Fast forward, my plan to avoid my master subtly turned out well. Even if Master August found me weird, he had no time to ask me about it because he was preoccupied with so many meetings. Thankfully, he did not forget about his birthday.
Earlier, I helped him pick out the tuxedo he's going to wear tonight. Master August looks so dashing and manly in black, so I opted for a black suit and coat, and a deep red necktie. His bluish-gray eyes stood out even more with his silvery-ash hair and fair complexion. The breast pocket of his coat carry the family emblem proudly, and my heart jumped in joy when he used the customized cuff links I had made for him.
They were a bit expensive and I had to ask Yohan for help, but it was worth it. When we finally got to the party, so many people gave their greetings that I had no opportunity to stand beside him. More so, when a beautiful woman who was linked to Master August last year, shamelessly clung to my master's arms, I feel like I was pushed aside. There was no space for me.
Before darkness consumed my heart, I had to step back and cool my head. Which explains why I'm sulking in a dark place, away from my master. Of course, Master is very intelligent and utterly attractive. He's a head-turner, and many people worship the ground he walks on. Me staying there would be too much, so it was only right that I should get away.
I'm just his servant anyway.
"You know, the celebration's over there. Did you get lost?" I almost jumped out of my seat and reached for my gun then dropped it immediately when I saw who the intruder was.
"Yohan. Do you want to get killed?" I blinked and squinted my eyes on the stuff he was carrying. "What is that? Pizza boxes?"
"Bullseye! I just got this from Jin's resto. It's so good. You should try it. I swear you'll fall in love with it," Yohan gushed and sat beside me, then placed the box on my lap. "What are you doing here anyway? Were you down because your master is not paying any attention to you?" He teased and smiled smugly, earning a hard glare from me.
"Shut up or I'll shoot you," I threatened and annoyingly grabbed a slice of the pepperoni pizza. I contained the moan about to bubble out of my throat when the delicious flavors burst in my mouth. "Wow, this is so good," I commented with my mouth full. I know that it's disgraceful but I won't let anyone dictate how I eat. Eating is one of the stuff I can control in this world full of uncontrollable things.
"I told ya. Humor me, Julian. Why are you so devoted to your cold and bitter master? He doesn't even realize your feelings, that insensitive brute."
"Hey! Stop dissing him! That's still my master you're talking about," I retorted but Yohan just rolled his eyes.
"You didn't deny it, so you agree to my words. Anyway, it's none of my business. I have my hands full with Boss anyway," he grumbled with a deep sigh and glanced heavenwards.
I noticed something moving in the bushes and when that person stepped out, my eyes almost fell out of their sockets. The pizza that I was holding fell on the box so Yohan turned to me.
"Hey, are you listening to me, Julian? Eat properly, will you?" He placed my pizza back on the box and sighed again. I guess he didn't notice him.
"Yohan--"
"As I was saying, working with Boss is pretty stressful. Three days ago, there was this meeting with the Germans. Instead of attending it, he sent me as a representative. I lost a very important auction because of that!"
"W-Well, you're his attendant, so--" I so want to tell him that Master Trevor is behind him, but I don't want to get into trouble. The mafia boss smirked and a naughty glint flashed in those amber eyes.
"Even so! I deserve a day off. I want justice! I have been so busy running around his errands, and this is what I get? I need a vacation. One month tops!" Yohan continued to whine like a baby without noticing his impending doom.
"A vacation, huh?" Master Trevor's cold voice sent me chills, while Yohan froze in his seat and turned his head towards me in a very slow motion. When I nodded, he paled and swallowed hard. "Since you want a vacation, why don't you go to Egypt for me? I want you to find a stolen item in the Sahara desert. Sounds good, right, Yohan?"
Yohan dropped on his knees and grabbed Master Trevor's pants. "Boss, please forgive me. I was just joking. I love doing your errands, just don't throw me out there! Boss! One month without internet will kill me! My online auctions, Jin's pizza..." Sometimes, I wonder why Yohan always buries himself in his own grave. I can't help but pity him.
Master Trevor massaged his temples and sighed deeply. "Julian, go back inside. Augustus is causing a commotion." When I heard that, I bowed my head and ran back to the party.
