ORDERS

REINA

“You paid off every single penny of Gramma’s medical bills. That’s a lot of money, Ray. Where did you get all that money?” Tee’s voice is a whisper as he shuts our room’s door behind us.

I stand in front of the cracked mirror above our dresser, brushing my hair. The room reeks of menthol and Gramma’s herbal medicine, a smell we’d gotten used to overtime.

I’m getting ready for my first day at Alan’s house… as his son’s nanny. I’m nervous, and not because of Ethan. The curiosity in Tee’s voice barely even gets to me.

“I promise I’m not doing anything wrong. It’s just work. I told my boss about Gramma and he said he’d clear the debt and send me the balance of my payment when I’m done working for him. The balance would be for rent.”

“What?” His voice bounces off the walls. I shoot him a sharp look, gesturing to the door with my hand. Gramma’s right in the other room, trying to sleep!

Tee sighs, moving away from the door.

He’s tense still, his jaw locking even he whispers, “Ray… What job did you get that’s enough for both rent and Gramma’s bills in such short time?”

It’s my turn to sigh. I fully face him now. “I’m a nanny for some rich guy in this town. His name is Alan King, and I’m just his nanny… nothing more.”

My voice definitely cracks when I say the last two words. I quickly turn to the mirror, hoping Tee didn’t notice. My palms are a bit sweaty when I use the brush again. I pause to wipe my clammy hands against my pants.

“Hmm.” He studies me like he doesn’t buy a word that just left my lips.

I turn and flash him a quick smile, before dropping the brush on the dresser with a clattering sound.

“Come on, Tee!” I go over to him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He hates that, so he peels my hand off his body and shoves me back a bit. I break into a laugh.

“I’ll be fine.” I say. “I promise I’m telling you the truth. Okay, how’s this. I’ll give you full details about this job when I’m back... in three days. I have to spend the night for three days, and then I have a night off, and I have to come back the next morning. I told you this part already. I had to ask him to leave it at this so I can check on Gramma from time to time. This job is only three weeks, Tee. Only until New Years,”

“Yeah, and after that you’re back to New York.” He grumbles. I frown.

“Don’t say it like that.” I scold. He takes a deep breath, pulling back.

“Whatever sis, just… do what you gotta do. I can help with your bag if you want.” He goes to take my bag off the ground by the door. I reach it before he does.

“It’s fine. You can see me off instead.”

***

Minutes later, I finally arrive at Alan’s mansion. The drama at the door still evokes laughter from me, and this time, someone who looks my age walks up to me. She’s laughing too.

Still, my stomach flips with… disappointment? I mean, maybe I wanted to see Alan again.

She’s a tall, slender, olive-tanned brunette. Her hair is packed up in a ponytail and her light brown eyes are bright, like she’s genuinely happy to be here… in this echoing, cold house.

“Hi! I’m Thelma. Housekeeper.” She gestures at the title on her uniform. It’s a shiny, white crest pinned above her navy blue uniform.

“Ooh.” I mule, then stretch my hand for a handshake. She takes it firmly. My smile is on now, happy that I get at least one warm person in this house.

“Come. I’ll show you to your room.”

I trail after her, holding my bag with both affecting as we chat and laugh. I’m mostly looking around, in awe of how big this place is. I’d need two tall ladders to reach the ceiling, no exaggerating.

Most of the lights are off, I notice, the floors are dim… there are even pitch black walls in some corners of the house. I don’t know why, but it actually makes me sad for Ethan. How does he cope with such emptiness?

“Your room!” Thelma announces, opening a giant door that reveals… I turn away from Thelma to glance into the room and my smile falls.

It’s barely a room. Don’t get me wrong. This room is two times our house’s size, again, no exaggerating. But it’s empty. I’m just staring at a bed, a bedside table, window blinds and lights. There is no other furniture here, it’s almost soulless in here.

But then, I shouldn’t be expecting much as a nanny. Right?

I drop my bag on the floor and turn to Thelma who still has a smile on her face, “Your room is a tad bigger than mine, but my room’s balcony view is really nice so I guess that makes up for it.”

I don’t care about a balcony view.

“Where’s Ethan’s room?”

She chuckles. “Uh, you don’t have to start looking after him immediately but okay, I guess. He’s been out of it lately anyways, maybe you can help. Come.”

I follow after her, wondering if what I wanted to find out was even any of my business.

Thelma and I round the first hallway, just to halt in our tracks when we see a figure in front of Ethan’s door. It’s Alan. Thelma and I exchange glances.

Then he starts talking, “You aren’t eating. You don’t want to talk to anyone. Why are you doing this, son? We can talk. Tell me what you want, I’ll give it to you. Okay? Just open up.” His voice is calm but also heavy with emotion.

“You hate when I break in, but I might have to do it. We don’t always have to fight, Ethan. Open the door and talk to your dad, or I swear I’ll break down this door and—”

“Okay just stop.” I hear myself yell amidst Alan’s ‘pep-talk’ and he freezes at first.

The house falls silent, and for some reason, my heart actually drops to my stomach. It feels like an hour has passed before Alan slowly faces me, his expression a mix of confusion and surprise.

I step forward, slapping Thelma’s restricting hand off my arm.

“Let me talk to him. You shouldn’t be raising your voice like that at him… Sir.”

Alan scoffs, then turns completely to me, his gaze lethal now. My knees wobble a little from the intensity of his gaze, but I manage to stand my ground.

“Did I pay you to give me orders in my house, Reina?”

“I’m not…” my voice chokes in my throat. “I’m not giving you an order, Sir.”

Thelma steps forward, standing beside me, “Sorry, I’d be downstairs now, Sir. I have to uh… take out the trash.”

She shoots me a ‘God help you’ look and bolts off. I drag my gaze back to Alan. Most of my courage has now dissipated. I just want to speak to Ethan.

“I’m sorry if that sounded like an order, Mr King… I… but that’s really no way to speak to a child. I can get him to come out of his room. I can help you.” I breathe out. Alan is in front of me in a flash.

Our faces are only a hair’s breadth away and he towers over me in a frankly, scary way. His eyes momentarily drop to my lips but they’re back on my face in no time.

Just like that, I can feel his fingers on my pussy again and my breathing quickens.

Alan’s lips curl in a small smirk, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking about. His fingers just cupped the side of my face when a door creaks open behind us.

Ethan’s voice is small as he calls out, “Reina?”