Shame

At dawn, I made a decision: to give Sandy a well-deserved day off. She had already been through many trials, and the whirlwind of events from the previous night had only added to her burden. Although I didn't openly admit it, I knew I needed to take care of her, just as she had taken care of me.

"You deserve a day to yourself, Sandy," I said with a gentle smile, trying to convey my gratitude without words. "I'll take care of everything today."

She looked at me with a mixture of surprise and gratitude in her eyes, and I knew I had made the right decision. Sandy was more than a maid; she was a friend, a confidante, and an essential part of the family.

With Sandy resting, I found myself alone with Amelie during the day. Although a part of me was still consumed by the emotions of the previous night, I knew I needed to keep my composure. Amelie didn't deserve to be dragged into the chaos unfolding in my mind.

So, with a determined sigh, I prepared to face the day alongside Amelie.

The thoughts churned in my mind as I waited for breakfast, lost in a myriad of emotions still echoing from the previous day. Being watched... The sensation still clung to me like an insistent shadow, even though I knew, rationally, that I was alone at that moment. But then, a movement broke my introspection: a boy, with eyes full of curiosity and innocence, emerged from the kitchen.

"Mr. Antony, are we having breakfast with Miss Amelie and you today?" he asked, his soft voice tinged with anticipation. His childish frankness surprised me, making me smile tenderly.

"I didn't quite catch your question..." I murmured, taken aback by the unexpected revelation.

He took a deep breath, as if trying to find the right words to explain. "It's because every morning, Amelie makes us have breakfast with her, so she doesn't feel lonely when you're not around," he explained, his innocent words laden with a touching simplicity.

Those words pierced deep into my heart, making me realize the true nature of Amelie. She wasn't just a guest, but a kind soul who cared about others' well-being, even when her own heart was filled with her own loneliness.

A gentle smile touched my lips as I looked at the boy. "Thank you for telling me that," I said sincerely, acknowledging Amelie's generosity in a new and touching way. "Today, I'll join you for breakfast."

The boy's simple yet profound words echoed in my mind like a soft melody, touching the innermost corners of my heart. His innocent smile, his eyes full of understanding... He saw something in Amelie that I hadn't fully realized yet.

"I like Amelie because she brings out the best in you," he said, his childish voice carrying wisdom beyond his years.

I was taken aback by his observation. "What do you mean?" I asked, seeking to understand what he meant.

He chuckled, a crystalline sound that seemed to light up the room. "You never asked us to join you for breakfast, always ate alone..." he began, but his words seemed to stumble a bit. Before he could continue, the kitchen chef called him back to work, interrupting our conversation.

The boy hurried off, leaving me there alone, immersed in deep thoughts. His words reverberated in my mind, echoing like a call to reflection. He was right. Amelie had brought out a part of me that I had forgotten, a part that I had let lie dormant for so long.

With a sigh, I realized the truth in his words. Amelie had this gift, this ability to touch the souls of those around her, to bring out the best in them. And I was no exception. Her presence in my life had been a beacon of light amidst the darkness, guiding me back to the path of kindness and compassion.

The heart pounded hard in my chest, each step towards Amelie's room a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Upon opening the door, a familiar sense of momentary emptiness hit me when I noticed she wasn't there. I sighed, frustration beginning to settle in my chest. "This is becoming a habit," I murmured to myself, letting out a heavy sigh.

Then, a sweet voice, laced with a hint of humor, broke the silence. "Relax, my knight, no need to go chasing after your damsel, I haven't been kidnapped," said Amelie, her presence bringing an involuntary smile to my lips.

I turned to face her and was greeted by her characteristic sarcastic smile. "Good morning, dear Amelie," I declared with theatrical reverence, taking her hand and planting a gentle kiss on the back of it. She responded with a playful curtsey, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. "Good morning, Antony," she replied, her tone playful echoing through the room.

Amelie and I walked together to the breakfast table, sharing the comfortable silence that always seemed to envelop our moments together. But soon she broke the silence with a question that caught me off guard. "What brings you here...?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling with playful curiosity.

I furrowed my brow, pondering her intriguing question. "Usually you only keep me company at night, what do I owe the pleasure of your presence this grand morning?" she continued, a smile playing on her lips.

I chuckled softly, meeting her gaze. "Well, I suppose you deserved a bit of the company of your winged knight," I replied, trying to keep a lightness in my voice.

However, before we could further our conversation, we were interrupted by the bustling noise of the kitchen staff arriving at the table, bearing trays laden with morning delicacies. We exchanged quick glances, Amelie and I, like two conspirators who knew it wouldn't be prudent to prolong our banter in front of everyone. After all, I had a reputation to uphold.

As I took my seat at the table, my gaze wandered across the faces around me, and a wave of recognition mixed with perplexity hit me full force. They were familiar faces, people who were part of my past, but whom I had left behind amidst the commitments and obligations of adulthood. I realized, with a pang in my heart, that I had forgotten about them.

Among the exchanged glances during breakfast, I noticed that those faces carried an expression of discomfort, as if they were unsettled by my presence there. It was as if I were a stranger, someone who no longer belonged in that environment, and the feeling of being a stranger in my own home left me even more unsettled.

As I still tried to decipher the perplexed looks around me, Amelie seemed to move with singular grace among the guests. Her radiant smile was like a beacon, drawing everyone closer to her. Within minutes, the table was alive with laughter, conversation, and the tantalizing aroma of breakfast.

