Four years agoTatumOver the next few days, I realize that Bridget is who I think she is. A witch. I’m not a servant in this manor, I live with my dad and he’s the one who works for the house so I’m never really expected to take on chores but I help when I can. It’s a norm in the manor, children of the staff aren’t burdened with duties but it seems Bridget doesn’t give a shit at this point. In the past week, I’ve done house laundry, cleaned the gardeners shed, washed dishes and even mowed the bleeding lawn. It’s all Bridget’s punishment for me. She’s trying to get back at me for standing up to her in her office and to be honest, I’m fed up of being tossed around and used like a human dog. But if there’s one thing Bridget is very good at, it’s treating people like dirt. Dad is out of town for a few days, all part of her plan I’m sure, since she sent him on a fools errand in town for a few days just to make sure he isn’t around while she makes my life hell. As much as everyone in the

Present NoahI ordered food tonight and I’m worried Tatum isn’t going to be the one to deliver it. Dotty’s new delivery guy already started work a few weeks ago so he delivers my meals most times. Tatum only delivers if her shift has ended and she’s on the way home. It’s been quite a while since I saw her and I find that I’m uncomfortable with that, I want to see her, badly. My friend, Julius seats on the sofa opposite me with a glass of whiskey in his hand. He twirls the amber liquid in the glass, his face in thought. I ordered a double portion of food for the both of us, he’s stressed enough with his sisters wedding that he’d probably go home later tonight and forget to eat. “Dad doesn’t even leave his room anymore”, he says out of the blue. “And I hardly get to speak with my sister about anything except the wedding. I’m so fucking tired”, he sighs, sounding absolutely distraught. “Talk to your other sister then”, I say, hardly interested in his family drama “Same thing with he

TatumFour years agoDad and I, along with all the other staff, leave for the charity event later that night. They won’t be working tonight since Bridget always hires people for things like this. I see Ryan at the entrance to the hall building and he waves me over. I smile at him and untangle my hand from dads elbow before making my way over to a beaming Ryan.“Hey”, he greets “Hi”. He turns his palm up and I take his hand as he walks me into the hall. “I hate things like this”, he says, pulling at the collar of his suit. “And why is it so hot in here”. He sounds frustrated now and it makes me laugh. “Here, let me help”. I reach up to loosen his tie so he’d feel better.“There, better now?”, I ask looking up at him only to see his eyes already on me. “Yeah, thanks”. I nod, looking away from him quickly.When I turn back into the hall, I see Nigel standing close to the VIP area and my heart skips a few beats. He doesn’t look happy to see me though, he looks almost angry and I’m

NoahPresent I hand over a piece of paper with prescriptions to the nurse. “Give this to the patients guardian. Let them get these from a pharmacy”“Yes sir”, the nurse concurs and I look over the unconscious patient on the bed one more time before I turn to leave. A few feet away from my office, I see Julius pacing leisurely in front of my door. He raises his head and sights me. I sigh and walk towards him, opening the office door and walking in before him. He follows quietly behind. I pull off my white robe and hang it on my coat hanger before pulling up my sleeves to my elbow and making my way to my chair. “What is it Dale?”, I ask Julius, using his last name. He takes a seat in front of my desk and I raise a brow at him, urging him to get to the point of his visit already.“Calm down sunshine, I swear I won’t take your time”, he drawls out cockily. I don’t answer him, God knows I don’t have the time.“So uhm, you know how I took a plate of food home the day that restaurant chic

PresentNoahI can't tell if I'm nervous. I'm hardly ever nervous, so I really don't know what it truly feels like. But right now, I think what I'm feeling could pass for nervousness. Tate is short, just a little above 5 feet tall, and I'm 6'3", which is a significant height difference between us. So, explain to me how she's managing to glare down at me like she's not the one who's closer to the ground."How could you even let him?" she asks, enraged."You have to understand that this isn't my fault," I say, not sure if I'm trying to defend myself."Well, obviously it is. You could've simply told him no from the get-go, but you chose to ask me instead, knowing that my answer would be no either way.""Tate—""Forget it," she cuts me off. "It's useless, and I'm not doing it." She turns and walks away, but I don't stop her because I warned Julius this was gonna happen. She gets to the door of my apartment and is about to reach for the knob when the door opens, and Julius steps into the