The witnesses behind the curtain

by orphan_account

Summary:

Amelia Haydn is a normal omega, working for Karlyle, a rich noble from the Frost family. She had a simple and kind of boring life... until she witnessed her boss kissing another alpha in Times Square on New Year's. She tried really hard not to keep remembering and overthinking the situation, but fate clearly had different ideas, as she kept seeing the two around, doing... stuff. yeah. This story follows Amelia and her friends, all servants of the Frost family, as they cheer on Karlyle and Ash behind the scenes. Will the two alphas ever find out they had a bunch of witnesses of their relationship? The only way you can find out is if you read. This story is based off the Define the Relationship manhwa, I don't know if it's any different than the novel but yeah just so you know. Also, this is my first Ao3 story ever, so it's probably gonna be not very good I'm sorry T-T

Notes:

I made this as close to canon as possible because this story is basically the original story told from a different pov. If you have any questions, comments, or advice please do let me know and I apologize for the irregular posting I have a very limited window to be able to work on this. anyways enjoy<3 Also I'm not mentally ok and I know this fanfic is shit and I'm sorry.
WHY THE ACTUAL FRICKITY FRACK ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH ARE THE TAGS DELETING FML I JUST WANT TO ADD MORE TAGS TO THE WORK UGH SHIT if anyone knows how to fix that please tell me

Chapter 1: Chapter 1- New year's at Times Square

Chapter 1- New Year's Eve in Times Square

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I jostled my way through the crowd in Times Square, trying to find a place to stand with a good view. My cheeks were numb and red from the cold. I stood near a tree, shivering and watching the countdown clock. It was at 30 seconds. Despite the frozen air, a sense of happiness and excitement filled me. It took it all in. The giddy chatter around me, the dizzying smell of so many alphas and omegas, and the bright city lights. It was then that I noticed my boss, Mr. Frost, among the crowd. He seemed to be looking for someone. I thought it rather an interesting coincidence that he would be here instead of at his family's estate in England. I had been working for him as a maid for almost a year now. He was a reserved and quiet alpha, one of the less pompous members of high society. I intently watched him as he interacted with another alpha who was quite dazzling.

    Suddenly the entire crowd started to count down from ten. Quickly joining the countdown just in time, I laughed and cheered as the Times Square ball dropped, the fireworks began to explode, and everybody hollered in celebration of the new year. I glanced over to my side to suddenly see the handsome alpha kissing Mr. Frost. My jaw dropped in astonishment as I tried to wrap my head around the situation. I know it was normal for people to kiss on New Year's, but... what. I honestly didn't know what to make of it. My bewildered thoughts were interrupted by my friend, Elise.

    "Girl, where have you been? I was looking everywhere for you. I can't believe we missed the countdown! I will never forgive you- wait, holy shit, is that Mr. Frost? What's he... Oh. My. God. Who did he just kiss? That's an alpha, though?" She gaped in utter disbelief as I had a moment ago. We stared at each other before I quickly spoke up.

   "Let's just forget about it. They probably don't even know each other," I reprimanded her. "It was just a kiss, Elise. We shouldn't jump to any conclusions," I declared, trying to shake the fresh memory of the scene away from my mind as if it were a hot coal attempting to burn itself into my brain.

    "You're right. Let's not be immature. This totally never happened," Elise replied, her face solemn, yet I could still see in her eyes the sparks of imagination creating scenarios. I grabbed her slim shoulders and shook her hard.

   "Elise. I know what you're thinking about. Don't even.  Shame on you," I chided, even though my mind couldn't help but start imagining some questionable contexts for the situation as well. 

After that day, Mr. Frost became quite fascinating to me. I never really took an interest in noble affairs, but this was very different. My life was boring and almost tedious before that fateful New Year's so that little secret Elise and I shared was precious to me. I didn't see the other alpha for a long time, but I never stopped wondering if I would see him again. Mr. Frost seemed the same as ever. Until yet another fateful day, when I did my fair share of eavesdropping yet again.

