You wake up to the morning light filtering through your curtains. As your eyes adjust, you notice a figure standing at your door. It's Isabella, the maid who had been tricked into working at your family’s mansion. She stands there with a flustered face, her light blue eyes darting around the room.

"Uh...wakey wakey, loser-kun!" *she stammers, her voice a mix of irritation and embarrassment. A faint blush creeps across her cheeks as she fidgets with the hem of her maid uniform, which snugly fits her curvy figure and ample breasts. She shifts nervously from one foot to the other, avoiding direct eye contact.

"Master wants you downstairs for breakfast," she continues, her tone softening slightly. She glances at you briefly before quickly looking away, her discomfort evident.

"D-don't thank me! Just get up already!" she snaps suddenly, her voice tinged with annoyance. Crossing her arms over her chest, she takes a step back, raising her hand defensively.

"Hurry up and get dressed. I'll...I'll be waiting outside to escort you," she mutters, her face flushed with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. She turns on her heel and practically flees the room, her hurried footsteps echoing down the hall.

The room falls silent again as you process the unusual morning encounter.

"L-look! I'm not looking!" she stammers, flustered and turning even redder as she accidentally locks eyes with you. Her face scrunches in discomfort before she quickly turns away, mumbling something under her breath.

With a shaky breath, she squares her shoulders and regains her composure, clearing her throat loudly. "Right. Let's go then," she says curtly, gesturing for you to follow her through the halls of the mansion.

As you walk, the sound of your footsteps echoing off the marble floors and vaulted ceilings, Isabella maintains a stiff posture, refusing to meet your gaze. Her hands clench into fists at her sides as she tries to control her rising anger and embarrassment.

"Here we are," she announces, leading you into the grand dining hall where an elaborate breakfast spread awaits. Servants bustle about, setting tables and pouring tea as the rich smell of coffee wafts through the air.

"There's your seat," she says, pointing to a chair at the far end of the table. "Enjoy." Then, without waiting for a reply, she turns on her heel and disappears into another part of the mansion, leaving you alone with your thoughts...and the servants.

"Here's your water," she says curtly, trying to sound neutral but failing miserably as jealousy tinges her words. Her cheeks flush slightly as she turns away, busying herself with straightening a napkin on another table. "If you need anything else..." She trails off, not meeting your gaze.

Her breath hitches slightly when one of the other servants giggles at something you say, and she feels an uncharacteristic urge to lash out at them for making light of her discomfort. But she forces herself to remain professional, maintaining a stiff posture and avoiding any confrontation as she continues to serve the guests in the dining hall.

"I-I'm fine," she stammers, her voice sounding oddly high-pitched and strained. "J-just...just leave me alone!" She spins around abruptly, nearly colliding with a passing servant before hurrying away to the safety of her quarters. Once there, she locks the door behind her and falls onto her bed, her body trembling from anger, embarrassment, and confusion. "Stupid Abdiel!" she whispers under her breath. "Why does he have to be so...so..."

Her face burns red with frustration as she tosses and turns restlessly on the bed, trying desperately to get him out of her head. Finally, exhaustion overtakes her, and she drifts off into an uneasy sleep.

"I-Is that important?" she asks the servant, her tone clipped and annoyed. Her eyes dart to the door leading out of her quarters before settling on you again with a hint of suspicion. "Was it for me? Because if so, I'm not coming out till--"

Her words are cut off by the sound of footsteps approaching down the hall outside her room. She tenses up, her fists clenching at her sides as she waits anxiously for whatever or whoever is coming closer.

"Sorry," the servant mutters, looking embarrassed as she retreats down the hall. Isabella sighs heavily and leans against her door, trying to calm herself before deciding what to do next. Just then, there's another knock at her door - stronger and more demanding this time. "What is it?" she snaps, barely managing to keep her voice under control.

"You're wanted in the study," comes Abdiel 's calm, smooth voice from the other side of the door. "It's important." There's a brief pause before he continues, his tone laced with amusement: "Don't dawdle now, maid-san."

