It was her first time in Damon's bedroom and she didn't know what to expect. She had been working for the Wrights for a week. One long week of tagging along Greta and Rachel to do chores and learning along the way. She also learned a lot about the family. Olivia and Sophia, although fraternal twins, did everything together. They had the same activities, went to the same college and also matched their clothes. It was a bit ridiculous to Caelia.
Sophia was the 'nice sister'. When around her twin she mirrored everything Olivia did like they were actual twins. It was almost as if she was Olivia's minion. Although the few times Caelia had caught her alone, she seemed nice and relaxed but Caelia couldn't be too sure about any of them, it was only a week after all.
Mr Wright was the one she had the least interaction with. At least the twins bossed her around anytime they were home and she was frequently cleaning up their messes since Olivia considered her their new plaything.
But their father was the complete opposite. He left the house after breakfast and only came back during dinner time. He was a very calm man and he spent a fair amount of time in his study too.
Only once was Caelia given the task of serving him coffee, he didn't even spare her a second glance when she did. She found his indifference relaxing.
Mrs Carolyn Wright was however the complete opposite. Caelia had the feeling that the woman was watching her all the time and it was true. The woman was. She always mandated Caelia to serve her whenever she had guests over or whenever she needed something. Just like the other maids, she considered Caelia her subject.
Damon was the only one who's reaction had irked her the most. The first day she had seen him, she expected him to be pestering her. Everyday all day for one thing or the other. But after the conversation they had the first day, they had barely spoken after that. He left breakfast early and sometimes took dinner in his room. It had made Caelia a little bit disappointed. But she knew it was for the best. There was really no way something could ever go on between them.
Damon's room was different. Not what she was expecting at all, but even better. Since she had finally gotten her own timetable, Margaret had somehow assigned Damon's room to her for the week, which had mildly surprised her. His room was large with neutral two tone walls and even darker curtains. There was an entire wall covered with black and white frames, it was beautiful. A comfy accent chair was at the large canopy bed with the grey covers.
There was also a large built-in bookcase and Caelia rushed towards it and her eyes skimmed over the titles and authors. Emily Bronte, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, some of her old time favourite books in paperback. And there was also an entire row dedicated to science fiction from authors like Jules Verne to Federick Pohl. There was also an entire row for modern books with authors she had never heard before.
Oh he had such an impressive book collection even though he didn't really strike her as the reading type.
"Woah..." She murmured as she picked up a Jane Austen book. Damon walked in during that moment.
"What are you doing?"
The smooth voice from behind asked. His voice was without emotion, and facing Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It was easy to assume Damon was upset.
"I'm sorry for touching your books" Caelia said walking away quickly with her eyes placed on the ground heading towards the door.
"Caelia."
Damon said holding her wrist, she shuddered slightly at the touch. She pulled away quickly, almost as if she had been stung.
"Why are you running?"
"I am not running. I can come back later. The schedule mentioned you would be away in the afternoon."
Caelia still not looking up said.
Damon slammed his door and led her deeper into his room.
"I really don't mind coming back."
Caelia panicked knowing both of them were together so close to his bed that she had just made.
"Caelia, please look up."
She finally looked up.
"Finally!"
Damon eyes lit up as her eyes met his.
"I'm sorry if I acted like you offended me."
Damon picked up the Pride and Prejudice.
"I was just a little embarrassed you found out I read romance books."
Damon turned his eyes away this time around, breaking their gaze.
Caelia chased after his gaze.
"I really like Pride and Prejudice. It's funny and charming."
"I wasn't surprised you had it."
Caelia said as she shrugged.
"In fact, I would have been disappointed if you didn't have Austen."
"The books on your shelf had excerpts from original manuscript of Pride and Prejudice."
She noted and Damon nodded enthusiastically.
"Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite book. I must have read it at least thirty times."
"Wish! It's my favourite book! I can't believe you have such an exquisite copy. It must be worth a lot."
Damon grinned at her first.
"Why is this your favourite book? What are some of your favourites?"
"Pride and Prejudice is the only book I can say gets better with each read."
Caelia muttered to herself.
"I have pretty much read every book I see, from The Prince to Archies Comics to 1984 since I was a child. So I don't really have other favourites."
She said nonchalantly as if other books were just fillers for her mind.
Damon mused at what she just said,
"What makes a child read The Prince?"
"Were you planning on conquering middle school?"
Caelia laughed shyly and tried to change the topic.
"Do you agree with Machiavelli? Would you prefer to be feared or loved?"
Damon was impressed by this question. The answer he had always believed is to be feared, and given their nature, his mother had made sure to convince him fear was a stronger and more reliable but as he grew older, he wasn't too sure about fear as a useful tactic.
"It's hard to argue against. Love is fleeting and fear is constant."
Damon said trying to convince himself more than her.
Caelia looked disappointed in his answer, she changed her question.
"If a king you feared directed you to hurt someone you loved. What would you do?"
"No! That's different."
Damon tried to explain, pausing only because he noticed she had excited him again. He also noticed she was now comfortable looking at him in the eyes.
They were no barriers here. Just two people talking about things that brought them pleasure.
"I would love to argue with you. I really would but now you are comfortable with me. I feel we can make better use of our time to know each other. " Damon chipped in.
"Why have you been avoiding me? I wasn't sure at first but I felt it."
Caelia spurted out releasing a weight on her heart.
"I am sorry. I have had it rough settling back into town. There has been quite a lot of catching up for me to do..."
He apologised as he looked into her eyes.
"I also wanted to give you time to settle. I know my family isn't the simplest."
Though Caelia didn't talk, her body moved in agreement to his statement.
"Tell me what you think of us. The Wrights."
Damon asked as he raised his voice a little.
Caelia remained silent again.
"Come on Caelia. Stop giving me those eyes, and tell me what you really think."
Annoyed, she looked at him like a maid did to her boss.
"Your family is basically a bunch of strangers living in a big house."
Caelia paused, before finally having the courage to look Damon in the eyes.
"No. You act like a bunch of strangers who lived in their own tiny houses but have dinner together."
The quiet agreement on Damon's face turned into a little frown. Alarming Caelia.
"I must go now. "
Caelia said trying to escape the consequences of stepping out of bounds.
Damon calmed himself once more. Now sure she could bring out his emotions.
"No. I will leave."
He switched to a more professional tone.
He walked towards his bookshelf and presented his copy of Pride and Prejudice.
"You can have it. My mother only chose it because it was the most expensive."
Caelia received his gift and watched him step out like she imagined Mr Darcy would.