Chapter 2: Chapter 2- a lot of surprises but mostly me spying on my boss

Notes:

I am literally so so so sorry about uploading like 2 weeks after I said I promised but my laptop was completely unavailable because of some certain relatives not letting me use it but anyways here is he chapter please enjoy and thank you for all the kudos I feel so accomplished ^^

Chapter 2- a lot of surprises but mostly me spying on my boss

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I sighed with exhaustion as I stacked the last of the thick white linen towels in the guest bathroom cabinet and wheeled the cart of laundry down the hall toward the nearest staff room. I never could understand why the Frost mansion had to have so many bathrooms when the residents were so few. It was probably because they were rich, and numerous luxurious lavatories do come in handy when throwing a huge soiree full of rich people. I checked the bathroom off the list of rooms in need of cleaning, and my spirits improved as I noticed it was the last one on the list. 

Glancing at my watch, it read 3:37, or 16:37 in military time. (Side note- I had no idea which one they used in DTR so I just put both). I groaned and slumped down onto the cart, my weary body aching from a long day of cleaning. My shift ended at 4:00 (17:00), and I was expected to complete as much work as possible, working overtime if necessary and finding more work to do if I finished early. It was as draining as it sounded, but it paid very well and came with some spectacular financial benefits. I always had more than enough money to pay taxes, student loans, and support my little brother. 

I smiled, thinking of Michael. He was ten, an omega like me, and we lived together in a cozy little apartment in the heart of London. Both our parents were out of the picture, as my dad left six years ago, and my mom ended up in jail due to some heavy gambling. Luckily, I was able to get a job for the Frost family just before my monetary problems got serious. Mr. Frost was a very understanding boss, and he even let Michael come with me to work sometimes on account of Michael’s maturity. Spending time with Michael occupied a lot of my day, but I never minded. Sometimes, the highlight of my day was when I picked him up from school and we took the train home. We’d stop for groceries and ice cream on the way, and his youthful energy never failed to make me feel better. That youthful energy gave me a reason to keep working hard on the tough days. Hell, sometimes it was the only thing giving me the will to live. We would always have each other. I was determined to give that kid a better childhood than I had.

Musing over my noble (if I do say so myself) purpose in life, I gained a burst of resolution, and dumped the laundry into a basket in the staff room, making it no longer my problem, and power walked to the nearest hall with a broom and dustpan. A little sweeping was always the best way to pass time.

It just so happened that the hall I was sweeping included Mr. Frost’s office. As I was gathering the dust in the pan, I heard some voices. 

“...more faithful to your duties than anyone I know.”

“I don’t quite understand the correlation between what you just said and my ‘illness’, Luther.”

My ears perked up and I involuntarily dialed up my hearing. The voices were Mr. Frost, my mystery of a boss, and his family doctor, Luther. I had met Luther on several different occasions, he was a kind and gentle soul. Ignoring my guilty conscience screaming about how this was a bad idea, I quietly set the broom against the wall and crept over behind the door to get a better listen.

“Your sexual life was more of an obligation, to solve your psychological problems. It’s more of a duty than anything else.” 

“Of course. I’m from the Frost family. And you’re the doctor of the Frost family,” Mr. Frost stated matter-of-factly. I felt a little embarrassed, realizing they were talking about rut problems or something. I knew he had some sort of problem, but I didn’t really want to know the details. I heard Luther droning off about how intercourse was heavily connected with psychological states, and I began to zone out. Mr. Frost hadn’t spoken for a while. I guessed that he was zoning out as well. Deciding this was something I didn’t really need to eavesdrop on, I stood up straight, dusted off my grey collared shirt, and began to grab my broom when I heard Luther suggest something so scandalous it could power the entire plot of a smut novel. I only caught the last part but it told me quite enough.

“...why not try receiving it?”

I almost dropped my broom in surprise, snatching it up just before it clattered on the floor. I let out a deep sigh of relief. “Whew.”

Mr. Frost went silent for a moment, then muttered, “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

I scooted even closer to the wall and actually pressed my ear up against it, deciding that this was actually something I wanted to hear. Remembering the handsome alpha from that New Year’s so long ago, I intently listened, hoping to hear even a hint of something that suggested he might be returning to the narrative.

