6: Poisoned

Chapter 6

Poisoned

***

It happened so fast that Leila couldn’t believe how she had come this far. She was flabbergasted upon discovering that it was Hunter Black, whom her mother had been indebted to.

Well, technically, it was all her stepfather’s fault, but her mother had been his collateral. That man really had to give them a headache after what he had done to her!

She couldn’t believe him! A heartless beast if she might add!

But what’s worst was that she couldn’t believe how she had come this far and how fate was truly playing her right now.

She stared at the huge mansion in front of her as she managed to press the doorbell.

Butler Henry’s cold and blank expression welcomed her and ushered her towards the pathway.

She mentally heaved a deep sigh. Now, she was welcomed here already, and that was because she had no other choice but to be the one who would pay for everything instead of her mother.

“There are few rules that you had to remember while working here, Miss Leila.” Butler Henry started.

Yes.

She will be working here… as their servant.

Leila mentally groaned. She didn’t want to do this either. However, she was left with no choice. She had no money. Her mother wanted to do this instead, but she needed to tend to Darcel, and she wouldn’t allow her to. She’s already too old to do heavy chores like this, and she was fine working at home as an agent.

They were all doing great, and it’s a bit of a sacrifice for her to do this.

What infuriates her is her stepfather. It’s a good thing he’s already left. She had told her mother not to accept him anymore and to tell her if he returned.

With all of the things that happened, she hadn’t told her mom about what Donovan did to her. She was already brokenhearted, and it would intensify once she found out.

“Did you hear everything that I said, Miss Leila?” Butler Henry suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

She bit her lower lip and unconsciously nodded her head.

‘Oh, my gosh, what did he say?’

She was in a panic inside. Butler Henry heaved a deep sigh.

“Anyway, just clean the ground floor, and you are not allowed to go on the second floor. All you have to do is clean, do the dishes, and cook, and if Master Hunter needs you to do something for him, you do it. No lurking around. And strictly no gossiping.” Butler Henry eyed her suspiciously.

She swallowed hard and nodded her head submissively.

‘I am not that nosy!’ She tried to maintain a straight face but failing miserably.

“Okay…” She murmured before biting her lower lip.

“What happens here, stays here.” Butler Henry explained.

Leila heaved a deep sigh before nodding her head. To be honest, she just wanted to roll her eyes at how she might leave as an impression to Hunter’s butler to make her think that she’s a nosy creature.

Well, she couldn’t blame him, though. Might as well, she tried to be friendlier to him this time.

“Anyway, you can drop the ‘Miss’ thing, Butler Henry.” She tried to act friendlier this time.

But the good and loyal butler just shook his head – making her forehead creased.

“I’m sorry, but I am already used to it. Anyway, if you have more questions, don’t hesitate to tell me.” He said it monotonously.

After Butler Henry left her in the kitchen, she couldn’t help but feel awe. It was certainly huge, and everything that she needed was all present and complete. It was organized and clean.

Butler Henry told her to make breakfast for ‘Master’ Hunter. Well, Leila couldn’t believe that she had to call him that. It was as if she were the lowest of all the human beings that had ever lived here in this world.

“Oh, gosh, what am I thinking anyway?” She muttered under her breath as she rummaged through the fridge.

She suddenly missed her parents, her grandparents, and Darcel. She used to cook for them. Her eyes moistened at the mere thought of it, but she instantly shook her head.

Leila tried to lift her spirit up.

“You shouldn’t be drowning yourself in negative thoughts, Leila. It’ll affect the food that you’ll serve.” She tried to talk to herself.

“Now, now, what do we have here?” She thought to herself as she suddenly remembered her father’s favorite dish.

She could still remember how she and her father cooked it together. She could still remember why he loved that dish so much.

It’s been too long to cook that certain dish, and she would love to serve it to Hunter. She just hoped that he’d like it.

Meanwhile, Butler Henry walked towards the second floor, where Hunter was sitting cozily on his couch.

“Why do you have to suggest that? You know that I am not fond of anyone lurking around my house.” His voice was menacing and dark.

Butler Henry swallowed hard. Hunter could be this intimidating, but he knew better.

“There’s no other choice, Master Hunter. They had no capacity to pay their debts. Besides, Miss Leila begged them not to get their house. They hold it dearly and she can’t afford for her mother and stepbrother to be homeless nor to live with her here. I discovered that her mother will be so lonely if she lived here and-”

“I don’t care…” Hunter cut his words.

Butler Henry let out an inaudible sigh.

“It’s just for a few months, I guess, it will be better to have her this close, right? You almost got caught when you saved her in the woods.” Butler Henry politely reminded him.

Hunter shot him a deadly glare and he just shove it away.

No matter how much Hunter would try to hide it, he knew that something was up to him. And Miss Leila was the very reason why.

He had been serving the Blacks all his life – especially Hunter – and he knew that something was changing within him. Whether he acknowledged it or not, he needed to help him. He just knew that he needed this… much more, he needed Leila.

She could trigger something inside him – which he could sense is a good thing for him… well, hopefully.

“By the way, your food might be ready now. I believe Miss Leila is done by now.” Butler Henry informed him before he excused himself.

Hunter lazily stood up and went downstairs.

For the first time, since he arrived here, he had never felt himself to be starving with food… not until now.

The moment he stepped down the stairs, the delicious aroma of whatever that girl had cooked attacked his nostrils. His stomach churned in hunger.

He had to maintain a straight face, especially when she saw the woman’s smiling face. His forehead creased as she clapped her hands – like a kid who was so proud of her achievement.

Hunter wanted to shake his head at what he had gotten himself into.

The woman’s eyes widened when they met his.

He mentally groaned because of her exaggerated expression.

“Oh, you’re here! Good morning. Your food is served.” She stated with a smile.

This was the very first time that he had seen her like this. He might say that the woman was really strikingly beautiful.

He wanted to smack himself at the way his thoughts were running.

Hunter pretended not to hear her as he went into the dining room.

“This is my father’s favorite. Come on, try it.” She energetically informed him.

He wanted to stop her from talking more, but he bet she would be talking to him more. The best thing that he could do was to stop talking to her.

Hunter started eating the food. It was delicious, alright. But his forehead creased when it became harder for him to breathe.

Leila looked at him bewilderedly, and he tried to calm himself, but to no avail.

‘What is in this food? Wait, chocolates? Is she trying to poison me?’

Hunter couldn’t breathe properly already – making Leila so shocked that she swiftly ran to call Butler Henry.

“What happened?!” He worriedly inquired.

“I… I don’t know.” Leila was already teary eyed as she said those words.

He closed his eyes as he tried to calm himself.

“What did you cook?!” Butler Henry demanded.

“Uhm, a c-chocolate-chipotle s-sirloin steak and d-dark chocolate sauce…” Leila unsurely replied.

‘F*ck!’

“What the hell, Leila?! Are you trying to poison him?!” Butler Henry’s voice thundered – making Leila feel the fear slowly eating her up.

“I… I….” She couldn’t say a word.

She didn’t know.

“Uhm, s-should I call a doctor?” She concernedly inquired.

But Butler Henry just gave her a cold look – stopping her from doing anything.

“Stop doing anything and just wait.”

His cold voice sent shivers down her spine. She was glued to the ground as she watched Butler Henry help Hunter go to his room.

Leila felt so guilty. She didn’t know what to do or what had happened to Hunter. Then, it suddenly hit her.

Her eyes widened as she bit her lower lip.

‘Wait… Is he allergic to chocolates?!’ She mentally asked herself.

‘Oh, my gosh, what have I done?’