It was just another boring day at this dump. I was in the kitchen washing the dishes. You may not think it's that bad but when you have about five adults and three kids eating, it's just too big of a mess to clean up.

My hands stung and were wrinkly from the hot water and strong soup I had to use to clean these dirty dishes. I let out a sigh as I scrubbed up the last of the plates and silverware. This job just didn't pay enough.

That's when my mistress entered the kitchen, her high heel's clicks growing louder as they approached me.

She wasn't horrible really, just a little bit of a snob sometimes. She has long, curly brown hair that's always held in a pony tail, hazel eyes, and has a the looks that I would die for. Her real name is (insert random name) but all of her maids and butlers- counting me- call her "mistress".

Turning around, I asked,"What is it, mistress?" She seemed to be satisfied that I noticed her because she smiled before saying,"You have a new friend joining you~" With that, she waved her hand, as a signal for this newcomer to come in.

Within a few seconds a man with blonde hair and emerald green eyes walked in. I couldn't help but noticed his bushy eyebrows that laid above his eyes. They kind of reminded me of caterpillars but I didn't say this aloud. Instead, I curtsied and said,"Welcome. It is very nice to have someone here to help out. We need it. My name is _______ _______"

"Hello, ________. My name is Arthur Kirkland. It is a pleasure to meet you, as well", Arthur replied, looking rather serious.

"Ok, now that you know each other, you can get back to work," said our mistress, as she left the room.

"What exactly do we do?" Arthur turned to me with wonder filling his green eyes.

"Oh, well, I have a list. I can just rewrite it and give it to you," I replied, as I got my list and a pen and paper out of my apron.

"If it's not too much of a burden for you, love," Arthur said politely.

If I hadn't had my back facing him, he would've seen the blush that swept across my face. "Oh, of course it won't be a burden for me. I'm a maid, after all," I said, chuckling after the last part.

"Oh, yes, that's correct," he said with a hint of nervousness in his tone.

I forgot: it's always difficult the first day, especially when you're a maid/butler. "I'm sorry. You're new, and I should have remembered how hard it is at first," I said, feeling empathy for him. I had been so rude to him without even thinking about how hard it probably is for him.

"It's fine, really. I wasn't that offended," he said, clearing his throat.

Great, now it's too awkward to even say a word. I began to work on the list with Arthur looking over my shoulder the whole time. We didn't say anything until I was done.

"Here is the list. We have already got the first four things done so we only have about five remaining. And just to tell you, sometimes we have extra chores to do so there will be days when we have more than the regular amount," I informed, breaking the awkward silence.

"Thank you, ______. That was very helpful," he thanked me.

"No problem at all! Just come to me if you need me," I said back, scratching the back of my neck.

"I believe it's time we get back to our chores. Care to join me?" Arthur asked with a kind smile planted on his face.

"Sure!" I said as I lead the way to our next job.

~~~~~~ time skip~~~~~~

Arthur and I completed our chores along with some of the other butlers and maids. It was a lot quicker with him. He seemed to pick up on everything I told him and was a quick worker.

After we had finished all of the chores he had offered to walk me to my room, which I gladly accepted. He was just too adorable to reject. Wait, what am I talking about? I've just met him! Why am I thinking this?

"______, are you alright? Would you like me to tell the mistress that you need a break from your job if you feel so faint?" Arthur asked with a concerned look, snapping me of my thoughts.

"Oh... Uhhhhhh..... I'm fine. I'm just deep in thought, that's all!" I replied as some sweat formed on my forehead.

"You look as if you have a fever. Are you sure?" he asked with the same look on his face as he placed his hand on my forehead. Oh my, he's too close to me.

"Eeeeeek!" I shrieked, as I whipped his hand away from me.

"Okay, now you are acting strange", he said as he started to head towards the mistress, who was sitting in the garden with some friends of hers.

"No, wait! Please Arthur, I am alright. You need not worry. Besides, it is not a wise thought to interrupt the mistress' time with her friends and family.....," I trailed off, as I grabbed and held his hand.

"If you say so.....," he seemed surprised by this sudden action. Looking down at our hands, I realized that I had made it awkward once again.

"Oh, errr.. I apologize. I should be more respective of your personal space. Please, forgive me," I curtsied before excusing myself to continue more of these torturous chores.

I was now working in the living room, dusting and cleaning the furniture and flooring. I let out a sigh every now and then, my arms aching from all of the constant movement I was making and my knees were numb from resting so much of my weight on them for far too long. When was I going to get out of here? I let out yet another sigh. I hate this job but at least I was getting paid, even if it was not enough.

After what seemed like hours of cleaning this huge and messy room, I completed my task and it was now a huge and clean room. Now I just had two more chores to do....

I removed a (h/c) strand from my face, as I made my way to my next chore: washing and drying clothes. Once I got all of the clothes, I brought them to the utility and put the colored clothes into the washer.

"Um, ______?"

I jumped when I heard Arthur say that. "Yes? What do you need me for?" I questioned, as I dusted my hands off on my apron.

"Well, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to help me with something?" He asked with a red face that made him look cute.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind! I have nothing to do here but wait, anyway," I said, as my face turned as red as his face.

We made our way to where he had needed to go and started with the chore. I was surprised that he had needed help to do such an easy job, however, I didn't want to embarrass him by saying so.

Once we were finished with that, I told him that I had to get back to the chore I was doing.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked, as he blushed and scratched the back of his head.

"Ummm.... Sure, if you can wait for a heck of a long time," I said, as I raised an eyebrow. Something was definitely up with him! When we entered the utility the colored clothes were ready to be put into the dryer.

"Here, let me help you...," Arthur said, as he lifted the lid to the washer and grabbed half of the clothes in there.

"Um, okay, thanks!" I said, as a smile appeared on my lips. I don't know why I smiled but all I can say is that there's always this warm feeling in my heart when I'm around him. I can't understand it because I've never felt this before..... It can't be love because I've only just met him...... Wait, what if he's the one? I blushed as I thought about this.

"Love, spacing out again, are we?" Arthur said, once again snapping me out of my thoughts about him.

"Oh, yes, I am very sorry. Where were we?" I apologized. Gosh, I've really got to stop spacing out like this!

"It's fine, love. I've just finished putting the other clothes in," he replied, taking a seat on one of the chairs that sat in the room. I made my way to the chair next to him before sitting down.

We sat there talking about ourselves and other things too (like the mistress). I've never had this much fun with someone in my whole entire life, heck, I've never talked this much to someone like this! But unfortunately, the clothes were done and we had to work once again...... I let out a sigh, I don't want it to end, not now...... "Dear, are you alright? You seem to be a bit down...." Arthur said as helped me fold the clothes. "Well, it's just that I have never talked to someone like that and I don't want it to end so quickly. Arthur, you're a really good friend to have, thank you..." I said before giving the biggest (and the first) hug to him.
~~~~~~time skip: one month~~~~~~
I woke up and looked at the clock which read: 7:20. I had woken up early once again. It seemed like ever since Arthur joined in on the work here I've been more eager to get up early just to see him. But now it seemed pointless since he started avoiding me about a week ago.

