Chapter One
Liz sighed brushing her blonde hair up into a ponytail. It had been difficult after her contract with Mr. Jameson was up. When she entered into it, the contract sounded like a great way to make money. She had been a naïve eighteen year old who was poorer than dirt. Sure he was hot for an older guy, and the sex was great. She just didn’t realize what she got herself into with him. Of course when the contract ended last summer she opted out and he took his revenge on her and her sister. She honestly didn’t know why she stayed. She supposed it had to do with the economy being so bad she was afraid of not getting a job and being homeless. She had a brief affair with the gardener before Mr. Jameson found out and fired him.
Mr. Jameson was now in a contract with another young blonde girl, Rosie, who was younger than Liz. Liz looked at her with pity as she answered to his beck and call. It was nearing summer and she knew the jerk Chris and his band of Neanderthals would be back. Liz shook her head. Even though she despised Chris she knew Mr. Jameson held a soft spot for the jerk and she would have to deal with him. At least she had the option of quitting if she wanted. She went through the motions cleaning out the brat’s room. Mr. Jameson wanted everything perfect for when they showed up next week. Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she beat his pillow. She imagined Christopher with his usual sneer and hit the pillow again. The blonde gave her a funny look before leaving to see if Mr. Jameson needed anything else. She remembered having to check in with him every hour and was pleased that she didn’t have to worry about the crazy man’s whims anymore.
Liz frowned and let out a deep breath. She still worried about her sister. Riley had only been here a short while but Liz knew she was upset when she left. Liz got a few letters from her over the winter that told her that Riley was busy working two jobs and going to school fulltime. Liz wished she could be more like her sister. She wished her grandmother cared more about her, the way she did Riley. Grandmother didn’t like her because she knew who Liz’s real father was. She always said the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. The man was well known in their neighborhood for being the head of a drug ring. When she turned eighteen she sought him out to try and get to know him. Unfortunately what she discovered didn’t make her happy. Liz thought he wanted her, thought he loved her, but found out quickly he was just in it for the money. He encouraged her into the contract with Mr. Jameson and then took off with the half million Mr. Jameson gave. Liz was left with whatever she could save up.
The week passed by too quickly and Liz stood in the foyer waiting for the guests to arrive. Mr. Jameson always insisted they stood there to greet them upon arrival. Chris came through the door first with his same old arrogant stride. He threw his usual sneer in Liz’s direction. If only he knew what she had to put up with for the past six years. She was so stupid to sign that contract. She narrowed her eyes at him and crossed her arms. Even with her hatred of him she still had to admit that he looked good in his jeans and t-shirt. He looked much like a younger version of Mr. Jameson. Next came Rex, walking with his back straight and proud. He was always so quiet. He looked handsome in his black slacks and leather jacket. Rex’s bright green eyes glanced her way and a smile came to his face, as if he knew something she didn’t. Liz’s smile slipped as she felt an odd sense of foreboding coming from him. Something was off about him, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
Sweet Evan came after Rex. Evan smiled at her with his brown eyes, his hair longer than last year made him look great. It was too bad she wasn’t into the blondes. Evan smiled warmly at her as he passed. She still couldn’t help checking him out in his dark blue jeans. His butt looked so nice in them. Then the man whore came. He was always hitting on her. Damon was dangerous and she knew it. His sleek black hair and piercing blue eyes was a major turn on but she knew she had to stay away from him. Heck, she had to steer clear of the whole bunch! They were nothing but trouble and after six years she knew it. That sexy red-head Syd followed, his green eyes looking her over and then giving her a mischievous wink. He wore cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt over a tank top. She smirked at him, shaking her head.
With a sigh Liz promised herself it would be her last summer here. She decided to leave at the end of this summer since she could afford a place of her own. Maybe she could stay with Riley, wherever she went. Liz went back to her room for a moment before starting her chores for the day. She was surprised to see a red rose on her pillow with a note.
Meet me in the library tonight! Midnight!
~Greg
Liz was startled that Greg had snuck in during the greeting of his majesty, Christopher. But, why would he want to meet with her after six months of hearing nothing? Maybe he wanted her to run away with him. Liz always had romantic hopes of a man sweeping her off her feet and carrying her off into the sunset. She stared warmly at the beautiful rose sitting on her pillow. She picked it up, gently running her fingers over the soft petals and tried to imagine what life with Greg the Gardener would be like. Liz sighed and brushed the soft petals over her lips. Greg had black hair and deep dark eyes that reminded her of bottomless pits, strong sun-tanned arms, and sexy smile. Liz sighed again before putting the flower back and happily going back to work, not even his majesty Christopher could ruin her day. She couldn’t wait for midnight. Humming, she went to the kitchen to find out what Mrs. White wanted her to do. She knew the new blonde was probably busy with the old man.
“Hey, Mrs. White, I already cleaned the library; do you need me to do anything?” Liz asked leaning on the counter. She suddenly found a joy of cooking, since she had more free time she liked to learn from Mrs. White.
“You want to cut the tomatoes?” Mrs. White asked smiling. Liz returned the smile. She was starting to really enjoy Mrs. White. Washing her hands, she picked up the chef’s knife. She loved the sleek curves of the knife’s handle and the ease of the knife slicing through the juicy tomato. She placed the wedges on the salad plates and then drizzled the dressing on top of the plates.
