Chapter 6: Be My Girl
Two days have passed but the atmosphere is still not changing around the four gentlemen. Nothing changed since Riley willingly ran away with Jay riding his motorcycle. 
She couldn't let herself talk to them for so long because she's so embarrassed for herself and if possible, she will avoid them with all her might but sadly, it's impossible because they are on the same roof and she's their maid in this mansion so she has no freaking choice. 
Riley grunted while cleaning Layla's little shelter. Layla is Jake's lovely dog. He loves his pet so much like a family so she has to take care of Layla too. 
"Let me do it, Riley." 
She heard Jake's baritone voice behind her so she faced him. She simply blinked many times when her eyes dropped to his well-toned body. 
He's wearing a simple muscle shirt and his biceps are free to see with her eyes. 
She secretly shook her head and answered. "N-No, Master Jake. It's my duty to--" 
Before she finishes her sentence, Jake grabs the hose in her hands. 
"Rest. Jay said you're on your period." he softly said. 
She pouted. "But it's already my third day today. I'm really fine, Master--"
She stopped talking when he faced her and stared at her intimately like he's reading her mind. 
"Riley?" 
"Hmm?"
"Could you please cut the Master and just call me Jake?" he pleaded. 
It's new to her. No Masters can plead on their maids. So she's beyond shock. 
Master Hoon also said that. 
"M-May I ask why?" she urged. 
Jake was about to answer when they heard a bark and it came from Layla with Ethan who's running towards Jake.
Ethan put his hands in his pocket. "Are you ready for tonight?" he asked Jake. 
Riley knows what he's talking about. She heard from other maids that their four Masters are attending a Grand Masquerade Ball tonight at 9pm sharp. 
Jake carried Layla like a baby who's wagging her tail and suddenly licks Jake's face like she's showering him some kisses. He couldn't help but to chuckle. 
"Yep. You?" 
Ethan shrugged and his gaze went to her. "Yeah, but I haven't had a partner yet." 
"Eh? Well you better go find your girl, bro. We'll leave early later." 
"I don't have to find anyone, Jake." Ethan said while intimately staring at her eyes and she can't look away. "Cause I already found my girl." 
Riley and Jake both furrowed their eyebrows at what Ethan just said. 
She simply gulped when Ethan slowly approached her without taking his eyes off of her. 
"Riley… will you be my… girl for tonight?" he asked. Making her heart go frenzy. 
She's speechless but after a minute or two, she managed to speak. "W-Why me? I-I'm sure there are lots of girls who're willing to die just to be your partner. 
Ethan lets out a chuckle and gently grabs her both hands. "Why you and not other girls?" He acts like he's thinking. "Simple. Because they are not you." 
Riley was dumbfounded at the moment and speechless. She didn't know what to say nor answer. 
"Y-You're kidding me right, Master Ethan?" 
Riley frowned when Ethan's face suddenly changed. He's irritated. 
"D-Did I say something wrong?" she nervously asked. 
"Stop calling me Master. It's not suited for a girl like you to call me Master nor my brothers." She slightly jumped when he started to caress her cheek. "You're too precious to call you one." 
She simply put her hand on her chest where her heart is located. 
I think I'm going to ran out of breath in a minute. First, it's Master Hoon who told me not to call him Master. Second Master Jake also did the same. And now... Master Ethan!
God, what's happening!
"So? What is your answer, Riley? Don't worry. It's okay for me if it's a no. I deeply respect your decision." 
Riley knows to herself that she somehow wanted to say yes and to become his partner tonight but there's something that bothers her that she couldn't define what it is. 
Like if she said yes to Ethan, guiltiness will eat her in the end. And she has to make the right decision. 
She also didn't want to embarrass herself tonight at the Ball. She knew that only rich and royal families are able to attend that Ball and a maid like her will not be suited for that kind of gathering. She should know her place. 
But she didn't want to say no either. She didn't want her Master Ethan left without a partner. It will become her fault if Ethan will be the only one in that Ball who's haven't any partner. 
"C-Can I think about it?" 
Ethan smiled and nodded then caressed her hair. "Of course. You can take your time." 
THE CLOCK strikes at 6pm sharp and she still haven't made her decision. She walked back and forth inside the maid's room within four hours. 
Come on Riley, make up your mind! 
She tightly grabbed her hair and pulled it while forcing herself to think wisely that she wouldn't regret it in the end until she heard a knock.
When she opened the door, Mrs. Lee welcomed her sight. 
Riley stood straight. "What can I do for you, Mrs. Lee?" 
Mrs. Lee smiled and pulled her out of the maid's room without any word so she was shocked at what she did but she let her drag her to somewhere. 
She find herself and Mrs. Lee inside a room on the second floor of this mansion. 
"W-What are we doing here, Madame?" She's still shocked. 
The lady smiled and opened the huge wardrobe in front of them. 
Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her. 
Lots of beautiful and elegant dresses and costumes for princesses are hanging inside the wardrobe. She cannot take her eyes off or blink for a minute while still trying to function in her system that it's possible to have these kinds of dresses in this mansion. 
I mean, Madame Lacey had no daughter but still… This wardrobe is full of dresses like she had hundreds of daughters inside this mansion. 
And one of her dreams is to wear a dress like a princess and not a maid. But she guesses that her dream is just a dream and it will not turn into a reality. 
"You must've been shocked that I dragged you here." Finally, Madame Lacey spoked. "Riley, I have a request and I hope you'll grant it. 
She faced the lady. "What is it, Madame?"
Madame Lacey held her hand. "Would you do the honor of becoming the duchess of this family?" 
Her question stunned her. Her mouth parted widely and her eyes widened in so much shock. She couldn't believe what she heard. Or maybe she heard it wrong?
"M-Madame, did I heard it wrong?" 
She needs to clarify! She didn't want to assume of course. 
The lady shook her head with a smile. "No you didn't, dear. So, would you do the honor? Just for today?" 
She didn't know what to think. First, Ethan asked her to be his partner and now, Madame Lee asked her to become the duchess of this family. 
Relax, Riley. It's just for today. Go, enjoy yourself and live with one of your dreams. Riley convinced herself. 
Lots of girls wanted and dreamed to become princess and who is she to decline? It's an opportunity for her to achieve one of her dreams. This is definitely an honor for her.
She pressed her lips together and let out a breath. "Okay. I accept the honor to become the duchess of this family, Madame." 
Madame Lacey giggled in happiness that she accepted the honor. 
~amph1trite~
Enjoy reading! 😘