Isabella's eyes widen in shock and anger as she realizes that Abdiel is deliberately toying with her. She takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders before opening the door and stepping out into the hallway, her face flushed with embarrassment and fury.

"You rang?" she says coolly, glancing around the study filled with guests. Her expression turns even colder as her gaze falls upon you. "What do you want, Abdiel? I've got better things to do than attend to your little parties." She crosses her arms over her chest defensively, refusing to meet your eye.

She stiffens visibly at your words, her expression darkening further. "Wh-what? Who wants me?" she stammers, her voice cracking as her fingers dig into her arms. Her eyes dart around the room nervously, searching for any familiar faces before finally settling on her friend. She relaxes slightly when she sees her, but only slightly; there's still a tense undercurrent of unease running through her body.

Cautiously, she pulls away from you and takes a step towards her friend, the movement hesitant and guarded. "W-what do they want with me?" she asks quietly, keeping her voice low so as not to draw attention to herself or embarrass her friend further.

Her friend's words catch her off guard; she hadn't expected anyone to come looking for her. A mix of emotions flickers across her face - confusion, surprise, and perhaps even a tiny hint of hope. She looks up at her friend, searching for some sort of explanation or context. "W-why now? And why you?" she asks hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

The awkward silence stretches between them before her friend replies, her own voice quiet and uncertain. "Well...I always remembered how much fun we used to have together, back in school. I thought maybe...maybe we could hang out again, you know? Like old times." Her cheeks flush slightly as she meets Isabella's gaze.

For a moment, Isabella is transported back in time; memories of their shared laughter and adventures flood her mind, chasing away the darkness that had been lingering there since her arrival at the mansion. She hesitates only a heartbeat before nodding slowly, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Okay," she whispers. "Yeah...let's do that."

Her friend beams, taking Isabella's hand and leading her away from the study and towards the french doors that open onto a secluded garden beyond. The cool evening air caresses their faces as they walk, and Isabella can feel herself starting to relax for the first time since she arrived at the mansion. Maybe this place won't be so bad after all...

Isabella smiles up at her friend as they walk through the garden. "Really? That's great! I could use a change of pace anyway," she says with renewed energy. The thought of spending time with someone who genuinely knew and understood her makes the weight on her shoulders seem slightly lighter. As they continue to talk and laugh, Isabella finds herself beginning to forget about the mansion and its master for a while, lost in the moment and enjoying the company of someone she truly cares about.

The stars twinkle above them, casting a soft glow over the garden as the evening deepens. Eventually, they find themselves sitting on a wooden bench beneath a trellis laden with roses, sipping hot cocoa and reminiscing about old times. It feels almost like being back at school again, free from the burdens of responsibility and expectations.

"You know," Isabella says softly, breaking the comfortable silence for a moment, "I think I'm going to be okay here." Her friend looks over at her with a warm smile, pleased that she's finding some happiness amidst this unexpected situation. Together, they continue to enjoy each other's company until it's time for Isabella to return to her duties inside the mansion. But even then, she carries with her a newfound sense of hope and purpose, grateful for the unexpected friend who came into her life when she needed it most.

A laugh escapes her lips at the memory. "Yeah, I remember that. Who would've thought he'd turn out like this?" She takes another sip of cocoa and glances over at him where he stands talking with the guards outside the garden. Even from here she can tell he's grown more confident, more comfortable in his own skin since they were back in school. A small pang of jealousy hits her; it's hard not to feel a little envious of how much he's changed and moved on with his life while she's still stuck here serving time for something she didn't even do.

But then her friend says something that snaps her back into the present: "He seems really nice, you know." There's an unspoken question in those words, and Isabella knows exactly what it means. With a small shrug, she admits, "I suppose he is...not as bad as I remember him being, anyway." It's the most truthful thing she's ever said about Abdiel .

She blushes deeply at the mention of her feelings for Abdiel. "I-I don't know... It just never seemed like the right time or place, you know?" She takes another sip of cocoa, feeling embarrassed now. Her heart races as she wonders what would happen if she were to tell him how she really felt...and if he even felt the same way about her. "Maybe I should...talk to him sometime."

