Hey lovelies! My art book for this story is up now! I would love for you to check it out! :) The dress above is Eliza's new one. I'm thinking of doing a drawing of her in it. Anyway, Hope you enjoy the chapter!

After dinner, I insisted on cleaning the dishes myself, allowing Eliza some free time, and leaving me to my thoughts. I had never enjoyed myself more than I had that night. Just having Eliza's company, her attention for a whole half an hour, was enough, but being able to talk to her was more than I could ask for. Yet it had happened. I really had gotten to know her better.

Eliza preferred dogs over cats. But not just any dogs, big ones, like Great Danes and German Shepherds. In her spare time, she loved to write and draw. When I asked her if I could read her writings and view her drawings, she nodded. "Some time," she had said. I even managed to learn a bit more about her past. She had left America only a few months ago, but she wouldn't tell me why. She had a best friend called Tank Dempsey, which made me think back to the time she had uttered someone's name when talking about her homeland. It must have been his.

Then I found myself, as I scrubbed the dishes clean, wondering if she and this Tank were romantically involved before he had joined the Marines as she said he did.

It was bothering me. Maybe that's why Maxis would not allow a romantic relationship, perhaps he knew that Eliza had a past romance, and wanted to preserve it. But then I took into account that Maxis seemed to resent the innocent girl, and that theory didn't seem too plausible.

But what if it were true?

What does it matter to you, Edward?

I shrugged the heavy weight of regretful jealousy off of my shoulders and retired to my quarters for the night.

The next day, I woke up feeling refreshed. After my morning ritual, I bounded down the stairs, into the kitchen, where my food was already waiting for me there. Eliza was at the counter preparing my lunch. Only, there was something very different about her.

She was smiling.

This wasn't a small, vague smile, no. This was a grin, a crescent moon through which I could, for the first time, see her pearly white teeth. She looked up and kept her happy face, grinning widely at me as I sat down.

Keep smiling, please. I could look at that all day.

Edward!!! You fool, stop staring like an idiot!

"Good morning, Edward!" She dropped the 'sir', which I was glad of. Her cheery temperament further awakened me, sending me a smile as well, the biggest smile that I held since I arrived in France.

"Guten Morgen, Eliza," I grabbed the fork on the table and began to eat. "You sure look happy today, Ms. Washington."

Stop calling her that, she probably hates that! You've no right!

"I am." She stepped out from the counter, and to my surprise, she wasn't wearing her usual black dress, but rather a cute floral print dress that stopped just below the knees and hugged her figure perfectly. It had a low neckline and lace at the bottom. I stopped stuffing my face to admire the way she looked in it. She approached me and sat my lunch for the day on the table and headed back to the counter.

"Eliza, your dress..." I spoke, almost speechless.

She blinked at me and looked down at her dress.

"O-Oh... The other one was dirty... I washed it last night, but it wasn't dry this morning, so I had to wear this one." She looked at me. "If you want me to change it, I can!"

"No!" I almost yelled. "W-Where did you get it?" I asked, trying to divert attention away from my hasty demeanor.

"I made it out of some old curtains I found in the attic... there also happens to be a sewing machine up there. I've been working on it since I got here... I didn't think I could stand wearing black every day." She looked shyly at the ground.

"You should wear that more often."

Nein! Oh Edward what have you done! My tongue completely disobeyed me! I wasn't supposed to say that out loud! That was supposed to be in my head!

Eliza locked eyes with me once more and blushed intensely before smiling. She nodded. "Enjoy your lunch, Mr. Richtofen." She took her leave, heading upstairs.

Oh God. What will she think of me now?

I grabbed my lunch and made a break for the door, blood rushing to my face like bugs to a light. Was that a compliment?

No, it wasn't! It couldn't have been!

I had never complimented a woman before, especially not on her looks. That's not weird, right? It means nothing. That just means I liked the way she looked... It's not as if I'm marrying her or something. I just hope she didn't take it the wrong way...

It's just a compliment, Edward.

I pushed the whole situation from my mind and headed into work. Whatever this fling was, it ended here. I glanced toward Sophia as I entered the facility, and she gave me a strange look. And then she winked at me. Flirtatiously.

Now what? As if I didn't have enough things on my mind...

Eliza's POV

I paced the floors of the attic, and I swear I could hear my own heart pounding like a snare drum. He made my heart race.

I couldn't help but feel good. That was the first compliment I had EVER received, at least in that manner. But from him? Surely he didn't mean it. Did he?

It's just a compliment, Eliza.

I had grown fond of Richtofen. I could not let this go any further. I pushed the situation from my mind. He had meant nothing by it.