After some quiet mumbling from Mr. Frost, Luther declared excitedly, “I knew you would understand! I hope your partner is experienced and skillful, Karlyle.” I quietly snickered. Luther really had no filter, did he?  

“Anyways, I’ll have someone start looking,” Mr. Frost sighed. I almost squealed in girlish enthusiasm, wondering if I could possibly be witnessing a romance story in the making. It was a slim-to-none chance, considering Mr. Frost’s dead and introverted personality, but I had literally nothing better to do at work than pray for this miracle. I was so lost in my glee that I barely noticed the footsteps coming down the hall. 

The footsteps came closer startlingly fast, and I jumped about 4 feet in the air, almost shrieking in fear but clamping my jaw shut before any noise could escape my lips. I scrambled behind a column with my broom and dustpan as I warily watched three shadows round the corner and approach Mr. Frost’s office. As they came closer, I realized one of them was Kyle, the kind hearted younger brother of Mr. Frost. They were both technically Mr. Frosts, and I suppose I worked for Kyle just as much as I worked for Mr. Frost. The second shadow belonged to Nick, Kyle’s lover. I didn’t know much about him, except that he was the reason Karlyle became the heir to the Frost title of Marquis instead of Kyle. I knew there was a juicy story behind that, but my refusal to partake in the servants’ gossip unfortunately left me out of the loop. I squinted my eyes, trying to see the third person, but when he stepped into the light of a window I recognized him immediately. My jaw dropped so far down I could probably fit a dictionary in my mouth and my eyeballs nearly shot out of their sockets because JESUS CHRISTMAS IT WAS THE ALPHA I SAW MR. FROST KISS ON NEW YEARS WAIT WHAT WAS GOING ON? I shook my head, trying to recuperate as I saw them stroll into Mr. Frost’s office. The three didn’t seem to notice me behind the column as quiet conversation filled the room. I couldn’t comprehend anything they were saying from my hiding place. 

Deciding that was too much of a close call to still be eavesdropping, I gathered my stuff and scrambled to the staff room. I slumped down against the staff room wall and sighed in relief. Remembering what I saw and heard, I smiled to myself. Elise was going to be so excited when I told her the news. Suddenly, the phone rang in the staff room. I jumped up and answered it. “Hello? This is Amelia.”

“Amelia, I have a guest here. Mariam’s preparing lunch. Would you bring it out to the table quickly?” It was Mr. Frost. I nearly dropped the phone in excitement. This gave me a chance to silently observe the two’s dynamic and tell Elise even more exciting news. I fumbled for the phone and put the speaker to my ear again.

“Yes, of course sir, I’ll be there right quick.” I carefully set the phone down and dashed to the kitchen.

 

Chapter 3: Chapter 3- my plan is foiled but I also meet a really pretty lady

Summary:

So Amelia's plan got fucked up but she meets a new friend which is a big deal for her, so yay

Not much else to say o.o

I flung open the door to the kitchen. “Mariam, I’m hereee! Are the lunches ready yet?” To my surprise, Mariam was just standing there with the lunches only half-made on the counter, putting away food. I stared for two seconds in confusion. What was she doing? “Um, Mariam, you..” I trailed off, still slightly perplexed.

“Oh! Amelia, dear, don’t worry. Mr. Frost canceled the lunch. He’ll be eating out with his guest. You may have the food if you want. I made Caesar salad and there’s some biscuits in the oven.” Mariam smiled kindly, patting my shoulder. “I’ll be taking my leave.”

She made her way out as I stood in the middle of the kitchen, bitter disappointment overtaking the confusion. My hopes of finally getting to observe Mr. Frost and the mysterious alpha together up close were shattered to pieces, just like that. I sighed deeply and trudged over to the plates of salad, staring at the fancy dishes and cutlery in dismay. Just then, the oven timer screeched. I opened the oven and peered inside to check the biscuits. A savory aroma and a blast of hot air hit my face as I pulled out the pan and turned off the oven.

Setting the pan down on the stove, I subconsciously checked my watch. It read 3:58.

