A MAID.

006

Stanley turned abruptly, his piercing gaze locking onto me where I still sat on the cold, tiled floor. His voice dripped with disdain as he sneered, “Did you not hear me?” The harshness in his tone snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts, yanking me back into the unforgiving reality of the moment.

My heart clenched as I hastily wiped away the tears that had pooled in my eyes, using the back of my palms to erase any evidence of weakness. Shakily, I stood, my legs threatening to give way under the weight of my humiliation.

Without another word, Stanley spun on his heel and marched toward the door. I followed silently, my footsteps hesitant as I trailed behind him. Each step felt heavy, the air between us thick with tension. He led me through the grand hallways, past expensive art and pristine furniture that spoke volumes of his wealth and power, until we arrived at the kitchen.

The room was nothing short of breathtaking—opulent and pristine, with gleaming marble countertops, glossy wooden cupboards, and glass furniture that seemed too delicate to touch. A glittering chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting soft golden light over the space. Despite the beauty of the room, an unsettling chill crept over me.

Stanley stopped abruptly and turned to face the line of maids who stood at attention near the counter. Their faces were blank at first, but as soon as his eyes flicked toward me, their gazes followed. The change was instant.

They didn’t even bother to hide their disdain. Their sharp, judgmental eyes roamed over me, from my tangled hair to my worn-out shoes. The unspoken verdict was clear: I didn’t belong here.

Stanley’s deep voice broke through the tension. “Candy,” he called, singling out a woman standing stiffly among the others. She stepped forward, her expression unreadable but her lips pressed into a thin line. “From now on, Alora will be the one to make my meals.”

The words stunned me. My eyes widened as I stared at him, disbelief threatening to spill from my lips. But I quickly bit it back, reminding myself that this wasn’t the time to question him. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I reasoned with myself: I could cook. I was good at it. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.

Candy, however, wasn’t as accepting. Her face contorted in shock, and she immediately began to protest. “You can’t just take my job away like that! I’ve been making your meals for years—”

Stanley cut her off with a sharp yell that echoed through the room, making me flinch. “This is my house,” he thundered, his tone leaving no room for argument. “And I’ll decide who does what. I want her to make my meals now. End of discussion.”

Candy’s mouth opened as if to argue further, but she quickly snapped it shut. Her clenched fists trembled at her sides, her glare slicing through me like a dagger.

Stanley, now visibly irritated, turned to another maid—a petite woman who stood quietly at the far end of the line. “You,” he barked, gesturing toward her. “Get her some decent clothes. And show her to her room.”

The woman nodded quickly, her eyes darting between Stanley and me as though she wasn’t sure how to act in the face of his simmering anger.

Without another word, Stanley strode out of the kitchen, his heavy footsteps fading into the distance. The air felt lighter in his absence, but not by much.

Candy’s burning glare turned on me again, her fists still clenched as if she were holding herself back from doing something drastic. Her eyes, dark with fury, communicated a single, chilling message: You’ve made an enemy today.

I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say—or if I should say anything at all. Before I could decide, Candy spun on her heel and stormed out of the kitchen, her anger trailing behind her like a thundercloud.

For a moment, the room was silent, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator. I exhaled shakily, realizing I had been holding my breath.

The maid Stanley had addressed earlier stepped forward cautiously. “Come with me,” she said quietly, avoiding my gaze.

I nodded and followed her out of the kitchen, leaving behind the oppressive stares of the remaining staff.