CHAPTER FOUR : HATE

“When did you apply a job here, Miss Annette?” I twist a bit to face the co-worker who was wiping the sink with a piece of cloth. She sound curious about me, when in fact I didn’t know some of her details and even the name. I already wear the dress that this madam have given me after I have a tour around their huge house. There are lot of rooms, desk, and even cabinets through every corner of their house. I saw how she smiled at me that makes my heart to jump in joy. It’s just feel so good to see people with good approach, that makes me more motivated to work. Quit the drama happened earlier.

“Yesterday. I just didn’t expected to have a place working here since I actually didn’t intend to work as housekeeper—”

She wry and scowled to what I said. Her laugh was sarcastic and means a lot of implications. I reached for the broom and swept the floor. She rose her brows to me and said, “Then, why are you here? You at least find or browse more.” She sound persistent and I wonder if she means of pushing me out from here or was jealous that she’ll be having a half of her salary already since we’re two as housekeepers today.

“Don’t you have someone with you staying as housekeeper before?” I asked that makes her mouth to grimace. It was sadden and a kind of inexplicable expression the way she make a thin smile. I continue sweeping the floor and catch the dust through dust pan. “I just wonder if you’re been alone her for years?” I added that only her heavy sighs responded.

“My co-worker can’t endure staying this place,” she said while shrugging her shoulders and put aside the cloth after washing her hands.

“Is there a ghost?—” I innocently asked but she abruptly cut it off.

She shook her head while saying, “She can’t endure the rules in this house. They’re maltreating housekeepers.”

I’ve got the idea why Carx been like that, paying in advance to make a proud of himself that he can afford anything and expecting to include one’s dignity as well. I gulped after I was been settled to think that it’s safe to stay in this place. Aside from paying high salary, they’re also offering free food as consumption for constant needs.

“Are they hurting people like us?” I couldn’t help but to ask about what I just heard. I was just thinking to have a stay here, since I can’t easily find a tenant in this crowded city. It’s a first time to step in the place I didn’t used to grew up with. “Did they violate physically?” I added and tried to calm my mind overthinking.

“No. But my sister couldn’t just endure hearing a words from their mouth since they really underestimate people and causes her in depressing state,” she answered while drying off her hands with the towel. “I have to clean for their rooms. Can you cook? Carx will be home for lunch.”

I absentmindedly nod and do what she say. I even thought that this house have a lot of housekeepers, but as I observed we’re only two in here when the owners are busy with their businesses during daytime. I opened the twisted the stove and put the cooking pot after slicing the vegetables and other needed ingredients. After I just cooked my dish called chopsuey. I heard a sound of footsteps behind me and said, “Will he going to eat this, madam? Can you try to taste it—”

I scooped a wee of soup from it and ask for feedback. But then, I was in a horror to see Carx standing beside me and grinned. I quickly put it back to the caldron and awkwardly smile. “I’m sorry. I thought you’re madam.”

“Madam?” He chuckled to what I said and reached to the spoon I just used earlier. He scooped and taste it. His face was brighten, but I can’t assure him if it’s good.

“You’re not that bad. But you lack salt,” he said and nodded. He take a seat to dining table and looked to interiors. I served him the food I just cook. “When are you going to enroll? You’ve got your results already, right?”

“Yeah. But, I have to save enough money to meet the range of monthly payment in that school,” I said that makes him laugh. He took a sip to glass of water and sigh. “Sorry? What amuse you?”

“Your hardworking personality,” he said and wink. He began to serve a food to his plate while smiling. “I just wonder why do you all have to beg for money? Aren’t you supposed to housekeep in your home, don’t you?”

I tried to be calm and act in respectful way. The one thing I goal for myself is to stop from crossing a lines with him and do my job. Stop over talking and further friendly discussions during work. I still have my valid reason, and I as a worker not privileged to make company with this moody guy.

“I actually have to help madam. Excuse me.” I was about to walk out when he suddenly grabbed my wrist. That was painful, but he seems usual with doing this. Because he just showed me his undisturbed character. He makes my shaggy arms to feel goosebumps. “Get off me!” I gritted while saying those. He was too strong for me to get free from his touch. “You’re hurting me, sir.”

“Wait, did you just call me sir?” He said and took his hands off my wrist. “Sorry. I just have a question. But you’re avoiding me. Am I that scary?”

“I just have to go, sir. It’s just too uncomfortable to me,” I reasoned and quickly get out in the kitchen. I pretend I was looking for madam everywhere, anytime Carx was looking at me and attempt to converse such things again.

While I walked pass by the guest rooms. I saw the portrait of his mother and father. They’re absolutely a businessman. They even have their framed certificates displayed through the hallways. I saw their photos, especially Carx’ picture when he was young till his adolescence. He’s not usually smiling with a teeth in front of the cameras. But the way he was smiling at me. He showed all he was and seems pure.

“Are you daydreaming of me, Anne?” He casually asked and look directly to my eyes while grinning. “You suit better with wearing all-covered dress. You’re pretty,” he said. “Unlike earlier, you was trying to seduce me or something.” He laughed after saying it. I don’t know if he’s being normal today? Or he was just trying to convince me how perfect he was despite of the flaws surrounding him?

“First of all, I don’t care about what I look. And I don’t daydream ‘bout you, sir.” I secretly rolled my eyes in frustration. When I heard about the issue about this Gomes, they’re certainly not the safeties place to stay in. But I don’t have the chance to escape, for I signed the contract. And agreed to breach the contract once I graduated college. I walked pass by him and turn to left hallway to go downstairs.

“Are you playing hard to get? I was just curious about you. Aren’t you grateful for that?” He cheerfully asked while h swerved his way through the living room and seat. I glance to him and show my not-interested look.

“It creeps me out. You’re too swift and reckless,” I truthfully answered and head myself out from him. He isn’t that useful enough to have myself killing the boredom. I’ll just wait for his time to leave this house and attend his classes. I peek to the wall clock. It’s twelve thirty yet, I’ll estimate him going out in one o’clock.

After I just finished cleaning and washing the chores in the kitchen area. I feel my stomach aches and have forgotten the idea to eat lunch. I prepared enough amount of rice and dish. Madam wasn’t here yet, and I wonder if where did she go. “God, just help me not to feel so exhausted here. I’m not really a fond of housekeeping,” I said to myself while closing both of my eyes.

“Then, why did you still choose to work here?” Carx voice interrupted my moment. I suddenly looked to the wall clock and saw that it was past one o’clock. My eyes widen in realization and saw how he was just chilling in front of me while scrolling something to her phone.

“I need money, obviously.” I didn’t bother to look for his reaction. “Did you see madam?” I asked and act casual as he can. Let’s find out how it feels like to get bother with a lot of inquiries and nonsense conversation.

“Why are you asking me? Aren’t you two left here?” He asked, sound irritated and bothered. Carx absolutely lose all of his guts to annoy me with his insults. “Stop calling her madam. She’s Magna,” he said while scowling. He was too serious with what he was doing. And I just wonder why he can able to manage both of those character in one to me? I just amazed how he’s too beast and a tame one whenever we interact.

“Madam Magna—”

“Let’s date after you finish your food, Anne.”