Her friend grins knowingly and pats her shoulder reassuringly. "You should, Izzy. You never know what might happen." With that, they share a companionable silence as they finish their cocoa, both lost in their own thoughts about the possibilities that lie ahead for Isabella now that she has someone on her side who understands her past and accepts her just the way she is.

Their eyes meet briefly before they both quickly look away. She feels a flush creep up her neck and spread across her cheeks as she tries to ignore the butterflies dancing in her stomach. Has he always been this attractive, or is it just because she's finally starting to see him differently? Either way, she can't help but wonder what would happen if they were to talk...if there was a chance for something more between them.

As they finish up moving her friend's things into the new room, the tension grows almost palpable. They both try not to look at each other, fearful of what their expressions might reveal. But even so, Isabella can feel herself growing increasingly aware of Abdiel 's presence nearby; his every move seems magnified, and her heart races faster whenever she thinks he's looking in her direction.

Eventually, they finish setting up the room to their friend's satisfaction. As she turns to leave with a polite farewell, she feels Abdiel 's gaze on her back, following every step until she's out of sight. Her heart races even faster at the thought that maybe tonight...maybe now is the time to find out for sure.

With a deep breath, she steels her resolve and steps forward, walking over to where you sit on the couch. Her heart pounds wildly in her chest as she approaches, but she forces herself not to show any signs of nerves or uncertainty. Instead, she tries to appear confident and self-assured as she stands before you.

"I...uh..." She hesitates for a moment, searching for the right words. "Look, about earlier today...and last night...I just wanted to say that I'm sorry if I came on too strong or made things weird." Her cheeks flush red as she struggles to find the courage to continue.

"And...I also wanted to thank you for being there for me tonight," she finally blurts out, her voice barely above a whisper. "For understanding and...and not judging me. It means a lot." As the words tumble out of her mouth, she feels an odd mixture of relief and vulnerability wash over her.

Her gaze flickers up to meet yours, hoping against hope that you'll understand what she's trying to say...and maybe even feel the same way about her.

Tentatively, she takes a seat on the couch beside you. Her heart races with anticipation and nervous energy as her gaze darts between your face and the television screen. She tries to focus on what's happening in the movie, but it's hard when all she can think about is how close you are to her, how your presence feels electrifying and exciting at the same time.

When she finally summons the courage to speak again, her voice comes out quieter than before. "So...are you enjoying the movie?" She asks, forcing a small smile as she tries to keep things light and casual between them. Despite her efforts, though, there's an undertone of tension and longing that can't be completely disguised.

As the scene changes onscreen, your arm brushes against hers ever so slightly before settling back down at your side. Isabella tries not to notice, but the contact sends shivers down her spine nonetheless. She wonders if it was intentional or if she imagined it all.

She laughs along with you, her eyes sparkling in the dim light of the living room. The sound of your voice and the warmth of your body against hers make her heart race even faster than before, but she tries to focus on having a normal conversation, just like old friends. As they continue to talk about the movie, she finds herself opening up more and more, sharing stories from their shared past that she hadn't thought about in years.

The more they talk, the closer they seem to grow; an unspoken connection forming between them. She feels a sense of peace wash over her as she loses herself in the moment, no longer worrying about what others might think or say if they saw them together like this. For once, she's just enjoying the company of someone who understands and appreciates her for who she is.

When the movie ends, there's an awkward silence as both of you realize how late it is getting. With a sigh, she stands up from the couch, brushing off her skirt before looking back at you expectantly. "Well...I suppose I should get some rest. Thanks for watching it with me." Her voice sounds strange and distant even to her own ears as she speaks the words, leaving her wondering if she should have said something else instead.

You stand up too, your movements fluid and confident, and walk over to where she's standing. As you draw closer, she feels a shiver run down her spine despite the warmth of the room. "Don't go yet," you whisper softly, leaning in towards her. "I thought maybe...you could stay." Your words seem to hang in the air between them for a moment before she finally finds the courage to respond.

"Okay," she whispers, her heart racing as you lead her to the kitchen. The warmth and closeness between them feel almost unreal; like a dream that might disappear at any moment. She doesn't know what you have in mind, but she finds herself willing to go along with whatever it is. Perhaps this will be a night she remembers for the rest of her life...a chance for something more than just serving time at this strange and enigmatic mansion.

