Chapter 58: Compass I didn't expect this. The father of Roland Chadwick the Second calling us spoilt. Maybe he's right, but if we're spoilt, what is he? I'm not even going to mention the son he created. We made a disaster out of dinner. Some chairs were on the floor, wine was spilt on the table and we were having so many arguments it was hard to keep track. "Everyone, follow me," Chadwick senior ordered. We obeyed. No one said a word as we walked through the rooms of the villa. His house, his rules. It felt like an entourage of remorseful puppies. Well, maybe not. Luke didn't seem remorseful at all. And I felt sorry for Chad's dad's friend who was awkwardly following us. He had no idea what was going on or who we were. I think he just came for a calm dinner and got a whole show instead. Chad Senior brought us to the living room where the chef and a couple maids were starting to clean the kitchen and the dishes from dinner. He asked them to stop working so he could speak with everyone's full attention. "This group of princesses," he pointed to our whole group, "Think they can come here, fight and live easy. Do you know how lucky you are to be a bunch of high schoolers on vacation for new years?" He waited. We realized he wanted an answer, so everyone murmured "lucky" at various pitches. "Very lucky," he confirmed, "And that's why I'm going to solve this problem. No chauffeurs for you and no club table tonight. No help tomorrow. Everything you want to have will have to be organized by yourselves." Chadwick Senior turned to his staff, "I thank you all for the fantastic work you have been doing here. I will, of course, continue to pay you but do not work tonight or tomorrow. These princesses will be taking care of things." The staff were staring at him, as confused as we were. What was happening? "As for tonight, you will talk this through as well as clean up the mess you made during dinner. Is that clear?" he asked us, and no one answered. He repeated, louder, "I said, is that clear?" "Yes sir!" ** Before Chadwick Senior left us, he picked up the remote control for the TV and the speakers. Then he and his friend went to another room in the villa, where they continued to enjoy a relaxing night. The rest of us were left standing in the middle of the living room. It was awkward. So many of us had issues – not to mention with each other. Ha. Chad was the first to speak up, "Look what you've all done." "This is how you get punished?" Luke laughed, "No chauffeur for the night?" Out of all of us, Bianca and Cearra were most visibly on edge. Their argument had been fueled by deep dislike and that was not going away. But the most shocking argument of all, came with Austin and Luke. The ultimate bromance. I had never ever expected those two to fight. They were closer than brothers. "So what's the plan?" Oma asked practically. She was the only person not embroiled in some argument here, "Do we clean up and call it a night?" "We could," I said, "But my vote is that we talk it out." After tonight, I've become a fan of communication. Ironic, I know. I don't know where this conviction was coming from, but I felt responsible for causing the tension. Bianca's issues had originally been with me and Cearra was only defending me. Luke was angry at Austin for the way I ended up last night. I hate to see the people I care about upset. Especially if I'd been the one stirring the pot. No one responded to me. I looked to Luke for support, but he shrugged and sat on the couch. I looked to Cearra, but she pursed her lips and said absolutely nothing. Chad finally spoke up, "Why don't I leave you all to talk this out? I wasn't involved in any of your dramas so I can't be punished." He started to leave, but as he did, Luke lazily reached out his arm and physically stopped him. "You're not going anywhere. You brought her here." He didn't even look at Bianca when he said it. "We told you not to," Austin grumbled. "Yeah," Chad confirmed, "I brought her here, just like I brought all of you. This is my place. Anyone who has issues with that shouldn't have come." Fair point. Bianca didn't say anything. She had her hands wrought behind her back and refused to make eye contact with anyone. But I could see the anger written on her face. "OK," I said, looking at all the angry faces, "How about we clean then? Productivity should keep us all civil. Maybe we can elect someone to moderate us? Someone that everyone is happy with, so that we can function as a team." I felt like I was back at summer camp, getting the eight-year-olds ready for their daytime activities. "How about you then?" Cearra volunteered me. "No thanks," I deflected the leadership role, "An ombudsman maybe?" That perked Austin up. "An ombudsman you say?" "You have been elected that in the past," I nodded with a sly smile. (ch. 16 & 18 in Player Next Door) I glanced at Luke to see if he remembered. His blue eyes flickered to mine and why did my heart have to flicker too? I knew he could picture us back in Apple Cabin. Honestly, Austin had been with us back then too. Austin had been on our side from the start. And subtly, I had hoped mentioning the ombudsman would evoke nice memories of their friendship. It seemed to work. "I accept the trusted role of ombudsman," Austin grandly declared, "Let's clean this place up. Cearra, Millie and Oma do you want to clean the dining room? Bianca, Chad and Luke can clean the dishes-" "Try that one again," Luke said, raising his finger in a circular 'reshuffle' motion. "Okay," Austin sighed, "Millie and Luke can do the dishes. Oma and Cearra can bring in the plates and Millie- oh wait, did I already say your name?" This was going to take a few tries. ** ~Some hard at work and others hardly working~ Luke had his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows and I watched as his arms got wet with soapy water. Strong arms that moved up and down, rubbing the kitchenware. He cleaned the glasses I handed him, brushing them down with a wet sponge. It was very attractive to watch him clean... The dish washer was vibrating with a heavy load. Apparently, you can't put crystal glasses in the dish washer, which is why we were hand cleaning them. I put the hand cloth in Luke's back pocket while I tidied up the kitchen. I liked brushing against him whenever I needed the hand cloth again. "Easy Millie," Luke smirked, "We can always go upstairs." "Keep dreaming," I whispered next to him. I was so dreaming. He murmured, "You should know that I'm a fan of make-up se-"