Maid in Seattle [Elvis]

Chapter 14 - Taking it into Her Own Hands

(Thanks for sticking with the story! Sorry for the delay in posting... writers block is the worst. I hope you like the coming chapters that I have planned! There's going to be a little twist.)

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Carry dropped the cut piece of carrot she was about to bite into as we sat at our table during our lunch hour. I was still in my gray skirt-suit ensemble, and I just told Carry about what happened with Elvis at the front desk. I hadn't gotten to the part concerning Colonel Parker. Carry's mouth hung open as she stared at me, appalled.

"Are you out of your mind, Amy?! After all that you two have been through?!"

Our co-workers from other tables looked over at us after that outburst. Since I was sitting right next to Carry, I leaned in close to her and whispered hastily, "Quiet down, will you? I don't want everyone to know about this."

"But Amy... you were just saying how you didn't care anymore, that it was all worth it."

My heart sunk at remembering Elvis reminding me of that earlier in the morning. I kept my voice low in a whisper. "I know, I know, but I had a reason to. Elvis stepped away for a moment, and his manager took advantage of that. He threatened to go to Mrs. Hewitt and tell her what I've been up to. I can't lose my job, Carry. You know that."

"But Amy, this is Elvis Presley we're talking about! You broke up with Elvis Presley!"

I looked around in alarm and noticed that nobody seemed to hear Carry say that since she said it in a whisper. "I'm well aware." I set my chopsticks down next to my container of rice, right next to my little container of kimchi. I huffed. "I've been a fool, Carry. What was I thinking, being involved with a star and risking my job? And his, too! He probably got in trouble with his manager because of me. In fact, I know it. That man looked at me like I was a bug needing to be squashed."

Carry folded her arms and frowned. "Well, that manager of his is a stuffy old cod."

"Regardless, he knows what's best for Elvis, and being in a relationship with a maid isn't good for him or his image."

"It's good for his happiness, though. Doesn't his manager see that?"

I thought about that for a moment. Of course, that man would have Elvis's feelings in mind, but those would come second to his image and success. "I think he does, but it's not as important as keeping Elvis famous."

"Happiness should be the number one priority no matter what."

"Things are different for stars. It's just the way it is."

Tears stung my eyes, and emotion caught my throat. I cleared it and got to eating my humble Korean meal of rice, kimchi and leftover seafood stew called jjamppong. Carry took in and let out a large sigh and got back to her lunch as well. "It must have been so disheartening to see the look on Elvis's face when you told him."