O P H E L I A ' S P O V

"...The necessities that you'll need will all be ordered here using this black card that Mr. Morterez handed me." Trinity talked as I tried to meet up with her paces. "I already have a few underwear and bras inside of the basket that I'll —" She continued but I stopped her.

"Um, can I ask what material they are?" I hesitated for a little while.

I didn't want Levi spending any money on me but Trinity explained that he was a very persistent man and if she didn't do it, he would come home and order everything himself.

"The usual. Organic cotton." She looked at me as she typed away on the iPad in her hand.

"C-Can you please c-change that to l-lace or silk, p-please?" I blushed at my request. "I-If it's not too much." I quickly added on.

It really just expends me whenever I'm looking for new underwear because the cotton itches and leaves small bumps on my skin. Lace and silk is really expensive but I feel very comfortable in it.

She laughed lightly, "Of course, that wouldn't even put a dent in his bank account." She said proudly as she raised her head high, slightly picking up her pace through the large mansion.

"Um, exactly how much money is he planning to spend?" I asked hesitantly.

"Only two," She stated as she tapped away. My eyes widened, "Two hundred d-dollars? H-How a—"

She laughed a louder laugh, looking at me in amusement, "No, two thousand." She said nonchalantly which made me choke on my saliva. "That'll cover shirts, pants, heels, dresses, sneakers, flannels, jackets, skin care products, shampoo, and many more, including any other thing that Mr. Morterez said that you'll want."

"I —" I breathed out, the information becoming too much for me. "I can't take all of these." I said.

She just shrugged her shoulders and continued to walk away.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Trinity finally showed me every part of the house and the things that she ordered came in no time, much to my surprise. A gentleman placed everything in the room that I would be staying in, my closet now full of the most clothes I've ever seen in my life.

If I was dreaming, I never wanted to wake up ever again. It was a walk-in closet and everywhere I turned, there were clothes and shoes.

The only worry on my mind now was how I was going to rake up the money to pay for half the bills. I knew it was going to be expensive which led me to a choice I never wanted to make which was having to unlock my college savings.

Shaking my head because I really didn't want to think about that right now, I headed to the bathroom after grabbing a towel because Trinity said she knew that I wanted to get out of these clothes.

After taking off my clothes and placing them neatly in the basket, I stepped into the beautiful bathroom, biting my lip as I decided which one I should use.

The shower or the bathtub?

I decided that I would try out the bathtub. After finally realising how to fill it up, I put my towel on the rack before slowly sinking into the warm water, my eyes fluttering in satisfaction.

A small giggle left my lips as I scooped up a handful of bubbles in the palm of my hands, blowing it into the air afterwards.

I lathered my skin with the bubbles, my eyes reading the different labels of the various tiny bottles that are situated next to the tub.

I grabbed the shampoo and squeezed a generous amount onto my hand. I smelled the nice scent, a smile appearing on my face at the lavender smell before rubbing my hands through my curls.

After a long time, I washed off my skin and my hair before carefully stepping out of the bathtub.

My eyes land on my reflection in the mirror just as I'm about to grab my towel.

A frown made its way on my face as I looked at my naked form.

I had Double-D-sized breasts that were just a bit too small for that cup, but too big for a smaller cup. The curve of my breast led to a tiny waist which soon fled out to my wide hips, protruding out everywhere I go.

I pushed down the bump of my hips already knowing that that wouldn't make them disappear.

I always hated how big they were.

Deciding that I didn't need to pity myself anymore, I wrapped my towel around myself before exiting the bathroom.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

I opted on wearing high-waist jeans and a plain black tee. I never had much clothes before, only my work uniform and a few ripped T-shirts, pants, and my favourite dress which had grown too small for me.

I stared at my reflection as I positioned my body in every way I could think of in an attempt to make myself look smaller. I wore on black sandals and my hair felt much bouncier and vibrant since I added every lotion I could find in the bathroom in it, which led me to letting it flow down to my sides in natural, tight, little curls.

