JPOP Housemaid

Chapter 16 - Mad Rampage

My brain blanked. The girl standing on the step below me was maybe an inch taller than me which made her about 5'6".

She had a thin frame, and looked so weak and frail that she reminded me of my grandma in hospital before she died.

Her eyes were wide and a rich brown, looking so caring and understanding that I immediately wanted to share all of my feelings and secrets with her.

Her hair was straight and mousey-brown, cut just past her shoulders with a thick fringe cutting across her forehead.

"I guess not," she said almost apologetically. "Otherwise Takeo would have ran to answer the door." I guess she had expected a laugh, because after waiting a few seconds she began to blush.

I still didn't really know what to say. There was something rather worrying itching at the back of my mind. I knew what it was, but I didn't want to address the matter so instead I simply said,

"Hello."

"Hello, I'm Azalea," she replied, blinking with her enormous doe-eyes. The itch went away when that was confirmed and instead was replaced by a twinge of annoyance.

"You're not from here, are you?"

She closed her eyes with a small smile. "No." Opening them, she fiddled with her suitcase strap awkwardly. "I'm from Canada."

I nodded in reply. I knew I was being rude not inviting her in, but for some reason I didn't quite trust or like her.

"You're from England, I guess?" she questioned.

"Mm hm," I replied dismissively. This isn't time for Twenty Questions. Opening the door slightly as a polite gesture, I asked her - hoping she would decline - if she wanted to come in.

"If that's alright," she said nervously.

I tried to hide my distaste. Why's she acting like a frightened kitten? I wondered sourly. I realised that I was being like Isei, but I had no qualms. Maybe this is why Isei doesn't like me but he liked her. She's so quiet and reserved, whereas I'm not so much.

Stepping aside, I let her walk in, then shut the door after she had dropped her suitcase on the floor again. The bottom of that thing is going to get awfully dusty. Oh wait - I cleaned. Heh heh...

"Want some tea?" I asked, skipping unnecessary small talk. She nodded enthusiastically and said something which was too quiet for me to hear. Not like I would've needed to hear it anyway.

I took slow steps towards the kitchen. When I got in, I shut the door and stood with my back to it, frowning.

This is the famous Azalea, then, I pondered and I scrunched my nose. Don't see what's so great about her.

I boiled the kettle and added the tealeaves, then walked back for the living room where I left her standing. I won't be surprised if she's standing like a deer in the headlights in the exact same spot I left her.

I opened the door, and sure enough, she was standing there, not having moved an inch. I wasn't surprised.

I gave her the tea and sat down on one of the sofas, waiting for her to sit. She looked very uncomfortable, but eventually moved and sat on a different sofa. I noticed we even sat differently.

Me; with my legs slightly open and my hands wherever was comfortable, and her; with her legs neatly crossed and her hands lying elegantly in her lap.

I harrumphed, though she didn't seem to take notice.

"I have a carpet cleaner coming soon," I said, finally breaching the awkward silence. "He said he'd be here around this time."

"Where's the stain?"