Pancakes

Selene POV 

"You need to be strong, Selene . Everything that happened wasn't your fault" Uncle Neul consoled me as I found it hard to stop crying. I hated and blamed myself for everything that happened.

Maybe if I had followed them to the wedding, things wouldn't have turned out this way. Maybe if I agreed with the marriage, I might be with my mother at the last moment and probably hear her last words. I'm such a horrible daughter!

"No, you are not! You are the amazing daughter my sister had!" Uncle Nuell continued to feed me with positive words, making me realize that he was the only family I had left.

"What do you want me to do now? How do you want me to go about it? Huh! Uncle! I have no parents! I'm an orphan!" I shouted, feeling depressed. 

My voice wasn't audible, yet it shook as if I was about to give my last breath.

Uncle Neal held my hands and looked into my eyes, his expression showing his boldness and the hope he felt. "Listen to me, Selene , I have always seen you as my child; I can't let you face this cruel world alone; we need to stay together and face the future. You are going to start living with me from now on"

"What?" I was taken aback. Uncle Nuel is a bachelor; he works as a live-in driver for one of the wealthiest families in the city. "That's impossible!” I tried asking“What about your work? Wouldn't I be a burden to you?...."

"You don't need to worry about that; I will talk to my boss about it." Uncle pulled me in a deep hug while patting my back. 

While I rested my head on his shoulder, my head was filled with memories of that day; seeing my mom in the pool of her blood made me break down while tears found their way down my cheeks.

Thanks to Uncle Nuel, I wasn't left to survive on my own.

Days after moving into the mansion with my uncle, I was lucky to get a Job as a maid. Just like Uncle said, I must become strong and work hard to become a great woman in the future.

The plan was simple: work hard, save enough money, then further my education.

That was the plan, but I guess nature has a way of doing things.

"What the fuck are thinking about?! Huh!" The annoying voice rang out behind me and I could guess that person instantly.

I've been living with two young masters for a while now, and though they look identical, I was able to identify them through their eyes.

 Uncle always drives Lewie, the Young master with blossoming green eyes, to the office every day, while Leon, the Young Master with blue eyes, stays behind.

I haven't had much interaction with Young Master Lewie since he was always busy.

They are twins, each having a different personality from the other.

"I was.... cleaning the kitchen," I shuttered, keeping my head down, while I tried to avoid meeting his blue eyes.

"Are you trying to say I'm daft, so daft not to know when someone is lost in thought?” he chuckled and took a step near me.

I couldn't argue with him. What I needed most right now was my Job and I couldn't afford to be on his bad note, 

"I'm sorry, sir," I apologized as I kept cleaning the kitchen.

"There is no need to apologize; you all are annoying." With a scoff, he took a bottle of water from the fridge, slammed the fridge and walked out 

“Phew!!!” I let out a deep breath I had been holding; I struggled to keep my thoughts intact while I continued cleaning the kitchen.

Later in the day, I was busy making dinner.

Just as I flipped the pancake, Young Master Leon strolled in, his expression and presence souring the atmosphere immediately. 

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, surveying the scene like a judge ready to deliver a verdict.

"Is that how you make pancakes?" he scoffed, eyeing the golden-brown pancake on the plate. "They look burnt."

My heart sank. I turned to him, forcing a smile despite the frustration bubbling inside me. "I'm not yet done with it"

Leon rolled his eyes, his disdain shown. "Not if you call that a pancake. You should pay more attention in the kitchen. I wonder how you become a maid or rather a chef when you aren't professional," He mocked with a disdainful gaze before leaving the kitchen.

From the first day, I stepped foot into this house till now, I have concluded that I was never made to have a cordial relationship with Leon.

Why does he always show up to frustrate my life? I've never done anything to get on his nerves, but he keeps finding fault with me.

"Argh!" I sigh loudly, resting my head on the kitchen counter after switching off the cooker. 

My eyes were filled with unshed tears, and my heart was filled with pain; I was reminded of my mother. She has been the one to do all the cooking and will be the one to serve me in bed. And now, I'm left alone to fend for myself with the little idea I have about cooking.

"Do you give up that easily?" 

Immediately, I raise my head and become confused. Did the devil's assistant come back again?

"I'm sorry about that, Sir; I will...." My breath was caught in my throat when I caught a glimpse of his green eyes, which left me breathless.

"You shouldn't give up because someone discouraged you," He continued, moving closer to me, and I found myself struggling with my breath.

With one deep sigh, I swallow the lump in my throat and respond. "I don't know much about it," I confessed. It wasn't easy for me to meet up with the food roaster when I'm not good at it.

"No one is good from day one; you become good after trying repeatedly," He muttered as he wore the apron. Before I realized what happened, he started sizzling the eggs and I was amazed by his professionalism.

"Wow!" Staring at his back makes me remember my Mom as I was used to staring at her while cooking. 

Now I regret that I didn't learn from her before she died.

"Bring the sugar closer," He uttered, calling me back to reality.

I quickly gave him the sugar alongside other ingredients, and the pancake was ready. 

The aroma was welcoming more than I imagined; who could have believed that the workaholi

c boss was just a great cook?

Unexpectedly, he asked a shocking question. "Do you love me?”