Conversation with Margarita

10

"Somebody looks so mad." Billy Caldwell chipped in as he walked across Audrey's cubicle, and saw her scowling at her computer.

Audrey glared up, and managed a smile as she saw him grinning at her. "I will be fine," She mumbled a reply as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Billy walked into her cubicle, sat on the chair across her. "You're new here. I think you should be doing more of bonding than getting mad. Have you met all the staff yet?"

Audrey shook her head, and smiled shyly. "Huh...do I need to...do that?"

"Of course, you do. As the boss's main person, you need to know everyone, and all the things going on in the office. You also need to know all the corners of the building. Like the kitchen." Billy said, all the while, smiling.

Audrey couldn't help smile back. He was the first person to make her feel welcomed.

"Thank you, Mr. Caldwell. I really appreciate."

"Don't mention. Let me be your tour guide." He replied with a mock bow.

Audrey chuckled, but stopped immediately she heard Ricky's door opening, saw him coming out of the office. They locked eyes, and an unseen battle was quickly fought.

"Miss McStuffins. To the parking lot." Ricky ordered as he stomped off.

Audrey glared after him, and back at Billy apologetically. "I'm so sorry, but duty calls." She mumbled, pulling her bag out of the drawer.

"Nah. It's fine. It's okay." Billy replied with a smile. He watched Audrey pick up her cellphone, and rushed out of the cubicle.

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

Ricky got to his car outside, stood by the door as he waited for Audrey to join him. He saw her coming from the building, and settled down to take a good look at her.

She was magnificent in her dress, and how she walked gracefully in her heels was something to be proud of. Her hair shone effortlessly under the sun, and her face was naturally pretty.

She was radiating.

"What took you so long?" He asked when she got closer to the car.

Audrey looked at him, surprised. "I..."

"I don't want to listen to your explanation. This is work, and you have to be agile. No laziness is tolerated. And for your information, I want you to keep your boyfriend away from me."

"He's not...!" Audrey snapped, but stopped before she would lose it. "He's not my boyfriend." She added calmly.

Ricky nodded. "I see. Well, I don't care who the fuck he is to you. Another confrontation from him, and you are out of the job. And I bet you know what that means–you will have to stay at my place longer than you want." He pulled open the driver's door, and hopped in.

Audrey rolled her eyes as she got in as well. As soon as she was sitting on the chair, the air freshener in the car hit her nose, causing her stomach to grumble.

Her hands rushed up to cover her mouth as she felt something crawling up her throat. Quickly, she jumped out of the car, ran into the restroom near by.

Ricky stared at her as she ran, a frown on his face as he wondered what could be wrong with her. He looked around the car, trying to see if there was something wield around.

Audrey returned, suddenly looking so pale. She got into the car, cleaning her mouth with an handkerchief.

"What is it?" He demanded, looking all over at her with a frown.

"I'm fine." Audrey replied, sparing him a glance, and rolled her eyes. "I can't believe you're asking me that. Not like you care."

Anger flashed through Ricky's eyes as he opened his mouth to say something, and clamped his lips shut. He ignited the car, pulled out of the parking lot.

"You're still my responsibility, and I deserve to know what's going on with you." Ricky continued as he maneuvered through the gate, and into the road.

Audrey shook her head, her hair cascading around her neck like waterfalls. "No. I'm not. I can't be your responsibility when all you've done all these years was to reject me."

"We're still working right now, and you will address me professionally." Ricky chided.

"Talking about work right now, where are we going?" Audrey wanted to know.

"We are meeting a client for some drinks." Ricky replied casually as he swung the car into an alleyway. He drove through the long trees that lined the road, speeding through the petals that littered the tiled road.

"A client? Was I not supposed to be notified about it? Like... telling me before hand? Why would you come, and scoop me up just like that whenever you feel like just because I work for you??" Audrey yelled.

"Shut...shut up!!" Ricky growled loudly, halting the car to an abrupt stop at the middle of the road with his tyres screeching noisily.

He snapped to his side, grabbed Audrey by the arms, and pulled her into his arms, and fused his lips on hers.

Audrey gasped against Ricky's lips, shocked at his reaction. She placed her hands on his chest, trying to break off the violating kiss.

"Stop...!" She said with a muffled voice, trying to pull out. When she finally was able to free herself, she raised her hand, risking a slap, but was held back by Ricky who caught her wrist mid-air.

"Stop it! Control yourself!" Ricky snapped at her, loosening his grip around her wrist.

"Let go of me!" Audrey cried, snatching her wrist away from Ricky before sinking back into her seat.

