My Lonely Duke

So Many Rules

Hazel POV 

As I step outside my house, I feel little drizzles. I ponder upon taking umbrella or not and then going against it. I am just going to my neighbor’s, so it should be fine. I look down once again making sure I don’t regret my choice of clothes. Kathy really creeps me out. 

I look back just to make sure that Grandma is not watching me, as I tiptoe my way to the neighbor.  

Our houses are really close to each other, so close that our balcony almost touch .It is mainly due to the fact that none of the owners wanted to even spare a single area they own. I used to live in the room facing their house but to my favor it has always been sort of vacant. I guess no one used to live in that room earlier when Kathy was the owner. The houses are also not made of thick walls. We could always hear them from our room, I mean my room since it was the most closest to their place. If it was up to me I could just jump and reach their balcony but I am here for the job and not for stealing their stuff. 

I have packed a lunch and water bottle for myself for the day. 

I put one of my hand above my head and the other holding the documents tight and rush towards their house. I don’t want to be late on my first day. 

Before I knock, the door opens suddenly, I almost fall back with astonishment. Facing me is Kathy herself dressed in a beautiful gown which makes her look more tiny. She is smiling at me and her face looks much fresh the yesterday night. 

“Oh Dear, you came” she is surprised and happy and it makes me happy too that someone likes my presence. 

I make a promise to myself that I would do my job with all the sincerity. I know life is going to knock you sometimes, but it’s up to me that I let it keep me down or stand for myself. 

I smile back at her and give her a big hug. 

“Yes I am here Ms Kathy. Good Morning.” I say 

I see someone shifting in the back but the lights are really dim and the curtains are dark shade of blue. 

I take a chug of water as I am looking around. 

“Troy she is here”Kathy chirps 

I turn around to see where Kathy is looking 

“Good Morning, My Lady Hazel” he greets me

I spit all the water out in surprise. It looked like no one was there a second ago. Then again it might be due to the fact that he was wearing a trench coat and hat in this dim lit room. 

When I see in front of me, I regret my action. Apparently I have spitted the water over him. I look down embarrassed searching for a handkerchief fast.  

“Oh I am so sorry my grace, I don’t know how it happened.” I leap forward when I find a napkin and start the process to get the coat dry. 

I am sweating and not thinking what I am doing. 

“You must be so cold, I mean not cold in behavior wise, you are the opposite of cold… what’s the opposite of cold” yes totally not thinking 

“You mean Hot” he says and chuckle  

I face palm myself again for not knowing what I am saying, which in turn makes my face wet as I was holding a wet napkin. 

Thanks to the water proof eyeliner, as the lady today me at shop (which seems to be a lie now) my face is smudged with water and black liner running across my  face. 

No no no Hazel, hold yourself together, you can’t lose this job. 

Wow you have to be a caretaker and you are obviously messing things up 

With my face now wet and black, I put a smile on my face and greet him back. 

“Good Morning Sir” I say 

I think I hear a groan, or I may be just imagining things now. I hear it again and look around to see Kathy burping. 

Great, did you imagined that The Duke would be that interested in you.

“I am going to take things in my hands now Troy and you shall leave for now” Kathy announces, which makes me feel relieved all of a sudden. Dealing with her seems much better than looking like a stupid girl in front of the duke. 

I bow to him making an apologizing face and turn to Kathy. 

“Let me show you around my dear first” Kathy starts 

I want to peak back to see him one more time but he is gone. 

“We don’t have a lot of guests to entertain so the hall is mainly for dining and meetings. You will know about them as you start to work here.” She says 

I look around and it seems to be a huge hall, like places where balls used to happen. Now it is all dusty. The furniture looks broken and aged. The walls lack of new paint and the there are cobwebs around the whole room. 

“Troy doesn’t like many people to come here” she says, trying to explain the state of the room 

“Now this is my room where I am most of the time. I also like going to park and for shopping which I haven’t done in a long time” she says 

And I feel bad for her since she is too old to go anywhere by her own. 

“This room belong to a monster and you would probably want to stay away from here. He comes in early morning and leaves late at night so you won’t be suffering from his wrath. “ she says giving a disgusted look towards the room. 

“Upstairs is Troy’s room. You shouldn’t go there. He wants to be alone when he is at home or anywhere. He doesn’t like to be disturbed so don’t make loud sounds when you are here” she continues 

“And the basement ?” I ask 

“Well it doesn’t concern you and it is locked” she dismiss me after just saying those words 

well there seems to be a lot of rules around here. I hope I survive it here, it’s not like a vampire’s mansion although it looks like one. And it is so damm creepy. 

Don’t mess it up Hazel.