Skylar opened her eyes slowly. She glanced around the room to see that she was back inside. She noticed that Louis was sitting in a corner with his long legs crossed.
He was busy with some files with Mr. Josh sitting close to him as they discussed business. His gaze was fixated on the files yet he was aware of his surrounding. He could tell that Skylar was awake.
Skylar lay still as she saw Louis. It dawned on her that she was back in the same hell she was trying to run away from.
How will she survive life with Louis?
Though she had heard tales of cruel he was in the business world and to the people around him. However, having a first-class experience of his cruelty was something she could never have comprehended.
As much as she would have loved to stay invisible to him, she couldn't keep lying down as her throat felt dry. She managed to sit and only then did she notice that an IV was attached to her hand.
"Gosh!" She cursed silently at how many times she would get infused in just one week.
She tried to take the needle out but her hand halted indefinitely at Louis's cold voice.
"Don't move!"
Skylar flinched and her hands dropped as she suddenly became inert. Her chest heaved violently. She was covered in cold sweat as she noticed that he was approaching her.
Her whole body trembled as he drew closer. She tried to hide her fear but it was visible to Louis's hawk eyes.
"Ma'am, you're awake!" Mr. Josh screamed happily.
"Where do want to go? Louis asked in a low voice.
"Wa... Water," She muttered.
"I'll go get it," Mr. Josh hurried out.
He returned with a glass of water and handed it to Skylar.
"Thank You," Skylar murmured as she gulped down the water.
"How do you feel, ma'am?"
"Better," She forced a smile.
"Your head?" Louis asked.
Skylar knew he was asking about her health so she replied swiftly.
"Better," The words rolled out before she could tell.
"Get some rest," Louis spoke and immediately moved to leave. He stopped after walking a distance.
"I'll ask the maids to get you something to eat."
Skylar stared on in awe as she watched him leave.
Alice returned shortly with a tray of food. She placed it on the table and bowed in greeting.
"Good afternoon, ma'am,"
"Hello," Skylar replied with a smile.
She was happy that she could at least be with the people who can see her for what she is.
"How do you feel now?"
"Good," She smiled as she responded.
"You don't feel sore?" Alice asked again.
"I...do..." Skylar mumbled.
She was wondering how Alice could guess that she felt sore. She told no one how she felt.
"How...?"
"Oh, you are wondering how I could guess that?"
"Hm," Skylar nodded.
"Well, it's how I feel when I have laid for too long."
"Too long?" Skylar repeated.
"You didn't know?" Alice shook her head. "You've been lying down motionless for two days."
"What?! Two days?!"
"Yes ma'am, you were lying unconscious for two days."
"Really?"
"Yes ma'am," Linda also replied as she came in.
"Hi," Skylar waved.
"Good afternoon ma'am," Helen bowed.
"Did I really fall unconscious for two days?"
"Yes," They both replied in unison.
"Wow! Skylar gasped in surprise.
"What happened exactly?" Helen inquired.
"It's....I...."
Skylar stuttered and itched her head. She didn't know what to say.
"Ouch!" Skylar screamed as her hand touched her head.
Only then did she remember that she had injured her head. The incident from the night came playing in her head.
"You had a concussion, ma'am," Alice stood up to help her.
"Oh," She bit on her lips.
"Have something to eat," Helen served the food.
"I'll go freshen up," Skylar tried to get off the bed. She removed the IV from her hand and slowly got down.
"Don't take it out!" Alice shouted.
"Why not?" Skylar looked from Alice to Helen. "I need to take a bath."
"The doctor has asked you to stay put."
"But I have to clean up."
Alice exchanged gazes with Helen. "We'll help you clean up like the boss has been doing before now."
"Huh?"
Skylar's hand suddenly went numb. It felt as if her ears heard wrong. She turned so she could get a complete view of Alice's face.
"Who cleaned me up?"
"Boss," Helen replied instead.
"Lou...Louis cleaned me up?"
"I'll go get him here, so he can do it again." Alice moved to leave.
"No! No...don't!" Skylar lay back on the bed. "Don't call Louis, you can do it."
"Alright, ma'am," Helen went into the bathroom to get warm water and a towel. She slowly dabbed Skylar's body and cleaned her up while Alice picked a new dress for her to wear.
They changed her clothes and helped her to eat.
"Thank You," Skylar muttered.
She lay on the bed and closed her eyes to reminisce on all that has happened. She tried to think of a way to adapt to her new life but she could think of none. So she decided to ask them.
"How long have you worked for Louis?"
"All my life," Alice stated.
"Five years," Helen also replied.
"All your life?" Skylar repeated.
"The matron is my mother and she has served the Andersons since she was a young lady."
"Oh, I see," Skylar nodded.
"So what all do you know about him?"
"Enough to know how his mind works," Alice stated with surety.
"You? She turned to Helen.
"I can say but few."
Skylar lay facing them both as she waited for them to tell her all they knew about Louis.
Though the girls were reluctant to speak at first but after a lot of persuasion by Skylar and when they became convinced that they wouldn't get in trouble, Alice spoke.
"Boss spent most of his life here in this mansion with his grandmother."
"His grandmother lived here?" Skylar repeated.
"Yes."
"Then do you probably know why he is so cold!"
Skylar finally asked the question on her mind. However, before Alice could respond; A icy voice replied from the doorway.
"I can tell you that in person."