But I still couldn't keep from smiling all day.

Richtofen's POV

The day went on as normal, except that lunch tasted extra delicious. I came home a little early since I had stayed late a few days ago, and opened the door of my home around 5:30.

I wanted to see Eliza, but my embarrassment from that morning persisted, and I retreated to my study.

About an hour or so later, as I was reading a book about time travel, Eliza knocked on the door.

"Come in," I said shakily, clearing my throat.

She peeked her head in the door, a hard-to-read expression on her face.

"Sir, you have a visitor."

Who could it be?

"It's Sophia," Eliza answered with what seemed to be just a tinge of disgust, reading my mind.

Sophia? What on earth is she doing here?

I arose and headed toward to door of the library, leaving it with Eliza behind me. Sophia stood in the living room, her hands behind her back, an innocent expression on her face.

"Sophia?" I said, bringing her attention to me. I took note of her rather formal attire; she was clothed in a silky beige dress, and wore what looked diamond earrings with a matching necklace. Her hair was curled and she must have been wearing a ton of makeup.

"Rikky!" She smiled, practically dancing toward me. My eyes widened and I tensed up as she threw her arms around me, laying her head on my shoulder flirtatiously.

I glanced at Eliza with a 'help me' expression, only to find that she was staring intently at Sophia, still clinging to my shoulder, with eyes that perhaps could pierce skin. She then glanced at me, taking her normal innocent look and shrugging her shoulders.

"Uh..." I cleared my throat. "Sophia, what are you doing here?"

She backed away and smiled. "I'm here for our date, Rikky! What else?" She started toward the kitchen.

My expression went blank and my mind went into panic.

"Excuse me?" I exclaimed, following her. "What date?"

Sophia laughed. "Well the one Doctor Maxis planned for us, of course! Didn't he tell you?"

I shook my head like a wet dog shakes his fur. I couldn't believe it. Once again Maxis had interfered with my personal life in ways I did not deem respectful. I knew I couldn't turn her down. For one thing, if Maxis had sent her, I could not disappoint him, and for another, I didn't have the heart the hurt the woman's feelings.

"Oh! Well that makes this even more fun! A surprise date!" Sophia took a seat at the table and laughed.

I had never seen this side of Sophia, and frankly I wish I still hadn't.

I sat down, wide eyed and on the verge of breaking into a cold sweat.

Oh no. Not now. This is too much.

I looked at my servant as she started dinner. She looked very troubled, and kept glancing up at Sophia.

Sophia looked up suddenly at Eliza. "So what's for dinner, slave?"

That term infuriated me to no end. Slave? Nobody deserved to be called a slave, especially not Eliza.

I let it slide for now, but Eliza seemed surprised that Sophia had addressed her that way. And she didn't look happy.

"Spaghetti and meatballs..." Eliza muttered something under her breath. I don't think it was very nice.

"And the wine? Where is the wine? I'd like some now."

"Just a moment." Eliza hastily chopped up some vegetables.

"I said NOW." Sophia glared at Eliza, making me cringe. She shouldn't be disrespecting my friend like this.

Wait, did I even have the right to call Eliza a friend?

Eliza stopped what she was doing and headed to the wine cabinet.

"Please, let us talk." I put on a smile made of plastic, trying to take some heat off of Eliza and out of the room's atmosphere.

Sophia turned back to me and smiled, showing her teeth. "Eddie, I'm so glad we could spend some time together before the party. We should get to know each other, don't you think?"

"Certainly." I lied.

"I knew you'd agree. I've picked out my dress for the ball. It's green, so it will bring out my eyes!" She giggled again, her voice like nails against a chalkboard. "Don't you agree?"

No.

"I'm sure you will look lovely."

"Oh you're such a doll!" She squealed, pinching my cheek.

Please stop touching me. You're making me terribly uncomfortable.

I half-smiled as Eliza returned to the table with glasses and a full bottle of fine wine from the cellar. I don't drink alcoholic beverages often, mostly on special occasions, but I could tell I was going to need something strong for this long night.

I thanked Eliza as she poured my glass, and she simply nodded. No smile, no words.

Dinner could not come fast enough. Before it had even started, I wanted it to be over. Sip after sip I drank my wine, begging the liquid to have some kind of magical effect to get me out of this mess. Sophia talked constantly, never stopping to allow a breath. I tried to enjoy myself, but I could not stop thinking about my servant, who had been so cold the entire night.

About halfway through dinner, Sophia was ready for her second cup of wine, while I was already beginning my third.

"Slave, fetch me some more wine!" Sophia ordered, causing Eliza to flinch.

I was tired of hearing that nasty term. "She has a name," I nearly snarled as Eliza began to pour the blood red liquid into the glass.

