The alarm clock blares to life, and Eleanor groggily reaches over to slap it off. She stretches her arms above her head, arching her back in a languid stretch. As she sits up, she looks around the unfamiliar room, taking a moment to remember where she is. Ah, right - Lucian's house. The events of the previous day come flooding back, and she smiles to herself, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
She glances at the alarm clock and sees that it's 5:40 am. She remembers Jenkins, the butler, mentioning that breakfast prep starts at 6 am sharp. The family eats together every morning at 7 am, and Eleanor wants to make a good impression. She throws off the covers and plants her feet firmly on the ground, feeling the soft carpet beneath her toes.
As she walks over to the window, she's greeted by a breathtaking sight - the sun is rising over the garden, casting a warm glow over the lush greenery. The flowers seem to be dancing in the gentle morning breeze, and Eleanor can't help but smile at the beauty of it all. She takes a deep breath, feeling invigorated and ready to tackle the day.
With a newfound sense of energy, Eleanor begins to freshen up. She splashes some water on her face, brushes her teeth, and gets dressed in her uniform. She takes a final glance in the mirror, smoothing out any wrinkles in her dress, and heads out of her room.
As she makes her way to the kitchen, she passes by some of the other staff members who are busy cleaning and dusting the house. They nod or smile at her, but she can sense a bit of curiosity in their gazes. Eleanor greets them with a friendly "good morning" and continues on her way. As she walks past them, she can't help but feel like they're talking about her behind her back. She hears a faint whisper, followed by a snicker, and her cheeks flush slightly.
Eleanor pushes aside the feeling and focuses on getting to the kitchen. She's determined to prove herself and make a good impression on the family and the rest of the staff. She takes a deep breath, squares her shoulders, and walks into the kitchen.
As Eleanor pushed the kitchen door open and entered, she was immediately swept up in a whirlwind of activity. Pots clanged, utensils scraped against pans, and the aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, making her stomach growl with hunger. The kitchen was a hive of activity, with staff members scurrying about, their faces set with determination. The moment she stepped inside, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned to her. Eleanor felt a wave of awkwardness wash over her as she stood frozen, unsure of what to do.
She scanned the room, her eyes searching for the chef, and spotted him standing tall amidst the chaos, his white hat and coat a stark contrast to the more subdued attire of the other staff members. She made her way towards him, her shoes clicking on the tile floor, and curtsied slightly. "Good morning, sir. I'm Eleanor, the new staff member. Jenkins, the butler, informed me that I would be assisting in the kitchen today.
The chef, a stout man with a bushy beard and a warm smile, nodded at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ah, yes. Jenkins mentioned you'd be joining us. Welcome to the team, Eleanor. I'm Chef Williams. We'll be getting breakfast ready for the family, and I need you to help with the fruit salad." He handed her a crisp white apron, and Eleanor put it on.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," Eleanor replied, her voice respectful. "I'll get started on the fruit salad right away." Chef Williams nodded, his expression approving. "Good. Let's get to work, shall we?"
As the kitchen staff continued to work, the atmosphere remained focused and industrious. After some time, breakfast was finally ready, and the aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, making everyone's stomach growl with anticipation.
As the breakfast was completed, some of the workers began to file out of the room, their tasks accomplished. However, two people remained behind - Eleanor and another staff member. Chef Williams turned to Eleanor and nodded. "You stay here, Eleanor. You'll be assisting us in serving the food once the family is ready."
Eleanor nodded, She stood by, watching as the chef and the other staff member finalized the preparations. After a few minutes of waiting, the intercom on the wall rang, and the butler's voice came through, crisp and clear. "The family is ready for breakfast. Please start serving."
Chef Williams nodded, his expression serious. "Alright, let's get started. Eleanor, you'll be serving the juice and coffee. Make sure to pour the juice carefully and refill the cups as needed." Eleanor nodded, feeling a sense of responsibility. She picked up the juice pitcher and followed the chef and the other staff member out of the kitchen, carrying the trays of food to the dining room. for breakfast."
As Eleanor entered the dining room, she couldn't help but notice the four people sitting around the table. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the man sitting at the head of the table, who exuded an air of authority and sophistication. His raven-black hair was flecked with hints of silver, but it only added to his distinguished look. His amber-colored eyes seemed to gleam with warmth as he gazed at his family, and Eleanor couldn't help but notice the strong resemblance to Lucian. She felt a flutter in her chest as she realized where Lucian got his handsome features from.
Next to him sat a stunning woman with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. She looked radiant, with a youthful glow that belied her age. Eleanor couldn't help but wonder if she was Amber's mother, given the similarity in features. The woman's eyes sparkled as she chatted with the man, and Eleanor felt a sense of warmth emanating from the couple.
On the man's left side sat Lucian, looking effortlessly handsome in his crisp white shirt. The top two buttons were undone, revealing a hint of his chest and a sprinkle of hair. Eleanor felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she caught Lucian's eye, and he gave her a smirk that made her heart skip a beat. She quickly looked away, trying to compose herself.
Amber sat next to Lucian, her eyes fixed on her phone as she scrolled through it with a look of disinterest. She seemed oblivious to the conversation around her, and Eleanor wondered what had put her in such a mood.
As Eleanor began to serve the juice and coffee, she felt a sense of nervousness. She tried to focus on her task, but her eyes kept drifting back to Lucian, who seemed to be watching her with amusement. She felt a flutter in her chest as their eyes met, and she quickly looked away, trying to concentrate on serving the family.
As she finished serving the food and drinks, Eleanor stood by the side with the other worker and Chef Williams, waiting for the family to finish eating. Everyone at the table began to dig in, the sound of clinking utensils and murmured conversation filling the air.
As she stood there with her head down, Eleanor heard the man sitting at the head of the table ask, "And who might you be, young lady?"