Sky lay as still as a statue, eyes fixed on the ceiling while the weight of the Young Master's head pressed against her breast. His breathing had finally deepened into the steady rhythm of sleep. Very slowly, Sky worked at the knots in the blanket, finally freeing her hands without disturbing him. With the precision of a bomb technician, Sky eased his heavy limbs aside and tucked him under the covers.
I still have to cook! Sky thought, slipping out of the room.
On the way to the kitchen, Sky spotted the ice cream from earlier—now a sad, soupy puddle in its bowl. Picking it up, Sky crept down the stairs, the silence of the massive mansion feeling heavy. Just the two of them in this huge place, Sky mused, a shiver running down their spine. She hope there aren't any gho—
"Son of-!"
Sky shrieked as a face materialized inches away. It took a second for the heart rate to slow down enough to realize it wasn't a ghost—it was the Young Master's twin.
"Young Master Number 2!" Sky snapped, clutching a hand over a thumping heart. "Don't just pop out like that! Do you have any idea how terrifying it is to see your face down here when I just left it upstairs?"
Kian let out a long, weary sigh. "Tsk. You're so noisy, Sky. How's my twin?"
"Alive and breathing," Sky replied curtly, sidestepping him to reach the kitchen.
"You aren't torturing Liam, are you?" Kian asked, trailing behind like a persistent shadow.
"It's the other way around, Young Master Kian," Sky muttered, dumping the melted ice cream into the sink and heading for the refrigerator.
"I'm hungry," Kian announced, leaning against the counter.
Sky shot him a death glare. "I only cook for one Young Master, and you aren't him."
Kian pouted, a gesture that was far too similar to his brother's. "But we have the same face!"
"Why are you even here?" Sky asked, ignoring the charm offensive. One twin was a giant toddler, and the other was an attention-starved flirt. Sky wondered what the Madame had been thinking when she raised them.
"You're the only maid I know who treats her boss like an intruder," Kian chuckled. He watched as Sky began cracking eggs into a bowl. "By the way, what's Liam doing?"
"Sleeping."
Kian frowned. "Sleeping? It's ten in the morning."
"He wanted to sleep. What's it to you?"-Sky.
"Let's go on a date," Kian said suddenly.
Sky's blood began to simmer. Turning slowly, Sky gave him a look cold enough to freeze hell. "You aren't going to reel me in, Young Master Kian. I know exactly how many women are on your list."
Kian just laughed. "Tsk. That's what I like about you. You're not easily fooled."
"In short, you can't trick me," Sky said, whisking the eggs with renewed vigor.
"Why the bowl? Just crack them in the pan," Kian critiqued, hovering over Sky's shoulder.
"Do you even know your own brother?"
Sky countered, raising an eyebrow. "This is exactly how he likes them."
"Sorry, sorry. I didn't know Liam was so sensitive about his beloved eggs," Kian teased.
"You know, Young Master Number 2—"
"Sky... do you not like me anymore?"
Sky froze. At the kitchen doorway stood Liam, his eyes red and brimming with tears. He looked utterly devastated.
"Do you like being with Sian more than me?" he asked, his voice cracking.
Sky whipped around to glare at Kian. "This is your fault!"
Hurrying over to Liam, Sky pulled him into a comforting hug. "Why would I trade you for this monkey?" Sky whispered, rubbing his back.
"Who are you calling a monkey?" Kian asked from the counter.
"You! Who else?" Sky barked back.
"Liam, look at this!" Kian joked, feigning hurt. "Sky is bullying me!"
Liam pulled back from Sky's chest, looking at his twin with a judgmental squint. "Ummm... no. You are a monkey, Sian.
Why should I be sad for you?" He let out a little giggle, which only made Kian look more annoyed.
"It's K-I-A-N! Not S-I-A-N!" Kian snapped. "And stop calling me a monkey! We have the same face!"
Liam tapped his chin. "Ehhh... how about 'Gorilla' then? It sounds more expensive."
Sky couldn't suppress a laugh, but the victory was short-lived. Kian's expression shifted, a dark, playful glint entering his eyes. He was clearly planning something.
"Liam," Kian said, his voice dropping into a serious tone.
"What?"-Liam.
Kian smirked. "Sky and I are leaving now. We're going on a date."
Sky's jaw dropped. That brat!
"A-A date?" Liam's face crumbled instantly. "You're leaving me, Sky? But you said you wouldn't! Liar! You broke your promise!"
Before Sky could explain, Liam turned and sprinted back toward the stairs, sobbing loudly.
"Young Master! Wait!" Sky shouted, but the bedroom door slammed in the distance.
Sky turned a murderous gaze toward Kian. "I am going to fry you, Young Master Number 2!"
Kian was already halfway out the kitchen door, laughing hysterically. "Goodbye, Sky! Good luck getting him to stop crying!"
Sky slumped against the counter, defeated. Of all the chores in the house, a crying Liam was the hardest one to handle.