He Won't Stop Texting.

Esther's POV.

Before I met Lily, I'd thought she was just the quiet little girl but after meeting her, I felt like I'd unlocked the chattiness in her.

She'd gotten back from the grocery store a few hours ago and she hadn't stopped talking about anything and everything.

She told me about the kind of buildings she saw, told me about the toys she saw that were already in her collection, she even told me how James had reacted to the Christmas songs in the grocery store.

And that wasn't surprising anyway.

Though it wasn't a really huge progress, I found it really nice that James accompanied Lily to get the ingredients.

That made me feel like my true mission in this mansion would be easy to accomplish, even though I knew that thought was me being a little too delusional.

The aroma of ginger and flour wafted through my nostrils as I lifted the cookies off the tray. Lily stood beside me, placing her hands on the island while she struggled to see the top of the island.

I couldn't help grinning, “don’t worry, you'll get to see and taste them,” I said, helping her onto one of the stools around.

Her face broke out with surprise when she saw the cookies, “wow, that looks really good and brown,” she pointed at the heart shaped plate where some cookies stayed, “I would like to try that one please.”

“Okay sure, but it's still hot. When it's cool, I'll let you have some.”

She smiled at me and I returned the smile but then her expression changed as she gently tapped her chin with an index finger.

“Grandma said you were going to make the holidays very fun. Do you have a bucket list?” She asked, her eyes fixated on my face.

A bucket list? Well, that was new.

I thought my job was to look after her, and make James love Christmas? I didn't think I would need a bucket list or anything of that sort.

I chuckled nervously, “oh, I do but I haven't thought of any fun ideas.”

“O…kay, can I use mine? My mom has been helping me with the list for a long time now,” she spread her arms, “there are so many fun things in the bucket list. Do you want to see?” She asked, her tone already tinged with excitement.

I nodded, “of course. Let me see them.”

And with that, she got off the stool, already running to the kitchen exit.

“I'll be back!” She called as she ran out.

I continued placing the cookies on the plates, returning the trays to the ceramic basin for washing. The chef had already taken care of the dishes we'd left in the basin while baking.

And damn, that was fast.

It seemed the Silver family had an allergy to dirt or something.

“Here it is!” Lily said excitedly, wiggling an iPad in the air as she skipped into the kitchen.

She handed it to me and I was very surprised to see the long list of activities that had been drafted out. Before now, I never knew there was something like a Christmas card photoshoot or a game called Secret Santa. Back at my place, we just cooked good food, did a family karaoke and shared gifts.

But with this list, I knew the Silver Family celebrated in the grand style and even Lily's plans weren't an exception.

“Wow. That is a lot.”

While I was impressed by the list, wondering how I'd manage to do all of these before the holidays ended, James crept into my thoughts.

I'd somehow have to find a way to get James to get involved in these activities.

But it was James Fucking Silver I was talking about.

I'd been here long enough to know that I couldn't order him around, especially when Lily wasn't involved.

Anxiety curled tightly in my throat, making me swallow hard.

Madam Patricia was counting on me to do this, and I'd confidently assured her I would.

But how would I get Sir James to love Christmas before the family dinner?

“Esther, I would like to–”

“Bzz. Bzz. Bzz.”

My phone vibrated and my gaze shifted from the cookies to the phone in my pants. My hands were still tucked into the gloves so I returned my focus to Lily.

“What were you saying sweetie?”

“I was saying that I would like to do something on my Christmas bucket list,” she stretched a hand, her gaze dropping to the iPad.

I gave it to her and I watched her scroll with creased brows before she finally stopped.

“Let's do this one!” She squealed.

I hadn't seen it yet but I smiled, “I'm sure that's going to be fun.”

“Yes! Can I have the cookies now?” She asked, trying to place the iPad on the island.

She succeeded with that, and then I handed her some cookies in a cute yellow plate, watching her happily have them with a bright smile.

“This tastes very good. I can't wait to make this for grandma! She'll like it a lot,” Lily remarked, her mouth full of cookies.

She looked so adorable, and I couldn't help cupping her cheek.

“Yes, she would. But please, don't eat and talk at the same time, it would make you choke, okay?” I withdrew my hand from her face.

“Ok–” she stopped herself and nodded instead.

Wow.

She's a fast learner.

I pulled the gloves off my hands, crossing them over my chest as I glanced around me. The chef was still cleaning up after me while I gave him a nervous smile. Apparently, strangers weren't permitted into the kitchen and though I'd talked my way into being permitted, I hadn't planned to make him work unnecessarily.

So instead of standing around, I assisted him by putting some of the baking equipment back into the cabinet.

“Bzz. Bzz. Bzz.”

My phone vibrated in my pants again and this time my brows furrowed.

Who the fuck was texting me nonstop? I pulled the device out of my pants, scrolling through the notifications and the first message I saw made my stomach sink with a nauseating feeling.

GREG SENT YOU A MESSAGE.

“I'm not done with you.”