Aria sprays the counter and wipes it down. She stretches her neck left and right in an attempt to loosen up the knots. She placed her hands on her waist, satisfied to have completed her tasks. She took a seat and sighed. She worked extra hard this week by helping the Delacroix with their charity event and finishing her leftover chores that Stella refused to do. She was all alone in the kitchen as the rest of the staff were in bed, and so were madam Maria and Mr. Delacroix. Her mind wandered back to the day's events with Mr. Delacroix and Gretchen pulling her away.

#####

"Gretchen, what's wrong?" Aria asked as the woman let go of her arm.

"Aria, dear what was that?" she asked.

Aria looked at Gretchen confused. "What was what?" she asked again.

"With Mr. Delacroix," she said.

"We are talking about the little girl that just left before-"

"It's not about talking to him. It's about how you were talking to him," she said, interrupting her.

"I don't understand."

"I saw the way you were looking at him, Aria. I understand. I have been naive like you too which is why it's important for me to warn you."

"Gretchen.."

"Mr. Delacroix is our employer and I would never speak ill of him but don't you remember the way he spoke to you last week?" she said interrupting again.

"There is still a lot of time. Pull away and protect yourself before end up becoming a pawn in their game." she continued.

Aria looked at Gretchen incredulously but before she could question her, Gretchen left saying," Think about it, please."

Aria stood watching her walk away, still not figuring out why Gretchen was acting this way.

"What did she even mean by that?" Aria wondered at present. She shook her head. I'm too tired for this. Her stomach growled and she blushed immediately. She remembered that she missed dinner. She walked up to the fridge and looked for something to eat. The fridge was full and well-stocked with fresh groceries from the farmer's market. The chef had already left Aria some dinner leftovers in a Tupperware container. Aria examined the container's contents but she didn't really feel like eating that lasagne. Her eyes fell on the block of sharp cheddar cheese and the jar of homemade blueberry jam. Her face immediately lit up. She took the two out along with the butter and looked for the few slices of the chef's freshly baked bread from this morning. He usually saves up the remnants of the loaf to make bread crumbs but he wouldn't mind Aria taking some.

She put the pan on the stove with some butter. She put some jam on one slice of the bread and placed it jam-side up in the melted butter. She then put the cheese followed by another slice of bread but this time jam side down. She put some more butter on the pan before flipping the sandwich.

"You gotta make sure both the sides are nice and toasted." Her father used to say.

The cheese melts nicely and the sides are well toasted so she turns off the heat and takes it out on a plate. She slices the sandwich diagonally into two and watches as the jam and the cheese oozes out. Dad would've loved this. She thought.

A lone tear rolls down her cheek and she wipes it with the back of her wrist. She exhales through her mouth. How is it that memories of my dad end up making me smile and cry at the same time? She wondered. She snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of a throat clearing. She looked up and saw Mr Delacroix. Aria immediately straightened.

"Mr. Delacroix, did you require anything, sir?" She asked.

"I just needed a glass of water." He said.

"Of course sir." She said as she turned around to get what he said.

"No no it's alright I can get it myself." He said coming up beside her.

"It's late at night, miss Diaz. Why are you still in the kitchen?" He asked. "Auntie, will not like you overworking." He said gently.

"Oh no, sir." She said looking up at him. "I was finishing up my tasks and didn't realise when it got so late."

He nodded. She turned around and picked up her plate of what looked like a sandwich.

"You don't have to leave. You can finish eating here." He said. Her brown eyes glanced at him again and she graced him with a small smile as she went over to sit on the barstool. This is my chance.

"Miss Diaz, I wanted to talk to you about something. " he began. Aria looked at him in slight surprise nonetheless she nodded for him to continue.

"Firstly I wanted to apologise for my behaviour last week. It was harsh of me to direct my frustrations on you and put allegations on you. I'm very sorry for being so unprofessional and questioning your work ethic. I was in distress with something at the hotel but that doesn't at all justify speaking unkindly to you. I hope you will pardon me for this." He said. She looked taken aback for a second. Maybe she didn't expect him to apologise.

"Mr Delacroix I appreciate your words of apology and I understand that you were stressed, sir." She didn't know what else to say. She did appreciate the apology but hoped he won't burst out like that in the future. And as if he read her mind he said, "I give you my word that it will never happen again in the future."

"Thank you Mr. Delacroix," she said. He finally took a sip of his water and leaned on the back counter.

"I also wanted to thank you for all your efforts this week. Sawyer told all about your ideas and it made this event successful." He said with a smile.

"I'm glad that I could be of help, sir. I respect the cause of your event."

"All of the orphanages received a lot of funds in donations from the guests." He said.

"That is wonderful." She said.

He put his glass down and straightened. "I won't take any more of your time. Good night, Miss Diaz." He said.

"Good night to you too, sir."

On his way out of the kitchen, Noah placed a glass of water beside her plate. "Looks delicious. Enjoy." He said with a smile and left. Aria looked back at his retreating figure and looked back at the glass of water. She let out a small laugh and finally ate her sandwich.

A/N: Hi my beautiful friends. Here you go chapter 7. Sorry the update took so long. I recently bought a kalimba and got distracted practicing songs on that.

Hope you guys enjoy this update. Don't forget to VOTE, COMMENT AND SHARE.

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