Chapter 18

The entire mansion rushed to Mr. Cesar's aid, including the head maid, Miss Benelope. When she saw me next to Mr. Cesar, she roughly pushed me aside, casting a reproachful look my way. Joffre arrived, and with her help, they assisted him to a bed. Frightened and regretful, I followed the entourage of people, which was soon dispersed by a commanding voice.

"Return to your tasks immediately; this is not a spectacle!" Everyone quickly scattered, but I remained frozen in place.

"Miss Benelope, I didn't mean to hurt Mr. Cesar... I... can I see Mr. Cesar? I-I need to apologize."

"Leave right now. I don't need problematic nuisances. If I see you poke your head in, even a little, I'll throw you out myself; Mr. Cesar won't need to," she snapped, quickly heading toward the phone, ignoring me. What was I going to do? After this, I was sure Mr. Cesar would kick me out. I needed to find a way into that room to talk to him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the maid glancing at me while she talked on the phone. Quickly, I ran to my room to pull Gulliver out of my blouse, who jumped into his glass dome and stayed perfectly calm.

"Now you’re a good toad, aren’t you?" I glared at him angrily before quickly leaving my room. I peeked into the hall and saw the doctor entering the maids' quarters, specifically Benelope's room, where they had taken Mr. Cesar. Not knowing what was happening, I felt even more worried. What if it was serious, and I had to pay him a large sum of money for leaving him with nothing down there? How embarrassing. Suddenly, I saw the maid peek out, and I quickly hid so she wouldn’t see me. She looked like a bloodhound prowling the area. Frustrated, I sighed, waiting for my opportunity.

"I hope Mr. Montenegro recovers; he's a young man. I think it was just a scare."

"Thank you for coming. I'll escort you out," said Miss Benelope, walking away. Quickly, I slipped into the room and, when I opened the door, shut it quickly behind me. Turning around, I found him resting his eyes.

"Benelope, I feel better already. I’m not staying here all day," he looked up, opening his eyes to show that familiar angry expression. I smiled, waving my hand.

"Mr. Cesar, how are you?"

"How do you think I am?" I pulled out a bag of ice and some ointment from behind me. Nervously, I approached him, feeling like a complete attacker. He warily snapped.

"You’d better leave!"

"But I want to help."

"You’ve helped enough. Look at the result," he retorted sarcastically.

"I want to make up for my mistake..." Clumsily, I dropped the ice bag on his parts, causing him to complain.

"Do you want to put me on the ground again?" He held the bag carefully and quickly looked at the door.

"Sorry... it’s just..." Embarrassed, I glanced down and asked, looking away.

"Does it hurt a lot...? I mean, there... you know where," I timidly inquired without looking at him.

"Your presence hurts more... why do I end up angry or hurt every time I’m near you? Are you some kind of walking curse?" Angry and tense, I snapped back.

"Well, you’re not exactly a sweetheart either! You know? I’m trying to make up for my mistake, and you’re just being... being—"

"Being what! What! Seems like you have a lot to say after groping me and almost leaving me childless." I heard noises outside as Mr. Cesar yelled, scared it was Miss Benelope, I covered his mouth, urging him to be quiet. Frightened, I watched the door, waiting for it to open, but the footsteps faded away. I took a deep breath and, turning to see his frowning face, quickly removed my hand.

"How can you be so shameless? You know I’m your boss. I could fire you right now. I have more than enough reasons to kick you out," he said, clearing his throat, tense.

"It was an accident... I don't want them coming in here, thinking I came to finish what I started. Please, don’t fire me... I need the job." He took a deep breath and let it out.

"I won’t fire you, so stop talking."

"Really?!" I exclaimed, grabbing his hands suddenly, shaking them joyfully. Confused, he pulled his hands away, saying.

"Yes, yes, yes. Just don’t do that again and keep that damned toad in a pond, or you’ll have to get it out of my mansion."

"I promise! You won’t see him again. C-can I go back to my cabin to..."

"No!" he cut me off so loudly I jumped back. Clearing his throat and looking away, he said.

"You work in the mansion now, stop repeating the same thing. It’s like I never went on a trip. Do you want to make me angry again?" Was it just me, or was he struggling to keep calm?

"But... you’re always angry. What’s the difference...?"

"What did you say?!"

"Nothing! I just wanted to apologize again for your butt and for your..."

"I get it, you don’t have to keep reminding me," he said, running his hands over his forehead in exhaustion.

"Do you want a massage? You went on vacation and seem more..."

"More what?"

"N-nothing..." I quickly got up and placed my hands on his shoulders.

"You’ll see, I’ll make you feel like new."

"You’d better stop. I don’t want you to make me feel worse."

"Don’t be stubborn, ah!" I shouted, giving a good thump to his right shoulder blade.

"Aah!"

♥

Keylef

It was late when I arrived at the Hotel Bonjour. I entered the room number I had been given, but strangely, there was no one there. I expected to find her when I arrived, so I patiently waited for her. I was as nervous as I had never felt, happy to have found her... what had she been doing all this time? Where had she been? I had searched for her for so long. Suddenly, I heard the sound of the technological door. I quickly turned, and in the threshold of darkness, I saw a female figure staring at me, waiting silently...

"After searching for me so long, now you have nothing to say, Keylef?"

"Damn, Belladonna... where have you been?" Without waiting another second, I hugged her, taking her by surprise. But as always, when she was around, everything in me awakened. Finally, everything would return to normal, but things were going to change.