Losing The Job.

Esther's POV.

Like his voice had control of my body, I scrambled off the stool, chest heaving.

Fear spread through me, clinging to me like a second skin. I stared at the same man I'd seen earlier today, my heart fluttering with a feeling I found too strange to name. Madam Patricia had told me he was her son.

James Silver–the CEO of the Silver Conglomerates and my secret mission in this mansion.

His eyes darkened as he stared at me and I just couldn't help but wonder how he could still look so handsome while being displeased.

My insides twisted painfully with anxiety.

Madam Patricia had told me to get the house in high holiday spirits and Lily had been more than happy to help. We'd first thought of decorating the mansion after which we would start decorating the Christmas tree.

While we'd decorated rooms earlier, I'd gotten along really fast with the five-year old and I already liked being around the little ball of sweetness, like my mom would say.

She'd even gone to get more supplies which explained why I'd come to the last room left to decorate. It wasn't something that serious but the way he looked at me like I'd done something abominable made me think otherwise.

I inhaled deeply, getting a grip of my bubbling insides, “I–uh–I was decorating the room. The holiday month is six days away and I thought to get every nook and cranny of the mansion looking pretty in Christmas colors,” I attempted a smile but his frown didn't falter, making my smile disappear, “is that a problem?” I asked in a low tone, searching his gaze for any answers.

His gaze alternated between the corners of the room and my face and back. Then he charged towards me. I wasn't sure if it was because of the way he moved or the fact that I didn't have an answer but dread splintered through my gut.

I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach and head at the same time, growing weaker with every step he took closer.

“Sir ... .is–is something wrong? Are you displeased with the decorations? I–I promise I can work on them to your taste,” I rambled as he reached in front of me, his gaze peering over my small frame.

My eyes lowered, focused on the flats on my legs.

“You're fired.”

The word landed on me like a hot slap. I lifted my head immediately with wide eyes and a soft gasp.

Fired?

Just like that?

What?

“No–sir, please let me know what the problem is. I promise if you don't like the flower design, I will try to make it work. I'd fix it, I'd get new supplies that would surely impress you. Just let me know what the problem is, sir.” I said, my voice shaking all the way but I didn't mind.

Hell, that didn't matter.

I was literally on the verge of losing my job, if not already lost it. Because what the fuck just happened?

“You have no excuse for coming into my room to decorate without my permission,” his deep voice sent painful shivers down my spine.

And for some reason, it felt good.

What the hell was even wrong with me and why did I feel that?

His room? Oh shit. I just knew there was something about this room that screamed orderliness and an almost obsessive need for everything to be in its place.

I'd not thought much of it because I was overly excited to get the room looking Christmasy but right now, regret flooded my veins, making me wish I could go back in time.

“I promise sir, I had no idea it was your room. I was simply carrying out Madam Patricia’s orders. Please pardon my insolence, I would take all of these off right now,” I assured him, turning around immediately.

I climbed the ladder, tugging at the flower shaped material I'd pinned to the edge of the wall. It was too hard to come off and at this point, I regretted using strong staple pins.

Urgency whipped my skin, sending heat burning through me as I continued trying but all my attempts were futile. I glanced over my shoulders, watching the way irritation grew stronger through his features. It looked like what I was doing was only pissing him off even more.

God, this man was surely going to follow through with firing me and I really couldn't afford that.

This job was literally the silver lining to my dark life right now and if that was taken from me, my whole world would collapse.

My aunties would find out I'm struggling and they'd taunt me to death. I'd return to NYC and start trying to sneak into the restaurant after work hours for shelter purposes like old times.

I didn't want any of that.

I resumed tugging on the decor and it finally came off with a soft rip. My insides burned with a mix of relief and fear. It would only take about thirty minutes to get these off and in that period, I silently hoped that he would just stay there and watch me remove them.

“Uncle James!” Lily's cheerful voice rang through the room, drawing my attention.

As I turned to see them, I saw James take the one–knee position as he wrapped a hand around Lily, the anger on his face disappearing. The brown box of supplies was just beside them.

“Hey baby. How are you?”

“Great! I'm helping my nanny decorate the house because Christmas is coming!” She squealed and though James had smiled, I could see that his eyes still remained dull.

Why did he even hate Christmas anyway? I mean, I would understand if you hated any other holiday but Christmas? It just didn't make sense to me.

“That's cool. You should go return the supplies, I don't think she'll need it,” James told her.

Lily cocked her head to the side, placing a finger on her chin as she darted her eyes towards me, “oh, but she hasn't finished that section.”

“Yeah, but she can continue later. Just get these out first, she'll come join you later,” James urged her and then she nodded.

“Okay, I'm already tired anyway. Bye uncle,” she chirped, lifting the small box as she headed out of the room in small skips.

James grinned as he watched her leave and honestly, that looked just as good as his frown.

Christ.

He was gorgeous.

When he turned to face me, his face was pale and the initial fury had returned, his jaws now clenching.

My heart started racing, my mind spiraling with a thousand and one thoughts.

Was he still going to fire me?

Was he going to give me ten minutes to get out of here?

I'd barely been able to process those thoughts when I saw him slip his hands into his pants, his eyes still fixated on my frame.

He tapped something on the device, lifting it to his ears and when his lips parted, I felt like passing out right there.

“Security. Get to my room right now.”