Orange juice

It took me a while to get to sleep. When I did fall asleep, it was turbulent. I let out a scream. When I opened my eyes and sat up in bed, finally freed from that nightmare, my head was throbbing and my eyes were heavy.

There was a soft knock on the door. I looked at my cell phone. Three in the morning.

- Nicole - Colleri's voice called.

- Colle? - I answered.

- Yes. I was having a nightmare, can I come in?

I got out of bed and opened the door.

He was dressed the same as a few hours ago, but now his clothes were a little more sloppy, creased, his tie loose. He walked past me, his scent invading my room.

- I wanted to thank you. What you did today...

- It's all right. - I gave a half-smile.

- It's not okay. You must have been terrified, you were even having nightmares.

It was true. I was in shock, but I was feeling a bit better.

- I didn't want you to witness that scene, it's not common.

- And who was she? - I asked, crossing my arms under my chest.

- Someone's daughter wanting revenge - he said in a hurry, so as not to prolong the subject.

- What did you do to her? - I asked, a little apprehensive about the answer.

- A sweet woman like you shouldn't think bad things, let alone hear that kind of thing. Don't ask me, because I'm not going to lie to you. - He finished and closed his mouth in a thin line. I saw pleading in his eyes.

- I wanted to sleep in the next room to make sure you got a good night's sleep. I couldn't sleep without making sure you were all right. - He gently ran his fingers down my cheek, along my jawline. I sighed deeply at his touch. He was always so good. - I'll never let you go through anything like this again. - He smiled sadly. - You don't have to be afraid. What happened today won't happen again. This woman went undercover about six months ago because she knew about the event. I think her plan was to poison me, but she didn't expect you to be there watching her. She certainly calculated that the poison she would use would take time to take effect and give her time to escape without arousing suspicion. You saved me and six other people from drinking that champagne. - And your friend?

- Thomas? He'll be fine. He's been medicated and should be discharged tomorrow. He didn't ingest much of the poison. Thanks to you too. - You smiled kindly.

- I thought he was going to die," she said apprehensively.

- No, he didn't. - He gave a half-smile. - Thomas is a brave man, the bravest I know. Besides, he didn't have time to ingest much, but what he did take caused severe abdominal pain, although not enough to kill him.

- Ah, yes.

- Well, I think you might be a bit tired, I'd better retire to my room.

He approached me, took my face in his big hands, sniffed my hair and gently kissed my forehead. My heart was warmed by that kiss. There was no sexual desire, just affection, care. He looked at me and said goodbye.

- Good night, Nicole. Anything, I'll be in the next room. - Ethan turned and left, leaving only the trail of his perfume with me.

The next morning, it took me a little longer to get out of bed. I wanted to stay there, hugging my pillow. But I had to move on. I took a shower and got out of my pajamas. There was a knock on the door.

- Yes?

- It's me, Maria.

I opened the door and there she was, holding a huge breakfast tray.

- Oh, Maria, you didn't have to. How kind of you. - I smiled.

- It's nothing, miss, we all wanted to know if you were all right, we were worried. You were in shock last night. Are you feeling better today?

- Yes, Maria. Much better.

I took the tray from her hand. With a smile, we said goodbye.

I had my coffee quietly. Later, when I went down the corridor to Colle's office, I heard part of an argument.

- Nobody even noticed I was missing! - Caroline was screaming hysterically. - You had the nerve to sleep in the room next to hers and you didn't even stop by mine to see how I was. I was scared too! On top of that, she got coffee in bed! What about me? She's in the best room! And me? How can you treat me like this?

- "Don't forget who you're talking to, Caroline," Ethan said in a low, threatening tone.

- I know what I'm talking about, Ethan! After everything we've been through together! I never thought you'd leave me alone. And you've changed, I see, I was your family when everything was wrong. And your girlfriend when there was just the two of us.

Somehow, despite the jealousy that was transforming me, it felt so wrong to hear something intimate about the two of you.

- Please, Caroline. - He sighs wearily and his tone is a little sad. - You need to get over it, we were fourteen, we didn't have to go through any of that," another sad sigh. - especially you. But it was just a way of escaping the shit that was your reality. I never lied to you, it didn't mean... - He didn't finish his sentence.

- Don't tell me it didn't mean anything! - she said in a tearful voice.

- I'm sorry, Caroline, if it meant more to you than it did to me. I swear, I understand, after - His voice drops and I can't make out what he's saying. But then he raises his voice and continues. - If you don't get over it, it'll bring you down, and one day I won't be able to come to you. Besides, I love you like a cousin, you'll never get past that for me.

- Please don't say that," she retorted. - I love you.

- I love you too, Caroline, but as a cousin, and our relationship will never go beyond that.

- I don't know what you saw in her! She's ridiculous! A maid! You could have me! I'd make you happy. - He let out a sad sob.

- Don't talk about her like that, I told you - his voice changed.

- You love her, don't you? How can you love her?

Ethan continued in silence.

I swallowed.

I heard Caroline crying loudly for minutes and then Ethan consoling her politely.

Half an hour later, when things had calmed down, I decided to go back on my way.

The day passed uneventfully, I had to put up with unfunny jokes for most of the day, as well as nasty looks from Caroline, but there was nothing I could do about it.

Ethan spent the day away, sorting out problems from last night's incident.

And the day flew by.

Three days later, I hadn't had a moment alone with Ethan, time was running out for both me and him, and a part of me missed him. My daily chores were being carried out as normal, except for the annoyance that Caroline was giving me. She had extended her stay for another week, and I was sure it was just to annoy me; after the conversation I'd overheard a few days ago, I knew for sure. She made a point of making me look bad, making my job difficult and hitting on Ethan, who always cut her off. I didn't want to be the one causing discord, so I preferred not to tell him anything she was doing to me.

In the evening, I sat in the kitchen alone and helped myself to a lot of orange juice. I heard footsteps and, when I looked over, there was Caroline, looking as clean-shaven as ever. I grabbed a glass and filled it up to offer her as a white flag, even though I knew I wasn't the one causing the war.

- What do you think you're doing? - she said rudely.

- It's just orange juice," I said awkwardly.

- I didn't ask you for anything, maid! Whenever I want, I'll ask! Ethan can treat you any way he likes, but I don't have to.