I let my hands curl around the small creature and brought it over to the man next to me. He was able to lift Luna with one hand, allowing him to settle Luna on his lap with only her head peaking over the edge of the table. “Wash your hands,” he reminded me once he spotted me reaching over for my muffin. “Please.”

I pushed back my chair and turned on the tap. The water was icy cold against my fingers, and when I splashed it over my hand, I let my gaze fixate over the garden that was just starting to bloom with spring. The soap was poured on my hands, and once enough soap suds were spread all over, I knew it was time to rinse it off.

“Sela?” called out Teddy behind me. “Is this your full-time job?”

“Yes, it is.”

“For how long?”

“About a year and a half.”

The tap was just being turned off when I overheard: “Do you enjoy it?”

“I wouldn’t be here, if I didn’t.” I felt that statement was somewhat rude and looked over my shoulder to see his head bent downwards with pure fixation on his cat. “I never meant to be rude. Sorry, it was sarcasm.”

His voice was unbearably low as he uttered: “Sarcasm.”

“I’m sorry.”

His response was delayed, but eventually he spoke out: “It is forgotten.”

I let the dish towel dry my hands quickly, so I could return to my seat. Teddy never lifted his gaze from his beloved cat. I took a seat nervously and then reached forward to have my first bite of the muffin.

“Would you like it heated in future?”

“Yes, that would be nice.”

“I am not used to having guests,” he stated in an exacting tone of voice. “I like my house to be quiet.”

I chewed down on the muffin softly, hoping I wouldn’t do anything else to disturb him.

“I enjoy peace and quiet,” he continued. “I can’t bear the scraping of chairs, the prattling of people.” He lifted the chin of Luna, so he could see her light blue eyes. “Cats are quiet creatures, except when they meow.”

out a light chuckle since I agreed with my

sound of the sea calms me. I have…” He tilted his head to the right.

“Frazzled?”

out. “Any little thing can trigger

curiously, for I was having trouble understanding what Teddy

confused,” he observed. “Don’t worry. I will make sure it won’t be

“Excitable?”

to sounds,”

piano doesn’t

soothe my nerves,” he rapped out carelessly. “How are you finding the coffee?” I nodded my

“Yes.”

only appeared at ease once the reign of terror ended. His cat leapt off his lap, shooting down the kitchen to sprint down the hallway. I felt goosebumps rise at the back of my arms, but when I looked over my shoulder all

cellars,” Teddy explained. “Nothing important down

felt he was lying to me. My hand trembled as I reached for the cup, noticing how the room darkened as a

man, but I could not

now. I will give you the keys to the shed,

“After my shift?”

key is near the front door, I will get it now. Once you

“Yes, of course.”

you know how

“Absolutely.”

enough he was gone from my view. I took to eating my food quicker, finding Teddy’s presence a little too

strange recognition since I assumed no one else was home. The creaking continued, going ever so

the top set of stairs. There was hush muttering on his end, growing sharper as the moments passed by. “Yes,” was the only thing I heard, and then the footsteps of Teddy grew louder as he

was passive, unwilling to show any sign

“No.”

at the remains of my muffin and wondered if it was worth finishing when I felt

would come, and then took a large step forward to enter the kitchen. “Leave

feeling a sense of defeat.

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