Mistress Lila was missing!
The ball had ended hours ago and we couldn't find the mistress. I ordered the maids to do a quiet search of the hall and outside but no sign of her.
"Where could she be?" I grunted.
No one knew the mistress had gone missing yet, just me, the maids and the head guards. I gathered them into a circle and whispered; "Do not let this be at the hearing of a single soul until we find the mistress!" I warned sternly.
I saw president Leo strolling towards us after the ball.
"Quick! Act like nothing's happening."
"I thought Miss Lila went to the bathroom, the party has ended already, quite introverted uh?" He grinned and I couldn't help but notice his sparkling eyes.
I loved president Leo too, I mean, who didn't?
He was the typical ladies man, girls loved to dazzle around him like bees around honey.
Sometimes, I wished I could join in the ogling and merriment around him but I had to maintain my stance as the head maid and pretend I wasn't moved.
I hated it when he smiled at Leo and the gifts, arghhh! And when that spoiled little Lila acted indifferent and rejected his gesture and instead, stuck to that lowlife Mason.
"She uhm…she was out of the bathroom a while ago and had gone to rest in the car." I lied.
"Oh." He said disappointed. "Then please relay my message to her. Tell her I still love her and would be coming for a visit tomorrow."
"Wh-what? I'm sorry sir but that's quite impromptu for us to start making arrangements." My heart jumped.
He laughed. "It's not on formality terms. I'll just casually stroll by."
"I see…I"
He caught me mid sentence.
"How's grandfather Gilmore by the way?"
I gritted my teeth before answering.
"Stronger and better." I flashed a smile.
"That's good. Ophelia, you're a true person indeed, I'm thanking you on Lila's behalf."
He held my hand and fumbled them softly. I made soft inward gasp and pretentiously shoved my hands away but deep down, I wanted him to keep my hands in his broad, masculine hands, then reach out to my cheek and stroke them like I watched him do to Lila.
"We shall get going, sire."
"I shall send a gift over soon!" His voice rose.
Arghhh!
But I smiled gratefully.
"You're too kind sir!"
He waved at us and we strutted to the car without the mistress!
I couldn't say I'm not overwhelmed, what I felt could not be described, glad at the mistress disappearance?
Or panic because head maid Ophelia's head would be taken once they learned Lila was missing.
Well, I cared very little because before that happened, I would have accomplished my mission.
Thankfully or should I say, fortunately, Mr Gilmore had dementia, sometimes he forgot who we all are and treated us as strangers. He was being taken care of by a special need nurse we got through a thorough search and series of interviews.
Safe to say, our search wasn't in vain because the nurse was skilled.
"Remember, say a word of this to anyone and I'll have your tongues severed." I threatened and they all bowed to respond.
At the mansion, no one said a word, though other maids' expressions registered confusion and curiosity but none dared to even whisper.
The mansion housed twenty maids, five maids served different purposes respectively.
The kitchen, cleaning, stocking the house and Lila's personal care.
I had ordered some guards to begin a thorough search round the town from tomorrow and that Mason guy would be arrested as soon as possible.
In the early hours of a new day, Mr Gilmore asked for his granddaughter, Lila to dine with him but I put in some planned words.
My hands were clenched together behind my back as I recited the lies.
He was lying on his king sized bed, alone and in his large, white colour walled room.
"Where's my granddaughter? Where's Lila? Asked he.
"She's alright sire, do you need her for anything?"
"She said she'll join me for dinner but I haven't seen her."
"Oh is that so sire? Well, I…uhm, she's quite bloated at the moment."
The maids that went to the balls with us were with me and they nodded in agreement as I ordered them.
"No. She hasn't visited me since your return. My Lila wouldn't do that even if she's tired." His frail voice sounded.
I was annoyed and felt so horrible that I had to lie repeatedly.
I almost scoffed but I still had patience.
"I'm sorry sir, but she's still out with President Leo…she was supposed to be around but they just have to have this little couple time."
I glanced at the maids who glanced back confused because that was unexpected and not part of the rehearsal plan.
"No, that can't be. President Leo sent me a message earlier that my Lila had just left the ball and would be coming home."
"He did?" I asked almost with a s
haky voice and heart pounding faster than it should be.
"Where's Lila? Where's my granddaughter?"