Give Me Some Time

6

The sun shone through the clouds. Very little ray of light brightened the wall, reflecting it till it woke me up. I peek over the window and luckily, nobody are outside. Once I'm all freshen up, I walked back down to the kitchen. It's still a little early and maybe I can help with breakfast. The maids are shocked by my sudden visit, they apologized for being late.

"Can I help with breakfast? I thought of making Jack and Liam some snacks and breakfast for the kids." I asked.

"I'm sorry, Madam Sara. But I can't allow you to work in as our spot in this house." the oldest maid spoke. She doesn't seem to mean badly.

"Only for today, please? I'm not gonna let them punish you guys. I promise I'll be careful." I pout and plead. The maid looked at the others before sighed.

"Fine, but we'll hold on to your promise." she said and step aside. I smiled and hold her hands in excitement.

"Yes! Now what do they like? And what they can't eat?" I asked. Taking the head maid further into the kitchen, our little conversation turnt quite wonderful. I know my ways around the kitchen, even in this new temporary home. And everyone treat me so very nicely.
Once the table are all set with foods ready on it, the maid asked: "You're quite sharp with the kitchen's. Was cooking one of your hobby?"

"If I told you, would you keep it as secret?" she made me feel like I could trust her. Given that she's older and wiser, she knew how to treat me the way I felt comfortable. The people here thought I married Jack for love, some thought it was for money, and only Jack knew the real reason.

To shape Liam into someone who's ready to handle a family and businesses, Jack had purposely searched for me, although he wasn't really looking for me. He was searching for a nanny and a clever person who could take the spot if Liam fall out of it.

Despite his searching that almost took him 2 years, he didn't give up and 'destiny' said I was top in the school in the whole village, ergo the reason he still managed to keep searching for me till he succeeded. I'm not fond of my past but Jack didn't mind it, Liam might hate me more than he already do, but I couldn't let Noah and Mary found out. The kids have bright futures ahead of them, letting them in on the pain of their mother's lost might broke them.

Now that Jack had entrusted me with manuals and info's I needed, I believe I can take care of their businesses. I stared at the hot oil in the deep frying pan.

"Madam?" she nudged me.

Due to the sudden tap on my shoulder, I grip the pan's handle without the cover.

"Oh my gosh, Madam I'm so sorry!" the head maid shouted. I had to shush her with my finger on my lips, afraid that she'll make others notice.

"Don't yell. It's fine, it's nothing. I'm used to this. I was in charged of cooking at my last home." I replied. The wrinkly hands that was pulling me to the tap might've heard me very clearly.

"Were you a maid too? But you're so young?" she asked.

"I was born here, but since I was 2, my family moved to the outer part of the town, where it's more villages than cities. My mother was a very old-school person. So I left and work for other's." I end my little sob story that only half the truth. I put both my hands on her and she checked every scars and burn marks I had. She had stayed quiet for a while and finally cup my cheek with her hand.

"Aren't you the fighter?" she smiles. I hardly felt warmth from a women. I pulled the head maid into my arms and we hugged. It's been such a long time since somebody had praised and consoled me.

"Ahem-ahem." a deliberated coughing stops us. I focus my eyes to the sound and saw Jack and Liam watching us. I didn't push her away, instead I link our arms together.

"You're early. Did you guys got closer?" Jack asked and sit at his designated place. Liam followed but only kept quiet.

"I feel like she's gonna be my friend." I smiled at her then walk to my sit, winking at her then pointed to the foods. She mouthed 'o' and walked away.

"So Sara, after breakfast we're gonna leave for the dock. There I'm gonna introduce you to my business partners, Joseph and more." he cut his speech short as Noah and Mary ran down to the dining room together. They look inseparable. I nodded to Jack and look at each of their faces while they munch on the breakfast I had made. Maybe they noticed the different taste, they ate in big bites. The inner voice in my heart is dancing in joy.

Once everyone had left the table to get ready, I sneaked back to the kitchen. The head maid was washing the dishes with another girl.

"Hey, I realized I never catch your name." I poked her. She turned and smiled sweetly.

"You don't have to call me by my name, dear." she said.

"Oh but I must! I hope you can guide and help me through my stay here." I put my hand to my chest, meaning what I said.

"If you insist, call me Margaret. I've been in this household since I was your age. Now I'm all old and wrinkly, this is the first time somebody really wanted to be a friend." she smiled and push me slowly out of the kitchen and pointed to the clock. Almost 8.00 am. I remembered that Jack had asked me to meet him. I dashed up the stairs to his study and knocked on the door, catching my breath. He signaled 'come in' by clicking the bell on his table.

"I'm here. Is there anything I can help?" I asked. Jack hold his hand out which made me confused.

"Take a seat, dear. I see that you've grown closer with that head maid. That's nice. She knows all about the kids schedule. As of today, I've been feeling better than the weeks before, but if anything do happen to me, I need you to learn on how to take care a business. Its not easy, you might gain or lose buyers, they might like what you sell but also might critized your business. To keep them loyal, you must know how to win their hearts. That's where Liam lacked. He provide the products, and doesn't promote or try to make the buyer happy with their purchase. " Jack went straight to his point. He paused to catch a breath before continuing.

" Like a few weeks ago, somebody had asked him for a furniture recommendation, he coldly replied 'Just look around for what you seem fit in your house.' . Too bad right? He doesn't care about others, I need him to. I promise I would let you be free once you've done your job, and here is the contract. I need you to sign here, and I'll put it in the safe under my desk. " he pointed and put a fountain pen on the paper.

The followings are written on it. 'I (Sara Walker) am part of the Moore's household as Jack Moore's wife, only until I succeed in making the oldest son (Liam Moore) a suitable head for the family, I can take half of Jack Moore's fortunes and leave the household without changing my last name into Moore. '
The last line were for me to sign it. I read the paper carefully and asked, "Is this the only paper?"

"What do you mean?" he raised his eyebrows.

"If I may, I would like to make a little change in this part." I pointed to the words 'fortunes'.

"I think half of it is enough for you to go anywhere you want and stay there for a year or two without working. But if you really want to, then go ahead." Jack said in unsatisfied voice. I chuckled and took the pen.

After a short while, I gave back the letter to Jack. He reads it carefully and laughed.

"Oh dear, so modest and humble. How can you even think of equaly divide the fortunes among the four of you. Let's go dear, we're gonna run late." he put the letter in the safe and walked out the door while holding my hand. I followed till we reached outside the house.

"Oh you guys are all here. Great, now climb in." Jack talked to the kids. I whispered to the maid and she left.
"What are you doing? Aren't you gonna come?" Liam asked, everyone had climbed into the carriage, I slowly climbed into, purposely making more time. Short after, the maid come and put the basket at the back of the carriage. The coachman drove off and I sat next to Liam as the kids sit with Jack in the middle.