I Run The House

Christie’s POV

Kendra finally walked out of the room, her heels clicking against the hardwood until the sound faded into the distance.

I let out a long breath and looked at Nima. She was in a deep, heavy sleep, and her vitals were holding steady for the moment.

There was nothing more I could do until the stabilizers arrived.

I decided to leave her to rest. I needed to move, or I was going to lose my mind thinking about my lab.

I stepped out into the hallway, intending to take a walk through the mansion. It was extremely gigantic.

I hadn't gone very far when a member of the domestic staff stepped out from a side room. She bowed her head slightly.

"Doctor Christie? The Master of the house gave us strict orders to take care of you while he is away. A meal has been prepared. Please, follow me."

I realized then that my stomach was knotting with hunger.

I hadn't eaten since before the ball began at my mother's house.

I abandoned my plan to explore the halls and followed her down a wide staircase to a sun-drenched dining area.

The food they served was fresh and hot, far better than the cold scraps I usually ate between shifts.

After I finished, the woman led me to a room where she said I could stay. When she opened the door, I stopped in my tracks.

The room was extremely large and wealthy. The bed was draped in heavy silk, and the furniture was carved from dark wood that looked centuries old.

It was nothing like the cramped, drafty room I always had to stay in back at home, where my mother made sure I felt like an unwanted guest.

I sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, feeling the softness of the mattress.

It felt strange to be treated with this much care in a house where I had been brought against my will.

But I couldn't stay still for long. Nima would need proper nutrition when she woke up.

I left the room and tried to find my way back toward the service wing. I wanted to meet the staff responsible for Nima’s meals so I could recommend a specific diet that would be appropriate for her recovery.

I navigated through two long, silent corridors before I found the kitchen.

I pushed open the swinging doors, but the professional request I had prepared died in my throat.

Kendra was leaning against a marble counter, a glass of water in her hand. She looked at me and let out a sharp laugh.

"Still wandering around, Doctor Girl?" she asked, her eyes trailing over my clothes.

"I thought you’d be hiding under the covers in that expensive room by now. You don't belong in this kitchen any more than you belong in this house."

"I'm here to speak to the cooks," I said, keeping my voice steady.

"Nima needs a very specific diet to help her body process the treatment I’m about to administer. It’s a medical necessity."

Kendra stepped away from the counter, blocking the path to the pantry where the chefs were working.

"I told you before. I am the one who manages this household. You don't come in here and give orders to the staff who have served this family for generations."

"I am not giving orders," I argued. "I am making a medical recommendation for a sick woman. Why are you trying to stop me from doing what is best for Nima?"

Kendra didn't answer. She just stood her ground, her expression full of a cold, territorial anger. She wouldn't let me accomplish what I had set out to do, and the staff behind her kept their heads down, clearly too afraid of her to intervene.

I realized then that there was no point in fighting with her. It would only cause more stress in a house that was already tense.

The wise thing to do was to leave the kitchen and go back to the room they had given me.

I turned around without saying another word and walked back through the maze of hallways.

Was there always an enemy waiting for me to show up everywhere I went?

Because why does this Kendra woman particularly hate me?