True to Samael's note he did return in the afternoon but after greeting Stella he remained in his room making ammo the rest of the day. Stella had spent the rest of the day getting everything ready for school. She would have to return the Monday after her birthday. But tomorrow was her birthday and she knew that her parents would want her to have a small party.
She would always have at least a small party with the house staff and her parents in the morning. As she lay in her bed she thought about how this year so much had happened. As she thought about the things that had happened this year she drifted off to sleep.
"Stella. Stella. Wake up Stella." Ms. Godwin said as she gently shook Stella in her bed. Stella sat up on the bed and looked around at all the staff and her parents. She was not surprised, they do this every year.
"Happy birthday Stella." Everyone in the room said at once.
"Thank you everyone." Stella said as she woke up more. After saying good morning everyone started to get back to work. Ms. Godwin remained in the room with Stella after everyone left the room.
"How are you doing Stella?" Ms. Godwin said, remaining seated on the bed with Stella.
"I am doing fine, why do you ask?" Stella said as she started to stretch.
"I heard things did not go well with the man your aunt set you up with." Ms. Godwin said as she grabbed a brush from the side table.
"When has anyone they have tried to match me with ever turned out good?" Stella said, as her mom started to brush her hair.
"Yes but your father really wants you to find a good man. Someone that you can rely on and be there to help you." Ms. Godwin said as she continued brushing.
"But why can't he just let me find someone on my own. I don't want to be set up with someone just because they are successful." Stella said as she leaned onto her mom.
"I Will talk to him. But it is your birthday, you should be happy." Ms. Godwin said as she gave Stella a hug.
"Thanks mom." Stella said as the door to the room opened.
"Stella, your father wanted me to deliver this to you." Samael said as he walked into the room. Samael was holding a large black garment bag, he walked over and set it down onto the bed.
"Thank you. I don't think we have been introduced, I am Stella's mother." Ms. Godwin said as she looked at Samael. He had on his black combat pants and boots and a short sleeve black shirt.
"We have not, but it is nice to meet you ma'am." Samael said as he took a step back from the bed.
"Is this the bodyguard you hired?" Ms. Godwin said as she looked back at Stella.
"Yes this is Samael." Stella said feeling a little flustered over having her mother meet Samael.
"Well it is a pleasure to meet you Samael, and keep up the good work keeping my daughter safe." Ms. Godwin said as she smiled at Samael.
"I will do that Ma'am. But I have to take my leave." Samael said as he started to make his way out of the room.
"He seems nice." Ms. Godwin said, looking back at Stella as Samael walked out of the room.
"Samael has helped me so much as of recently. I don't know how to repay him." Stella said as she laid back down on her bed.
"Well, have you asked him?" Ms. Godwin said as she stood up from the bed.
"I have not." Stella said, putting her face into her pillow.
"This is what I would start with. Come down when you are ready, we have breakfast ready for you." Ms. Godwin said as she walked out of the room. Stella remained face down in her bed for a moment just thinking about what her mother had said to her.
After a moment Stella got out of bed and walked into the bathroom for a fast shower. After her shower was finished she walked over and opened up the garment bag Samael had left on the bed. The bag had a beautiful ruby red dress, with black and gold accents. There was also a pair of matching shoes and handbag for her.
It was not a surprise her father and mother always get her an outfit and all the assessors to go with it. Her mother would always pick her out a beautiful outfit and her father would pay for whatever her mom would pick out. Both of her parents had a great relationship with each other but she never saw them show much affection to each other.
It never caused a problem but it was something that she had picked up on as she grew up. She had always hoped when she got into a relationship with someone she would be able to openly show how much she liked the person she was with. But she still needed to find someone she liked.
Stella did not waste much time by the time she had finished thinking she had already gotten changed. The dress and accessories did look really good on her. The outfit complimented her fair skin and green eyes perfectly. As she looked at the outfit she started to wonder what Samael would think about it.
She didn't even realize that she had walked out of her room and into the front room. Stella was lost in thought thinking about what Samael may think about the outfit she had on. He was someone that seemed to never show anything that he was feeling. She wondered if he would even say anything about her new outfit.
"Good morning Stella." Mr. Godwin said as Stella walked into the dinning room. The dining room was large and had a table that could easily seat ten people. Her mother and father were sitting on the far side of the table in their normal spots. She walked in and sat down at the table.
"See I told you, Stella would look stunning in that dress." Ms. Godwin said as Stella fully sat down.
"You are right. It is a beautiful dress." Mr. Godwin said as he looked at Stella.
"Thank you. So what plans do you have today?" Stella asked as the maid set down a plate of food in front of her.
"Just another day at the office sadly. I would love to spend your birthday with you, but the company has a large meeting coming up and I have to be there." Mr. Godwin said as his phone went off on the table.
"It is a busy time as always. I have to attend the meeting as well. I am sorry we always have to work on your birthday." Ms. Godwin said to Stella, as her father stood up and answered the call.
"It is ok. I am used to it now. Plus you know I don't like to celebrate my birthday." Stella said as she started to eat. Both Stella and her mother remained silent as her father was on the phone. The conversation did not seem to go well because her father hung out the phone and put the phone directly into his pocket.
