Melda stood in the kitchen, sweat on her face as she breathed heavily like she just ran a marathon race. It is lunch already at the palace and the dish has been served. It was her turn to clean the kitchen after cooking.
"How can just a small work be this tedious?", she asked herself.
She held onto the mob to stand straight.
It has been three weeks of hard work, commitment, dedication and good weekly salary. But it has also been three weeks of disturbance from Prince Jeremy and Philip. Melda didn't really know what those boys want from her but it's enough for her to want leave the house.
'They're cute-devils', she thoughts as she swung the mob about like she had an opponent before her.
"Hit me with that and I will forget you are a girl", someone threatened.
Melda looked behind her, suprised at the 'intruder', she dropped the mob. And she bowed.
"Prince James, I apologize. I didn't know there was anyone around"
James scoffed "Do I look like anyone to you?"
Melda stood straight and she shook her head "No please"
"Get me water to drink", James instructed as Melda carried it out.
She handed the glass of water to him. James took a large gulp of the water. Melda took the time to look at him. 'Tall, handsome and arrogant', she thought.
"What is it?"
Melda looked up to see James looking at her.
"Nothing Prince James. Please, lunch has been served. Everyone is there"
James placed the glass on the counter and filled the pocket of his trousers with his hand.
"Did I ask you?"
"No, but I thou-
"Good. I didn't. I don't know what games you think you are playing but you better put a stop to it. I have seen you hanging around my brothers. Are you that desperate? Don't you have any self respect? Or are you one of those girls who hold onto them for the fame and the money? You are a maid. Just a maid and that's what you will ever be. Make sure you don't forget where you belong next time", James said with anger as he headed out the kitchen.
Melda didn't even know when the tears started flowing or when she held the counter for support. But what she knew was that those words were hurtful and she even didn't deserve that. She get insulted for telling him that lunch was ready.
She couldn't wait to get home and cry in her bed. She hoped James didn't see her crying cause that's a show of weakness, her weakness and she couldn't allow that. She wiped every drop of tears from the face using the back of her hand.
"Still not done?"
Melda got up and look up at Madame Firmi.
"I'm sorry, almost done. Is there anything you wanted me to do for you?"
"No, after you are done you can leave. There is nothing to do here. And tomorrow is you day off so go and take care of your. Send her my regards", Madame Firmi said.
"And I don't know why the tears but if anyone does anything to you, tell me. Okay?"
Melda nodded "I will. Thank you"
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"So how's Jeremy?", Melda's mom asked.
"He's fine Mom", she replied as they sat on the couch watching whatever was been displayed.
"He is a good boy. I liked him a lot. Caring and jovial"
"What about James?", Melda asked
"He is a wonderful guy. He always tried to make me smile when I was there 3 years ago. I knew them as boys and he is the one I got to know well. He has a good heart but mostly those with good heart get hurt"
Melda sat there suprised "Mom, I meant James not Henry. You just described Henry"
"Henry? Oh no. Henry is nothing like James. Henry likes to hurt others to save himself. When they were kids, James would come to me crying because of Henry. You have to be careful around him"
'You just insulted my boyfriend, Mom', I thought.
"That was three years ago. They have changed. Henry is not like that. James is the hurtful one, saying hurtful words", Melda reasoned.
"Well, you may be right. But time doesn't change people, it reveals the real face of people"
"Yeah but we don't judge people by their past. People learn and they change", Kristen added.
"And who invited you"?
"It looked like you needed my help"
"You're right Kristen. People learn and change"