i hope she will be ready for me...

[A/N: "You don't start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it's good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it.

That's why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence."

― Octavia E. Butler]

"I wonder what could have triggered it. She has been okay for the past days", Joseph said more to himself than to Cecilia.

"It actually started when Miss Christine came", Cecilia said in a small voice.

"I thought so too", Joseph said absentmindedly.

Joseph turned to leave, he wanted to rest since he promised to take Claire to the beach early tomorrow and he wanted to check if Christine has gone to sleep already.

"Forgive me but I need to talk to you", Cecilia said and Joseph stopped on his tracks. He slowly turned around and faced Cecilia. Cecilia was holding her head low, she can't believe what she just said. She is just a lowly servant and she felt like she might offend Joseph.

"What is it?'' Joseph casually asked. Ever since he was a kid, he treated each of their servants fairly and he always listens to them.

Cecilia turned to look around and went closer to Joseph and said in a low voice: "can we talk in private master Joseph?''.

She is afraid that someone will hear what she has to say. She is in the brink of taking her words back and just keep silent about it but she has to say what she has to say and there is no turning back now.

"Follow me", Joseph said. He wonders what she has to say. She seemed worried, it must be so important. he took her to his office. The office was on the ground floor, near the receiving area. This is where he spent most of his times.

He opened the door and let Cecilia in first. Cecilia looked around before going inside the room. Joseph's brows creased and he also checked around but he doesn't see anyone. It's already late at night and he is not expecting anyone to be awake at this time. He closed and followed Cecilia in. He sat on his chair behind the executive table. Cecilia hurriedly locked the door while Joseph was just observing her.

Cecilia paced back and forth in front of Joseph, she is biting her right finger while her left hand is on her hips. She doesn't know where to start and doesn't know what will happen after. But she does not want this continue, she does not want Christine to suffer again.

"Uhhrrmm", Joseph cleared his throat which made Cecilia almost jumped in fear.

"Can you sit down?'' Joseph gesture for Cecilia to sit on the chair opposite him.

Cecilia hesitated for a few seconds but decided to sit down, she can't back out now, it will be now or never.

Joseph was waiting for her to talk. He feeling more and more anxious with what would make Cecilia this restless and scared. He could sense that she is scared and is hesitating to tell him.

"What would you like to say?'' Joseph asked.

"I know that I am not in the position to say this to say. I should not be crossing the limit but it is important for you to know", Cecilia said.

They did not know that a shadow was outside the room, trying to listen to what they are talking about inside the office. However, the shadow could not hear them well. Joseph had the office soundproofed when he moved his office at the mansion. This is where he conducts important meetings or video call with investors and partners abroad. No matter how hard the shadow tried to listen but there was nothing. The shadow just waited outside, it hid behind the thick curtain in the living room. It stayed there patiently waiting. Two hours have passed but Joseph and the maid are still inside the office but the shadow still stayed there, waiting.

Another hour passed when the door of the office opened. Came out Cecilia who was wiping her face, followed by Joseph who patted her back. The shadow just watched from behind the curtain in the receiving area.

"You have to take a rest now Cecilia", Joseph said and watched Cecilia walked toward the direction of the kitchen. Their quarters are near the kitchen. Joseph turned towards the stairs to go up to his room but he felt a presence in the receiving area. He looked around but he saw nothing. He shrugged his shoulders and climbed the stairs. He was in deep thought while walking towards his room. When he got to Celine's room, he stopped there and just stared at the room. He clenched his jaw and fists.

'This is not the right time' he thought and left. He went inside his room and looked for the brown envelope he found in Christine's bag. He forgot where he placed it so he opened all his drawers but he did not see it. He was already feeling anxious, he needs to find it. Then he realized that he took it to his office and placed it in his vault. He then relaxed knowing that the documents are safe.

He wanted to check on Christine but looking at the time, it's already 2 in the morning, he decided not to. 'She must be sleeping by now', he thought. He decided to take a shower. Everything will change tomorrow and he hopes that Christine will be ready for him.

The shadow in the receiving area slowly went out from its hiding place and slowly went upstairs, making sure to avoid to make noise. Once upstairs, it went directly to Christine's room. It tried to open the door but it was locked. Since it was locked, the shadow retreated and went back to its room...Celine's room. Once inside, she was so angry that she wanted to break things but she restrained herself or else she will wake the entire mansion up. She will patiently wait. She looked at the mirror and smiled at herself, a sinister smile.