"I am sorry, something has happened at the company I need to go to the office now." Mr. Godwin said as he pushed his chair in.
"With that being the case I should go with you." Ms. Godwin said, standing up from the table.
"We will see you tonight for dinner Stella." Mr. Godwin said as he started to leave the room. Her mother followed after him and the room went silent. Stella remained in the room slowly eating her breakfast.
After she finished her food she stayed in the room not knowing what to do. The house was silent at this time the staff would have already cleaned and gone to take care of other things. It was a familiar silence, one that she had known for a long time, one that she was afraid of. She did not like being alone like this, at times like this she just wanted her parents to stay home and be with her.
"Stella?" Samael said as he put his hand on her shoulder. Stella was startled when he touched her, forcing her to quickly get to her feet.
"Sorry. You scared me." Stella said after realizing it was Samael.
"It is fine. Would you like to go for a walk around the property?" Samael said as he took a step back from Stella.
"We can. Under one condition." Stella said under her breath.
"What is your condition?" Samael asked.
"Can you help me walk around?" Stella said, almost whispering her words.
"You will need to speak up if I am to understand your condition?" Samael said as he moved closer to her.
"I want you to help me walk." Stella said out loud to Samael.
"And what if I say no?" Samael said, looking Stella in her eyes.
"Well. I. I order you to help me walk around the garden." Stella said, her face turning red for embarrassment.
"Shall we go then?" Samael said as he offered her his arm. Stella was shocked but then remembered that this is not a normal person, this is Samael. Someone that will listen to orders when given. She interlocked arms with him and they started to walk around the property and into the gardens.
The gardens were elaborate and large, taking up half the property. They walked past the flowers and well maintained ponds and water fountains. As they walked Stella looked over at Samael he had on a black and dark gray suit. The pants, coat, and tie were black the vest and undershirt were dark gray.
"Samael?" Stella asked as they walked.
"What do you need?" Samael asked.
"Why do you always follow the orders I give you?" Stella asked as she stopped under a tree.
"Is there a problem with me following your orders?" Samael asked as he looked at Stella. She was looking at the ground avoiding looking at Samael.
"Please answer my question." Stella said as he nervously closed her clenched her fist.
"I follow your orders for you are you. I have no other reason to follow them other than I believe it is the right thing to do. Without orders I have no purpose." Samael said as he looked up at the tree.
"What do you mean you have no purpose?" Stella asked, looking at Samael.
"For as long as I have been alive I have followed the orders as they are given to me. Follow the instructions as they are given. All I know is to follow the orders I am given, without them all I do is wonder, looking for a purpose." Samael said. Stella hugged him feeling that he needed it at the time.
"I am sorry Samael, I did not know about your past. I am so sorry for bringing up a painful memory." Stella said as she hugged him closer.
"It is not a painful memory. It is just how things are, and I know you did not know about my past. Few people do." Samael said as he put his hand onto Stella's head.
"Can you tell me about your past?" Stella said as she kept holding on to him.
"One day I will. There is a time and place to talk about that. For now just know I will follow the orders you give to the letter and I will always keep your first order in mind before all others." Samael said as Stella let go of him.
"I will look forward to that day. I don't want you to talk about something you don't feel like talking about." Stella said with a smile.
"Lets head back inside." Samael said as he offered his arm back to Stella. She interlocked her arm with his and they walked back into the house. After getting back into the house Stella went up to her room and laid down on her bed.
She was thinking about what Samael had just said to her. She wondered what his past was like, how he grew up and what things brought him to be the way he is. Stella was lost in thought and did not hear as Samael walked into the room.
"Stella?" Samael said as he moved closer to her bed.
"Yes?" Stella said as she quickly sat up on her bed. Samael was standing in the room with a nearly wrapped box.
"I would always hear from the other soldiers that you give gifts on one's birthday. It is not much but this is something for you." Samael said as he handed the box to Stella.
"Thanks. Do you not celebrate your birthday?" Stella said as she moved over on the bed and gestured to have Samael sit next to her.
"I have not. Birthdays were not something we celebrated." Samael said as he sat down next to her.
"Well this year we can celebrate your birthday together." Stella said with a smile as she started to open the box.
"I would like that very much." Samael said as Stella finished opening the box. She pulled out a brand new trench coat, it looked similar to the one Samael would wear but cut for a female instead of a male.
"This is just like the one you have." Stella said as she looked at the coat.
"I know it is not something you would normally wear but this is like the coat I have. It is stab and bullet resistant, so it will keep you safe when you wear it." Samael said.
"That you so much. I will wear it when I can." Stella said as she leaned over and gave Samael another hug.
"I am glad you like it." Samael said as Stella stopped hugging him.
"I have some outfits that will go perfect with, and I don't mind matching what we wear." Stella said progressively speaking softer.
"I will keep that in mind. You should get some rest, school starts tomorrow." Samael said as he started to stand up. But Stella stopped him.
"Can you stay, and keep me company?" Stella asked sheepishly.
"It is not a problem." Samael said as he sat back down. Stella spent the rest of the day arranging her clothes and finding different outfits that would work with the new coat. She was at it for hours and when she was finished she laid down on her bed exhausted. She could feel herself drifting off to sleep.
"Birthdays aren't so bad." Stella said as she fell asleep.