Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine...

Alex keeps on counting in her mind. The brunette maid is making sure the estate has enough supplies for the upcoming winter. So far so good. Except they need to double the amount of candle and oil for the servants. They may live in another building but as long as they work for the Danvers. They well being is the Danvers' responsibility.

Sighing, Alex add another supply into her list. She needs to go shopping... Again. Every winter the Danvers would prepare Christmas gifts for the servants. Normally, selecting and preparing the gifts would be Lena's duty, since she is the lady of the house but the company need her attention more now. Alex is left in charge of the gifts, like always.

The brunette didn't mind tho, she knew the servants very well.

A new coat would please Winn, James could use a new boot and the children living at the servant building would love some new toys. The other servants would probably prefer simple jewellery or books.

She could find all of these at the Aphrodite Boutique, Gelos Toy Store and Coeus Bookstore. Technically, she could just get all of them from the Danvers company... But then she would miss the chance of maybe bumping into Lady Arias. All of the stores she previously thought are owned by the Arias after all.

Lady Samantha Arias, the noblewoman has been lingering in her head since their last encounter. Just a thought about the lady made Alex's lips curl up a little. The brunette maid lifts the small notebook close to her face, she shyly covers her face with the notebook.

'Oh my God, why am I being like this? Lady Arias is an honourable woman... She can't possibly like a lowly maid like me.', the maid whisper to her heart.

Alex sigh once again. Her notebook is pressed harder on her face. She ignores the unpleasant feeling she felt when the hardcover rub against her face. It only took her a second to be sick of the feeling tho.

"Why is everything so frustrating?"

"Did your book frustrated you that much?", asked the soothing voice coming from just behind the tiny the notebook.

"AHHH!", out of surprised, Alex immediately smack the owner of the voice with her notebook and boy how much she regrets it.

Standing in front of the maid is the one and only, Lady Samantha Arias. The noble couldn't move. Her whole body is shocked. Did she really... Her eyes are wide open, her mouth is slightly open. She can't believe what just happen.

" Ummm...", Sam is desperate to say something but the sting on her face kept reminding her what just happen.

On the other hand, all of the gears in Alex's head is moving so fast, she swears smoke is coming out of her ears. She can't find any word to say. The maid just hit the head of one of the most influential families in England.

Unsure whether she should save them from the awkwardness or not, Kelly Olsen, standing just a few steps away from Sam, clear her throat.

"... Gay panic?", the assistant asked.

In the speed of lighting, Sam and Alex turn to look at Kelly. Clear disbelief can be seen in their eyes. The assistant furrowed her brows, did she just made it worst? The two ladies keep staring at her. A minute has passed but their eyes still locked at her, Kelly felt the need to explain herself.

"You know gay? Synonym to happy. Miss Danvers must be so happy to meet my lady that she accidentally- hmmm... Right. There is another meaning for gay.", realization finally hit the assistant. She quickly licks her suddenly dry lips.

" I... Umm... Oh, did you hear that? I think my brother is looking for me. If you excuse me, I will just... Umm... Have a nice talk."

The assistant left the two ladies in such a rush. Alex looks at Lady Arias straight in the eyes. As if they just made a silent agreement to pretend like nothing ever happen, both of them smile in sync.

"I am sorry about...", the maid looks at her notebook and with eyes full of guilt she looks at Sam's face.

"No, no, it's my fault for being so sneaky."

Sam tried her best to brush it off, she just can't bear to look at the brunette maid's puppy eyes. Rubbing the back of her neck, the noble lady take a fine look at the maid.

Her black and white uniform really suits her well. Black ribbon neatly tied around her white collar. The plain white apron wrapped around her waist. Lace headpiece looks so lovely on her bob haircut. The brunette maid is simply breathtaking.

"You're as gorgeous as ever, Alex Danvers."

The sudden compliment made the maid blush. She didn't expect that. Lady Arias is so stunning in her fancy red dress. The design is rather simple but the details are so magnificent. In the middle part of the dress from below her waist to her feet, white laces are embroidered with such details mixed with golden laces.

"I could say the same to you... Sam.", the maid is a little reluctant to call the noble by her name, afraid she might forget that she had given the lowly maid to call her so.

Samantha brushed. She is no stranger to compliment but receiving one from someone dear to her give this fluttering butterfly feeling in her stomach.

Clutching the side of her dress, the noble is determined to tell Alex the main purpose she had come to the Danvers mansion today. She needs to say it before she ran out of courage and back out of it. The last step closer to the maid, she gently holds Alex's hand.

Seeing as the maid didn't refuse her touch, Sam decided it's now or never.

"Every moment since we last met, thoughts of you have been haunting me. When I tried to sleep, I imagine having you there right next to me. When I'm working in my office, I can imagine you there, telling me about your day. Alex Danvers... I can't bear with these feelings anymore. I like you, I like you so so so much. You make me feel so many-"

"AHA! NOT SO FAST, ARIAS!!", Maggie barged into the room as she owned it. Her breathing is a little heavy she had just arrived at the mansion and damn, running all the way to the storage room is one hell of cardio.

"Miss Sawyer? I thought you went back to China with Lady May."

'And leave you alone with Arias? Ha! I don't think so',  replied the shorter lady in her head.

"May put me in charge of our base here.", Maggie smiled. She turns to look at the noble lady beside her love. The lady is staring so hard at her.

Maggie grin.

This fight is far from over, Arias.