Chapter Two

02~ Oh Jeremiah

"Je… Jeremiah?" I choked upon calling his name. Before me was Jeremiah with an unknown girl making out. Upon hearing my voice, they adjusted.

"Oh M… mia, I… uhm, you are back?...why are you home?" Jere asked, stuttering. "Well, the last time I checked, this was where I lived" I said, folding my hands.

"And you?" I raised a brow at the girl beside Jere. Her cheeks reddened as she shyly stood up and apologized.

"You shouldn’t be seen at a man’s house at this kind of hour...it’s irresponsible" I stated, brooking no room for argument. She nodded and took her bag, walking towards the door.

"Wait… it’s late, you should stay… but not in this room, you can stay in my room" I said, gesturing to the door. She shook her head and left for my room. Jeremiah immediately stood up, running his hands through his hair.

"And…?" I asked, waiting for an explanation. "Look, I’m sorry, Mia, and thanks, although it would have been nice if she stayed at mine" he winked.

My mouth widened as I looked for the nearest pillow to hit him. "Not funny, Jere. That’s… arghh" I struggled, finding words. It was hard to scold him because he is an adult and has the right to do whatever.

"You… you can do whatever you want but just not… not here and at this kind of time" I said, making my way out of his room. "Kids, what do they even know?" I muttered to myself as I stared at my room from afar. I took off my shoes and put on a palm, slamming the door as I left the house.

"What are you doing here, Mia?" Chelsea asked after glancing at me from head to toe in awe. "Come in" she held my hand, leading me into her house.

"I think I’ll be staying here for a few days" I told Chelsea, taking a seat. "Hmmmm… is it Jere?" she asked, searching my face for clues.

"Those kids, they don’t even know what love is" I shook my head, avoiding Chelsea’s eyes.

"Oh, if they don’t, who does?… You?" she raised a brow as she started laughing.

"Not funny," I rolled my eyes. "Well well, just finished making dinner… let’s eat" she stood up and walked to the kitchen to fetch some food. After eating, I quietly took the dishes to the kitchen and washed them.

"I’m sleepy, Chels…" I yawned midway through my statement. "Sleepyhead, room’s up" she replied, still watching TV. I ran to the room bouncing on the big bed. "Goodnight!!" I screamed before falling asleep.

"Waky waky" I smiled, entering Mr. Noah’s room the next morning. "Ugh, you’re here again. Don’t you sleep?" Mr. Noah asked, taking the cup of coffee which I had brought. "No, I don’t" I replied, taking my seat beside him.

"Witch" He rolled his eyes. I couldn’t help but laugh as he rolled his eyes, as old as he was. "A proud one at that. Now, take your drugs" I said, giving him his medication.

"By the way, you haven’t told me why exactly you use drugs, Mr. Noah?" I poured him water from the glass jar.

"They are supplements" he answered, chuckling with his wrinkled cheeks. "Noted. I’ll go and prepare your food now, please make sure you eat it. I’ll be back by tomorrow" I said, gently shutting the door.

"Done, his food is ready. Serve and make sure he eats" I told the maids. "Yes, ma’am" they answered.

Most of the maids now respect me because of how Mr. Noah treats me. He scolds anyone who disrespects me or sends me around for any shortcomings. I remember the first day I came to his house and burnt the food he was meant to eat at night. Out of anger, the senior maid slapped me and screamed,

"You good-for-nothing girl, look at what you’ve done!" She raised her hand to give me another when Mr. Noah pushed the door open.

"Good afternoon, sir" she bowed. "This new girl here burnt your dinner, sir, that was why I was shouting. I’m sorry sir, I’ll make a new one" she said, not before shooting me a death stare. "Good-for-nothing" she mumbled before turning to the kitchen. "And what did you just say?" He asked her as she quickly stood still. "And who on earth gave you the audacity to call someone such?" he questioned. Everywhere was silent; I could feel the tension rising that I couldn’t dare look up.

"You are dismissed" he said, his voice brooking no room for argument. The securities immediately seized her and took her away. "If he could do this to someone who had been working for him for the past 12 years, then my fate is certain" I coughed. The room was silent as he took some minutes before speaking

"And you?" He asked, gesturing for me to face him.

"M… mia Harper" I stammered, almost sweating.

"From now on, you will be the one to cook all my meals, take that as your punishment" he voiced, gently shutting the door of the kitchen. My mouth widened in awe, that wasn't a punishment, that was an employment in disguise.

After completing my work, I headed out for a cab. Getting to Chelsea’s house, I alighted and gave the driver his money. I adjusted my bag properly, walking to the house and next a hand pulled mine. Turning to see who it was, not quite the one I wanted to see.