“Shit!” I yelled. I was going to be late to pick up Michael. I glanced sadly at the hot biscuits, scuttling over to snatch one before running out the kitchen door and down the hallway at lightning speed. I was so caught up in my haste that I didn’t look where I was going and smashed into someone at full body force. The biscuit I was holding flew out of my hand and landed on the floor.
I looked up, my head spinning and my entire body aching from the impact. The person I ran into was dressed in formal pants and a dress shirt. She was tall and intimidating, with hair the strangest shade of dark grey. I could almost see purple in it, either that or I was still seeing stars from the crash. It’s also worth noting she was quite handsome, in an alpha sort of way. I found myself staring up at her, dazzled by her beauty, until she cleared her throat and awkwardly spoke.

“Um… excuse me. I’m terribly sorry, are you okay? You seem a bit dazed.” Her voice was low and strangely calming.

“Oh! Yes, I’m fine. A-are you alright? A thousand apologies, I wasn’t looking where I was going,” I managed to stammer out. “You see, my shift just ended and I have to go pick up my brother from school, and… Sorry. Excuse me. I was in a hurry.” I sighed and silently cursed my overactive mouth. She didn’t need an over-explanation. I hesitantly looked up at her, she smiled reassuringly. She was very pretty. I found my face heating up. I moved away from her and scurried over to the fallen biscuit, mourning its fall and throwing it in the trash.

“Where’d you get the biscuit? It looks like it would have been delicious,” The tall woman inquired. “Sorry about that, by the way.”

I found myself smiling, in spite of my panic. “Mariam made them. I was going to have the leftover lunch she made, but I…need to pick up my brother. You can have the lunch, if you want. It’s in the kitchen.”

“That sounds amazing,” she exclaimed. “I haven’t eaten at all today.” Then as an afterthought, she added, “Oh, my name’s Kadence, by the way. I’m Mr. Frost’s driver. Kyle, I mean.”
I smiled even wider. Gosh, I probably looked like an idiot right now. “That’s a lovely name. I’m Amelia. I’m one of the waiting staff and cleaners here.”

“Well, Amelia, I suppose I shouldn’t keep you here any longer. I would hate to make you late picking up your brother. I’ll be going to get that lunch now.” I checked my watch and silently swore. I would never be able to pick up Michael even if I ran all the way to the bus stop. Kadence peered at me, seeming to understand my dilemma and cleared her throat.
“Um, Amelia, if you’re running late, I could always drive you,” she suggested. “Before you say no, I swear I have nothing better to do. Kyle will be staying here for a while and I can make it quick.”

Every cell in my body urged me to object. This kind woman was not indebted to me at all. I was the one who ran into her like a distracted driver on a bus, and now she wanted to give me a ride? However, I really didn’t want to be late and make Michael worry. I looked up at her and nodded firmly. “Thank you, Miss Kadence. I’ll have to find some way to repay you.”

She laughed. “You can repay me by not calling me ‘Miss’. It makes me sound like an old teacher.”
The drive to Michael’s school was agonizingly quiet. I wanted to curl up and die in the plush passenger’s seat of the Rolls-Royce. My brain debated on possible topics for conversation to alleviate this hellish silence.

Talk about the weather.

No, that’s stupid. Why would I talk about the fucking weather?

…

Tell her about Mr. Frost. Spying on him is the whole reason you’re in this fiasco.

What!? Absolutely the hell not. I don’t need to go around spreading gossip.

Okay… but she looks trustworthy enough, just saying.

Shoving aside my guilty conscience, I cleared my throat and turned to Kadence. “So, did you see Mr. Frost- ah, Karlyle- with that other alpha? I’m curious as to what their relationship is.”

Kadence looked at me, intrigued. “Oh? I think I did see those two. It didn’t look like formal business, more like a casual outing. I would love to know what happened.” Internally, I sighed in relief. So she didn’t mind a little gossip.

