Halfway through dinner, Elise suddenly remembered the small velvet pouch in her pocket.
She smiled faintly.
"Lucien..."
"It's master Lucien." He interupted and she nodded quietly.
"Master Lucien, I got a gift for you. I was supposed to give you tonight after our date, but since we didn't get to go out. Take it as our first anniversary gift." Elise pushed her palm forward and the silver necklace glinted under the light.
Lucien's fork froze midair.
For a split second, something dark flickered in his golden eyes.
Then...
★Smack★
The necklace flew across the table as he slapped her hand away.
"Don't," he said sharply and frowned.
Elise froze, startled by his attitude. Had she done anything wrong? She only gave him a gift.
"Don't ever bring silver near me." He snapped.
"I... I didn't mean to I..."
"I don't need your cheap gifts, especially one you used my money to buy." He added angrily.
Elise's chest tightened, her eyes filling before she could stop them.
This was so uncalled for. She hated being yelled at, especially when she had done nothing wrong.
A sniffle escaped and immediately her vision blurred as the first streak of tears spilled out.
"I don't understand." She muttered gently, trying to keep her voice calm even though she was overwhelmed by everything going on.
"I... I did everything you asked," she whispered. I took the insults, pushed the humiliations aside, and yet. Just once, can't you show a little kindness today?"
John shifted uneasily in his seat. He knew couples fight, but this was quite early. Fighting on their first night together...
He truly had nothing to worry about. His master sure isn't fit for a relationship. He only pities the girl. She's going to be broken a lot.
"I told you from the beginning," Lucien said flatly. "I'm not someone you date. I don't do gentle things. I'm a monster and if you can't accept that, then quit."
"No," Elise snapped, rising to her feet.
"I won't, I won't quit." She shook her head defiantly.
"N... Not now. You're all I want." She picked the necklace from the floor and ran away.
Lucien didn't bother following her. Even if hell broke loose, she's the last person he'd run after.
He turned to sit back only to notice a stain on the wooden chair. It felt like water from the chair Elise had sat on. Or was it something else?
He wrinkled his nose and sat back down. Then he picked up his fork and started eating.
John wanted to speak, but the tension in the room was so high and tight that he feared his head might not be attached to his body again if he said anything.
To him, his master was so harsh. But he understood him. Lucien is not a lover boy, and he wouldn't start now.
John stared at Elise's plate to realize she barely even touched her meal because she was too excited to give Lucien the gift.
He suddenly felt sad for her. Falling in love with a heartless man is the worst thing anyone could ever do. How did it even happen?
One day he had begged on her behalf to be hired because his master needed a caretaker and the next day, they were already dating.
🫧🫧🫧
Elise walked through the halls still in tears. She didn't mind that she hadn't eaten anything. Her stomach could stay empty for all she cares.
Maybe she had overreacted, who cares?
Today had been really overwhelming for her. She thought she could handle the news about her dying soon, she thought since she's been told over and over again since she was a child she could just accept her faith, but it was just too much for her.
Life was only just granting her one wish. And just when she had only thirty days to live. Well, 29 now if today's over.
And when she thought Lucien would be her happiness, he had made matters worse.
She stepped inside her room and closed the door.
After an hour, Elise heard her room door open and she smiled. She knew Lucien would be here to apologize so she turned around to accept his apology only to see John walking in.
"Mr. John," she greeted softly, disappointment evident in her tone.
"I noticed you didn't eat earlier," he said, stepping inside with a tray. "So I brought this for you."
Her stomach betrayed her with a quiet growl, but she looked away. She was too heartbroken now, to eat anything.
"I'm not hungry."
John sighed. "You haven't eaten since morning. You didn't come for breakfast this morning Elise. You cannot win my master over on an empty stomach." he stared at the girl whose eyes were red and swollen from crying. From the look of things, it seems she has not stopped crying all night and thanks to his master.
He had no idea why women love wicked men.
Elise didn't answer, she just stared at her palm. All she wanted was to be alone. Her night was ruined and any moment now, Jiji would demand for pictures. Pictures she didn't have.
Her best friend will never believe her date got cancelled or that something happened.
"You also need to take your medication," he added gently.
After a moment, Elise sat up and accepted the tray. She began to eat her food, eating only the rice and vegetables and leaving the meat and all proteins aside.
Once Elise was done, she placed the tray aside, "Thank you Mr John." John narrowed his eyes at her.
"You didn't touch your protein?" She shook her head.
"I... Don't eat that," Elise said calmly and John nodded.
"You should take your medication and sleep for the night. You've had a long day." Elise nodded. She walked up to her drawer to pick up her drugs and then took them quietly.
John hesitated for a moment, and then...
"A word of advice, Miss Elise," he said at last. "You should let my master go and move on. Master Lucien is not… kind to women. And what happened tonight was mild, compared to what he's capable of."
Elise listened quietly, her green eyes on him. She nodded again in understanding.
Then she asked softly, "Is he awake?"
John's mouth fell open. He let out a slow breath. Had she not heard a single word he just said?
"Where is he?" Elise asked.
"Master's in his study. He doesn't like to be disturbed, so don't disturb him."