Good Advice

I thought it was going to be awkward seeing him again the next day after our disagreement but I didn’t take into account that I won’t actually see him for at least half a day.

I went down to ask Mrs. Nichols because she always seemed to know what was going on around the house. The maid told me where I could find her and there she was, in the middle of loading the washing machine with clothes. When she noticed me coming in, she looked at me questioningly.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you,” I said. “I was just wondering whether the young master and Mr. Liu are away.”

“They are,” she replied and turned back to the washing machine.

“And... And... Did they have a message for me?” I asked awkwardly even though it seemed pointless. It’s already past one p.m. now. They would have called me if either of them needed me.

“No. And even if they did, they would have told you directly,” she said abruptly without looking at me. She started pouring fabric softener into the machine which made me realize that I probably shouldn’t disturb her anymore. I was already at the doorstep when she called after me.

“Blueberries,” was all she said which made me turn around in confusion.

“What?”

“The young master’s favorite fruit,” she said, turning to look at me. “Especially likes it in a pie.”

“I don’t know what you...” I said confused but she interrupted me.

“They won’t be back until dinner and I’ll be busy hanging out these clothes to dry,” she told me while pointing at the washing machine, “and cleaning up all the rooms. You know where to find all the ingredients for it,” she said matter-of-factly and started the machine. I stood there speechless, not knowing what to make of her suggestion. “I’m old enough to be your mother,” she continued when she saw that I did not intend to say anything. “Trust me, he’ll appreciate your effort,” she said and gave me the warmest smile since my arrival.

I thanked her advice and after pondering about it for a few or perhaps, more than a few minutes, I got changed into more comfortable clothing and went into the kitchen.

Everything was neatly organized there, so it didn’t take much time for me to take out all the ingredients needed for the dessert. Mrs. Nichols was right. There really was everything I needed. I looked for a recipe online and made the pie according to the instructions. It wasn’t hard to make it and when I finally took it out of the oven, it smelled so delicious that I had the urge to taste it immediately. But I have to wait for that. I don’t want to cut it before giving it to Jack. Besides, it’s still hot anyway. So, after taking another look at the pie, I put it away.

From that point on, it seemed like an eternity, until the evening arrived, although, it was already in the afternoon when I started baking.

I was in the living room looking through Jack’s schedule for tomorrow when they came back. They were busy talking and didn’t even notice my presence. I thought it better to clear my throat loudly before any one of them said something I shouldn’t hear.

“Oh, you are here,” the older Liu said, realizing for the first time that they weren’t alone.

“Yes. And Mrs. Nichols asked me to tell you that dinner is ready.”

“Just on time like always. Very good,” he said pleased while looking at his watch. “You are not coming?” he asked surprised when I didn’t get up to join them to go to the dining room.

“I have already eaten, Sir,” I replied politely.

“Alright,” was all he said and turned to leave. Jack seemed to be disappointed but after what happened yesterday, it’s probably for the best if I don’t talk with him until I have a chance to make up with him in private.

So, instead, I went up to my room and kept myself occupied until I heard them coming up and going to their bedrooms. Then I carefully opened my door to not make a sound and went down to the kitchen. I took out the pie and put it on a tray along with a knife, two forks, two plates, two glasses, and some beer.

Then just as carefully went back as soundlessly as I could. I stopped at the door of Jack’s room and knocked on it as softly as I could. I waited for a few seconds, then went in.

The surprised look on Jack’s face was amusing to see. I couldn’t help but grin at him. I would have laughed out loud honestly if I didn’t fear his father hearing me.

“I see, you didn’t expect me,” I said still grinning, and went to his table and put down the tray in my hand, then went back to close the door which I left open.

“Why would I?” he asked and he was right to ask this but it still made the grin disappear from my face.

“I was just joking. It doesn’t matter,” I said, trying not to sound hurt. “I thought you might like this,” I told him and pointed at the tray on his table. Jack turned his head to finally look in the direction I was pointing at when a stunned look appeared on his face as if he didn’t believe what he saw and walked up to the table to take a closer look at it.

He didn’t say a word just stood there for a few seconds in silence. I waited for a few seconds more and went up to him. Only then, did I realize that the reason is not that he doesn’t want to say anything but perhaps he can’t.

I looked at him watching the pie and if my eyes didn’t fool me, I saw that his eyes were teary. Somehow, I don’t think that he was so touched by my generosity that it made him burst into tears.

“Do you want some? I’ll cut a slice for you,” I said and picked up the knife to do just as I said.

“I... I only eat this once a year,” he began. His voice sounded like he was on the verge of crying. “My mom used to bake this for me when I was a kid because it’s my favorite. Since she passed away, I only eat this once a year, on her birthday. Emma bakes one for me every year because she knows I like this and how much it means to me,” he said and now he really started to cry.

I stopped cutting and looked up to take a look at him. By now, he started wiping his eyes with one hand which made me pity him. I turned toward him without thinking and wrapped my arms around him to console him if I could.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” I apologized in a low voice. I put my hand on his head to calm him down but it just made him cry even more.

I don’t know how long we stood there. I was prepared to wait until he stopped crying no matter how long it would take. And when he finally did so, he seemed so embarrassed that I had to do something to make him feel more comfortable. The only thing that came to mind was kissing his cheek and smiling at him gently.

“Did you bake it?”

“Yeah. It’s the first time I baked one with blueberries though, so I hope it’s edible,” I told him half-jokingly which made a faint smile appear on his face.

“I see... But it looks like you are good at it,” he pointed it out as I handed him his plate with the slice of pie on it.

“It’s not the only thing I’m good at,” I said without thinking as I was cutting a slice for myself as well.

“That’s good to hear.” His voice was low and husky as he said this. I have no idea whether it’s still from crying or he is turned on by the hidden meaning implied in my simple sentence. Which I actually meant literally without any ulterior motive.

When I finally had some courage to look into his eyes, he was still glaring at me with a sneer on his face. Then he slowly took a few steps forward as if he was walking in slow motion and put down the plate on the table without breaking eye contact.

However, luck was on my side, since his lips couldn’t even touch mine when a knock was heard on his door, and shortly after his father asked if he could come in. The annoyed look that appeared on Jack’s face was flattering, almost made me forget that I should probably disappear and quickly.