Saffron, the trouble magnet

The next day, Saffron tendered her resignation letter to the butler who found it irresponsible of her to quit at this time.

“I was just about to come look for you after this. Young Miss Talia brought up your promotion issues at the dining with the rest of the family. The Clintons are pleased with your service, so you’ve been promoted to a Senior Chef with your salary doubled.”

Saffron clutched the white envelope containing her resignation letter tightly. Promotion... Doubled salary! Before today, they were what she needed the most. She overworked herself for seven years to get a promotion.

But what good are those things with her recent condition? If she decides to stay, it could be the end of her life!

She smiled faintly and slowly stretched out the white envelope. “I’m sorry, Mr. Charles, my resignation is not coined from lack of promotion. I just–“

“Before I forget, Third Master Sebastian wants you at the green house by 8:30 tonight. You can tell him then that you want to resign... Also, I’ve noticed that you’ve been getting noticed by the Young masters lately. Need I remind you of your status? I hope you don’t get yourself in a mess that could terminate your life,” with that said, he turned and left.

The warning might have sounded light on his tongue, but it was definitely loud and heavy on Saffron’s ears. She also doesn’t want to get involved with the Clintons but what can she do when they keep coming for her? Can she say no?

Unintentionally getting involved with the first two Young masters wasn’t enough, now, the third wants her too? Saffron stood there in a stupor. At this junction, she suddenly felt she needed a sofa or bed to lean into the lethargic that had unceremoniously struck her.

“What does he want with me now?” she mused.

...

8 Pm

Saffron signed out for the day and decided to go see why Third Young Master Sabastian needed her.

Arriving at the green house, the place was devoid of light, except from the Illumination from the full moon. The sky was dark and clear with lots of twinkling stars, but nothing could shield her from the coldness of the night. It carried along a spooky feeling... A reminder of what she accidentally witnessed in the green house three months ago.

The green house was locked, so Saffron had no choice but to stand in the open, observing the beautiful sky.

“The temperature is low, the sky is bright, a beautiful environment with a pretty lone lady. It would be way better if I joined you.”

Saffron jumped when she heard that slippery voice drifting into her ears. The owner was right behind her!

“Don’t be scared,” he whispered beside her ear while holding her in place. He sniffed her long black hair and slowly closed his eyes to appreciate the faint peppermint scent coming from her hair.

“Your hair product smells nice,” he mumbled while brushing his fingers down the exposed skin on her arm.

Saffron shivered under his cold touch. She could hear the rapid cry of her heartbeat. Her legs were about giving up on her. This man, three months ago– on a weirdly quiet night like this, that he... He carved a maid’s heart out and stabbed the heart several times until it could no longer be recognized. He dared to tell her not to be scared? She came, thinking he wanted her to do something for him, but instead...

She gently moved away and tried to speak. “Ma– Master Sebastian... “ her words of rejection crawled back into the back of her throat.

“I told you, don’t be scared,” his tone went a tad deeper. He was upset.

“I– I’m sorry,” her timid voice came as a whisper.

He took a deep breath and wrapped his hands around Saffron’s waist, then placed his jaw on her shoulder. “Isn’t the sky beautiful?”

“Yes–“ she swallowed. “Ma– master Sebastian, please, have I done anything to upset you?”

“Mm,” he responded with his eyes closed. “I’m angry at you, Saffron.” His hands around her waist tightened, making her uncomfortable. Then he faced the sky and continued, “Three months ago, on a full moon, I killed a maid under this tree in front of you... ”

Saffron’s skin crawled and her shoulder tensed. Her throat went dry and legs gave way, prompting her to slide down. But because he was holding her from behind, she couldn’t fall. Why was he telling her that?

“Do you want to know why I ripped her heart out?”

Why would she?!

“N– no, no. I know she wronged you!” She quickly said. She had no idea what happened. In fact, she doesn't want to know. What she wanted right now was to leave this place!

But who was Sebastian to give up because Saffron showed no interest in his story?