Ricky breathed, grabbing the steering wheel once more before turning to look at Audrey. "Were you gonna slap me?"

"Can you get us out of the middle of the road right now?" Audrey demanded.

"You've become more tough than you've ever been. What's wrong with you?" Ricky scoffed. He pulled the car to the side of the road, turned off the engine.

Audrey stared at him, wondering why he was turning it off. "What? Aren't you keeping the so called client waiting right now?"

Ricky breathed as he turned to look at her. "If you are really gonna work with me, then you need to respect me. Enough with that arrogant air around you."

"You can't go on threatening me with work every time, Ricky."

"There she goes again, calling me by my first name."

"I'm sorry, boss. Can we go now? Please?" Audrey demanded.

"Well, there's no client. I'm driving to my parents’ house." Ricky muttered as he brought the car back to life, and hit the road once again.

Audrey stared at him, speechless. What is this man doing? She asked inwardly.

"What? I've not even met your parents. How can you think of taking me there right now?" Audrey scoffed.

"Relax. You will stay in the car while I go check on someone. Get that?" Ricky retorted as he sped on.

Audrey folded her arms underneath her breasts, and turned her face away, settling her gaze on the view outside the window.

Half an hour later, Ricky pulled up into the large compound, and quenched the car engine, turned to look at Audrey.

"You can always come on. That's if you want." He muttered slowly, hesitated, and got down from the car.

He slammed the door shut, and walked towards the main entrance of the house. From the car, Audrey watched him with arms folded.

Few minutes later, she opened the car door, and slowly stepped out of the car with one hand over her stomach.

She stood beside the car, feeding her eyes with the luxury that surrounded her. "It's a nice place. He's one of the Anderson's after all." She mumbled under her breath.

"Are you look for someone?" A small voice said behind Audrey.

When turned swiftly, saw Margarita standing close to the hibiscus flower planted few meters away from the main entrance.

"Huh...no. I'm...here with someone. With Mr. Anderson." Audrey replied calmly with a smile on her face.

"Okay. I... was just wondering why you were standing there. I came out of the house to get Mrs. Anderson's..."

"Oh no, you don't have to explain anything to me. I'm actually nobody, don't mind me. I'm only their son's worker at the office, and I escorted him here."

Margarita nodded, a sad look in her eyes. "Yeah, I guess so."

Audrey observed her, noticing how sad she looked. "Are you okay though? You look like you need someone to talk to."

Margarita turned to look at her, and managed a smile. "Oh, don't mind a lowly maid like me. My opinion will never matter."

"It might not matter to the owners of this house, but it does to me. Since my boss is still in the house, you can talk to me until he comes out."

Margarita stared at Audrey, and instantly, she could see the sincerity in her eyes. She sighed, turned to take a look around before moving closer to her.

"It's...just that a lot things...strange things keep happening in the house." Margarita started.

"Strange things?" Audrey asked with one eyebrow raised.

Margarita nodded, and took another look around to make sure she was not being spied on.

"Yes," she said affirmatively.

"It would help if you can make things very clear to me." Audrey implored, and took a quick look round. She could sense fear in the young lady’s voice.

"I mean, something is very strange with the doctor. She is really odd, I tell you.” Margarita mumbled.

Audrey raised an eyebrow, and edged closer. “What do you mean by the doctor? What doctor?”

“The doctor who is in charge of Mrs. Anderson. Her name is Blair.”

“And why do you think she is strange? Is she doing anything suspicious?” Audrey asked, really curious now.

“I have not really caught her doing something strange, but I can swear that she is up to something.” Margarita insisted.

Audrey stared at the maid, and slid a look at the huge building in front of her. She breathed in, and turned back to look at Margarita. “Does Mr. Anderson know about your suspicions? I mean, the son.”

Margarita shook her head, and Audrey’s eyes widened.

“Why have you not said anything to him? Or maybe you don’t trust your instincts.” Audrey suggested.

Margarita’s eyes widened, and quickly, she shook her head. “No, I mean it! I know what I’m saying. That woman is up to something. Please, you have to trust me.” She replied, sounding desperate.

“so, what do you think we should do now? As it stands, I’m nothing but an employer, and you as well.” Audrey mumbled, and sighed deeply. She stopped to think for a while, wondering if she should make a move about what the maid had said.

“I will go back inside now. Thank you for listening to me.” Margarita cut into Audrey’s thoughts and quickly went back inside the house.

Audrey stared at the house for a while and without a second thought, she started walking towards the house.