Chapter 19

Well, that wasn’t rude.

I narrowed my eyes at her. I had had enough of her attitude.

“You don’t have to be rude about it. I am the lady of this house, and I won’t tolerate your dismissiveness any longer.” I said firmly.

She didn’t say anything, but I saw her clench her jaw.

“Now, how can I get some tea?” I snapped.

“In the kitchen, there’s an electric kettle; all you have to do is fill it with water and turn it on. It boils within minutes. Tea bags are in the cupboard above where it is being kept.”

I nodded and watched her leave.

I like the fact that I finally called her out. She was getting out of hand.

I entered the kitchen and saw the kettle on a countertop as described.

I opened the cupboard above it and saw the tea bags as she said. I brought them out and picked a mug. I turned to the counter and reached for the kettle so I could fill it with water.

I let out a blood-curdling scream as I fell to the ground.

My hands were burned, and the hot water splashed all over my skin.

I cried out as I held my hands in pain.

Cassian rushed into the kitchen, his eyes searching before finally resting on me. He ran to my side  while trying to avoid the hot water, which was still releasing steam, as much as possible.

“Elara! What happened?!” He crouched down beside me and saw me cradling my arms in tears.

He immediately picked me up, and before I knew it, I was in his study.

I watched as he quickly opened a first aid box and sat down beside me.

“How on earth did this happen?” He asked as he applied an ointment. I was in so much pain that I couldn’t respond. I was still crying.

He tried comforting me as he applied the ointment to the parts of my legs that had been burned.

I was in so much pain.

How would I paint? I needed to be able to paint.

More tears poured as I realized this was a huge delay in the actualization of my dreams.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’ll be fine.” He said to me as I sniffed.

He walked to the table and poured a glass of water. He came back and sat beside me, holding the cup to my lips as I drank.

We spent a few more minutes in silence until I was finally calm. There were just occasional sniffs.

“Are you good now?” Cassian asked, placing a comforting hand on my thigh.

I nodded slowly as I sat up.

“Are you ready to talk about what happened?”

I just wanted tea.

“I…. I was j… just trying to make some tea.” I finally spoke.

He looked at me, confused.

“Why on earth would you be doing that? We have maids for a reason.”

“T.. t…. they told me it was their o.. off day.”

I saw his eyes darken. He stood up and walked to the telephone.

He was talking to Tony. “I’m in the study.”

A few minutes passed by and a knock sounded on the door.

Tony opened it and walked in with a grim expression on his face.

“Care to verify the story that I am hearing? Maids having off days? I have never heard of such occurring in this house.” He folded his arms, giving Tony a look.

“I didn’t authorize anything of the sort, sir.”

Cassian looked at him, puzzled, before realization dawned on him.

“Gather every maid downstairs now.” He said in a deadly tone. Tony stiffly nodded and walked out.

What was he going to do?

He walked up to me. “Are you alright?” He tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear. I had to stop myself from turning red as I nodded.

“C..Cassian, please, T.. Tony didn’t have anything to do with it.”

Cassian turned to look at me.

“Elara, you just have to focus on getting better. I’ll handle this situation.” He gave me a small smile as he walked out.

I didn’t want Tony reprimanded because of me. It wasn’t his fault. I don’t know how my dumb ass didn’t think to check if there was water in the kettle already.

I tried standing up, but felt the injury on my right leg and fell back into the chair.

Cassian walked back in.

“Cassian, please don’t scold Tony. There was no way for him to know that would happen.”

Cassian looked at me for a while before sighing.

“I’m going downstairs. Do you want to come?”

I nodded fervently. “But, I can’t, my leg is injured so I can’t walk- woah.”

Before I could finish my statement, he had scooped me up and walked out.

This was the closest we had ever been. His scent was invading my nose, and God did he smell good.

I had to stop myself from burying my face in his shirt.

He carried me down the stairs like I weighed nothing and carefully placed me on the sofa. All the maids were lined up already and staring.

I muttered a thank you, and he replied with a soft smile before switching to a death glare.

“Now, will anyone care to explain what the hell happened to my wife and why she was doing the job I pay you to?!”