Chapter 8: The Quarterly Bonus

Clara’s POV

Gloria led me to a bedroom on the second floor—a beautiful room with silk curtains and a four-poster bed. She helped me sit on the edge of the mattress, her hands gentle on my shoulders.

“Please rest, Miss,” Gloria said softly. “Mrs. Eleanor will see you as soon as she’s able.”

I looked up at her, my mind still reeling from everything that had happened. “Who is Mrs. Eleanor? I want to see Marcus and Tomas. They’re the ones who brought me here.”

Gloria’s expression flickered. “I’m sorry, Miss. I can’t say more than that. But please, have a bath and I prepare something for you to eat.

Before she could finish, a wave of nausea crashed over me. My stomach lurched violently, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, desperate to hold it in. The room spun around me, and I swayed on the bed.

Gloria’s eyes widened. “Miss!”

She grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the bathroom. I stumbled after her, my vision blurring, my throat burning. I fell to my knees in front of the water closet, my head hanging over the bowl as the contents of my stomach emptied violently.

It was unbearable. Wave after wave of sickness racked my body, leaving me trembling and weak. But through it all, Gloria stayed with me, her hand rubbing slow circles on my back.

“Sorry, Ma,” she murmured, then caught herself, glancing at me quickly. “I mean—Miss. Sorry, Miss. Just let it out. I’ve got you.”

I gagged again, my whole body heaving. Tears streamed down my cheeks from the force of it. I felt utterly helpless, completely exposed. The memories of my mum, my work even though David kept stealing credit for my jobs, came rushing down at me and the tears streamed down more.

Then I heard her phone ring. She pulled it out, her voice low and respectful.

“Yes, Ma. She’s having morning sickness.”

I heard a faint voice on the other end, calm and measured. Then Gloria nodded. “Yes, Ma. I’ll make sure she rests well and prepare a good soup for her. I’ll have her ready for whenever you arrive tomorrow.”

“Ok, Ma. I’ll do just that.”

She ended the call and turned back to me, her hands still soothing on my back. I wanted to ask who that was—who was coming tomorrow?—but another violent wave of nausea overtook me. I vomited again, the sound echoing in the small bathroom.

It continued for five agonizing minutes before I finally managed to stop. My body felt hollowed out, every muscle trembling with exhaustion. Gloria helped me to my feet and guided me back to the bed.

“Rest now, Miss,” she whispered, pulling the covers over me. “Everything will be alright.”

I didn’t have the strength to argue. My eyes closed, and the world faded away.

When I woke, the room was bathed in the soft glow of evening light. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting dancing shadows across the walls. And on the table beside the bed, a tray had been set—fresh fruit, a steaming bowl of soup, and crisp vegetables.

I sat up slowly, my stomach still unsettled. I reached for the soup, taking a tentative sip. It was good—warm and comforting. But I couldn’t manage more than a few spoonfuls before my appetite deserted me.

The door opened, and a girl about my age stepped inside. She was pretty, with sharp features and bright eyes that swept over me with barely concealed disdain. Her uniform was crisp, her posture stiff.

“Are you not the new maid?” she demanded, her voice shrill.

I blinked at her. “What?”

“You think you’re some kind of visitor? That’s why you’ve been in your room since morning?” She planted her hands on her hips. “You better get your lazy ass up and go clean room 146 down the library wing. Now.”

I stared at her, too stunned to respond. “I’m not a maid,” I finally managed.

She laughed, a sharp, ugly sound. “You’re still delusional. Do you think Sir Lucien will look at you because you’re claiming not to be a maid? Let me inform you—Sir Lucien is not interested in having any relationship right now, and everyone knows it. So no matter how much you scheme, you can’t get him.”

“What are you saying?” I demanded, my voice rising. “I’m not here to entice anyone! In fact, I’m here against my will!”

“I don’t care!” Her voice climbed higher, her face twisting with anger. “Just go get the job done or you’ll be sacked when Tobias comes. You’ll lose the huge sixteen thousand dollar quarterly bonus we enjoy here.”

I didn’t move. I couldn’t. Her words were so absurd, so completely out of touch with reality, that I was frozen in place.

The girl’s face contorted with fury. She grabbed my hand and yanked me toward the door, her grip surprisingly strong. I tried to pull away, but she was relentless, dragging me into the hallway.

“Most people would die to be in your place!” she snapped, pulling me along. “Even an educated worker can’t make the kind of money we make here. I can’t just let you stay here and lose everything because you’re being delusional.”

She faced me suddenly, her expression shifting from anger to something almost like concern. “Don’t you understand? I lost my last placement over something just as small. One bad morning, one guest who complained, and I was out the door with nothing. I’m not about to watch you throw away a good position over confusion I could clear up for you in five minutes.”

A smile escaped my lips despite everything. I would have laughed aloud if I wasn’t feeling like throwing up again.

“Stop,” I said, my voice pitched and high. “Stop.”

She didn’t stop. She kept pulling me forward.

“I’m going to vomit!”

She released my hands immediately, and I almost fell. She caught me just in time, steadying me before leading me to a nearby toilet. I collapsed in front of it, heaving again.

When I emerged two minutes later, pale and trembling, the girl’s expression had softened.

“You look pale as shit,” she said. “I guess you’re ill. Sorry. Once we’re done with the east wing, I’ll take you to the nurse in this estate.”

“You don’t have to do anything,” I said weakly. “Just follow me in case there’s a next time.”

I was astonished by her sudden concern, by how passionate she was about me not losing some money I wouldn’t even be getting.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“My name is—”

The door to the library swung open.