There are many things in this world that I don't quite understand. For example, why does everyone crowd around the IT guy who brings his Pomeranian to the office, even though they've never talked to him before? Or why do they greet Yu, who is playing with the Pomeranian, in a friendly manner, yet no one comes to chat with me? Why is that? They can greet the dog owner but can't talk to me, the boss?
"Ms. Frung... Ms. Frung."
As I walk through the supermarket, I turn to the sweet voice calling me from beside me and frown.
"Why are you shouting?"
"I've called you several times already. Is there anything special you want to eat? I'll make it for breakfast."
"Anything is fine. I'll eat whatever you make, or not at all," I reply honestly.
"I don't usually eat breakfast."
"But you ate the breakfast I made this morning."
"I ate it just to make you happy."
"You're so kind. Then, from now on, eat breakfast every morning for me, okay?"
When she smiles widely like that, I can only shrug as if to say, 'That's the least I can do,' thinking that I'll get Pixie's smile every morning.
"Fine."
"Okay, so that's it for the groceries. The ladder is left with a staff in front of the elevator, and the duster is bought. That should be all."
"Not yet. Pixie, you still don't have any clothes, not to mention other essential items... Leave the cart with the ladder and go up to choose clothes and necessary items."
"No need. I can wear the same clothes."
"No, you're mine now. I have to take care of you properly like..."
I pause to think while the sweet-faced girl waits to hear what I'll say.
"Like my kid."
"Your kid?"
"Yes, and after buying clothes, we'll buy stationery and textbooks. That's the plan."
"Why?"
"Because you're uneducated. I want you to be smart and good-looking. I've thought it all out," I say, like a guardian with a small child, thinking about what I want her to do every day. Hearing this, she looks like she just saw a ghost before walking over with arms and legs spread out to block me.
"Hold on. What exactly have you thought out, Ms. Frung? Because from what I can guess, it seems far from a maid's job."
"Well, I feel sorry for you. How can someone only finish middle school... It's sad,"
I place my hand on my chest to swallow a lump and hide my sensitivity.
"People need education. I plan to have you take special classes and then take equivalency exams to get a high school diploma. After that, I'll send you to university so you can apply for a full-time job and earn a salary like others."
"No need. I don't want..."
"No, education is important."
"But..."
"No buts... You're giving me a headache now. Let's buy underwear first, then a week's worth of clothes, towels, and...eh, what else..."
I start counting on my fingers, listing what else is necessary. Yu doesn't argue anymore; she just follows me closely with a pout, making me frown.
"What's wrong? Why the pout?"
"You don't listen to me at all. You decide everything on your own."
"Because what I decide is a good thing."
