Chapter 3.

It had been a month since Zoëlla had worked with Alejandro. She had learnt to get used to his crazy mood swings. One day he's nice and the next minute he is rude.

She'd learnt the meals that he loved most and those he didn't like.

She could tell how his eyes lit when his favourite foods were served and how he hardly ate a plate full of the ones he didn't like.

She had been hearing from Kathy, once a while who was living her life to the fullest, travelling around the world.

She, Sia and Edwardo had become good friends.

"Hi Zoëlla, Layla greeted as she walked in with her boss." They had some files to finish off since it was getting late Alejandro suggested they complete them in his house.

"Holla Layla, Holla Sir." She responded to Layla's greeting and greeted her boss who waved her off.

She served their dinner and took it to his study room as he had requested. She placed the tray on the centre table and dished out the food.

It was Paella. She could see the smile on her boss's tired face.

"Disfrute de su comida," Zoëlla added as she was about leaving the room.

"Zoëlla, Layla would be sharing your room with you for tonight. I hope you have something that she could wear tonight and tomorrow morning?" He asked.

"Si sir." She stated.

"Very well then," Alejandro said as she left the room.

Layla and Zoëlla talked through the night. They both got to know about each other.

"She qué?" Layla said amused.

"Yeah, the two-timing puta was shagging Luciano all along, before I even caught him cheating," Zoëlla added. 

"I'm so sorry Zoëlla, in all you've got to work with a rude boss," Layla added.

"It's fine, I've gotten used to him and his tantrums." She said as they giggled. 

Zoëlla woke up earlier than usual, she searched through her suitcase for office wear for Layla.

She's such a nice girl. Zoëlla thought.

She picked a maroon off-shoulder office dress that stopped at the knees and a black blazer, then pencilled heels for her. She neatly ironed the clothes and hanged them in the closet.

She prepared breakfast for both of them and waited for them to come downstairs. 

"Good morning Zoëlla, thanks for the clothes I'd return them tomorrow," Layla added.

She looked stunning in the clothes. The dress hugged her curvy figure perfectly.

"No, Layla eres Como Una Hermana pequeña para mi." She said as she served her boss his coffee and a sandwich and Layla a cappuccino and muffins.

"Have a nice day at work." She said to them as Steve took Alejandro's suitcase. 

Alejandro held his tummy as Layla helped him into the house.

"What's wrong with him?" Zöella asked concerned.

"He's sick, I think it's from something he ate outside," Layla stated as Zöella helped them upstairs.

Zöella went to the kitchen to prepare soup for her boss. She decided to prepare Sopa de Pollo con Fideos.

She peeled and coarsely chopped vegetables and then heated a large skillet over medium heat. She then added the olive oil and garlic and sautéd the vegetables for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Then she added the chicken backs to the pan and allowed the chicken to brown for 2 to 3 minutes. She added water and bay leaves and allowed them to simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Then sprinkled salt to taste. The chicken will be soft and practically falling off the bones. She removed the chicken from the pot and separated the skin from the bones.

She put pieces of the meat back into the soup pot and added oregano and gave it a good stir. She increased the heat making the soup boil fast.

She broke dry noodles in half and added them to the soup. She cooked until the noodles were done. And then dished out a bowl for her boss.

She set the soup on a tray with water and then carried it to his room. Layla had left for home so Zöella had to feed him and made sure he took his drugs.

She set the food on the table and helped him sit up with the help of his pillows.

She began feeding him with the soup patiently waiting for him to chew the meat and noodles before giving him another spoon. 

"Estoy lleno Zöella." He added pushing the spoon away. She set the bowl of soup down and helped him take his drugs.

"Get some rest, Sir, you'd feel better when you wake up." 

"Thanks, Zöella." He yawned as he fell asleep. Zöella cleaned up the kitchen and dished herself a pot of soup and then headed for her room.

She went through her mail and still she had not received any email for an interview with the companies she'd applied for. 

How long was she going to be his maid? She questioned herself. 

The pay was decent. She had been able to save up a lot since she wasn't paying any rent, not bills. But she had to get a job that qualified her status.

She was an MPhil holder. She thought as she lay on her bed.

She recalled those days where she had a decent job and where everyone had repeated her. But now all the people she helped had long forgotten her and the efforts she made towards them.

Most of them had stabbed her in the back and leaving her to her fate.

Alejandro got out of bed already feeling better. He knocked on Zöella's door.

"Come in." She stated. She had changed from her work clothes into bum shorts and a big sweatshirt that stopped mid-thigh.

Alejandro entered and sat on the couch beside her bed.

"Sir, are you okay? You shouldn't be out of bed now." She stated genuinely concerned.

"Estoy Bien, Zöella." He said.

"Alright, Sir." She sat on her bed. There was an awkward silence for a while before Alejandro spoke up.

"I'm so sorry for treating you bad Zöella, I thought you were like all the others." He added. 

"It's fine Sir, I understand since we're not in the same status. It's bound to happen." She stated as Alejandro sat close to her on her bed.

"I'm sorry, let's start on a clean slate." He added as she hugged him. She felt warm and loved.

Her heart beat rapidly against her chest. His hair smelt of pineapples. He smelled so delicious.

"Okay, Sir." She broke the hug. "Call me Alejandro dear." He said getting up.

"Graçias Zöella for everything." He smiled.

"It's fine Alejandro." She said as he walked out shutting the door behind him.

"What the hell just happened?" Zöella thought audibly.