Sophia acted as if it was just a small mistake. "Oh right, Eliza. My apologies." She giggled at me as I took a glance at Eliza, who happened to be looking in my direction too. She smiled, and then she narrowed her eyes at me slightly, as if she were hinting at something.

Then, as Eliza turned to walk away...

Clink!

The base of the wine bottle tapped Sophia's wine glass only slightly, but enough to send the beverage flying over the edge of the table and onto her once pristine dress, now covered with a huge red blotch.

Sophia screamed and jumped out of her seat, causing Eliza to take a few steps back.

"Oh madam, I am so sorry..." She said with wide eyes, cupping her mouth and gaping at the stain. But she didn't sound sorry. Not the slightest bit.

Sophia looked at me as if I should be doing something, but I just sat there in awe of the events that had just occurred.

"My new dress! My beautiful new beige dress! It's ruined!!!" Her eyes began to water as she turned to Eliza. "You insolent brat! You stupid girl! You need to pay for this!!! Edward, discipline her!!! Show her the consequences of such actions!!!" She screamed.

What did she want me to do? Spank her?

"Discipline her? For what? It was an accident!" I nearly laughed at the sight of the red wine dripping down the light fabric, further staining it. It was rather comical to see such a fuss over a dress. Dare I say, she deserved it for treating Eliza badly.

Sophia groaned loudly in show of her disgust. Thankfully, she started for the door.

"I have to go! Oh this has been the most dastardly night in history! Maxis will hear about this, Washington, and he will punish you!" She grabbed her coat, whipped open the door, left, and slammed it with all her force.

I stood in the lobby area, staring at the door. "Thank the heavens..." I muttered. I turned around to see Eliza, who was still covering her mouth. Behind her fingers, I could see the smile she was trying to hide, and the laughter she was keeping contained.

I started to chuckle. The whole situation was just a little too good to be true. That couldn't have been entirely an accident.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you, Eliza?" I said, giving a small smirk in her direction.

Her smile faded and she looked at the ground. "I-I'm sorry sir," She said, realizing she had been caught.

I continued to grin. "Thank you Eliza! You saved me, I couldn't take much more of that." I walked to the couch and took a seat, relaxing.

She looked up at me, surprised at my approval. She smiled, and laughed slightly. "You didn't seem to be enjoying yourself, sir."

"I wasn't." I laughed.

She stood in the doorway, her expression suddenly falling solemn. She stared at the ground, and she pursed her lips, as if holding back tears.

Noticing this, concern washed over me.

"Eliza, what's the matter?" I questioned, leaning forward on the couch.

"Maxis... Maxis, she said she'd tell Maxis... Oh God..." She left the room, covering her eyes and leaning over the counter of the kitchen.

Instinctively I followed her. Why was she so afraid of Maxis, what had he done to this poor girl? "Eliza, it's okay..." I comforted, not knowing what else to say.

She turned away, sniffling. She began to speak under her breath, putting her hand over her mouth and revealing her watery eyes. She paid no attention to me or my efforts to console her. Amongst her rants, I could barely make out, "He'll kill me..." But nothing else could be deciphered.

He wouldn't do that, would he? Surely she's only exaggerating.

"Eliza..." I spoke softly to try and calm her words. I felt the urge to wrap my arms around her, to cling to her without letting go, to tell her that everything was going to be okay. I knew I couldn't do that, I would never be able to do that. "He won't hurt you," I said instead.

I had no clue what the man was capable of. I could not imagine how he had instilled so much fear in this woman. I wanted to know why so badly but I knew that now was not the time to ask. I was focused on one thing.

She stood still, her back leaned against the counter, but I could tell she was listening by the way she tilted her head ever so slightly.

"I won't let him." I assured firmly, and with everything in me, I meant that. I didn't care what his reasons were. I would do everything in my power to protect her, if need be.

She slowly faced me, her eyes watery and her expression still sad. A flicker of hope ran through her eyes, and I prayed that I had succeeded in comforting her. Her eyes remained fixed on mine for many seconds. She looked down sadly, as if she regretted it all.

"May I be excused, sir?" She barely got out, her voice trembling.

I didn't want her to leave, but there was nothing more I could do to help that would be within the rules.

"Of course," I allowed, watching her return to her quarters. "Goodnight Eliza," I called to her.

She stopped and turned around. "Goodnight, sir." She continued up the stairs, heading for the attic.

Lazily, I retired to my room. I wanted to confront Maxis about this business, but I knew I could never get up the courage. Once again, sleep was difficult to find that night, due to all the thoughts swimming around in my troubled mind.