Chapter 4 Audacity

A soft chime was coming from a small speaker neatly tucked into the bed frame.

"Breakfast is ready," an automated voice announced politely... a little too politely.

Alex groaned into her pillow. "What the hell..."

The room was still partially dark, with very little light coming through the heavily curtained windows. She blinked multiple times, trying to remember where she was, because it certainly wasn't her room.

The voice repeated its message once again, and one look at the speaker close to her reminded her where she was... the home of the billionaire... Julian Blackwood.

"Breakfast is ready."

"Right... I hear you clearly Mr robot butler."

She made her way towards the bathroom, marveling at its beauty and comfort. Everything here was something that she could never have been able to afford, but despite the comfort, she still reminded herself that she was very much a stranger in a palace

She went over to Sophie's room to tell her about breakfast, but what she met was and empty room and a well-made bed.

"Sophie?" she called softly. There was no response, and panic immediately rose in her throat. Had she gone exploring? Gotten lost?

She didn't wait to imagine the rest... instead she fled down the staircase, hurrying to the bottom only to see a wholesome sight before her eyes.

There they were... Julian Blackwood and his son, seated at the long dining table like beautiful statues in a portrait. Directly across from them, Sophie was chatting and smiling, and her legs were swinging playfully under the chair as if she'd lived there all her life.

Gregory was arranging silverware neatly, humming a weird tune to himself. Alex thought his face looked like sour milk. Madame Miller floated about with a tray of sliced fruits and eggs.

Alex hovered on the staircase.

"Morning," she said cautiously, tucking a strand of damp hair behind her ear and hoping somebody answered... Only Sophie and Madame Miller responded.

"Morning Mum!" Sophie grinned. "You slept like a log of wood."

"Good morning dear" Madame Miller greeted warmly, as she ladled some stew into a bowl. "I trust you slept well?"

"Yes... Thank you very much" Alex replied. Her eyes went off towards Julian... he was still buried in his phone. Lucas was calmly eating his cereal in silence.

"Um... hi, Lucas," she said slowly, a bit unsure and attempting a smile.

Lucas never replied... didn't even look up, just continued eating with the same blank, and creepy energy.

She gave up and took a seat.

Gregory placed a mug in front of her with disdain written all over him, and she hated him even more. "I can feel the love," She muttered under her breath.

Breakfast continued in silence, only disturbed occasionally by the clinking of cutlery and Sophie's occasional bright commentary.

"Did you know they have a library that looks like Hogwarts? Like actual ladders and secret doors and stuff!"

Julian didn't respond... Lucas didn't blink.

Alex was halfway through a croissant when Julian eventually spoke without looking up. "Are you ready to begin the boy's session today?"

She looked at him. "Yes, I am. Unless... is there anything you'd like me to know? Any... particular instructions?"

"No," he said matter of fact.

There was an awkward silence before Sophie, very casually, piped up again.

"Mr. Blackwood, could I get a ride to school with you? your office is quite close to it."

Alex nearly choked on her coffee. "Sophie!" she snapped.

But Julian looked up, and for the first time that morning, his eyes met Alex's.

"It's fine," he said coolly. "I'll drop her off."

Sophie beamed.

Alex stared at her daughter like she'd grown a second head. "You barely know him; you shouldn't be bothering him."

Sophie whispered from across the table, "Well maybe I'd like to."

Alex opened her mouth and then closed it. She had no idea how to respond to that.

This house is going to be a problem, she thought grimly.

-

Thirty minutes later, the morning shuffle of the house was in full motion. Gregory, who also acted as chauffeur, hovered by the car like a guardian, holding the door open for Julian and Sophie. Julian gave Alex a brief nod... cold, simple and polite, and then they were off.

Back inside the house, Madame Miller was already making arrangements for lunch and issuing orders to the servants. "No salt in Master Lucas' lunch," she was instructing one maid. "And absolutely no dairy in the pudding... use oat milk, got it?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Alex stood waiting by the staircase, watching as Lucas drifted silently towards her like a shadow.

She crouched to his level.

"Ready to start?" she asked gently.

He gave no answer, only stared as usual.

She stood up slowly... "Alright then, come with me."

Lucas followed her without a word, and as they made their way to the classroom on the eastern wing... Alex couldn't help but look back at him once more. The boy wasn't just quiet, she noticed. He seemed empty, like someone had taken all the light out of him and left him hollow.

She opened the door to the classroom. It was large and lined with shelves of different books and educational supplies.

"Here we are," she said, forcing cheer into her voice. "Just you and me kid."

Lucas simply sat down without being told.

Alex sat across from him and opened her notebook. "Alright Lucas, why don't we figure each other out, huh?"

He didn't move... not a sound either.

Alex smiled weakly. "You don't have to talk, I just need to know you're in there somewhere."

His head turned slightly.

Progress? Maybe?

"Do you want to draw? Talk? Or throw paper at me in complete rebellion?"

Nothing... he was blank again.

She was beginning to understand why the pay was so high, and the others had given up on the job... It was enough to drive anyone insane. She tried again.

"Okay then... I'll start. My name's Alex, Alexandra Reynolds. I make terrible pasta, but Sophie pretends it's good. I snore when I'm tired, and I don't like Gregory either."

Lucas blinked once.

Alex leaned forward, dropping her voice to a whisper. "He gives me serial killer vibes, but don't tell him I said that."

For a brief moment, there was a movement in the corner of Lucas's mouth... the ghost of a smile, barely visible and gone before she could hold on to it... "There you are kid." Alex said, smiling to herself... she suddenly felt hopeful.