I watched, fascinated, marveling at Amelie's ability to dispel tension so effortlessly.

Gradually, the initial discomfort seemed to fade away, replaced by an atmosphere of camaraderie and relaxation. Voices mingled in a cheerful symphony, and I couldn't help but feel a comforting warmth spreading in my chest as I witnessed the magic that Amelie was capable of creating.

The moment was ephemeral, but the energy that Amelie exuded seemed to leave a lasting mark on the hearts of all those present. As the morning swiftly progressed, guests began to rise, ready to resume their activities in the kitchen.

Then, as if wanting to seal that moment of connection, the boy who had shared his words of wisdom with me that morning approached Amelie. His eyes gleamed with admiration as he hugged her tenderly, silently expressing gratitude for her presence.

Before returning to work, the boy passed by me and whispered with a mischievous smile, "She's something else." Those simple words echoed in my heart, reflecting the sentiment that everyone there shared. I couldn't help but smile at the innocence and sincerity of that gesture, knowing that Amelie touched people's lives in a unique and special way.

That soft whisper near my ear made my heart skip a beat. Before I could react, Amelie was there, so close to me that I could feel the warmth of her presence. Her playful tone revealed innocent amusement as she surprised me.

With a slight blush on my face from the surprise, I turned to face her, finding her eyes shining with mischievous curiosity. She was a master at catching us off guard, and in that moment, I was completely captivated by her presence.

"Can I know what you guys were talking about me?" she asked, her sweet voice filled with anticipation. It took me a moment to regain my composure, amazed by her ability to catch me off guard.

With a playful smile, I replied, "He was just telling me how amazing you are." The words came out automatically, effortlessly, because it was the truth. I couldn't help but admire how she could brighten everyone's day around her, without even realizing the impact she had on them.

Amelie blushed slightly, a lovely rosy hue taking over her cheeks as she glanced towards the kitchen. Her expression was a charming mix of shyness and humor as she murmured, "Kids are so adorable, too bad they're so much work."

Those words sparked my curiosity, and I couldn't help but ask, "Do you plan on having children someday?"

Amelie pondered, her brows furrowing in concentration as she thought about the question. "I don't think I'd be a good mother," she finally replied, and that caught me off guard.

I couldn't contain my reaction to that statement. My eyes widened involuntarily, and I blurted out, "You literally handled a huge tension, managed over 12 people at a breakfast table, and you still think you wouldn't be a good mother?" My words overflowed with genuine admiration as I tried to convey to her how much I saw in her capacity to care for and lead others.

Amelie seemed hesitant and shy, her eyes shyly darting away as she searched for the right words. It was a charming sight, her vulnerability so palpable, and I found myself leaning in to hear her soft voice.

"Antony, about this, I wanted to talk to you..." She began with a note of uncertainty in her voice, but her determination shone in her eyes. "I wanted to ask you something... I know you've already done so much for me, and I'm not in a position to ask for more, and..."

I couldn't let her continue. I quickly interrupted her, feeling the urgency to reassure her. "Nothing will ever be enough to show how much I care for you... You don't need to feel indebted to me. If this is what you want and it brings you the comfort you need, please, count on me."

Her cheeks flushed delicately, and she nodded, a look of gratitude shining in her eyes. "It's not about that..." she murmured, clearing her throat softly to regain her determination. "That boy is Sandy's son, and... Where I come from, children his age should be in school instead of working. I see so much potential in him... He can't read yet, but he has motor skills because of his activities in the kitchen..."

Watching Amelie closely, I was impressed by her empathy and concern for the boy's future. It was yet another proof of the generous heart she had.

Amelie took a deep breath, her eyes meeting mine with a mix of hope and apprehension. Her courage was palpable, her determination shining in the face of the possibility of changing that boy's life.

"I would like to ask if I could give him reading and writing lessons..." Her voice was gentle but filled with a deep sincerity that echoed in my heart. In that moment, I felt a wave of admiration for her, for her willingness to make a difference, to offer opportunities to those who needed them most.

I gently held her hand, conveying all the support and encouragement I could muster. Her face blushed in a charming rosy hue, accentuated by the pastel blue of her dress, which seemed tailor-made to enhance her beauty.

"Feel free to make decisions in this house, do as you see fit," I murmured, my eyes locked with hers. "I'll be here to support you." The sincerity of my words reflected my genuine desire to see her achieve her goals, to be the support she needed to fulfill her dreams.

The moment our eyes met was like time freezing around us. There was an invisible energy between us, something I couldn't fully grasp but that enveloped me in an intoxicating way. Her eyes, deep and intense, seemed to reveal secrets I could barely comprehend.

It was an exchange of glances charged with emotion, a moment where words became unnecessary because everything we needed to express was there, reflected in our eyes. I felt my heart racing, a mix of anticipation and excitement coursing through my body.

But at the same time, an inner voice warned me not to get carried away by illusions. It was possible that I was just projecting my own desires onto that moment, interpreting something that wasn't really there. Perhaps it was just my mind, desperate to find meaning in a simple exchange of glances.

I took a deep breath, trying to push away those confusing thoughts, while our gazes remained connected, as if we were trapped in an eternal instant, where the world around us disappeared, leaving only the two of us and the intensity of that moment, embarrassed...