I headed out the door as I decided that this was the best I was ever going to look, even though in my opinion, although the clothes were beautiful, they weren't for someone of my shape, maybe? I don't know.

I closed the door behind me as I navigated my way down to the ground floor.

Trinity couldn't be found anywhere but then I remembered that she probably went home since I remembered Levi saying something of the sort that she had tonight off.

I looked around the house, my eyes landing on a painting. I barely heard the door open and close, until that deep voice sounded, "Ophelia?" I turned around quickly at my name being called.

Levi stood there looking tired as his eyes not-so-discreetly roamed over my body before I saw him, almost invisibly, suck his bottom lip between his teeth a for a slight moment before clearing his throat.

"I was planning on eating out tonight, care to join?"

------

I held the fluffy bear tighter to my chest as I entered the mansion with a slight laugh leaving my lips at what Levi had been saying.

He took me to a fair and I couldn't remember when was the last time I had so much fun.

I could tell that he was trying his best in the car to make me comfortable, especially by how tense I was when I agreed.

I had slightly relaxed when we reached the fair, laughing lightly at the joke that he made.

He entered the house behind me as I turned around, the same clothes that I picked out I still wore.

I looked down sheepishly at the bear that he had won for me at a shooting booth as I rocked back on my heels, my nervous nature peaking once again.

"I hope you had a nice time." He conversed as I felt him walking closer to me.

I had, without a doubt, eaten the most food I ever did since I was 7 years old. I was excruciatingly hungry and I had always turned down everything Levi offered.

After the third time of denial, he wasn't taking it anymore and insisted I ate before I became sick.

He was very sweet about it.

Too sweet than what I was used to.

But I still knew that it was because it was of the kindness of his heart.

"Yes, t-thank you." I swung the bear in my arms.

The silence settled between us and I could sense his stare on me as I looked down at my feet.

As if something ticked in my brain, I dug into my jeans pocket and took out the last note I had in my name, which was a crumpled 50.

I stuck it out in his direction as I tried my best to straighten it out. He was probably use to clean, sleek money right out of an ATM.

"What's this for?" He looked genuinely confused.

"Half is f-for the restaurant we went to," My voice was just above a whisper. I was referring to the first time he took me to that restaurant where I ate the Chicken Alfredo. "T-The other one is for t-today." I said.

"You —" He started.

"I-I know it's n-not enough now b-but if you could just give me a couple of days I c—" I was begging pathetically at this point.

"Hey, hey." He gently pushed back my outstretched hand. "You don't have to thank me, nor do you have pay me back for anything, okay?" Today I learned that he was not one to be persuaded so I hesitantly withdrew my hand.

"I truly am thankful." I admitted as I wrung my fingers with the fluffy brown bear in my arms.

"I know you are," He eased forward. "That's enough for me." He smiled to me widely, showing me that smile that would make women kiss his polished shoes.

"Listen," He spoke once again. "I had a great time tonight, maybe we could do it again sometime?" He almost sounded nervous but I washed that thought away.

The thought of Levi being nervous in front me was simply laughable.

I didn't know much but in high school, girls would talk about dates their boyfriends took them on which had me wondering, judging by Levi's wording, if this was supposed to be considered a date.

The thought alone left me clutching my bear tightly to my chest and a giddy smile appeared on my lips which I hoped Levi didn't notice since I was looking down.

"I um, if it's not a problem for you." I rocked my body to and fro.

He chuckled, a deep sound which vibrated my insides, creating a warm fuzzy feeling.

He didn't say anything and we just stand there. That is, until I heard his steady breathing as he walked closer to me.

I hesitantly craned my head up to look into pitch black eyes that were the colour of charcoal that it was almost impossible for them to be that dark.

I stopped the gasp from leaving my lips at our closeness.

"Maybe we could leave after your job tomorrow?" He inquired, his hot breath blowing in my face.

