Punishment III

Meanwhile….

Alex was cleaning the hallway, carefully mopping the floor. As he was working, the door at the end of the hallway suddenly opened, catching him off guard. He stumbled backwards, falling hard to the ground. His head was spinning, and he could feel the pain radiating from the back of his skull. It was a struggle to get up, but he managed to do so, his vision still blurry.

"Oh no, Alex!" Dunice exclaimed as she rushed over to him.

"I didn't know you were here." She crouched down next to him, looking concerned.

"Are you okay?" You look like you're in a lot of pain." Dunice said panicking.

Alex winced as he tried to speak. "My head really hurts. It's still healing from the accident."

Dunice's eyes widened in realization. "Oh no! I'm so sorry,"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Alex said, trying to sound reassuring.

"I need to finish cleaning this hallway or Madison will give me more work to do." He tried to stand up, but his legs felt like jelly and he stumbled. Dunice quickly reached out to steady him, her hand on his arm.

"Please, take it easy," she said, her voice soft and caring.

As Dunice looked at Alex, she noticed that his face was turned red. It was obvious that he was in a lot of pain, and she could tell that he was trying to hide it. It reminded her of the times when they were married, when he would complain of headaches and she would massage his head to make him feel better.

She found herself saying the words without thinking.

"Come inside, let me help you massage your head," She said it softly, and Alex froze, caught off guard by her offer.

"Getting hurt is a blessing afterall," Alex thought to himself.

Getting into her room she told him to sit in front of her dressing mirror and he complied.

As Alex sat down in front of the vanity mirror, he couldn't help but notice his reflection. He looked exhausted, and his hair was disheveled. As Dunice stood behind him, she reached for a bottle of lavender oil, pouring a few drops onto her hands. She began massaging the back of his head, her fingers working their way through his hair. And soon she found herself playing with his hair.

Alex closed his eyes, savoring the moment.

He inhaled the smell of her room, it smelled just like her, so fresh and soothing. Opening his eyes he stared straight at Dunice from the mirror and their eyes met.

Dunice blinked and quickly left his hair alone.

"I guess that should do," she said nervously.

"God why am I even getting nervous?" Dunice screamed internally.

"Yeah, I have to finish my work too," Alex said and left the room to finish up.

Seeing that Alex seemed to have left she came out from her her room and headed downstairs.

As she got downstairs she saw Madison rush out from the kitchen and she wondered what happened there.

"There seems to be a lot of tension today," Dunice thought to herself and she went into the kitchen.

"Uhmmm," Dunice inhaled.

"The aroma of the meal you are preparing is so inviting Jeff, you seem to be a very good cook," she said as she wiggled her eyebrows at him.

"Thanks for the compliment ma'am" he said avoiding her gaze.

Noticing the little cut in his hand she asked, "Jeffery did you cut your self?"

"Yes ma'am it's just a little cut." It doesn't hurt at all he said still avoiding her gaze.

In recent weeks, Dunice had noticed some subtle changes in Jeffery's behavior. He seemed to avoid eye contact with her, and his mannerisms had become more reserved. At the same time, he seemed overly protective of her, and she had noticed a hint of jealousy in his interactions with Alex. Could it be that he was developing feelings for her? The thought made her panic, and she tried to push it out of her mind. But the nagging thought wouldn't leave her alone. Was it possible that Jeffery was in love with her?

"I'll be leaving" Dunice informed jeffery and she left the kitchen quietly to ponder alone.

30 minutes later….

Jeffery was done cooking, he made a sandwich and fresh onion soup.

He set the dining and rang the bell at the dining to summon the others and in the matter of seconds everyone rushed down to the dinning.

"Oh I'm so famished and tired," Damien exclaimed and he sat down and everyone else took thier respective seats.

Jeffery stood up and started serving for everyone

He dished out Madison's food first and when he was about to hand it to her he asked

"Would this be enough for you? I remember you saying you were starving" he said softly.

"Ye-yes thank you," she said as she collected the dish from him.

Madison felt her heart flutter at his gesture.

Jeffery went ahead to dish out Dunice's food and then Damien's food.

"Thanks man," Damien said to Jeffery and started digging in.

Jeffery looked at Alex and took out a plate to dish out his own food and served it to him. He didn't want to look petty by leaving Alex to serve his own food himself.

After everyone has been offered food he was about to exuse himself from the dinning when he heard Madison speak.

"Aren't you going for eat jeffery, I know it's a punishment but you should eat too," she said in a worried tone.

"Ah, I added hazelnuts to the sandwiches because Dunice likes them in her sandwiches, but I'm alergic to hazelnuts," he said.

"Oh, you didn't have to," Dunice said feeling guilty that jeffery might not have dinner because he was thinking about her.

"It's okay I can just order some chicken," he said but as he was about leaving the dinning one of the staffs of Dunice's mansion rushed over to him with his bag.

"Sir, I believe this is your bag?" She asked poiletly.

"Yes, it is," he answered.

"Your phone has been vibrating non stop but you were busy so I decided not to disturb you, I think you should see who is calling" the staff said as she handed Jeffery the bag.

"Thank you," jeffery thanked the staff and he took the bag from her.

He turned worried when her brought out his phone to see forty missed call from Sandra who was one of his colleague.

Dialing her number, he called back.

"Hello, Sandra I saw your your consistent call are you perherps in danger?" He asked worriedly.

"No, Jeff check the news," she said sounding alarmed.

"Okay," he said and he rushed to the parlour and everyone seated at the dinning also followed him In worry.

On getting to the sitting room jeffery turned the TV on and everyone froze at the news that they saw.