Anabel came back early as she promised. Stacey woke up once she heard the door open. She asked Anabel about her day, and she began to recount her activities in the office.
A few minutes later, they were in the kitchen. Anabel was cooking while Stacey was helping. Some moments later, Anabel's mother showed up in the kitchen. She heard voices and decided to check who that was. She was surprised when she saw Stacey.
"Oh Stacey! You are back!" She exclaimed.
"Yes, ma. I arrived this morning."
"That's nice. Welcome back."
"Thank you, ma'am." She exchanged greetings with Anabel before retiring back to her bedroom.
"Why don't you employ a house help? Why do you choose to stress yourself?" Stacey asked
"We don't need them. One of them nearly killed my dad. So since then, we stopped employing maids. We can do the cooking ourselves. It's not a big deal." Anabel explained.
"It's alright. I respect that." Stacey brought the chicken and spices for her, then slid the garden salad and helped her with other minor tasks. Soon, they were done cooking.
They served the food in the family dining room and called everyone. Anabel's parents and brother had come back from work.
Anabel called them, and they gathered around the table for dinner. The table was set with an array of delicious dishes, from roasted chicken to creamy mashed potatoes and fresh garden salad.
Anabel's father prayed, and they began to dig the food. As they were eating, Stacey found herself unable to keep her eyes off Jethro. He was seated directly across from her, and she was captivated by the way he moved, the way he spoke, and even the way he ate. There was something about his presence that drew her in, and she couldn't help but continue to steal glances at him.
Jethro, for his part, seemed completely at ease. He was engaging in light-hearted banter with his father, Sir. Orton, and occasionally teasing Anabel about her cooking skills.
"Anabel, these mashed potatoes are almost as good as mine. You tried." He joked, earning a light, playful swat from his sister.
"Almost? You wish! You that almost burnt the house down the other day for cooking noodles." Anabel retorted with a laugh.
Stacey watched as Jethro took a bite of his food. She noticed the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled and the way his hands moved as he gestured while talking. She was so engrossed in observing him that she didn't realize he had caught her staring.
Jethro's eyes met hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Stacey's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked down at her plate. She wished she could hold on and keep looking at him, but she failed. At that moment, her cheeks were flushing with embarrassment. She hoped no one else had noticed.
Even though Jethro caught her red-handed, he chose not to say anything. Instead, he gave her a small, knowing smile before returning to his conversation with his father. Stacey felt a mix of relief and curiosity. What did that smile mean? Did he find her staring amusing, or was there something more to it? Was the feeling mutual?"
As they continued to eat, Stacey tried to focus on the conversation around her, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Jethro. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was a connection between them, something unspoken but effective.
"So, Stacey," Mrs. Orton said, breaking into her thoughts, "Tell us more about your time in New York. What was the most memorable experience you had?"
"There were so many memorable moments," she spoke up. "But one of the highlights was definitely the internship I did at a tech startup. It was challenging but incredibly beneficial to me. I learned so much about the industry and made some great connections."
"That sounds amazing," Mr. Orton said, nodding appreciatively. "It's always good to gain practical experience. It gives you a real edge in the job market."
"Yes, sir," Stacey agreed. "And New York itself was such an adventure. The city never sleeps, and there's always something happening. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but I grew to love it."
Anabel smiled at her friend. "I'm so proud of you, Stacey. I can see you accomplished so much."
"Thanks, Anabel," Stacey said, feeling a warm glow of gratitude. "I couldn't have done it without your support."
The conversation shifted to lighter topics, and they even debated the best way to make a perfect apple pie. Stacey found herself laughing and enjoying the company, but she couldn't help but notice the occasional glances Jethro sent her way.
After the dinner, Sir. Orton and his wife retired to their room to sleep. Stacey and Anabel cleared the table and washed the dishes together.
They came back, and Jethro was gone already. He had gone back to his room to sleep. Stacey followed Anabel to her room, and they spent the night together.
.
.
The next morning, Stacey was awakened by the sound of rhythmic thumping coming from one of the rooms down the hall. Curious, she slipped out of bed and followed the noise, leaving Anabel, who was still asleep. When she got down, she realized it was coming from a room. She pushed the door open slightly and peeked inside, her eyes widening in surprise.
There, in the middle of the room, was Jethro, working out. His muscles rippled with each movement, and a light sheen of sweat covered his bare chest. He was focused, lifting a heavy dumbbell.
Stacey hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should interrupt. But then she gathered her courage and stepped inside. Jethro was so focused that he didn't know when Stacey walked in.
"Good morning, Jethro," she greeted, announcing her presence.
Jethro looked up and smiled when he saw her standing. "Morning, Stacey. What brings you here?"
"I heard some noise and decided to check it out," she replied, walking further into the room. "I didn't know you had a gym here."
"Yeah, it's my little sanctuary," Jethro replied and dropped the dumbbell. "It keeps me in shape and helps clear my mind."
Stacey nodded, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Do you mind if I join you?"
"Not at all. I will be happy to have some company. Though," He stared at her outfit. She was still in her nightgown. Jethro could make out her breast through the light fabric. "You don't look ready. You have to change. You can't work out with your nightgown."