“I found interest in her, so I took her as my plaything. I made her sign a contract. The terms stated that she cannot take the relationship seriously: she cannot love me or carry my seed, but she breached the contract. I wanted to see what was different with her heart, but unfortunately after I dug it out , it was exactly the same as every other red heart,” he sighed.

Psycho!! She screamed in her heart and tried to move away from him but he held her in place. Why was he even telling her this at this time and place? Does he want to kill her too?

Saffron's heart dropped when she thought that was his intention. But why?

As if they shared telepathy, he continued, “That night, my men saw you. But I stopped them from killing you too because I found out Talia was interested in you. Last month, I also saw my two brothers got entangled with you. You must be very special to have my siblings keeping their eyes on you.

“Saffron, it is not fun to watch from the side-line. I want to take part in the fight but it seems you’re the battlefield, so why don’t I own the battlefield and become their greatest obstacle?”

While his voice was filled with life, Saffron was an inch away from her grave. She could literally envision her dead body getting pulled down into a six feet hole... But would these brothers even allow her grave to be six feet deep?

“Master Sebastian... I –“

“I’m not asking for your opinion, Saffron. I know you are pregnant with Caspian’s child. What do you think he’ll do to you if I whisper that into his ears? What do you think he’d do if he sees pictures of you and I cozying up under the full moon? I’m sure he’d believe I sent you into his bed... Do you know what that means? Think, dear Saffron. If you’re done thinking, let this sink in... You are my temporary girlfriend, starting now. ” He turned her around to see her eyes had widened like saucers.

Saffron was so scared that her mind froze for a long time. It’s already a great deal that she has become a pawn to two brothers. Now, the third?!

Goodness, what did she do wrong?!

“I’m sorry, Third master Sabastian. I can’t be your girl–“

“Lean forward and kiss me,” he ordered. He never let her finish. He always cut her off as if her opinion doesn’t count.

“What?!” her eyes grew wide.

“I said, kiss me. If you don’t, I’ll separate you from your unborn baby right here,” he smiled. His weird smile sent chills down Saffron’s back.

He can! Sebastian could do it without batting an eyelid! He’d mercilessly kill her unborn child if he’s angered. Saffron subconsciously hugged her belly and took a fearful step back.

“Saffron, don’t make this difficult. Pretend like you stole a kiss from me. Don’t waste my time.”

With tears gathered in her eyes, she whispered powerlessly, “Master Sabastian, why are you doing this? I– I don’t want to be a pawn in your fight with your brothers.“ It was already bad enough that Caspian wants her to kill his brothers. And Atlas has made it appear to Caspian that she was in a relationship with him. What she cannot take is another brother, Sabastian getting involved.

Sabastian closed the distance and placed a finger on her lips, “Shhh... Don’t overthink it. I don’t love you. I’m not sure I even like you. You’ve become Atlas’ pawn. In no time, you’ll also become Caspian’s pawn. All these years Talia had been keeping an eye out for you and that’s because she wishes to use you too. I’m only doing the same, dear Saffron. By the way, you won’t suffer injustice as I’m a good kisser.” He wrapped his hand around her waist and aggressively pulled her closer. Just as he was about to kiss her, she turned her head. The courage she never had suddenly came bursting out.

“I’m sorry, Master Sabastian, I don’t want to kiss you.”

“I’m not asking you, Saffron. I’m demanding you do so, right this instant.” His voice changed, together with his face and the next moment, Saffron felt a pointy object poking her lower stomach. She looked down and realized it was a knife! She looked up at him and saw his dead cold eyes. “There’s a way I’d stab your stomach, you won’t die but your baby would. Don’t test my patience.”

Saffron gulped as her palm became sweaty. What is more important? Her child or her dignity? There was no comparison. She leaned in and they locked lips.

Meanwhile, a distance away, a shutter sound was heard by the thick decorative flowers. The image of Saffron and Sabastian ‘making out’ in the greenhouse was captured.