My internal tears already burst out as I heard his suggestion. I knew that that was a definite no because I knew that one of my employees, or more than one, may have an emergency.

"I-I can't," I sighed, mad at myself that I was actually excited about going with him. "I'm gonna have to work extra hours."

I waited impatiently for his answers and immediately feeling saddened when he didn't answer, always assuming the worst since that was what always happen.

I looked up again to see his face directly above mine. From the corner of my eye, I saw his hands move just a bit before his jaw clenched and his fist formed in a ball before dropping back to his side.

I could have sworn that I saw him slightly lean in but I could be imagining it.

So why can I still imagine him still doing it?

My breathing picked up and just before I made a big mistake, someone shouted eagerly, "Oh you're back, sir!" That familiar voice shouted which made me jump back swiftly away from Levi, a squeak leaving my mouth.

I looked in the direction of Trinity to see her breathing heavily, her hand resting on her stomach and hurling over as if she just ran a 100-mile marathon.

I put even more distance between Levi and I as she caught her breath.

"Trinity? What are you doing here? Your shift ended hours ago." His voice didn't hold the usual softness it usually does as he spoke to me, although it does seem even harder than normally.

"I — just thought that you'll want extra help with Ophelia here and all." She said quickly as she smiled at him.

I didn't look at him to see his reaction.

"You won't be working. I suppose since you're here, you can stay the night but don't let this happen again." He said firmly before walking off.

I sent Trinity a smile in which she returned as we're left alone.

I couldn't help but think about what would have happened if she hadn't interrupted us.

Thank God she did.

-----

T H I R D   P E R S O N ' S   P O V

Ophelia's face appeared livelier now. Her skin was a brighter olive colour and her eyes held a sparkle in them that she had lost the moment her parents had passed away.

It had been a few more days since Trinity had 'accidentally' walked in on them and since then, they had been two more times where Levi had basically forgot his number one rule to not overwhelm her too much.

Both of those times, they had been interrupted by one thing or another.

Ophelia became more comfortable with Levi now on the little lunch dates that they would have; at least he considered it a date but to her, it was just a kind gesture.

Eating together was the only way that Levi could ensure that she was eating properly and this was one of the reasons why she had so much energy now, the other being that she smiled more and laughed once in a while.

Ophelia couldn't ignore her obvious crush for him anymore, no matter how much she tried, but she knew that it would always be a crush that she would never tell him about.

It would be too embarrassing.

Today was one of the few days that Ophelia had off, which was a Sunday.

Levi would usually also take Sundays off since there was never much to do at work, but today however, he told Ophelia that he had to check over some things.

Ophelia understood, but that didn't stop her disappointment because she was looking forward to having lunch with him.

So after explaining how long he would be gone and that all rooms were open to her, he left to deal with his business.

He left a while ago and Ophelia was currently in the kitchen humming a tune in her head as she decided to make spaghetti for dinner. She never cooked for Levi and decided that since she was living there and he still wasn't allowing her to pay a cent, the least she could do was cook a meal for him.

She had just cracked the long, bland looking sticks into the boiling water and wiped her hands in her apron when she heard someone enter the kitchen.

"Where's Levi and what are you doing in here?" A soft, familiar voice asked.

Trinity had this frame of mind that since Levi allowed Ophelia to call him by his name, that she could too. At least she was smart enough to still refer to him as Mr. Morterez when in his presence.

Ophelia smiled softly at the girl that she was trying so hard to befriend her for a while now.

"He had some stuff to deal with and I just decided to make something for him since I figured that you were busy." Ophelia blushed. No matter how comfortable she became, she would always be that soft-spoken person who didn't have much to say and valued people's opinion.

Trinity had been scheduled to start dinner about 30 minutes ago and since Ophelia hadn't seen her, she just assumed that she was very busy and that she would start it so that Trinity wouldn't be in trouble when Levi came home.

"Well, I'm here now. You can go," The blonde ensured as she maneuvered her way around the kitchen.

