'It wouldn't be fair if I let you go just like that, would it?' his leering voice, combined with the cold metal against my skin, makes me freeze and not reply. Then slowly he drags me toward him.
'Let's start this again, shall we?'
I'm deciding how to end his disgusting speech when the door opens. 'Javier...oh, pardon me'. Javier releases me immediately. Jon Paolo, a Mexican, another one of the subordinates of Zeke, shakes his head. 'The Boss is asking for us'. 'Right...uh, I'm on my way'.
Jon holds me as I attempt to walk out of the room. 'Stay here'.
Javier gives us a wary glance before leaving. 'What did he do to you?' Jon asks, concern in his face. 'Nothing sir. Please excuse me. I have other places to clean', I reply and leave.
'No matter what he says remember that he has little power, okay?' his voice follows me. 'Yes sir', I reply drily and continue walking.
*
It's been a week now, and I feel partly at home. That's because Lana does not want me to feel strange, and also because I stay in the mansion.
Big, fat, lie.
I have to watch my back every second because of Javier. He's planning something, I know that. I just don't know what he's planning.
'The mistress says that there are some important people coming', Rosa, my only chat partner says as we tidy up the kitchen. According to our first chat, she's Cuban, she loves chocolate, she's here because of her mother...and lastly, she likes Landon, Lana's son a lot.
Inasmuch as I know how to clean, I expect people who want to destroy the earth to be able to purchase a dish washer. I hate my job.
'Really, who?'
She stops what she's doing and leans in, like we're planning a conspiracy. 'I have a hunch that it's one of the business partners from New Zealand. Their son is so cute'. I shake my head and focus on the dishes. 'Rosa. First it was Landon, now it's some guy from New Zealand'. 'Oh, no. I'm still for Landon. But...you know'. She giggles and continues cleaning.
Love, such a crazy thing. I doubt I'd ever fall in it. It's like falling into a pit in which you can never come out. Because your heart keeps bleeding from its breaks.
'I don't know. Tell me', I reply and stop washing the dishes, then look at her, which makes her blush. 'Rehan Walls is handsome...too handsome'.
I scoff. They always are.
She finishes her cleaning and leaves. I'm left with my thoughts. If the people here are making bombs, then where on earth are those bombs? I don't even know where to look. This is a city. And there are twists and turns.
'No, Paulina, I told you, Dad isn't ready to move back to the States... No... I'm trying as hard as I can... I'm aware of that...come on. Hold on'.
I turn when I hear the masculine voice speak, then the door opens. A man walks in. 'Rosa, get me a cup of...you aren't Rosa, are you?'
I recognize Landon very well. How did he get home so fast? Does Rosa know about this? And why hasn't Lana told me yet? Oh well...it's not like I care.
'No sir, I'm not', I reply in the humble manner I'm supposed to. There's a hint of distaste which I cannot hide. Luckily, he doesn't realize it. At least he doesn't show it.
'Make a cup of coffee for me. Black'. He doesn't give me a second glance. Such impoliteness.
I walk over and pour the coffee into a ceramic cup, place it on a saucer, then drop it in front of him and continue my work. 'Paulina, I can't come now. I'm just getting here... I know you miss me, I know that. Honey...' Ew. That makes me want to puke.
'Alright. I'll talk to you later'. From the corner of my eye I see him look at the coffee and then at me.
'Slave, take it to my room'.
Who's he calling a slave? 'My name is Pearl Hawthorn. I don't answer the name "SLAVE". And uh...I'm sorry sir, but I'm very busy right now. I beg you to please take the cup to your room yourself, since you're already here'. Take it out of here now you human.
My words seem to make him freeze. He blinks for some seconds. 'What did you say?' 'I said you should take it out since you're already here. Please. Thank you sir'.
'I said take it to my room. I don't care if you're busy or not'.
'It'll just be a waste of time to do that...sir. I suggest you do as I say, sir'.
'You-' he stops and purses his lips. I see his angry face, but I hide my laughter. He picks the cup and storms out of the kitchen. Yup, it's not going to end well. But who cares? I know I don't. He's going to have to learn if he wants me to answer his calls.
I should have known that Rosa will go out of her way to make him feel better. She runs in after I hear Landon bark. 'Were you rude to the master's son?' she asks, her expression full of fear. 'Oh come on. I told him to get his cup of coffee out of my kitchen. Is there anything wrong with that?'
'You what?'
'I'm just kidding. I told him to please take his coffee away. Fair enough?' 'Why would you do that Pearl? He's the son of the master'. 'Oh please. Come on, let's start cooking'.
'Pearl', the voice of someone whose voice I hate hearing- Olive Cosgrove [my hater]- makes me turn. Her face is contorted with anger. 'Why would you talk back at Landon?'
Olive, according to Rosa, is the city's worst maid, but she somehow has a connection with Landon. I guess that's what makes her feel so special. But I've put her in her place a couple of times. I'm not boasting, I'm just sayin'.
'Olive, we've both agreed mutually that you should not talk to me. Do you want to get in the horse poop track again?'
I see indignation in her eyes. 'Don't you dare disrespect Landon'. 'And what will happen if I do?' 'You- '
Another help runs in. 'The mistress says we should begin to get ready for the dinner tonight. And Olive, the master's son is asking for you'. Olive fluffs her hair and stalks off. I hope she falls.
Rosa picks up a knife. 'I guess that's our cue then'. I nod in reply and take a grater.
I just hope I get to serve Landon food. I'd love to see his face after he tastes of the too salty food I'll place in front of him.
I'm heartless, but a prank or two doesn't hurt, does it?
*
'The Walls are here. Come on, let's go and arrange the meals', Rosa says and we begin to move the dishes. Others are there to help.
Landon stops us with his eyes on our second trip. Rosa curtsies. 'Good evening, Master Landon'. I just stand there with a bored expression. 'Evening Rosa. I'd like to have a chat with Pearl here. I've ordered some people to help with the moving of the dishes'.
'Alright, thank you sir'. She scurries off. I try my very best to look meek as his eyes scan me.
'You're very bold, Pearl'.
Was that meant to be a compliment? Well, sounds like one. I smile. 'Thank you'. 'That was not a compliment'. 'I'm taking it as one'.
He frowns. 'You have balls. Dad told me how you arrived here. Tell me, what's your agenda?'
I sigh. 'Well, if you ask me, I'd say it's to avoid people who try their very best to be sensible but fail every single time. That's exactly what my agenda is'. 'What?' his voice is more of a growl than a voice. I fake a smile. 'Sir, if there's nothing you need, can I go and perform my duties now?'
I try to walk past, but he grasps my arm and holds on to it tightly I can't feel that area again. 'Be careful with me, Hawthorne. I can be your worst nightmare. Everyone, including my parents, knows this'.
I laugh scornfully. 'May I remind you, that nightmares are always for a while. They'd always pass away. I hope you don't. I enjoy torturing my nightmares'. My words seem to shock him, considering how fast my arm slips away from his grip. I flip my hair and walk away.
Who won the world?