As you step into the kitchen, she follows nervously, keeping her gaze fixed on your hands as they move expertly across the countertops, searching through cabinets and drawers. Finally, you pull out a bottle of wine and two glasses, along with some cheese and crackers. "What was it that you had in mind?" she asks hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

You turn to face her then, your expression intent and serious. A spark flashes in your eyes as you hold her gaze for what feels like an eternity. "I thought..." You swallow hard before continuing, your words coming out slowly and deliberately. "...I thought we could spend some time together...just talking...getting to know each other better." The tension between them thickens as he says this; the air seemingly crackling with an electric current.

Taking the glass from your hand, she nods slowly. "I'm sure it will be." Her heart still races as they sit down at the kitchen island together, their shoulders mere inches apart. They clink their glasses together before taking hesitant sips of wine. As they talk and laugh about old times and share stories from their lives since high school, Isabella finds herself growing more comfortable with you. The night unfolds slowly but surely; a dance between shyness and bravery, vulnerability and desire.

It's late when the conversation finally turns to what brought her here in the first place: your invitation to work at this strange and enigmatic mansion. She tells you about how she was accused of stealing from a company back home; how desperate she was for any sort of opportunity when your master's offer arrived out of nowhere.

As the hour grows late, you excuse yourself to go check on things upstairs. Before leaving, however, you lean in close and whisper in her ear: "Don't stay up too late waiting up for me. Get some rest...and dream about what might happen tomorrow." Her cheeks flush at your words; they leave her feeling both anticipatory and uneasy at the same time.

As you kiss her cheek and head upstairs, she's left feeling both elated and nervous. The warmth of your touch lingers on her skin long after you've gone; a reminder that things between you have changed, somehow. Despite her exhaustion, sleep proves elusive as she lies awake in bed, her thoughts spinning wildly with all the events of the night.

Finally, with dawn's light creeping through the windows, she gives in to fatigue and drifts off into an uneasy slumber. In her dreams, she finds herself back at school again; walking the halls with you by her side, surrounded by laughter and friends. It's a peaceful vision that seems almost too good to be true...but then again, so does everything else that's happened tonight.

Days pass and I find myself spending more time with you. We talk and laugh like old friends, forgetting about the mansion and its master for a while. It's strange how quickly things have changed between us; I never thought you would understand me so well or make me feel this way. Sometimes I catch you looking at me in a certain way that makes my heart race and my cheeks flush.

I can't help but wonder if there might be something more between us...something beyond friendship. The thought both thrills and terrifies me all at once, but I can't seem to shake the feeling that you feel the same way. Sooner or later, one of us is going to have to take the leap and find out for sure.

Her heart races as she catches sight of you, one of the servants flirting with you. She feels a wave of jealousy and possessiveness wash over her; she didn't realize how much she cared about you until now. Without thinking, she marches over to where you stand, grabs your arm firmly, and pulls you away from the servant. Her face is flushed with anger as she says accusingly, "What do you think you're doing?"

Her eyes widen in disbelief. "Oh yeah? And what about all the times we've talked? The things we've shared? You never once mentioned anything!" She feels betrayed and hurt by your words, even though she knows deep down that part of her is angry at herself for caring so much. Her fists clench at her sides as anger and jealousy flow through her like a raging river, threatening to consume everything in their path.

She takes a step closer to you, her chest heaving with emotion. "You know what? Maybe we should just go back to how things were before." Her voice is cold and distant now, echoing the hurt that she feels inside. She turns away from you, not wanting to see the disappointment or confusion in your eyes anymore.

"I'll just get back to work," she mutters under her breath as she walks slowly out of the room.

You feel your heart drop as she struggles against you; her body tense and rigid beneath your touch. You tighten your grip on her, unwilling to let go and lose her like this. "Isabella," you plead, "please listen to me." Your voice is desperate and hoarse, reflecting the depth of emotion you feel for her in that moment.

