I couldn't believe my eyes as I slowly descended the stairs, and our gazes locked. It was as if time stood still at that moment. With each step I took towards him, my heart raced. "You look beautiful," Mr. Anderson said, and I couldn't help but blush.
"Mr. Anderson, there is something important I would love to discuss with you," I mustered up the courage to say, my voice filled with anticipation. His gaze pierced through mine, showing his curiosity. "What's that, Chloe?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
But before I could utter another word, the door swung open, and our attention shifted to the beautiful lady with blonde hair, dressed in an expensive gown. She ran towards Mr. Anderson and pulled him into a tight hug, interrupting our conversation abruptly. As Mr. Anderson pulled away from the hug, his voice filled with surprise and curiosity, "Ella, what are you doing here?" he asked, his eyes searching for answers. Ella, with a confident smile, replied, "Your mom sent me here. She told me that Emily is with her and thought you might be feeling a bit alone." Mr. Anderson's eyebrows furrowed as he questioned, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Ella's eyes sparkled mischievously as she responded, "Because I wanted to surprise you."
Unable to resist the pull of their connection, Ella pulled Mr. Anderson into another hug, their embrace filled with warmth and familiarity. However, her gaze quickly shifted towards me, causing me to feel a pang of self-consciousness. "And who is she?" Ella asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. Mr. Anderson turned towards me, introducing me as Emily's nanny. "Her name is Chloe. She's been taking care of Emily," he explained.
Ella approached me with an air of confidence, her model-like poise evident in every step. "My name is Ella. I'm a model," she introduced herself, extending a hand towards me. I nodded, a mixture of nerves and politeness filling my actions. "Nice to meet you, Ella," I replied, trying my best to match her confidence.
With a sense of purpose, Ella turned to me and requested, "My bags are outside, Help me get them inside." She then turned back to Mr. Anderson, her voice filled with a mix of authority and expectation, "Anderson, come and show me my room." Both of them made their way upstairs, leaving me momentarily alone with my thoughts.
As I stepped outside, my eyes fell upon her heavy load. Determined, I attempted to lift it, but the weight proved too much for me. Thinking quickly, I decided to balance it on my head, but even that proved challenging. Just when I thought I couldn't handle it, someone came to my rescue from behind. I turned around to find Mr. Anderson, a warm smile on his face. "You can bring the other bag," he said, and I nodded in agreement. With renewed confidence, I carried the second bag alongside him. "Hope it's not too heavy," he asked. "Nope, it's not," I replied without hesitation. As we made our way upstairs, I followed Mr. Anderson. As I watched Mr. Anderson drop Ella's bag, I followed suit, placing it gently on the floor. He turned to me, his voice filled with a sense of finality. "I will be in my room," he said before walking away. My heart raced with anticipation, eager to follow him and continue our conversation. But before I could take a step, Ella's grip tightened around my wrist, her fingers digging into my skin. The sudden pain made me flinch, and I turned to face her, confusion etched on my face. What was going through her mind? Why was she holding me back so tightly? It was as if she had something urgent to say, something that couldn't wait... With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she asked, "So, Chloe, what have you and Mr. Anderson been up to? You two were the only ones at home."
I tried to keep my cool, responding, "Nothing happened, Ella. Just minding my own business." But she wasn't convinced. She looked me up and down, her voice dripping with judgment. "Chloe, as a maid, you should dress like one. Don't try to seduce Mr. Anderson."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I mustered up the courage to defend myself, saying, "Ella, I'm just doing my job. There's nothing more to it." But she cut me off, her voice sharp and condescending. "It's 'ma' Ella, not 'Ella.' Know your place."
Feeling the weight of her words, I could sense the humiliation and frustration building up inside me. Ella continued, her tone almost teasing, "You know, Chloe, Mr. Anderson is quite the catch. Handsome, successful, and all the girls want him." It felt like she was purposely trying to put me down, reminding me of my social status and making it clear that I didn't belong.
But then, with a sly smile on her face, she added, "Maybe I should get you a proper maid uniform, so you truly know your place." As Ella's words pierced through me like a thousand tiny knives, I felt a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. Anger, hurt, and fierce determination surged through my veins. How could she speak to me like that? How could she belittle me and try to undermine my worth? The intensity of the moment hung heavy in the air, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.
Summoning every ounce of courage within me, I looked directly into Ella's eyes, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and defiance. "Ella, how dare you speak to me like that? I am not defined by my social status or by what you think of me. I am a person with dreams, aspirations, and the right to be treated with respect."
Ella's face contorted with a mix of surprise and irritation. "Oh please, Chloe," she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You think you can just waltz into Mr. Anderson's life and expect him to be interested in you? You're just a maid, a nobody. He's handsome, successful, and charming. Why would he ever choose you?"
Her words stung, but I refused to let them break me. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before responding. "Ella, you may see me as a maid, but that doesn't define who I am. I have dreams, ambitions, and a spirit that cannot be confined by societal expectations. And as for Mr. Anderson, well, who's to say he doesn't see something in me that you fail to recognize?"
Ella's eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with condescension. "Please, Chloe, don't delude yourself. You're just a pawn in his game. He enjoys the attention and the power he holds over women like you. But mark my words, he will discard you like yesterday's news when he's done."
Her words struck a nerve, but I refused to let doubt creep into my mind. "You underestimate me, Ella," I said, my voice steady and resolute. "I am not a pawn or a plaything. I am a woman with agency, with the ability to make my own choices... Ella's gaze pierced through mine." let me burst your bubbles, Anderson's mother is planning our engagement party." Ella said with a smirk on her lips