Maid For Him

Chapter 13

Reese***

"And change that uniform before I have to rip it from your body."

I stood in the kitchen replaying the scene in my head. Was it all in my imagination? Did I not get enough sleep last night?

I shook my head and inhaled deeply. I better go finish cleaning Rickel's room before he starts shouting at me again.

I pushed opened the door and took up the mop. Rickel was at the window and spun around when he heard me.

His voice was full of anger. "What the hell do you think you are doing young lady?!"

"Well I was going to finish cleaning your room."

He took two steps towards me. "I'm sure you were given a list of rules when you started working here. You seen seem to have forgotten them."

I watched the way his fists clenched then relaxed. "Am I talking to a dumb person?"

"N-no sir?"

"And why are you still wearing that outfit. I thought I told you to change."

"I have no clothes here. Would you like me to go home to get changed?"

He went into his closest and ruffled around a bit. "Here. Put these on." He tossed me a pink tank top and matching knee length tights.

I turned the outfit over scrutinizing it. "Thanks?"

"No problem. Now get changed."

I hurriedly left the room wondering how things changed so quickly. One minute he was flirting with me, the next he was a super villain. That cocaine must have been his. Oh I could see it now: him and Sheila up in his room doing drugs and having sex. Burns of a feather surely flock and do other things together.

"Reese!"

I raced up the stairs.  "Yes?"

Rickel looked at me as if I've lost my mind. "Are you going to clean these damn floors or not?"

I started wiping immediately. I needed to get out of this room fast.

I was almost finished wiping when I heard Rickel sigh.
"I won't be going to the office today. A plumber will be stopping by. I would like you to show him all the faulty pipes."

"Sure."

"Reese?" He said as I was about to close the door. "Don't read too much into that kiss. It was a mistake and meant nothing."
He flicked on the t.v. not even giving me a chance to respond. What would I have said anyway?

'Oh that's fine sir. I've already forgotten it.'

It was almost noon when the plumber arrived. I was dusting the furniture in the living room when Rickel answered the door.

"Come in Edwardo. My maid will show you what's to be done."

I turned to face him and almost stumbled.

"Oh Reese I haven't seen you in a while. I thought you would have never made it out alive."

Damn Edwardo!

"I think you're confusing me with someone else. This way please." I guided him toward the kitchen away from Rickel's questioning looks.

I made sure we were out of Rickel's earshot before shoving Edwardo against the counter.

"What the hell are you doing here man?"

He held up both hands. "Just to do plumbing. What are you doing here? After all that man did, you're working for him?"

"You're working for him as well."

"That's different. You were the one that felt it most."

I remained silent and watched as realization dawned on him.

"Oh my God! He doesn't know. Does he?" He placed his hands on his head. "I have to go tell him!"

I grabbed the knife nearest me and pointed it at him.

"I trust you to make sure he doesn't find out Edwardo or I will have to slit your tongue down the middle."

"Whatever man. But I'm telling you, it's dangerous to be playing around with a guy that could pay to have you beheaded. No questions asked."

I pointed toward the sinks. "So we're having trouble with this one as well as the master bath upstairs."

He knew as well that Rickel had entered the room.
"I'll get right on it ma'am." He said politely.
  

Rickel grabbed a water and went upstairs. I decided to start making him lunch since he's staying home.

"You're gonna make him lunch huh?" Edwardo watched as I carefully selected the ingredients.  "What is your plan? To poison him slowly?"

"Shut up and fix the damn pipes!"

He did as he was told, finishing the kitchen and doing the upstairs one as well.

"Be careful Reese." He said before leaving.

I had nothing left. I have lost everything. Being careful was nowhere on my agenda. I was all in.

I plugged in my earphones and let the music drown out my thoughts. It's amazing how music can even make you work faster. A few hours later the house was spotless and I was almost ready to leave.

"Honey. Why is the maid wearing my clothes?" Sheila gave me her signature disgusted look. "Am I running the Salvation Army around here?"

I felt like throwing up. Had I known they were hers I would have never put them on.

Renae was still being her disgusting self. "Let her have them Sheila. She's less fortunate. Look at the shoes she's wearing. Even people living on the streets have better."

They both laughed and left the room. I just stood there and took everything they dished out. They weren't the ones I was angry at and I'm not going let them break me.

Rickel was reading the newspaper in the living room.

I slinged my bag across my chest.

"I'm leaving now."

I stepped out into the evening breeze and started walking down the driveway.

"Reese wait."

I turned around to face him.
"Yes sir?"

I crossed my fingers hoping he wouldn't ask me to work overtime. I cannot spend another minute around those two.

Rickel scratched the back of his head. "Don't pay my mom and Sheila any mind. That's just how they are. They are mean to persons they think are lower than them."

Hmmm.....sure looks like it ran in the family.

"That's ok. I deal with people like that everyday."

"But still, it's not ok and you shouldn't accept that kind of treatment. Anyway, have a good night Reese."

"Goodnight Rickel."

I knew rich guys had their own private shrinks but I don't think there's anyone out there that can help Rickel. His mood changes so often that it's hard to keep up with him.

I sighed as I remembered Edwardo's words.

'Be careful.'

I wanted to scream. Nothing was going according to my plan. I should have been back in school by now.

I opened the apartment and threw myself on the couch. I was so tired that I didn't even care that I was wearing Sheila's clothes. I fell asleep in a few minutes....