Chapter 9 Good Natured Maureen!

I had supper sadly as I worried about sir Charles.

I couldn't bear the thought of him spending another night outside the mansion and especially in his current condition.

I was more worried because, since the news of West Land aircraft, he hasn't been home.

I don't know how he's feeling and if he's lonely.

I'm aware that I might not be able to console and take his burdens away but it will feel nice to have him within my reach and I would be assured of his safety.

What am I thinking? How can he be lonely?

He must have loyal employees who will share in his troubles but he's still the leader of the cooperation so,  he will be more affected.

His family will also be by his side even when others give up on him so,  I shouldn't think that he's alone in this.

But come to think of it, I haven't seen his family and I've been working for a whole year.

Why didn't I think of this? The only person I'm familiar with is Robert, sir Charles's friend and that bitch Hailey.

Does this mean that he's an orphan or was he abandoned?

C'mon, what am I saying? You're so foolish Maureen!

He couldn't have been abandoned. Claudia clearly stated that the airline is a family business.

I couldn't get him out of my mind and as I sat outside the mansion waiting for him, I thought more of him.

I could only hope that he comes home. Yes! the mansion had become my second home since I left Louisiana.

Staying by his side doesn't just feel right,  it also makes me happy.

Working here, although I'm a maid, is a blessing to me because I'm not just comfortable and happy, I also get paid and the cash will help me prepare for college.

*****

Charles' car halted to a screech outside the mansion.

In his car, he saw that Maureen was dozing off while sitting outside the house.

After Matthew opened the door and he descended, he walked straight to her as he wondered what she was doing outdoors.

Originally he would have walked past if it was not for Maureen whom he regarded as a sweet girl. 

He would have asked Matthew to wake her while he left but since she's his cook and favourite female worker, he couldn't leave her in the cold.

He tapped her arm and immediately she woke as though she was drifted from a different world.

She looked up at who touched her and smiled thinking she was dreaming.

"You're here!" she said and Charles who stood next to her frowned.

His brows became thicker and he assumed she must have been drunk.

His frown deepened because he didn't expect Maureen to be that kind of girl, she didn't seem like one to him. And worse, he wondered where she must have gotten alcohol from since he purchases only wine.

"Maureen!" he called out in anger.

"Sir," she said as she realised she wasn't dreaming.

"Why are you sleeping outdoor?" he asked.

"I was waiting for you, sir."

"What did you say?" he was shocked.

She realized that she slipped her true intentions and bit her lips before she spoke.

"I'm sorry sir,  I just wanted to feel nature, the weather seems nice."

"The weather is cold and you should be in and not out doing nothing. Go in immediately. " He said and without wasting time,  Maureen walked forward.

Charles looked her way when she made way for the back door and his look told her to walk through the front door.

These are the things Charles does that give her hope and make her feelings grow. As a maid, she isn't meant to have access to the front door only when she is to invite a guest or the owner in.

She didn't understand why but if for once she didn't read the meaning of his behaviour, she would understand that it was logical as the kitchen is closer since she would serve him his meal.

As Charles walked in, she followed suit. Charles went upstairs and changed before coming back down.

He was surprised that Maureen hadn't left the spot where she stood before he left.

"Are you just gonna stand there? Where's my coffee or have you forgotten my taste? " he said as he approached her.

"No sir! I just want to speak with you," she said.

Charles walked past her and sat at the dining. So, Maureen turned around to face him.

"What do you want to say?" he asked in a calm tone and Maureen swallowed before she spoke.

"I just wanted to know how you're doing judging from the news of the plane crash and how important your company is to you sir," she asked although she was scared that she shouldn't. 

"Why do you care? Is it a concern of yours and why bother about this? Are you scared that you won't get your salary?" Charles asked immediately and Maureen was scared as fuck.

She didn't know that he would be this offended. She meant no harm whatsoever to his pride and wouldn't have asked if she knew that he would be irritated by her question.

Her heart was beating fast, faster than she could count as she didn't know what to say for fear of enraging him.

Her reason for asking was because she was worried about him and she wouldn't be at ease till she rested assured that her love was fine.

Her heart was in her throat and soon she started sweating. She was mute for a while till Charles broke the silence and spoke.

"I asked you a question," he said with furrowed brows as he saw the beads of sweat on her forehead.

"I don't know if it's appropriate to say this but I was worried about you," Maureen said bashfully and didn't look at him.

Some of her actions make Charles feel that she likes him but as soon as it crosses his mind,  he shoves it off.

Maureen was younger than him and he doubted that she would like him judging his behaviour and how rude he was to his employees. He didn't expect anybody to love him again.

Besides what he shares with Hailey is nothing but a fling to him since Hailey is into him for his looks, fame and wealth.

Charles wasn't shocked because he started taking her words as that of an honest employee. This kind of attitude is what makes him calmer and nicer when he speaks to her than with the others.

He is often lenient with Maureen judging that she is young and was only 18 when she started working for him.

He finds her character amusing since she left her hometown Louisiana which is miles away just to work for her family.

He was fully aware that she was spending her money on her family and this, he found admirable.

"I understand."

When he said this,  Maureen looked up at him and smiled yet again believing in her fantasies. She believes that Charles feels something for her but can't own up to it because of certain circumstances.

To her, he wasn't taken since she found out that he has no feelings whatsoever for Hailey and she realised that he treated her better than Hailey.

She was glad that he understood her feelings unknown that Charles was pleased because of her good nature.

She smiled ear to ear revealing her good dentition and it made her look more beautiful.

If Maureen wasn't a maid and was rich and more mature,  she would be Charles's taste since he loved extremely beautiful women plus she was prettier than any girl he had come across and her beauty was rare but judging from the present,  she isn't what he would want.

Mostly because she was too young, poor,  and uneducated for him.  And too naive to be in a relationship.

Maureen kept smiling and as Charles saw the broad smile on her face, his look darkened and he snapped.

"Now get going," he ordered and she went away. 

Funny enough, Charles feels calm when he speaks with her and it seems that the angered expression that followed him from work has disappeared.

To him,  Maureen was more like comedy, one which can make you laugh and feel amused and at the same time, you're normal and not moved by its attempts since it's boring.

Shortly after, she came back with his coffee and placed it before him.

"Sir, do you need anything else?"

"No, you can leave."

"But sir, aren't you going to eat?" she asked.

"I'm not hungry. Don't bother."

"But sir, starving yourself won't help you. It would make you liable to illnesses." As she spoke Charles didn't respond and he kept a stern face which was meant to tell Maureen that he meant every word that he said but the little miss is too stubborn to give up.

These might be the little things that he doesn't like about her. But as funny as her attitude may occur to him,  it doesn't bother him.

It might be because Maureen's regular attempts to be a good employee reminds and makes him feel the way he felt as a little boy.

That must be the reason why he overlooks her words but although she wasn't the type of person that would annoy another.

"I don't mean to get into this but you shouldn't let this weigh on you.  You're one of the most influential businessmen and this will pass. I know you might have been insulted today but when it's all over, the same set of people would broadcast your success. Success is within your reach and people will forget about this like it didn't happen because yours is not the first plane to crash. Sir, I don't want you to be broken about this. You shouldn't let it take away the life in you."

"Maureen, nothing's taking my life now get my food!" Charles said and Maureen nodded before she left for the kitchen.

He didn't like to get personal with anyone especially employees. He doesn't like to be connected with anyone and hence his reserved nature.

Although, Charles was touched by her words. He couldn't believe that a young girl can be so wise and supportive.

It touched him so much because he couldn't get it from his family.