Maid For Him

Chapter 9

Reese***

I wiggled into my best skinny jeans and gave myself a once over in the mirror. My high pony tail wasn't as messy as usual and my blouse was ironed. At least I look decent on the day I'm going to be fired.

"Hmmmm.... you look quite attractive today." Gaby smiled at me then winked. "Will Mr. Hot Body be home all day?"

Memories of last night kept sneaking into my mind. I kissed Rickel....well Rickel kissed me. Now it's all over. I blew it!

I shrugged. "Maybe I'll need to find a new job soon."

Gaby folded her hand across her chest and leaned on the bathroom's doorway. "And why is that?" She questioned.

"I don't know." I responded, looking at myself in the mirror again. "I just need a change of scenery I guess..... I'll see you later." I hurriedly left as she tried to bombard me with follow up questions.

I inhaled deeply as the fresh air outside the apartment hit my face. The sun was peeking up over the horizon and I smiled to myself. It's a beautiful day to be disappointed.

The bus ride to Rickel's house was rather uneventful this early in the morning. A lady sat beside me in a skimpy outfit and it was easy to tell that she was going home from a long work night. I sighed. Maybe that's what I should be doing instead of squandering my life working as a maid.

The bus reached my stop and I got off. The flowers lining the stone walkway to Rickel's house looked lush and beautiful. I hissed my teeth. I hated flowers so badly. Their smell made me nauseated.

I walked up to the door. Should I knock or use my key? Well..... I'm not fired yet so I took my key out and slowly opened the door and stepped in.

"Oh the help has arrived." Sheila said in a mocking British accent. "We need to put away all the expensive jewelry."

Fire burned beneath my skin. This girl is going to make me go to jail!

"What? No sassy comeback?" She taunted as she looked at my outfit scornfully.

A million thoughts ran through my head. Where were the cuts and bruises that were on her body? How did Rickel convince her to trust him again? Does she no longer need my help? Did he have sex with her before he kissed me? Does she know that he can't stand her?

"Ok....something is definitely wrong with you. Are you broken?" Sheila asked and I realized I was still standing in the doorway with my mouth agape.

I clamped my mouth shut and hurriedly scrambled toward the kitchen.

Rickel was standing there with his back turned to me. He was already dressed for work, sipping his morning coffee. I could feel the awkwardness creeping over me.

I cleared my throat. "G-Good morning Mr. Nichols."

He spun around swiftly.

"Don't you know better than to startle someone with a hot cup of coffee?" She scolded. "What if I had thrown it at you?"

"I-I'm sorry sir...." I apologized sincerely. "It won't happen again."

Rickel placed his coffee on the island and fixed his tie slowly. The suspense was killing me.

"Uhm....is there anything in particular you would like me to do today sir?" I asked.

"How about you do the job you were hired to do." He walked around the kitchen island and paused when he was beside me. "And make sure the guest in the downstairs bedroom is kept pleased at all time."

He left the room and I stood frozen. I exhaled audibly. Whew! That was quite intense but it looks like I'm in the clear now. Rickel remembered nothing about last night's kiss.

Make sure the guest in the downstairs bedroom is kept pleased at all time.

Now that's one thing I wasn't looking forward to. It's bad enough that I have to put up with Shelia being here but now I have to keep her pleased. I hissed my teeth. This is torture!

Shelia was still lounging in the living room so I decided to clean the guestroom first. That way I can stay clear of her and her awful attitude. 

I opened the door with one hand, the other holding my cleaning equipment. I want to get this over with quickly so I can start upstairs.

"Don't you know you ought to knock on a closed door before you enter?" A stern voice startled me.

I dropped my cleaning equipment and bleach splashed all over the floor.

"Why are you standing there with an open mouth. Clean your mess this instance!" She demanded.

"Excuse me, but who are you?" I inquired.

She looked at me queerly. "I'm Mrs. Nichols, your boss' mother." She answered with authority. "And while I'm here I'll make sure to keep you in check. Maids are supposed to know their place."

My blood was boiling at a hundred and ten degrees and all I wanted was to grab the lamp from the bedside table and throw it at her.

"Move!" Her voice boomed and I jumped.

The bits of memories from yesterday started piecing together. His mom was the one he took to the restaurant, the one he cannot stand. She was the controlling bitch. I could see why.

I knelt and started cleaning the spilled bleach when Shelia appeared in the doorway.

She smirked when she saw me. "Hmmm....you're on your knees. Right where you belong maid."

I shook my head and continued wiping the floor.

"Uhm, Mom?" She directed her attention to Rickel's mother. "Since you're here, what do you say about a girls' spa date before Rick gets back?"

Rickel's mother (whose name I am yet to learn) clapped her hand gleefully. "Yes darling. That would be great. I hardly get to spend any time with my son's fiance."

Fiance? I had no idea Rickel was engaged to her.

She gathered her expensive looking purse and turned to leave with Shelia. "This place better be spotless when I get back." She warned. "I wouldn't want to have to fire you on the first day of meeting you."

Oh great! I have a new boss yet I only get one pay cheque.