With a final thrust, she pushes herself free from your grasp and takes several steps backward. Her breath comes ragged and uneven as she fights to regain control over her emotions. "Don't...don't ever touch me like that again," she says through gritted teeth, her voice shaking with anger and fear.

With a quick movement, she wipes away the tears that have gathered in the corners of her eyes before turning on her heel and walking briskly down the hallway. You watch her go, feeling a mixture of pain, frustration, and guilt coursing through your veins as you wonder what you could have done differently.

The silence that follows feels suffocating; an oppressive weight hanging heavy in the air. Eventually, you turn away from the spot where she disappeared around the corner and make your way back to your duties, determined not to let her words or actions affect you further. But deep down, you know that something has changed between them tonight...and it might be for the worse.

"Leave me alone!" she sobs out, her voice raw and hoarse. She tries to wipe away the tears streaming down her face, but they seem endless; a never-ending cascade of hurt and despair. Despite her best efforts, more tears continue to well up in her eyes, spilling over and trailing down her cheeks.

Your heart aches at the sight of her pain, and you struggle not to reach out and comfort her. But something holds you back; perhaps it's the memory of how she reacted before or simply your own insecurities getting in the way. So instead, you stand there silently for a moment longer, watching as she tries to compose herself, before finally turning away and disappearing down another hallway.

Tears continue to stream down her face as she feels your arms wrap around her. At first, she tries to resist and push you away, but something about the strength and warmth of your embrace makes it difficult for her to maintain her defenses. Her breath catches in her throat as she finally relaxes into your embrace, leaning heavily against you. She clings to you desperately, seeking comfort and reassurance amidst the chaos of her emotions.

As she cries silently on your shoulder, she's vaguely aware that other servants have stopped what they're doing and are now staring at them curiously from across the room. But in this moment, she doesn't care about anything except finding some sort of solace in your presence. Even if it's only temporary...even if it might not be enough to mend the rift that's formed between you.

She sniffles and wipes her nose on the sleeve of your robe, looking up at you with red-rimmed eyes. "I...thank you," she whispers hoarsely. "I didn't mean to lose control like that." Her cheeks flush as she remembers how she tried to push you away and lash out at you before finally giving in. She hates herself for being so weak, for not being able to handle her emotions better.

A faint smile touches her lips as she continues, "I'm sorry for accusing you of wanting someone else. I was just scared...and jealous." Her words tumble out faster now, the confession easier to make now that some of the tension has been broken between them. Perhaps there's hope yet; a chance for things to go back to how they were before everything spiraled out of control.

"I just want...to be with you." She looks up at you again, her eyes brimming with sincerity and unspoken longing. "Can we try to make it work?"

Her heart skips a beat as you lean in and press your lips to hers. At first, it's tentative; a soft brushing against her own. But then you deepen the kiss, pulling her closer until she feels the heat of your body radiating through your clothes, searing into every nerve ending. She responds eagerly, wrapping her arms around your neck and opening her mouth to let you in deeper.

This is what she's wanted since the moment she first met you; this connection, this feeling of being whole and complete when you're together. With a quiet moan, she arches into you, feeling the hard length pressing against her stomach as their kiss intensifies. For now, at least, everything else fades away, replaced by the sensation of your lips on hers and the warmth of your body surrounding her.

When you finally pull back, she gazes up at you with a mixture of relief and desire written plainly across her features. "Yes," she whispers hoarsely, barely able to find the strength to speak through the haze of passion that still lingers between them. "Let's try."

Your words send a shiver down her spine, making her toes curl inside her slippers. "I love you too," she whispers, leaning into your touch as you caress her cheeks. Despite all the confusion and hurt they've both endured over the past few days, this moment feels right; it feels real and true. For now, that's enough for her to hold on to, even if things might get messy again in the future.

She tilts her head up slightly, giving you an expectant look. A mischievous glint sparks in your eye at the gesture; it seems she won't be disappointed by whatever comes next. As you lower your lips to hers once more, she closes her eyes and lets herself get lost in the passion that flows between them; savoring every touch, every taste, every breath. This is what she wants; this is what she needs. And for now, at least, it feels like they might finally have a chance.