FRAMED

009

He picked up the spoon and began eating. I gasped in shock because I was expecting a different reaction from him.

A smile pulled at my lips afterward, and I turned to stare at Candy, who was also in shock.

She stared back at me, clenched her jaw, and gritted her teeth tightly as she trembled. Her eyes spoke rather than her mouth: I'll make sure you're done for.

I smirked at her, folded my arms, and then walked away, heading back to the kitchen.

As I arrived at the kitchen, I couldn't help but chuckle. From Candy's expression, it seemed she had given me the wrong information about Mr. Stanley’s favorite dishes. Yet, he had eaten what I made. What a shock that must have been for her, I thought to myself as I leaned against the tiled counter, feeling accomplished.

But just as I thought I could enjoy my peace, Candy stormed in.

She grabbed my hair and yanked it hard.

I let out a slight whimper from the pain, but she didn’t stop—she pulled even harder.

"You think you're so great, huh?" she spat, gripping my hair tighter. "Listen up, bitch," she continued. "I’m more or less a queen here, so don’t even think you can replace me, you good-for-nothing, low-life."

After speaking, she let go of my hair, spun me around, and landed a slap across my face.

The slap made my head tilt to the side, my hair now disheveled. By this time, almost all the maids had gathered in the kitchen, watching us.

I couldn’t take it anymore. Fury flared up inside me. Raising my head, I immediately returned the favor—the slap echoed in the kitchen, and the maids gasped in shock.

I grabbed Candy by the hair.

"Listen up," I said, my voice firm. "I'm not a rude and disgusting person like you, so don’t push me to the edge, because I will fight back."

After speaking, I let go of her hair and shoved her aside before walking out of the kitchen.

I knew how embarrassing and shocking that must have been for her—being slapped in front of all her devotees—but I couldn’t care less. I kept walking, heading back to my room.

Just as I was about to turn the next corner, I bumped into someone and fell to the floor.

When I looked up, I saw a charming man dressed in a suit. His neatly styled hair and the smirk on his face caught my attention.

I tilted my head, wondering if I had met him before. He felt... familiar.

Then, he stretched his hand toward me.

"I'm so sorry for knocking you down," he said.

I took his hand, and he helped me to my feet.

"Thanks," I muttered.

"You're welcome," he replied. "By the way, my name's Charles. Mind telling me yours?"

"Alora," I responded.

"That’s a beautiful name," he said with a smile. Then, he studied me for a moment before asking, "Have we met before? Your voice seems familiar."

"I don’t think so," I replied.

"Well, anyway, I don’t have time now, but maybe we’ll see each other again when I get back from the office."

I nodded and gave him a small smile so I wouldn’t appear rude. He then turned and went on his way.

I turned as well, but something about him still felt familiar. As I kept walking, I tried to remember where I had heard his voice before.

Then, recognition dawned on me.

The voice...

I had heard it earlier in that room—the one that wretched maid had directed me to.

It was him.

I quickly turned back, but he had already gone far.

I watched as he disappeared down the hallway, a strange feeling twisting in my gut.

Shaking off the feeling, I turned and made my way back to my room. As soon as I stepped inside, I collapsed onto the bed, letting out a tired sigh. The day had drained me—first Candy’s pettiness, then that strange encounter with Charles. I just needed a moment to collect myself.

But, of course, peace never lasted long in this house.

The door creaked open, and I didn’t even need to look to know who it was. The sharp scent of Candy’s expensive perfume filled the room before she even spoke.

“Mr. Stanley wants you to clean his room,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness, he gave me the order to before he left for work.

I sat up slowly, narrowing my eyes. “Really? And he told you to tell me this?”

She scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Obviously. Do you think he’d lower himself to talk to a lowly maid like you?” Her lips curled into a smirk. “Or are you scared to do a simple task?”

I clenched my fists. This felt like another one of her setups, but what if she was telling the truth? If I refused and Mr. Stanley really had asked me to clean his room, I’d be the one in trouble.

I exhaled sharply and pushed myself off the bed. “Fine.”

Candy’s smirk widened as she stepped aside, letting me pass.

I made my way to Mr. Stanley’s room, my gut twisting the entire time. His bedroom was massive—polished furniture, expensive decor, and everything arranged with meticulous care. I quickly got to work, wiping the tables, making the bed, and ensuring the entire place was spotless.

By the time I finished, the sun had set. Satisfied, I stepped back and surveyed my work. Everything looked perfect.

With a small nod to myself, I left the room and returned to my quarters, hoping that was the end of it.

I should have known better.

************

Later that evening, a maid came to me and told me I was summoned by Stanley. All the maids were gathered in the grand living room, whispering among themselves as they waited. Then Mr. Stanley walked in, his presence commanding silence.

His expression was dark, his arms crossed as he scanned the room.

“Someone stole my gold wristwatch,” he announced, his voice as cold as steel. His sharp gaze swept over us, making my stomach clench. “Whoever took it, step forward now.”

The room was dead silent. My heart pounded.

Then Candy’s voice sliced through the tension.

“It was Alora.”

My head snapped toward her, my eyes widening. “What?”

She took a step forward, her smirk barely concealed. “You were the last person in his room. Who else could it be?”

Murmurs erupted around me. Some of the maids glanced at me with suspicion, others with pity.

I turned to Mr. Stanley, my chest tightening,"it wasn't me", I said trying to prove my innocence but I was cut short by Stanley's voice.

“So, because you had an opportunity, you decided to steal?”