(Jenna's POV)

I awake with a start to complete darkness.

"Miss..." I hear a female voice softly say. "Miss Jenna...it's time to wake."

I sit up and stretch, feeling refreshed.

I finally got a good night's rest.

Nik was telling me some Russian tale last night and that's the last thing I remember.

I didn't think so at the time, but him staying with me...telling me a story...it really helped.

His beautifully unique voice lulled me into a deep, dreamless, spiderless sleep.

I wonder if he'd tell me a story every night...

No...just no. I'm not a little kid and I couldn't imagine inconveniencing him like that.

Besides...what kind of message would that send, if I were to invite him into my bedroom every night?

Not a very good one...

"Ma'am..." I hear again, and lean forward to peek out of the drapery.

"Hi," I say quietly to the maid that's in my room. If I remember correctly, her name is Ursula.

"Good morning," she replies cheerfully in her heavy accent with a smile. "I came to help you dress."

"Oh...uh...that's okay. I don't take much to get ready," I assure her awkwardly.

I can dress myself, thank you very much.

"Alright...if that is your wish," she eyes me doubtfully. "Just know that the master expects you to join him for breakfast at eight sharp."

"Okay," I answer.

As long as there's no caviar...

Or what did Nik call it...roe...yeah...roe. How could I forget?

One of the most embarrassing days of my life...

"You'll be visiting the mills with the master today, so be sure to dress accordingly," she reminds me as she opens a few of the shutters that were over the windows before she leaves.

As if I could forget...

I sigh and leave the warm, dark bed and step out into the bright, slightly chilled room, despite the fire that's still blazing in the fireplace.

It is then that I notice the fancy gold clock on the mantle, flanked by matching gilt candelabras.

7:04 am...

I head to the bathroom, hopping from rug to rug to avoid the cold floors, and take care of my morning routine.

I put my make-up on and then head back out into the bedroom and take one of my dresses and a pair of heels out of the massive wooden wardrobe.

Whoa...everything has been pressed.

They didn't have to do that...but I'll be sure to thank them.

Once dressed, I style my hair in a French twist...trying to look secretarial...

I hope I've succeeded.

I make the enormous bed the best I can before grabbing a sweater and my purse, and heading out the door.

However...once I'm out in the hallway, I'm not sure where to go.

Shit.

I look to the right and there's nothing but Nik's massive set of bedroom doors that are ajar.

I cautiously walk over, just in case he's not decent...although I do hope he's still in there since I'm lost...

The ancient floor in front of his door creaks a bit, causing me to pause with a grimace.

I nervously extend my arm out and knock timidly on his door.

"Mr. Ry– I mean Nikolai...are you in there?" I call out.

I get no response, so I knock a bit more aggressively on the thick door, which causes the door to swing open a bit, giving me a peek inside.

"Nikolai..." I call out once more as I step in and look around his dark, massive room that looks like the Addams Family's decorated it.

I don't think he's in here, unfortunately, and to be honest, the room gives me the creeps, so I turn to leave.

However, a large sketchpad on a desk near the fireplace catches my eye, and I pause to look at it.

I know I shouldn't. This could be considered as invading his privacy, but I'm just so curious about the man I work for and am now living with...temporarily anyway.

I carefully turn the sketchpad towards me, which sends the weird looking pencil that was lying atop it tumbling to the floor.

I quickly pick it up and lay it on the table and look towards the door in a paranoid manner, hoping I don't get caught.

The coast is still clear, so I look at the drawing and gasp.

It's me...drawn in perfect detail – every strand of hair, my dimples, every line, every freckle...that I didn't even know I had.

He made all of my imperfections seem charming somehow.

He's good...

The attention to detail...it's like...he sees me, more than I even see myself.

Like a master artist that captures his muse.

I'm not stunning...not even close, but he made me look stunning.

Is that how he sees me, or is he just an artist that doctors and perfects his work?

But why would he draw this...draw me?

Was it boredom...a hobby?

I don't know if I should be flattered or find it creepy.

I mean, it's not like he drew me nude or anything, thank God.

But still...

I back out of the room in a bit of shock and turn to the left...the only way out.

I walk down what seems to be an endless hallway before it splits in three different directions.

It all looks the same – large paintings, marble busts and statues, and the occasional chair or bench.

"Which way do I go?" I mutter aloud while I nervously tap my heel on the floor as I ponder, looking between the three corridors.

I'm going to be late for breakfast...

Maybe that's a good thing, since I'm still a bit shaken from the drawing.

"This way is always a good choice," Nik's voice sounds from behind, scaring the shit out of me.

I startle, jolting forward a bit before turning back towards his voice.

"Oh my God...you scared me," I say, holding my hand over my erratically pounding heart.

"Sorry," he says repentantly. "I...came to escort you to breakfast."

I take a few deep breaths before my brow furrows in confusion. "But how..." I look behind him. "Where did you come from? I didn't even hear you," I say almost accusatory.

I hope he didn't somehow see me snooping in his room.

There's only one hallway leading to and from our bedrooms, and I certainly didn't pass him there and he didn't come from the other three corridors that I spent a few moments staring down.

"This house has many secrets," he replies mysteriously with a cute little smirk.

Yeah...like you drawing my picture in your room...

Ugh...I have to stop thinking about that, or else I'm going to do something stupid...I just know it.

And house...he calls this monstrosity a house...

"So...breakfast?" he says awkwardly, breaking my stare.

I shake my head, trying to regain my senses. "Sure," I reply quietly.

He offers me his arm as always and we head down to the dining hall that I would've never managed to find on my own.

He pulls my chair out for me, I sit, and then he pushes it in.

I stare down at my plate, trying to focus on anything but him.

He takes his seat and once he's settled in, I can feel the heat from his stare. "Did you get a good night's rest?" he inquires.

I reluctantly look up at him. "Yes...thanks to you," I smile gratefully.

"I'm glad," he smiles in return. "So...no more spiders after I left?" he asks cheekily.

"No...not that I'd remember," I blush embarrassedly.

"You were out like a light when I left. I think my story bored you to sleep," he grins roguishly.

Oh God...I hope I didn't snore, drool...or God forbid, fart...

Heat rushes to my face and I look away, mortified at my thoughts.

"I must say that you look very beautiful today," he compliments, getting my attention.

"Oh...uh...thank you," I splutter. "I made the dress from an old pattern that I found at a thrift shop."

"You're obviously very talented with the needle, but I wasn't talking about the dress," he replies while looking at me intensely.

I swallow harshly...my throat suddenly feeling dry.

I am so outta my league here...

I reach for the glass of juice before me and take a long drink.

I've never drank alcohol besides the wine I had with Nikolai, but right now...I wish there was some vodka in my orange juice to calm my nerves.

Or knock me out...

I just hope that my first day on the job goes better than this.

A/N : So...what do you think of Nik drawing Jenna - sweet or creepy? And how do you think her first day in the spider silk mills will go? Let me hear your thoughts! ❤️

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE & COMMENT!!!