“Okay, this is gonna sound crazy, but I think they’re seeing each other or something. I…um, overheard a conversation between Mr. Frost and his doctor. I won’t tell the details for the sake of his dignity and my job’s stability, but according to what I heard, I think Mr. Frost and this alpha have some sort of formal arrangement to… ya know…” I trailed off and squirmed, slightly embarrassed. “Also, last New Year’s I could’ve SWORN I saw them in Times Square kissing. Actually, I know that for a fact. And, right now they’re eating out somewhere. That’s what the whole unfinished lunch was about. So I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but I think something crazy is happening. But that’s just my theory.”

Kadence stared at me, slack-jawed, for several moments. We narrowly missed a car and almost swerved into the sidewalk, earning some honks from other vehicles. Kadence snapped her eyes back to the road and muttered an apology. I grimaced at her expectantly, waiting for her to say something along the lines of “What the hell, Amelia? Nah, you’re weird. Get out of my car and don’t talk to me ever again.” Instead she sat still in disbelief, blinking several times.

“Holy shit, they totally are seeing each other,” She gasped, a look of dumbfounded realization on her face so comical I couldn’t help but snicker. “It makes so much sense, Amelia, you’re a geniu- why are you laughing?”

“I’m sorry, your face just- oh, pull over here! This is my brother’s school,” I quickly changed the subject, not wanting to create a death trap with my words. I happen to be very good at that, Elise will tell you. I sprang out of the car and dashed to the front walkway of the primary school, scanning the crowd of young children that just erupted from the building. Phew. I wasn’t late at all. Michael never got mad at me for picking him up late, but I knew it made him really anxious. My mom always forgot the poor kid everywhere she went, and he got scared really bad last time I was late picking him up.
I craned my head, trying to find Michael in the stampede. Some of these 11-year-olds were almost as tall as me. I know I’m an omega and everything, but it’s just stupid how short I am. I’m only three inches away from qualifying for dwarfism, and my 10-YEAR-OLD OMEGA brother is probably going to be the same height as me next year. Finally, I spotted a mop of brown hair bobbing towards me in the crowd, and next thing I knew, my little brother was charging into my arms.

“Hi, Michael! How was your day, little bean?” I greeted him.

“It was alright, Millie,” He responded with his nickname for me; the one he’d used for years. “We did a science experiment with flowers. Hey, who’s that lady over there?” He pointed to Kadence, who was now leaning against her car door, on her phone.

“Her name’s Kadence, she’s gonna drive us today. She’s super nice.” I walked him over to the car. “Kadence, this is Michael, my brother. Michael, this is Kadence, I met her at work.” Michael shyly waved. I ushered him into the backseat of the car. “Hey, buddy. Try not to get anything dirty. This is Mr. Frost’s brother’s car, alright?” Michael nodded and pulled on his seatbelt.

As we pulled back into the street, Kadence spoke to me. “Amelia, I had an idea about the Mr. Frost thing. I think I know where they went to eat.”

I whipped my head around and gasped. “No way. Where?”

“I, um… overheard something about a restaurant on King Street. I’m sure we could find it easily.”

Aha. Overheard. I knew from this moment Kadence and I were gonna get along.

“Well, It’s probably a fancy restaurant, and it’s going to be something with good taste, because Mr. Frost presumably didn’t pick it,” I deduced. “Let’s drive down the street and have a look. It can’t be that hard to find.” I started searching restaurants on my GPS, ignoring the guilty feeling that I was basically stalking my boss right now. It’s not like I was committing any serious crimes, and I really wanted to see this alpha up close for myself.

“Hmm, this looks like a place they might go. It looks very aesthetic and stuff.” I showed Kadence the address and she nodded in approval.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Michael looked up in confusion. “Wait, where are we going?”

I smiled reassuringly at him. “We’re just gonna go check out a restaurant for someone. Don’t worry. It’ll be fun!” And mostly legal, I think, I added in my mind. I didn’t even care at this point, I’m just glad my plan wasn’t foiled.

Notes:

I try to upload as much as I can but school is bad and my bronchitis is bad and I'm tired and I hate myself but ik no one cares about the excuses
Also I wanna write a lot more about Michael because he's just so precious and if I can't have a good relationship with my brother then my oc will have a good relationship with HER brother yay
Thanks to anyone who's reading and left kudos. It means a lot to me<3