Service Classified

PART 4: The day begins

I am about halfway done with my breakfast.

This is still very weird for me, lets hope this is not going to flutter longer.

Opal adjusts the clip in her hair and speaks.

"Well, we are no longer hidden, but the master is at least not too shocked. I guess we can do our duties during the day then."

She walks to the door.

"Master, i'm going to tend to the garden, its become a wild place ever since the previous owner died, and I have not had the chance to work on it. Emi, stay here with the master and be sure to clear the dishes when he is finished."

Emi nods at her.

"Opal, wait." I say, putting my utensils down.

"Before you go, there is so much I still have to understand, how did you get cursed in the first place?"

I don't know how much they are willing to share, but they refer to me as "Master", so I guess that means i'm now doubly the owner of this manor.

"That is hard to explain, master. I'll explain later, or perhaps Emi here can do it. She is young, but she is capable. And before you ask, we can't lift the curse, its impossible. Excuse my indecency, master."

Opal leaves for the garden.

And now i'm alone in the room, Emi staring at me, looking like she is ready to listen to whatever I say.

"Hey Emi, I appreciate it a lot that you are so dedicated, this must have been a difficult situation for you."

"Its nothing master, I live to serve."

Then there is an abrupt moment of silence.

"So, can you tell me why you and your sister are stuck here?"

She looks at me, sighs and puts up a neutral face.

"Years ago, I can't remember how long, we stepped into the grounds of this manor, we thought it might hold something interesting, when we walked through the gate, we suddenly heard a loud noise, a bang. We tried to run away, but there was an invisible barrier keeping us both in... Nothing we could do about it. We got inside the mansion to find that it was already inhabited, and then we were just there, with no way to leave. We found these dresses and these headdresses in a closet in the attic, along with a book on the duties of a maid. Opal and I then accepted our fate, we were going to be maids. We were going to clean, wash, cook, garden, any chore that the master needs done, like we read in the book. We did it blindingly until the owner died... Then we were alone... Until you moved in."

So that is why he was paranoid around the time of his death...

"Thanks for telling me all of it, Emi. I can't imagine how that must have been, and now, you are not hidden, but don't worry! You and your sister can stay, and to be fair, I would appreciate some housework, so its completely fine. You have been loyal to the previous owner for so long, and if you want to continue, I'll allow it."

"Thank you master."

I finish breakfast. Emi sees it and loosens the plank from my bed and goes for the door.

"I'll just go and put this in the dishwasher, then i'm of to dust of the shelves in your office. If there is anything you just have to call us, master."

She leaves.

What... Just what was that?

I know I accepted those two just now, but this still feels so surreal.

I should probably just get about my morning as usual. I pick up my phone.

Wait, its Friday, I have to to the office! I need to work! Oh no, I have wasted time asking things.

I get dressed in a hurry, speeding of to the bathroom to get my teeth brushed and my hair combed and gelled. I go to the study, I left some documents there I have to bring to work today.

Hold on, I have to inform Opal and Emi that i'm gone for a while!

I rush downstairs into the living room, and I see Opal and Emi diligently going about their maid tasks.

"Opal, Emi."

They drop everything and come to me.

"I have to go to work, i'm gonna be gone for the rest of the day, I presume I can trust you two with the house?"

They nod without asking questions.

"Of course, master. We will handle the manor, you can count on us." Opal says.

I grab my keys from the dresser and head out.

My car is in front of me, my classic, stylish black BMW.

As I drive out through the gate, the events of tomorrow swirl through my head, I feel funny inside, about what just happened, about how i'm going to live now, about with who should I share that I have other people in house, abou-

"BEEP!"

Somebody honks their car horn behind me, and I see that the stop light is green.

Dammit, am I really sinking in my thoughts so hard? 

The thoughts follow me the entire drive as I park in my preserved spot.

I go inside of the building and head upstairs, going past the spaces for the employees.

"Hey Harvey, your 16 minutes late! Is there anything? There was nothing in traffic, I hope, stupid thing..."

"...No Jim, I overslept, sorry."

Franky, another employee now notices me and joins in on the conversation.

"Hey boss, you look like you just saw the date of the end of the world, are you sure everything is fine?"

"I'm fine, Franky, I just... Ate too fast."

"Ay, you asking the boss questions? Can I join too?"

"Shut up, Gerald, nobody cares about your opinion!" Franky yells.

"Hey Franky, leave him, will you? Yes I would prefer no more questions, but that does not mean you have to be rude!" I say, hoping to make Gerald more comfortable on the job.

"You guys just keep doing what your all doing, i'll be in my office."

I head into my office, sit down and open my laptop.

But I fail to work productively, the feelings in my head are too strong right now.

"Mister Dallas? Mister Dallas?"

I see Gerald in my office.

"Oh, hi Gerald, is there anything I can help with?"

"I just want to say thank you, man. Franky and Jim have been complaining to each other the during the period you where late, me and Guy were getting sick of it. they probably would have continued if you didn't tell them to stop."

"Its fine, Gerald, and i'm sorry too for being so late."

"If I may ask, does your oversleeping have anything to with your new home? I heard you got yourself this really nice mansion."

"Just maybe, I don't know myself."

"Oh, ok. Sorry for disrupting, boss. I'll leave you to it, have a nice day."

And he leaves.

I had "I have two strange people in my house who serve me." on the tip of my tongue.

Thank god I held it in.

I will just focus on my job, it will all be better if calm down and adapt.