Ellery's POV
He pulled me aside after his mother left for the dining room.
Before I could get a word in, he said, "You can cook, right? Could you please whip something up really quickly?"
"Wow, you're saying please to me for the first time ever. And what if I don't?" I said, crossing my arms.
"Well, then I hope you have another excuse you can use for being here right now." He said. "Just think of it as a thank you for me helping you out last night."
"I never asked for your help." I rolled my eyes.
"It sure seemed like you did," he replied, "you threw up all over me."
"Okay. Whatever. I'll do it" I said, thinking it over. Maybe I can get something out of this situation. "On one condition."
"And that is..."
"You have to pay me for it."
"Deal." He said, promptly.
"I need some pants too."
"Wait here. I'll go grab you some." Charles said, turning around and going into a side room nearby.
~~~~~
"This is just scrumptious!" The woman exclaimed, happily. "Everything tastes so delicious!"
It was almost as if she had forgotten everything that had just happened. For the past forty-five minutes, I've been preparing breakfast, making what I could from what I found in the fridge and pantry. There were tons of food so it was easy to come up with something quick and easy. I fried bacon, pancakes, crepes, and poached eggs, pulling together the best breakfast I have ever done.
"Why don't you join us m'dear."
"Oh, it's quite alright. I don't usually dine with the owner of the house or the boss." I lied.
"Don't be silly, grab a plate and sit down." She said.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied, trying to avoid eye contact with him, but I could feel his stare is piercing right through my skull.
Grabbing a plate from the kitchen cabinet and a fork from one of the drawers, I made my way to the dining table and sat down right in front of him. She was sitting at the head of the table, thankfully right in between us.
"How long have you been a chef Miss...?"
"Aires. I have been cooking for a while. I taught myself how to."
"Is that so? What a talented young lady." She said before she ate a piece of crepe.
"What do your parents do, Miss Aires?"
"Oh, my father is deceased and my mother is no longer working. She's terminally ill. I am the only one that works."
Mrs. Mercuer stopped eating and stared at me, "you're very impressive Miss Aires, to be able to carry everything like that."
"Not at all, my parents have done much for me. It's only my job to do the same for them," I replied, wishing for a topic change. Why am I answering her questions so easily?
"I apologize if I seem intrusive. I just simply want to know more about my son's employees," she said. "He doesn't tell me anything."
"It's no big deal," I replied.
"It seems like you've had a rough night, Ms. Aires." Mrs. Mercuer said casually.
"Oh, um...yes. I might've taken things a bit too far last night. My boyfriend cheated on me and other things have happened in my life recently so I went a little heavy on the alcohol. Not very professional of me."
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright. I'm fine." I could feel the blood rushing into my cheeks as I said that. I'm so glad that I had the chance to wash my face, or else I would've looked like a total clown.
All along during this awkward conversation, Charles just sat there eating nonchalantly.
~~~~~~
The dishes clattered against each other as I stacked them in the sink.
Charles' mom had left and I was left alone with this monster made up of testosterone.
"You don't have to do that. I have a maid. She'll take care of that." Charles said.
"Of course you do," I mumbled to myself. Why does he feel the need to tell me that? It's irking me even more.
I began to rinse the plates and silverware, getting ready to wash it. Suddenly, Charles took my wrist and pulled me away from the sink.
"I have a maid." He said, his jaw clenching. "You don't need to do these petty chores."
"Let go. I am used to this. I'll do these and get out of your sight." He let go of my hand, leaving a tingly sensation behind. "I'll do this for you in exchange for last night. I don't want to be indebted to you."
"This won't be enough." He smirked. "Compared to what you did last night, it would never be enough."
Turning away from him, I turned off the faucet as gently as possible. I blew out a breath to calm myself down and turned around to face him once again.
"Look, last night I was drunk and was out of my mind. I can usually hold my alcohol pretty well but I was just taken away by it last night. It was a mistake and I apologize for dragging you into my problem, Charles." I smiled a fake smile.
He just stood there with his crossed arms, a signal for me to continue.
"Thank you for everything. Even though I don't remember what you did for me, I truly thank you for this." I said. I could totally get an award for acting at this rate.
"Ellery, don't believe that I can't see through your facade. You're terrible at lying."
Fuck.
"How do you expect me to thank you? For all I know, you could've stripped me and did stuff! Maybe that's why I'm not in my clothes!" I finally burst out.
"Do you want me to tell you what really happened?" He said devilishly. "You were confessing your love for me and begging me to marry you."
Oh my god. What the hell did I drink? Was I out of my mind? Big mistake. Huge mistake. I am going to kill myself. This is so bad.
"Did I really do that?"
"You were begging to do it and wouldn't even let go of me." He said as he crept closer to me.
Hold on a second. I might've been drunk, but I'm not crazy nor that desperate.
My breathing hitched as we almost come in contact with each other. How did he have the power to do something like this to me?
"I didn't do that." I barely managed to muster.
"Then please go ahead and explain why you're in my clothes then."
Regaining my confidence, I said, "I don't know how, but I know I didn't beg you to do anything."
He backed away, "I was joking, of course." He laughed loudly and it echoed throughout the house. "Of course that didn't happen. I'm not a man that would take advantage of anyone, especially when they're drunk."