Bella POV
Throughout the drive home, Bella tried hard to get the guy's face out of her mind. She hadn't even gotten his name, and she was torn between relief and pity for herself. Even if she got his name, it wouldn't amount to anything. One look at the car he drove, and she could tell he was stinking rich. On the other hand, the whole situation was sad.
In another life, she would have stayed behind to talk to him but she was already late, and she had no idea what to use as an excuse. If she told the truth, they would end up blaming her and taking the money for the groceries from her salary. She shuddered, just thinking about it.
When she got to the house, Gina was waiting by the front door. "Where have you been? I was waiting for the past fifteen minutes."
Before Bella could respond, Mrs. Thorn came out with a scowl. "What did I tell you about being late to resumption?"
"You said I should not be late," she responded, bending her head as the woman stood directly in front of her. "I'm really sorry. There was a delay.
"Save it. Go and start preparing the food."
As she walked away, she heard Gina whisper to her mother. "She smells different—almost like male perfume."
Bella froze at that point, but luckily, the woman shrugged it off. The family had completely banned her from bringing anyone over, male or female. If they found out about the accident, there was no doubt in her mind they would misread it.
Throughout the day, she tried to focus on her job but she kept going back to the accident that morning. He was so kind and considerate towards her, even though it was as much of her fault. She didn't look both ways before crossing the road, and if not for the driver, she might have been hit.
It was the first guy she ever felt attracted to, and that made it sadder for her. Bella had long give up on being with someone wealthy. At the very least, she would find a nice big with prospects and start a family with. Still, she saw nothing wrong with fantasizing about her new crush.
However, her mind was taken over by work. As the hours passed, Gina and her mother invented new chores for her to do. "Clean the room upstairs for my friend. We'll be having a sleepover."
"But what about Charity?" She asked meekly, using her eyes to search for the maid.
"She's off today, dear," Mrs. Thorn said in a mocking tone. "You would know if you were focusing enough."
Before she could respond, the driver came to the kitchen and asked to speak with the lady of the house. For a moment, Bella shuddered in fear. Would he tell her about the incident this morning? She always knew that the man didn't like her, right from the time she refused his sexual advances.
"Go in, I'm listening."
"Ermm...not here, Ma. It's a personal discussion," he insisted, and she looked him over with distaste before walking out with him. Bella could swear she saw him looking at her just before they left.
A few minutes later, she heard her name from upstairs. "You're definitely in trouble," Gina taunted but she ignored the girl and was about to step out of the kitchen when she held her hand.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing."
On her way upstairs, Bella tried to think about what wrong she could have done. Throughout the day, she did all her tasks and made sure not to say anything that would annoy her employers.
"I hear you've been talking to men," Mrs. Thorn said as soon as she stepped in.
Bella stood still for a few seconds, trying to think of her next line of action. Should she feign ignorance or apologize? Either way, she felt annoyed that the driver ratted her out. Somehow, she suspected he would have let the car hit her if not for the fact that he would have to take responsibility for it.
"No, it's nothing like that. I can explain." She sounded guilty, but it wasn't the time to care because if she didn't do what the woman wanted, she could be fired without a moment's notice.
"Look, I don't care for that," the woman dismissed, waving a hand slightly. "All I want is for you to stop wasting my time talking to men. It won't do you any good, and besides, what do you have to offer them?"
Bella knew better than to respond, so she stood and calmly accepted the insults.
"I heard it was a wealthy guy this time. Now, your smell makes sense." She subtly sniffed herself, curious about the woman's words but before she could think it through, the woman continued, "It would be best for you to remember your place, and not try to deceive men above your status. You're a commoner, Bella, a mere cook. Try to remember this, alright dear?"
She hated the mocking terms of endearment, but she meekly bowed her head and responded quietly. "I'm sorry, ma. It won't happen again."
"It better not, or I'm taking the lost minutes out of your salary. Now get out of my sight!"
With tears threatening to fall out, Bella ran downstairs to her room. She already knew she couldn't get a man like that, but why did Mrs. Thorn have to rub it in?
"Is being poor such a crime?" She mumbled, swatting away tear droplets from the corners of her eyes. A part of her wanted nothing more than to prove them wrong, but it was of no use.
Men like that never went for women like her. Besides, she didn't need to think about stuff like that. Her education and her father's college bills were the most important things for her, and keeping this job was her best shot at achieving her dreams.
She sniffed and cleaned her face as she stepped out back to her place of work. She was just cutting the vegetables when the butler walked into the dining room.
"Mrs. Thorn, there is a man here for Bella."