Before he ever started doing that, we would always talk and share stories that happened in our lives (I barely had any). His were always interesting and always seemed to hold my attention while mine were boring and lifeless, yet, he would listen intently to them.

Sometimes when we had breaks, we would go to the rose garden and sit upon one of the benches while admiring the gardens beauty as we chatted about random things.

However, now it seemed like he didn't even want to talk to me. We would have small talk every now and then during the week but it would end with either,"I've got to go, the mistress needs me" or,"I'm busy with chores, maybe later?" It angered me and saddened me, did he not want to be my friend anymore?

Although I was now sure that I was in love with him, we were still in the friend zone, or shall I say, the "acquaintance zone".

I let out a sigh before getting dressed and walking towards the door. I took one last look at the clock which now read, 7:35, before opening the door and stepping out. As soon as I stepped out, my foot landed on something. Looking down, I found that it was a note. Picking it up, I read it:
______, can you meet me at the garden? I've got something to tell you, please hurry, I'm anxious to tell you.
- Arthur Kirkland

As soon as I finished reading this, I literally ran to the stairs and out of the mansion before making my way to the garden.

Once getting there, I found Arthur sitting on the bench that we had sat upon many times together.

"What is it, Arthur? Finally decided to stop avoiding me?" I said with anger, causing him to jump in surprise.

"Love, there's something I've been dying to tell you...." Arthur said as he stood up and walked towards me.

"No! You have explaining to do!" I said as I glared at him.

"What I have to say will explain everything, I promise." He said as he looked down at me.

"What is it?" I said as my face relaxed.

"______, remembered when we first met?" He asked.

"What are you, stupid? Of course I do!" I said as I smiled playfully. "

"Well, when I first met you, I thought you were an angel. You are the most beautiful girl I've met. And the more I spent time with you, the more this warmth inside of me grew. The way you talk, laugh, and smile makes me even more anxious to be with you. That's why I kept asking you to help me with chores so I could be with you more. I'm sorry for avoiding you, it's just that I couldn't let this feeling in me deepen without doing anything. So I was spending the whole week planning a way to confess to you and I wouldn't talk to you because I didn't want to be distracted from the plans I was making. _______, I love you and want to be with you forever. Do you return these feelings? It's okay if you don't...."

I could hardly believe what he was saying, but I did because I felt this way about him....

"Arthur, I love you too much to say no to that. The warmth within me is just as strong as it has always been whenever I'm around you. Maybe even stronger..." With that he pulled me up into the warmest hug before our lips met as we kissed each other passionately.

After what seemed like the best forever I've ever had, this stupid thing called oxygen was lacking too much and we had to pull away.

He laid his forehead onto mine before saying,"I've been wanting to do that for the longest time,______", "Me too..." I smiled as we began to lean in for another kiss.

We were interrupted by a loud, snobbish toned voice that yelled,"ARTHUR!! _______! Where are you? You should never keep me waiting!"

Like I said, the mistress can be snobby sometimes.

"When are we going to get out of this place?" Arthur chuckled as we looked at each other before making our way to back to the mansion.

Our hands clasped tightly, as we entered the house to deal with the mistress' bickering.

~~~~~~fin <3 ~~~~~~