18

Mr Gray

"You told him that." My stomach felt like it had a punch blown straight to it as his words hit hard. What impression had I given Louis to make him feel like I was useless?

"And putting you in room 18 of all rooms, it's ludicrous." His arm linked into mine as so he could make me keep pace along the golden painted corridors.

"Why do you despise me so much, Louis."

"I don't despise you Eleanor I simply don't care enough about you to even do that."

"I pity you, do you know that." I knew I had overstepped the boundaries as he halted us.

"You pity me!" He snapped as he gripped his teeth, his jaw tightening right before my very eyes. "And please tell me why."

"You seem such an angry person, no one should have to carry around such anger, everybody needs a small amount of love Louis even yourself."

"And what do you know about love. You are nothing but a small mere human, I do not need to love Eleanor I need to be able to get on with my work in peace. Now your guest is just around the corner, do not do or say anything to mess this up." He smiled sinisterly as we continued to walk. "You underestimate me Miss Thorn I get to say of who enters your room maybe tomorrow I may not be so reserved. Ah Mr. Gray, how are you sir, is that a new suit you are wearing, I must say it looks very dapper." Louis painted a smile as he released my arm.

"Louis, young man, look at you, you never age." He patted his back as they both laugh loud at his ironic statement. I studied Mr. Gray as Louis was correct he did look very dapper in his fitted dark green suit and crisp white shirt. He looked to be around mid-twenties as he still had a boyish charm to him. His hair was blonde as it was slicked back behind his ears. "So this must be the exquisite Eleanor Thorn, the master was right I could smell the desert rose before you even entered the room, may I." He placed his hand out waiting for my offering as I reluctantly held my hand to him. "You do not need to be afraid of me, Eleanor I promise." His hands were warm and soft as he bowed his head lower lifting his eyes to fixate on mine before placing a soft kiss to the back of my hand. "Why do you tremble, Miss."

"I'm sorry sir I am just a little nervous, this is my first day here, please forgive me." I tried to steady my hand as the bore of Louis's eyes could be felt in the back of my head.

"No apologies needed, shall we." He arched his arm as Louis walked before us.

"If you would like to follow me."

"So Louis what is on the menu tonight." My gut could not help but twist as he spoke those words.

"I believe sir the menu consists of seafood for start and duck in and orange sauce for main but if you do not like either we can always make you up something else."

"No, no it all sounds exquisite how about yourself Eleanor do you like the sound of the menu?"

"Yes sir, it all sounds lovely." I smiled as my appetite was still suppressed deeply as I felt sick to my core.

"You will be seated just here." Louis pulled out my chair as I nodded thankful. The room was beautiful as the walls were draped in gold it was as if we were in a magnificent art museum as the pictures on the wall held so much history.

I looked to our left as another young girl sat entertaining. I couldn't help but be in awe as she appeared relaxed and laughing with her company. How could anyone be so calm in the company of these creatures?

"The usual to drink Mr. Gray?"

"Ah yes a bottle of your finest red please Louis, you will join me Miss Thorn?" I coughed away my gasp as I shook my head.