"Oh no, i-it's okay." Ophelia whispered. She wouldn't have anything else to do anyways.

She picked up the saucepan of boiling water to throw it down the sink when Trinity stopped her by standing in front of her.

"Really, just leave." Trinity pestered as she tried to grab the saucepan, yanking it towards herself.

Ophelia's thumb was still hooked in the handle so when she pulled, Ophelia softly cried out in pain as she pulled it gently back to her to unhook her finger.

Every time she tried to though, Trinity pulled it back towards herself until it was a tugging-war.

Ophelia really just was trying to free her thumb and it pained each time Trinity yanked the saucepan.

"J-Just please l-let m---" Ophelia is interrupted when Trinity tilted the saucepan, spilling all the now soft spaghetti and piping hot water on her left arm.

Ophelia yanked her thumb from the handle, scraping off skin in the process but the pain on her arm was worse than that right now as she screamed with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Trinity dropped the saucepan as Ophelia watched as she looked at her hand in what she assumed to be horror.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" She cried out as tears clouded Ophelia's vision as she ran to the sink and began to turn on the pipe so that the water could run on it.

Trinity paused for a second and then ran to stop her, "No! T-That'll just irritate it more."

Ophelia looked at her as she painfully clutched her arm, "A-Are you sure?" She sniffled. "I-It hurts r-really b-bad." She wondered if she should just leave it like that.

"Of course I'm sure," She nodded.

They both turned their heads in the direction of the door as they heard it close.

Trinity began to panic, "Please don't tell sir, it'll get me fired." She pleaded.

Ophelia nodded quickly, not wanting Trinity to become fired over a little accident that she thought was her fault.

They walked out the kitchen swiftly so that he wouldn't have to come in and see the mess that they had yet to clean up.

Ophelia forced a smile on her lips and hid her arm, which was now a dark colour of red, behind her back.

Meanwhile, Levi dropped his suitcase on the ground and was absolutely delighted to be met with Ophelia.

Oh how he missed her today. He didn't go to work though, no, he had other business to take care of.

He looked at Ophelia, then to Trinity as they just stood there. His eyes zoomed in on Ophelia for a while, a painful-looking smile on her face.

"Trinity, could you get me the stack of papers on my desk in the office please?" He didn't even heave a simple greeting as he entered the mansion.

He watched as Trinity walked off, his gaze hard.

Once she was out of sight, in two large strides, he was already in front of Ophelia, a worried look on his face as he gazed at the dry tears on her cheeks.

She breathed in deeply at their closeness, not even able to register how he made it over to her so fast.

"What's wrong? Why were you crying?" He inquired as his eyes travelled to every prominent feature on her face.

She shook her head with a smile on her face, her hair that fell down her shoulders moving with the movement of her head.

"I-I wasn't. I was just laughing at something one of the maids told me." She mentally gave herself a tap on the back that she hardly stuttered.

That seemed to be happening less and less with him.

She quickly reached up and swiped the tears on her cheeks, her eyes widening when Levi's eyes stuck to her wrist which made her quickly put it back behind her back.

His eyes turned a shade darker, and his hand swiftly reached out to grab her hand, the action fast but gentle.

"What fucking happened to your arm?" He tried not to raise his voice too much. He also tried not to use such vulgar language around her because he knew that she hated it and thought that it was directed towards her.

"I um-- I was making c-coffee and t-the water spilled." She rushed out.

At this moment, he wasn't really interested in who or what did it but about the blisters that were beginning to form.

"Did you let water run over it from the faucet?" He questioned as he gently touched it and she flinched, pulling back her hand from his grasp.

"Yes." She lied.

If Trinity said that it would make it worse, then it would make it worse.

"This should have cleared up by now— if you let cool water run over it, it shouldn't be this way." He mumbled but more to himself.

Ophelia felt guilty for lying to him while Levi also felt guilty because instead of making a move to treat her wrist, he wanted to bask in her presence and their closeness a little longer.