" Is this why you requested for four more days? To drink up? " Joanna said.
" I already know I'll be a contractual maid to his family. He has no heart, no shame or common sense. A girl about your age, same class, and you ask her to be your maid. How miserable can my life get?" I said.
" Your classmate?"
" Yes. He's in Grade 11-A" I said
" What are we going to do?" I can't just sit and watch you get hurt like that "
" There's nothing you can do. I'll pretend that everything is fine with Mum. Three weeks is like ABC and D. I'll work hard, enough to pay for his one million dollars "
" Hilda, I...."
" I love you, Joanna." I said and smiled" Just incase I don't come back alive, know that I love you "
She watched as I took another glass of whiskey.
" This girl has a life to live " I said, already drunk.
*********
With my first week at school, I found myself being hurled in an expensive Bugatti, taken away to a prestigious home to be their slave. I clutched tightly to my luggages. The driver led me to the doorstep. I rang the doorbell and I heard a female voice sing in a jingle.
" Coming " she said
I opened the door, thinking she said" Come in".
" Did I let you in?" she folded her hands watching me.
" I...I thought you said come in"
"Yes. I said coming "
" Like, come in. You know,walk in "
" Who is this filthy asset? " she pronounced with all pride.
" She's our contractual maid." Brixan's voice boomed.
" She looks fifteen, sixteen" she said
" That's our maid" he said as a matter of factly.
" Seriously, Brixan. You've being bragging all day. You brought this..... thing" she said
" Let her in" he said
I walked in, ignoring her rude remarks.
" You'll meet my family at seven so get dinner ready first" he ordered and walked away.
**********
I stood as a family of six discussed in hushed tones about the maid's personality. Brixan just sat there, watching me.
" Your name again?" his mum asked.
" Hildagard" I said
" How ironic. A name for a princess" his sister said.
" Hildagard, my son introduced you as our maid for three weeks. My maid's on leave so I needed someone to fill in for the short while. This is Mr. Pertel and I'm Mrs. Pertel. Refer to us as that" she said and I nodded.
" This is Silvia, Brixan, Nissa and Max, my kids." she said and I nodded.
" You're in charge of the whole house. Cooking, cleaning, arranging, everything a maid is expected to do. At the end of three weeks, you'll be paid your salary. I love efficient workers" she said. I looked at Brixan with hatred. He had brought my status so low. But how on earth could I had paid such an amount.
" I'm fine. I'm only here to pay Brixan his broken items costing a million dollars. I decline to accept any form of payment for my services" I said.
Brixan looked at me, dumbfounded.
" Ok" Mrs. Pertel said "If you insist, after all you're helping me to save my money" she chuckled.
I watched as they had dinner quietly. I remembered dinner with my parents. It was always jolly. We would laugh and tell each other stories. I excused them, and left for my quarters. My room was a cubicle.
" It's for three weeks, Hildagard" I said and sighed. The bell that had been connected to my room from the main house was rang and I knew they needed my services. I rushed into the dinning room. The table had already been cleared. I spotted Brixan and Nissa.
" Hi" Nissa waved at me.
I ignored her trying to act professional.
" Hey" she tugged at my maid clothing. " I said, hi" she said and I nodded.
Brixan sat in the living room, watching TV.
" I cleared the table"
" Thank you" I muttered.
" I like you" she said. This word got Brixan's attention as he stared at us. I looked at her , dumbfounded.
" I'm not a lesbian" she said and laughed.
I nodded, getting her point. She watched me as I took care of the dishes.
" My brother is such an asshole. How could he treat you that way. Aren't your parents governors or shareholders or CEOs or...."
" No" I said.
" Is that why he could trample on your rights? " she frowned. Brixan's eyes were firmly on me.
" Rights?" I scoffed " I'm the one who broke his properties. My life isn't one you' ll like to associate with"
" I can help you"
" Don't pity me. I hate the feeling of pity" I said
" Can I be your friend?"
" Nissa" Brixan's cool voice echoed
" What?" she frowned
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked
" You can't just say hello to anybody" he said and I scoffed.
" Hildagard is somebody " she said
" Nissa" he called
" Yes, Nissa. Please listen to your brother. Don't talk to anybody " I said and cleaned my hands with a dry napkin. I locked my room door. I took my work clothes, took my bath and changed into my PJs.
Joanna and I talked for a while. Mum and I texted each other for a while. I lay on my bed, scribbling on my notebook. I put a red x mark on the day's date.
" Day one, gone" I said with a sigh. I closed my eyes as I drifted off in sleep.