.

"I'm twenty one. Thank you." She said,

"Oh," I giggled,

"My bad."

"And you?" She asked.

I placed my index on my chest, a bit surprised by her question.

"Me? What about me?" I asked her.

"Who are you? What are you doing here? Why are you interested in knowing how old I am?" She asked all at once and with a very dry tone.

It irritated me a little bit but I could not really blame her. She didn't know who I was.

"My name is Audrey, Liam's wife." I replied.

It felt weird as the word 'wife' rolled off my tongue. I didn't feel much like it but yeah that was my answer.

Her eyes grew wide and she placed her palms over her mouth.

"Boss Liam never told me that he would be getting married or that it would be so fast!!" She exclaimed.

I cleared my throat, "well...who are you?"

"I'm his maid Mrs Smith, he employed me a year ago." She replied with more respect now and formality and honestly, I liked her better when she was just being blunt after all, I was just a year older than she was

"Oh is that so? Um...it's fine. Do you live...in the mansion?

I don't know why I was hesitant to ask her that question.

Maybe it's because I felt a little better that she was around. It felt very lonely being alone in the mansion.

"No, I just come by, make whatever he asks me too and sometimes I come by to check on the house and clean it, Mrs. Smith." She replied.

Hearing her call me that made me feel very cringe.

I gave her a small smile and was about to leave when I remember,

"What's your name?"

"Willow." She replied.

"Well... Willow, it's okay to call me Audrey." I said and left.

"Willow." That sounded beautiful.

Who knows, we could actually be best of friends in this lonely mansion. I hope.