“Good job, sweetheart, you really are getting really good at this,” Mrs. White said. Liz beamed proudly as she put the plates on the cart. Mrs. White put glasses and some iced tea on the cart.
“Will you take the cart out to the boys?” Mrs. White asked.
“Sure,” Liz replied plastering on a smile. Mrs. White knew she hated Chris, but Liz knew it was hard for Mrs. White to push the cart around. Liz pushed the cart outside to the table where the guys were gathered wearing their designer shades and looking like male models at a photo shoot. Liz frowned and shook her head. It was too bad their personalities weren’t better.
“What are you doing here witch?” Chris asked, “Where’s Mrs. White or that new blonde?”
“Well, sir,” Liz said biting back a few choice words, “Rosie is your father’s maid and you know Mrs. White is old, don’t make her do things that could break her.”
Liz put their plates in front of them and watched as Chris gave her a curious look.
“I thought you were my dad’s personal maid,” Chris said his eyes narrowing at her.
“I haven’t been your dad’s maid since last summer when you were playing my sister,” Liz replied sloshing iced tea into a glass, spilling a little on Chris’ lap, “Oh, I’d like to say I’m sorry, but I’m not.”
“I could get you fired,” Chris said glaring at her.
“Well it seems we’re in a predicament then. If Liz is gone we will only have Mrs. White around, and let’s face it, Liz looks better in a dress than Mrs. White,” Rex interrupted their quarrel.
“Shit, you’re right. Fine, you can stay but stop being so evil,” Chris replied with a shudder.
“Yes, your majesty,” Liz replied giving him a curtsy. She looked over at Rex who winked at her.
“That’s right woman,” Chris said smiling and taking a bite of the salad.
Liz rolled her eyes and finished pouring tea for the rest of them.
“Thank you, sexy,” Damon said taking his glass and licking the side while staring at her. Liz laughed and shook her head before moving to the side.
“Why don’t you join us at the table, Liz?” Evan asked before she walked too far.
“Do I have to?” Liz asked.
“Yes,” Chris said. Liz let out a sigh and sat down next to Evan.
“I like your hair like that, Evan,” Liz said smiling at him.
“Thanks, Riley suggested it,” Evan replied pushing his fingers through the silky locks.
“Have you heard from Riley?” Syd asked.
“I’d rather not talk about my sister. It’s really none of your business,” Liz replied taking Syd’s glass and drinking from it.
Syd smirked, “Well then it looks like you’ll have to stick around until we can worm information from you. Of course Rex could probably just look into how she is.”
“You all ruined her summer here, just leave the poor girl alone,” Liz replied crossing her arms and leaning back against the chair.
“Oh I love when you get mad,” Damon said blatantly looking at her chest. Liz groaned and quickly put her arms down.
“Forget it, Damon,” Liz said frowning.
“Do you have anything other than that horrid black thing?” Chris asked, “I’m not a fan of women who wear black. It reminds me of funerals.”
“No… well I do have a couple of dresses Riley left me, but I seriously doubt your dad will let me wear them, even for you,” Liz replied.
“We’ll see about that,” Chris replied with a smile, “I have my own way of dealing with him.”
“Yeah, well crying like a baby doesn’t always get your way,” Liz responded glaring at Chris.
Chris acted surprised, “I would never! You do want to get out of that dreary dress don’t you?”
“I wouldn’t mind something more pleasant I suppose,” Liz replied twirling a strand of her blonde hair around her finger.
“Good, then play nice and we’ll play nice,” Rex replied smiling.
Liz sighed, “Alright, I’ll be nice if his majesty is.”
Chris held his hands up, “Okay princess! We have made an alliance and shall remain peaceful for the summer, agreed?”
“Agreed,” Liz replied with a laugh. She still entertained thoughts of running away with Greg but a peace treaty between her and Christopher would also be nice. At least if she did stay she would not have to deal with the sneers, but she would be glad to watch Rosie get them. It sounded bad but she would like to know that it was any girlfriend of his dad’s that got them and not just her specifically. She also didn’t like the superior attitude Rosie had. It did feel nice to be called a princess instead of a witch as well.
“So what shall it be this week? We all know Liz isn’t as innocent as her counterpart so why not go with most sexy?” Damon suggested raising his eyebrows. Liz’s eyes widened and she just about jumped out of her chair. There was no way she was going to wear dresses to turn them on. She had enough of that with Mr. Jameson and was done playing the sex slave role.
“Did you seriously suggest that, Damon?” Chris asked shaking his head, “We all know your version of sexy is completely naked so that’s a no go.”
Syd put his hand over hers and said, “Don’t worry; we’ll keep him in check.”
Evan laughed, “We always go dressy, why don’t we change it up and see who can make her look the best in country? You know cowgirl style?”
Rex shrugged, “Sure, why not? It would be a change for us, if Liz doesn’t mind.”
Liz shrugged, “If you can convince Mr. Jameson to let me wear something other than this dress, go for it.”
Chris smiled, “Excellent. You’re more willing to dress up than Riley was so this could be fun!”
“I call dibs,” Syd said with a smile.
“Okay Syd, Let’s see how well you can make her look in country,” Chris said eating his salad. Liz watched them all dig into their lunch and smiled. When she woke up this morning she thought today was going to be horrible and now she realized it was turning out to be a very good day.
