Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
This year, I have everything I want and so it’s going to be an easy wish. I wished for nothing to change.
I walk over and blow out the eighteen candles. Everybody claps. Leanne starts to remove the candles and cut slices from the cake.
“So, what did you wish for?” Justine asks.
How can I tell her I wished for nothing, but the continuation of what I already have. I grin. “I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.”
She laughs and shakes her head.
“Eighteen and you still believe that?” she teases.
“You’re never too old to believe in magic,” I say, making my voice sound enigmatic.
Mrs. Brent hands us each a piece of chocolate cake and we sit around the island eating and chatting. After a while most of the staff leave, only Mrs. Brent, Justine, and Leanne remain around the island. I feel conscious of the fact it’s getting late, and I can’t help feeling like I’m slacking when I should be working.
“Is there much left to do?” I ask.
“Put these paper plates in the trash and we’re done,” Justine says.
“But I just got here…”
“I know. It’s something we always do on birthdays. One of the maids who isn’t scheduled to work comes in and gives us a hand so we can have cake and a chat with the birthday girl. It’s voluntary that you come in on your day off when it’s your turn by the way.”
“Oh.”
“That’s right. I only took you upstairs to help with the bedroom, because you’re new and weren’t expecting the cake, so we wanted it to be a big surprise. Unfortunately, you got here before the cake did so I just took you up there to keep you out of the way for ten minutes.”
I laugh with them, appreciating the gesture and feeling like these women truly are more than just colleagues. They’re starting to become family.
I hear a noise out in the hallway and my eyes widen.
“Relax, Amelia. It’s just Mr. Leshchenko.”
“Viktor?” I squeak, my heart racing like crazy.
“This is his house, you know,” Justine reminds with a little laugh.
“It’s not funny,” I say, jumping up agitatedly. “How is it going to look if the first time he sees me since offering me this job I’m sitting around chatting and eating cake instead of working?”
“Hey, calm down. You’re not in any kind of trouble. Viktor knows about our little birthday routine,” Justine explains, her voice kind.
I shake my head unhappily. She doesn’t understand. I didn’t want our first meeting again to be like this. To top it all I must look a complete mess.
“Did someone say birthday?” Viktor asks easily, strolling into the kitchen.
“It’s Amelia’s eighteenth,” Mrs. Brent informs. “Would you like a piece of cake?”
“Sure,” he says, sitting down opposite me.
His presence has completely changed the mood in the room. He looks at me, and I feel my knees turn to jelly. With butterflies in my stomach, I sit back on the seat I just jumped out of.
“Happy birthday, Amelia.” His voice is a dreamy combination of deep and warm, but his eyes are distant and unknowable.
I swallow the frog in my throat. “Thank you, Mr. Leshchenko,” I eventually manage awkwardly.
“Mr. Leshchenko? Where did that come from?” His voice is teasing. Nothing like I remembered it. “Call me Viktor,” he commands.
I nod mutely. I know I should say something, but when I open my mouth, I realize I can’t think of a single thing to say, so I close it again with a snap. God, help me, but I’m acting like a total and complete idiot.
Leanne cuts a slice of cake and puts it in front of him. “Mrs. Brent baked it,” she says.
He picks it up in his perfectly manicured hand, takes a big, manly bite, and chews slowly.
“Very good,” he comments, looking at Mrs. Brent and nodding appreciatively.
Mrs. Brent blushes with pleasure.
He is either ignoring my awkwardness, too polite to point it out (not a likely option considering the way he spoke to Ivan), or best-case scenario, he hasn’t noticed it.
I watch him as he informs Justine about a new club he has acquired and asks whether she will need extra staff to cover its cleaning. He seems so different to the man I remember. He still has that aura of power and primal dominance around him, but he doesn’t feel dangerous here. He’s deliberately relaxed, and his easy-going manner and easy smile are designed to put us all at ease.
The words flow around me, but I only register them as a buzz.
I can’t understand why I cannot(can’t) even look at Viktor. I mean, he is the most handsome man I’ve ever met, but this sizzling attraction I feel for him is far too strong and undeniable for it to be simply an ordinary attraction. In fact, I don’t ever remember getting wet just looking at a man like I am now. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, trying to take the pressure off, but the action just arouses me even more.