"Where is Julian? Give me Julian!" He screamed and pushed the woman clinging to his arms. He was massaging his temples and was sporting a very furious expression. Then, I noticed a glass of wine in his left hand. Oh, fuck.
"Who gave him alcohol? Master has alcohol intolerance," I snapped and my eyes landed on the woman who was with Master earlier.
"You, did you do it? Why? So you can take advantage of him? Alcohol was specifically taken out of the menu for this reason!" I glared at the woman and grabbed Master's waist for support, then slung his arm over my shoulder.
Master turned to me and his expression softened when he saw me. "Julian... you're here. Don't leave me, Julian," he mumbled and pulled me in for a hug, his face nuzzled in my neck. It should be a heart-thumping situation for me, but I was so angry that an incident such as this happened.
The woman embraced herself and shook her head, tears falling from her eyes. "I... I don't know what you're talking about. I did not do it! How could you accuse me of something like that?" The guest started murmuring, while others started to approach the woman out of sympathy.
"Oh please. You are smart enough to know that it's such a cheap act." Then, the woman bawled, garnering more sympathy from the public, making me roll my eyes.
"What is happening here?" Everyone gasped out loud when the old master made an appearance, his thunderous voice echoing in the venue. Donning his black suit, the old master looks regal and authoritative. When he saw us and Master August's condition, he sighed deeply and his stern expression went soft. "Bring him back to his room, Julian. I'll take care of everything."
"I'll help, Julian," Peter approached us and took half of Master August's weight. Peter is my cousin and the personal attendant of Master Raphael, one of the bosses of Morelli's branch families.
"Thank you, Peter. I did not expect this to happen. There was no alcohol, and I ordered the guards to confiscate it if there was any." My voice was full of guilt as we went our way back into Master August's bed-chamber.
"I saw it, Julian. That woman was able to slip alcohol by using her charms on the guards. I was not able to confront her because she was always clinging to Master Augustus. Don't worry, Master Trevor took care of it. After all, deception is one of the things Master Trevor loathes. He's always looking out for his family, and that woman will be put in her right place," Peter assured me in a seething voice.
When we arrived at the hallway, we stopped and Peter removed his hold on the master. He knows our security protocol. "I'm going ahead, Julian. Raphael is looking for me," he informed me and went on his way.
"It's Master Raphael, Peter! Mind your manners!" Peter just waved his hand to dismiss me. After passing all the security protocols, I was able to place Master on his bed. "I apologize, Master. This wouldn't have happened if I was by your side. I'm sorry."
I removed his coat, loosened his shirt, and tended to him until he's not grumbling about feeling hot. As I was wiping his body, I realized that I don't mind taking care of him. "You know, Master, no matter how troublesome you are, I will always stick for you. I don't even know why; maybe that's love, huh? Even if I try to find a thousand reasons to unlove you, there's always that one good reason to not let you go. As long as you need me, I'll always be by your side. I promise."
After making sure that Master is comfortable, I got on my feet to clean up when I was pulled back by a strong force. My bum hit the soft bed and for a few seconds, I felt my heart stop. Then, my chest pounded nervously; it was so deafening to the point where my head starts to throb. Slowly turning around, I was met by his piercing, intense gaze. I opened my mouth to say something but I couldn't find my voice.
Oh my god. Did he hear me? What am I going to do? What if I repulsed him? Will he fire me? Banish me? Tell me to get lost and never come back?
Master was just staring at me, calculating and reading my expressions. It was a very tense moment. So many thoughts crashed over me like waves, my mind was a mess, and I have this urge to flee but my limbs feel like jelly. I could feel my eyes burning from frustration and nervousness, my hands trembling and my lips shaking. Cold sweat pooled in my forehead and back, and my stomach twisted into unpleasant knots.
"M-m-master-"
"Julian. I love you." My breathing stopped and I slid down to the floor, eyes blown wide, lips parted, as I stare at Master in disbelief. Pulse quickened, and all the blood rushed to my head. I wish I could recall what happened after that; because of too much shock, I passed out. I think I heard Master's voice calling out my name, but I'm not so sure anymore.
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