Chapter Thirty Nine

Posy stood on the grand doorstep of the Sterling mansion, an expensive designer gift bag clutched in her hand, a nervous flutter in her stomach.

It's been a week since the merger was finalised and she wasn't quite sure the Sterling's were glad with the terms stated. And this? This was her way of finding out.

She exhaled and placed a knock on the doors, a smile plastered on her face. The massive front door swung open, revealing Fiona with a cup of coffee in hand and a white cat strolling right behind her.

It was Magnus, Fiona's pet and it does not like Posy. At all. She knew because of the number of times that cat had attacked her anytime she visits.

Fiona stared at Posy with distaste, she was probably the last person she wanted to see that morning. Her eyes, however, seemed to linger on the gift bag momentarily.

"Good morning, Mother!" Posy chirped, extending the gift bag with an eager smile. "I just wanted to bring you a little something. I saw it and thought of you immediately!"

Fiona barely glanced at the bag. "Set them on the floor in the foyer." she commanded dismissively. She didn't offer her a smile nor did she step aside to let Posy fully into the house.

Posy's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, placing the bag carefully on the floor.

"Of course, Mother Fiona. Is Rune awake yet?" she asked carefully.

Fiona's gaze hardened, her eyes sweeping over Posy in irritation. "It's early Monday morning! He's at work."

“Oh!” Posy said, feeling stupid. “I'm really sorry! I wasn't thinking…”

“Clearly.” Fiona cuts in. “Since you're here against my invitation..” Fiona started and Posy bows her head in apology instantly.

“I'm sorry, Mother! I…”

"The entire house needs to be spotless," Fiona continued, her voice sharp.

Posy met her gaze, blinking in confusion. “I'm sorry?”

"Are you deaf? I want this house cleaned! Every surface, every mirror, every floor. I expect perfection."

Posy's jaw dropped. The entire house? It was massive! “Mother….I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean…” she mumbled under her breath.

Fiona frowned. “You can't possibly be that slow.”

Posy swallowed. “Do you want me to supervise the maids while they…”

Fiona laughs, a sound that mocked Posy's very existence. “Maids? They are on a break. And a mop shouldn't be that difficult to handle should it?”

“I…” Posy started but Fiona ignored her.

"Starting with this foyer," Fiona instructed, gesturing vaguely with a wave of her hand. "You'll find cleaning supplies in the utility closet. And try not to leave streaks. I dislike streaks."

Before Posy could say anything else, Fiona turned and walked away, leaving Posy standing alone in the foyer, the gift bag looking forlorn on the floor beside her.

“What about your gifts Mother?” Posy asked, calling after her.

Fiona gave no response, almost like she couldn't care less about her gifts or gestures.”

Posy took a look at the house she was about to clean, it was massive! It would take her the entire day to finish cleaning up! But she will do it! If this is what Thea had to do to secure Runes then she'll do it ten times better!

Posy made her way to the supply room and found the cleaning supplies. She started with the foyer, scrubbing the marble floors, then wiping down the console tables and polishing the mirrors.

Sweat began to bead on her forehead, plastering strands of her hair to her skin. Her back ached. This was much harder than it looked.

Fiona would stop by every now and then with her crase cat glaring at Posy like it knew the crimes it had committed. Arms crossed and brows furrowed, she would watch Posy with a look of disapproval.

"Are you finished here?" Fiona asked, after Posy had spent nearly an hour on the foyer alone.

"Yes, Mother! All spotless!" Posy replied, forcing a bright smile, though her arm muscles screamed in protest.

Fiona walked closer. She ran a gloved finger along a corner of a frame. A faint smudge appeared on her glove and Fiona raised an eyebrow.

"Spotless, you say? I believe I see a few missed spots. And your cleaning is quite pathetic. The glass is streaky."

Posy's heart sank. She scurried back to the mirror, furiously rubbing at the invisible streaks. "Oh! My apologies, Mother! I'll fix it right away!"

Fiona rolled her eyes and walked away with Magnus.

Posy moved to the living room next, dusting every surface, plumping cushions, and wiping down the glass coffee table. She continued down the hallways and the guest rooms, her body growing increasingly tired and sweaty.

The morning soon turned into afternoon and Posy had barely done cleaning. Each room she cleaned never seemed clean enough to Fiona's satisfaction and she was forced to do it all over again.

Later, Posy was on her hands and knees, scrubbing at a faint mark on the marble floor of the dining room, the doorbell chimed. Fiona, who had been observing her from the doorway, went to answer it.

Posy pushed herself up, wincing as her knees popped. She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, leaving a faint streak of dust across her skin. She heard voices from the foyer.

"Fiona, darling! It's been ages!" A cheerful female voice filled the air.

"Jessy! My dear, welcome back to Zean!" Fiona's voice was surprisingly warm, a tone Posy rarely heard directed at her.

Posy straightened her clothes, trying to appear less disheveled. She heard footsteps approaching.

“It's a pleasure to be back! My goodness, I miss it here so much! Neom heights is way too bland for my liking!”

A woman with silver hair and sparkling eyes entered the dining room, arm-in-arm with Fiona with a smile.

She looked around the room, then her gaze landed on Posy, who was still holding a cleaning rag, a bead of sweat tracing its way down her temple.

"Fiona, who is this?" Jessy asked, as she took in Posy's appearance. "I don't recall you having new staff. From what I recall, they are always in uniform.."

Posy's breath hitched. New staff? Her stomach dropped. She opened her mouth to introduce herself as the future lady of the house but before she could utter a single word, Fiona's voice cut in.

"Oh, this?" Fiona said, her tone dismissive,"This is Posy. New staff might just be the perfect word."

Posy froze, her jaw dropping. Her face flushed with shame. Maid? Fiona just called her a maid. To her friend!

Jessy's smile widened. "Ah, I see. Can you introduce me to the company you hire your staff from? I could use a good maid for my house, after being abroad for so long."

Fiona chuckled. "Why not? I'll tell them to reach out to you! Come on, we should settle down, we have a lot to catch up on.." She then turned her steely gaze on Posy.

"Posy. Jessy and I will be in the sitting room. Serve us some refreshments, would you? Tea, perhaps, and some of those shortbread cookies."

Posy stood there, rooted to the spot. Her mind reeled. Why would Fiona refer to her as a maid? Was this a test? Was she trying to see if she was humble enough to be the lady of the house?

Thea had told her once about the test Fipna had put her through in the past. Maybe this was just one of them! Maybe she just has to prove herself so Fiona can accept her. She used to be so fond of Thea back then, maybe this was the way to get her to like her as well..

Posy forced a smile "Of course, Mother!" she managed, her voice a little too high.

"Right away! I'll get the best tea and cookies for you and your guest!"

She bows her head slightly before hurrying towards the kitchen to fetch the snacks and the tea for Fiona and her visitor.

If this is what she has to do to gain her favour , then so be it.