Chapter 9: She Could Play with This Monkey

A new day broke. When Conor woke up, he felt a refreshing lightness he hadn't experienced in years. His illness had dragged him down, but now he felt unusually buoyant. Tasting a sweet metallic flavor on his tongue, he froze. Blood! Looking down, he saw Stacey sound asleep in his arms. Her pink sweater was stained with dried blood near the neckline, with bite marks on her pale neck. Did he taste her blood? Did he bite her? He reached out to touch the wound but hesitated at the last moment and pulled back. He had bitten her and forced her to sleep on the floor with him. He decided to let her sleep on. Carefully, Conor lifted Stacey and placed her on the bed, covering her with a blanket. After a regretful glance at the sleeping Stacey, he went to freshen up, being as quiet as possible. Once ready, he went downstairs and found Elodie. "Elodie," he said, "You've been with the Burton family long enough to know the rules. I asked you to prepare clothes and supplies for Stacey. Do it today." Elodie was taken aback. She hadn't prepared anything because she didn't think Stacey would stay. Now, Conor was asking again. If she didn't comply this time, she might not be able to stay in the villa. "Don't worry. Young master, I'll arrange it immediately," Elodie replied. "Only the best for her," Conor reminded her coldly. "Don't shortchange her just because she's native. From now on, she's mine, the lady of this house." "Got it," Elodie nodded. As Conor turned to leave, Madam Burton stepped out of her room. "What did Conor tell you, Elodie?" "He asked me to prep clothes and daily stuff for Stacey," Elodie answered. Madam Burton looked confused. "Why is he so bothered about that girl?" Elodie was equally puzzled. "Madam, do you think our young master has unusual tastes?" Madam Burton frowned, "I'm a bit worried. Let's go check his room." They climbed the stairs to Conor's room. Without knocking, Madam Burton pushed the door open just as Stacey woke up, her hand reaching toward the bite mark on her neck. "Don't touch!" Madam Burton's keen eyes quickly assessed the situation. Stacey froze, her hand suspended in mid-air. Madam Burton stepped closer, moved her hand away, and checked out the wound on her neck, her brow creased. "Conor must have had another episode last night." "Wow, this is pretty bad." Elodie rushed to find medicine. Madam Burton looked at Stacey with a furrowed brow. "Does it hurt?" Stacey nodded. Of course, it hurt. She felt like Conor had treated her like a ripe, juicy fruit. He hadn't held back at all with his bite. There was a hint of apology in Madam Burton's eyes. No one had heard her scream last night. It seemed Stacey had braved the pain without uttering a sound. She wasn't fond of Stacey. Conor was right about one thing. Having Stacey around had its advantages. First, she wouldn't spill any secrets. Even if she did, they could brush her off as a fool, and her words wouldn't carry any weight. Second, Conor usually needed to sleep until noon the next day after an episode. But somehow, something had happened last night that allowed Conor to bounce back quicker. Regardless, Madam Burton believed one thing: the master was onto something. Only a Hampton girl could save Conor. By now, Elodie had found the ointment. "It might sting a bit. Can you handle it?" She asked softly. Stacey nodded. Elodie wasn't a cold person; she was incredibly kind and gentle. When Delaney took Stacey away yesterday, she was worried. But since Madam Burton had given her silent approval, she couldn't object. Seeing the harsh wounds on the young girl's delicate, white neck, Elodie couldn't help but imagine how she'd feel if Stacey were her daughter. She wondered how the Hampton family could be so callous. Suddenly, both Madam Burton and Elodie's attitudes towards Stacey shifted. Madam Burton also noticed that although Stacey was naive, she wasn't stupid. She had the smarts of a five-year-old, able to feed and dress herself, play independently, and not cause any trouble. Well, let it be. The Burton family could certainly afford to support one more person. Once they found a miracle doctor to cure Conor's condition, they'd ensure Stacey was well cared for and never sent back to the Hamptons. "Elodie, take care of her," Madam Burton said, "I'm going to call the master." "Sure thing, Madam." Elodie nodded. Madam Burton left the room. Elodie looked at Stacey, her tone gentle, "Are you hungry?" Stacey nodded. "Change your clothes. And I'll take you to get something to eat. Remember to wear a collared shirt so no one sees your wound. What will you say if someone sees it and asks about it?" Elodie advised. Stacey, naive as she was, suggested, "A dog bit me." Elodie was taken aback. Did she just compare the young master to a dog? "You just tell them you accidentally scratched yourself," Elodie corrected her. Stacey wondered what sort of scratch looks like a bite mark. Oh well, she thought. They probably don't have a better explanation. "I won't let them see it," Stacey said softly. "That's good." Elodie found that talking with her was pretty straightforward. Unlike some simple-minded people who would ramble about unrelated stuff when spoken to. Elodie then led Stacey downstairs for breakfast. As they were eating, the doorbell rang. Elodie went to answer it. Madam Burton appeared from her room, "Elodie, who is it?" "It's Mrs. Burton's sister, Luna," Elodie replied. Luna had visited yesterday, but they had yet to learn. Stacey blinked. Luna, the monkey, was back? Hooray! Today, she wouldn't be bored. She could play with this monkey. Shortly after, Luna, dressed in her finest, entered. She was here for revenge today. Stacey, that little menace, had ruined her umbrella yesterday, exposing her skin to the sun. Luna was here to teach Stacey a lesson. She refused to believe that she couldn't handle a simpleton!