Chapter 9

The house help

Ecca

Externally, I was diligent and composed, ensuring I didn't give Ophelia any reason to criticize me.

But within me I was torn between pride and necessity struggling to accept my new job in order to be stable for my financial responsibility.

Always having an inner conflict, emotional turmoil and a sense of resentment towards Markos but still yet I was determined to put my emotions in check.

Even with me trying to maintain composure, Ophelia was making things difficult for me.with every little chance she gets, she is always verbally abusive.

Just on a chilly Monday morning as I resumed work,the bitter cold wind cut through my jacket leaving me shivering.

“Ecca Ecca Ecca” Ophelia called nonstop and I rushed to answer her.her cold gaze pierced through me as she handed me over a list of chores to do with the instructions that I should finish the chores within a given hour.

After it,she climb up the stairs yelling that she doesn't pay me to slack off.

Her voice pierced through the air, shrill and commanding,to the extent I was wondering if it was still the same lady that was trying to be sweet when I came for the job interview.but it dawned on me that she wasn't being real then. 

“Ecca” why haven't you done the laundry? You are so slow. I hurried to the washing machine to sort the clothes but her voice echoed again “why are you so useless?Do you know how much I bought the machine? Don't you know how to wash with hands?.she asked, fuming with rage.

The humiliation stung as I bit my lower lip trying to swallow my pride.”Sorry ma” I responded as I carefully brought out the clothes and started washing with my bare hands.

As the day went on, Ophelia demanded intensively “clean the kitchen floor again it's not spotless” she said and l scrubbed the floor again my knees were already aching.

After many hours of scrubbing the floor,she inspected it again and her face and eyes twisted in disapproval. “you have actually been playing here since morning cause this kitchen floor is still not good enough, restart again” she said and my eyes were stung with tears but I nodded and continued obediently.

After what seems like ages she was then satisfied with the kitchen floor. I breathed out as a sign of relief and asked for a little break but she snapped “ you are not here to rest, you are here to work”she said.

My spirit willted with the constant belittling. She stood up assigning me excessive tasks. “This is just the beginning of an iceberg, ”she mumbled. But I had no choice but to do the chores.

In the next 3 hours,i was very tired and exhausted from the days activity,I went inside the kitchen to take my food since the chef have finished cooking long ago.Bit I stood in front of the kitchen door it was locked, “please where is my food?why is the kitchen locked”?,I asked her.madan gave a strict instruction for me to lock the kitchen and she is with the key.

I sighed and ascended the stair case going to her room to request for my own portion of food.

I stood at the door and knock, and I heard her voice telling me to come in.

Stepping inside the room.The room was a masterpiece of elegance with cream colored walls adorned with vibrant artwork.The floor was covered with plush rugs that complimented the sleek furniture. A soft lightning danced around the space, with a beautiful huge stunning chandelier hung on the ceiling adding warmth and life to the room.

The Greenery king size bed was filled with throw pillows and a little vase by the side of the bed which brought out a harmonious balance of style and comfort.

At the other side of the room was a huge wardrobe crafted in a sophisticated structure which had shelves upon shelves of neatly designed clothes,bags,shoes and accessories.

Ophelia stood in a mirror adjusting her designer dress, which hugged her curves perfectly accentuating her figure.the fabric drapes elegantly making the seam lay effortlessly.

After admiring her reflection,she turned and slipped in her high heels, grabbed her clutch ready to go out.

She walked to my front as I was still processing everything in front of me. “Are you also dumb? Why are you standing here for over five seconds now without uttering any word”? She shouted at me with a high pitch.

Soo….so..rr..yy.. ma I stuttered,I came to ask you for the key to the kitchen in order to take my food.

“Oooooh that reminds me, let's go to the kitchen”,she said.Entering inside the kitchen she tossed a small packet of indomitable noodles onto the kitchen counter. “Ecca here is your lunch, at least it's better than the malnourished food you prepare at your house, you don't expect me to treat you like a queen here” she said. Her voice dripped with disdain.

Her words stung but I remained silent as my eyes lingered to the meager meal presented to me. I had no choice but to prepare the noodles and eat as my stomach was already growly with hunger.

The noodles were barely enough for me, as I remembered about my son at the hospital, thinking of what to prepare for him as I didn't have any money left with me and no food stuff at home.I was still contemplating on what to do as I stepped out of the kitchen,Heading towards the sitting room.

I sighted the wine cabinets,the wines there were arranged neatly so that it drew my attention,there were red,blue ,sparkling colours.when I looked around I didn't see anyone at sight I creeped in and took the sparkling one dashing out to my room with great speed.

Reaching my room I kept the wine on the table and poured small in the glass that was in front of me.

“Ophelia!! you are an idiot”,I seethed churning the content of the glass in a go and still poured and one and did the same thing.

“Tssk” …. I chuckled reminiscing on how I started, from a very happy married home loved by my ex husband (Markos) to a vulnerable pupper that can't even afford a three square meal.And the circumstances of this make the present harsher.

I blink my eyes trying to control the tears,just to enjoy the moment while it lasts.

I was already tipsy after taking the first shot but I didn't stop there. I still poured more to drink.I decided to boost the atmosphere with music luckily my smart phone was on top of the table beside my bed.

Staggering and slurring, I walked up to the table, turned on my data and turned on music.

I made sure it was in a lowest volume as I swing my body to the rhyme while singing along the lyric.

As I climbed on the bed I started shouting “ !oh yeah!,la la laaaaaa”,swinging my body and swirling my hands to the rhyme of the music.

My voice was top notch as it was now in a high volume cause I was already tipsy.

If Markos or Ophelia coincidentally comes back now and catch me in the mess.

“Will I regret it?” yes 

“But do I care?”NO

I was ready to take the repercussions of my attitude.