Three Ways To Live

CHAPTER 10. Jealousy With The Boxes

  I placed a strawberry on my lips as I kept sweeping the kitchen. I held it in my mouth until I finished a section of the long floor.

I pushed the broom against the wall and nearly giggled at the sweetness that filled my mouth as I took a bite out of the ripe fruit.

As I finished my treat I tossed the green stem in the trash and went on with my work. I was happy to get the floor clean- I hated when the dirt started to pile up.

After scooping all the trash in the dustpan I admired the finished job. Caledon would be happy to see I had cleaned the whole kitchen. I had even wiped out the freezer.

My head swished to the side as the familiar stomping told me Caledon was back from his small break. I quickly grabbed a rag and placed it on the counter, not wanting him to come in on me standing around.

"Little shit," Caledon paused and glanced around the clean and shining room. I perked up, expecting to be praised for my amazing job.

Ha ha ha, no such luck.

His eyes narrowed on the rag I was using to wipe the counter top with to appear busy. "Did you pick up the box of new supplies?"

I paused and blinked. "What new box of supplies?" I asked, not having heard anything about that. Or maybe I had simply forgotten with all the other new information swirling around in my head.

Caledon slammed his hand on the counter and all hope of my work being noticed faded with the scowl he gave me.

"Well go get it then! I'm going to clorox the whole fucking room! We can't be using these gross old things!" He barked and stomped to the sink.

I sighed and walked over to throw the rag into the sink filled with detergent before I went to find the said box. "What the fuck! Throw it away, I said we can't be using that!" Caledon snapped and I quickly did a one eighty and tossed it in the large trash can.

I turned to face him and raised my hands. "I'm going to go get the box," I said quickly.

Caledon met my gaze with annoyed eyes. "Then fucking go, I shouldn't have to tell you three times." As his massive back turned to face the sink I swallowed nervously and decided to say what Zane told me too.

"Okay daddy," I said cheerfully and turned to scurry out the door when he faltered and spun around to look at me in shock.

"Little shit, get your ass back here!" Caledon called when I ran out the kitchen door. I squeezed my eyes closed and felt a blush blooming on my face as I darted past talking guests.

I made my way to the front desk and smiled at Malcus even as he was bent down. "Is there a box for the kitchen that came in today?" I called as he looked over papers.

Malcus looked up slowly and rose off his chair, making his way over. I looked up at him as he stood right in front of me, the only thing between us being the counter top.

"Zane said you were human," Malcus said in an empty tone. I gulped.

"Yes, I lied to you, I'm sorry, but I read your books, so I'm not as clueless and disrespectful anymore!" I blurted.

His lips rose. "That's good, follow me, it's in the back," Malcus walked over to the office door to let me in, and I quickly moved over as he opened the door. I stepped in and turned to close the door behind me. I shut it and glanced over at the sound of keys.

Malcus grabbed a ring of keys off a hook and moved over to a door in the back of the room. I watched him unlock the door before standing behind Malcus and following him in.

The room was colder than the office and smelled like cardboard. It was filled with boxes from floor to tall ceiling. My eyes were wide as we walked deeper into the room.

I touched a box and glanced at Malcus, who was looking at labels and going deeper into the maze of boxes. "I'm a little jealous," Malcus said suddenly, making me jump and stare up at him as he was towering over me in the blink of an eye.

My mouth opened and closed as I shifted nervously. "A-about what?" I asked and looked at a box before meeting his gaze.

He grabbed my hips- and I gasped. Without thinking I thrashed in the air, grabbing onto his strong forearms as he placing me on a stack of boxes. "What is this for?" I asked, body warming in the cold room from his closeness and warm hands holding my hips.

"So you can see me clearly," Malcus told me as my face flushed.

I anxiously touched a loose string hanging from his shoulder and frowned. "W-why are you jealous?" I asked and met his eyes.

"You've only known Zane two days and you told him you're human, why didn't you tell me?" Malcus asked.

I licked my lips nervously. "H-he already knew... I didn't tell him. Wait, Zane told you I was human, does that mean Caledon knows too?"

Malcus's hands tightened. "No, he's going to lose his shit when he finds out." He told me.

I groaned. "Great, that's going to be hell on earth," I sighed. "I don't imagine he's going to be happy," I blew air into my cheeks and held it there.

Malcus looked amused. "It will be no different than him finding out you're a girl I'm sure." He told me.

I nodded a little and glanced at the ground below my feet. Malcus followed my gaze and actually stepped back, pulling my hands away from his body. "What are you doing?" I asked and grabbed the sides of the box I was sitting on quickly.

"Malcus!" I called his name in panic and he freaking smiled. "Get me down!" I demanded and looked at him with wild eyes.

"I don't know... I'm still feeling pretty sore..." Malcus met my eyes as an odd whimper left my lips.

"I'm sorry, please, put me down," I pleaded, afraid the tower of boxes would suddenly fall under my weight and shifting.

Malcus looked thoughtful. "I don't know..." He walked over and grabbed my hips lifting me up. A small shriek left my lips as he spun me around. I wrapped my legs around his chest and placed my hands on his head as he held me up high.

"Malcus!" I shouted and dug my fingers in his soft hair. "Come on," I pleaded and he tilted his head up to meet my eyes.

"You lied to me, I'm sad," Malcus told me, and I sniffed in disbelief. He looked anything but sad.

I leaned close to his face and hesitated before placing a small kiss on his cheek. I then ducked my head and hid my face in his neck embarrassed.

"Better?" I asked weakly.

Malcus laughed and it felt like a dull rumble as I held onto him tightly. "Yes, I feel much better now, thank you little one,"

My face burned, but I felt myself relax against him. Stress eased making me sigh in relief and close my eyes.