A Gilded Cage

The air in the mansion is thick with tension as Malik storms into the servants' quarters, his face contorted with rage. The maids cringe before him, their eyes downcast and shoulders tense as they try to ride out his fury.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Malik bellows, his voice echoing through the halls. "How could you let her slip away when you were supposed to be watching her?!"

The head maid, Eliza, steps forward, her hands trembling. "S-sir, we... we didn't realise she had left. We thought she was sleeping! A-and we didn't want to disturb her rest."

Malik's nostrils flare, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "You didn't want to disturb her rest? Really?! Do you have any idea what she's capable of? She could have hurt herself or worse!"

The maids exchange nervous glances, their faces etched with fear. "W-we're sorry, Sir," Eliza whispers. "It won't happen again, we promise."

Malik's gaze sweeps over the assembled servants; his disdain is palpable. "It had better not," he growls. "From now on, I want you all to be more vigilant. Check on her every hour, without fail. I won't have her putting herself in harm's way because of your incompetence." He sneers.

The maids nod frantically, their expressions harried. Malik turns to leave, but as he reaches the door, he sees Robin standing in the hallway, her eyes fixed on him. Their gazes lock, and for a moment, Malik's expression softens, a flicker of concern passing over his features. But then his jaw tightens, and he strides past her without a word, his anger still simmering beneath the surface.

Once Malik was gone, the maids turned their attention to Robin, their fear quickly evaporating, resentment taking its place. Eliza steps forward, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Ma'am," she says, her voice dripping with disdain. "You should know better than to wander off like that. Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused us?"

Robin shrinks back, her eyes downcast. "I'm sorry," she murmurs. "I didn't mean to—"

"Didn't mean to?" Eliza interrupts, her voice rising. "Do you even realise how much our Boss loves you? He's worried sick about you, and we're the ones who have to pay the price for your recklessness!"

The other maids nod in agreement, their expressions mirroring Eliza's anger. "You need to follow his orders, ma'am," one of them chimes in. "If you don't, we'll all suffer because of you."

Robin feels a pang of guilt, her cheeks flushing with shame. "I'm sorry," she repeats, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll try to be more careful."

Eliza snorts, her eyes narrowing in disgust. "See that you do. Now, please excuse us. Unlike some people, we have actual work to do."

The maids turn and march back into the servants' quarters, leaving Robin alone in the hallway, her heart heavy with regret.

Later that evening, Robin finds herself in the kitchen, carefully measuring ingredients for a cake. As she mixes the batter, her mind drifts to the day's events, and she can't help but feel responsible for the maids' distress.

"I just want everyone to be happy," she murmurs, her brow furrowed in concentration.

The cake bakes, filling the kitchen with the comforting aroma of vanilla and spice. Robin waits anxiously, her eyes fixed on the oven, until finally, the timer dings, and she carefully removes the cake, letting it cool on the counter.

Once it's ready, she carefully frosts it, her hands trembling slightly. She knows Malik can be unpredictable, and she's unsure how he'll react to her gesture.

As the night wears on, Robin waits, her eyes heavy with fatigue. But still, Malik doesn't return. She sighs, her heart sinking, and turns to head upstairs.

She missed her husband. She doesn't know why he's been so busy these last few days, but it was making a dent in the amount of time they got to spend with each other.

Sighing again, Robin felt for the familiar weight in her pocket, her wedding ring, which was the constant reminder of her promise to Malik. Still, as she instinctively reached for the delicate band, her fingers only found the space. 

Panic gripped her as she frantically patted her clothing, searching for the ring that had become an extension of her very being.

"No, no, no," she whispered, her heart pounding. "Not my ring!" Robin immediately retraces her steps, scouring every corner of the kitchen frantically, but the ring is nowhere to be found. 

Just as she was about to have a full-blown panic attack, She finally remembered that she had taken it off earlier at the paint store, a momentary lapse in judgment that had quickly bitten her in the ass.

Desperate, the woman grabs her purse and rummages through its contents, her fingers trembling as she searches for the business card the clerk had slipped into her hand the day before. 

With a shaky breath, she dialled the number, her mind racing with a thousand possible scenarios.

The phone rang, and Robin held her breath, praying the clerk would answer. 

After what felt like an eternity, a familiar voice greeted her. "Artist Emporium, how may I assist you?"

Her relief is palpable. "T-this is Robin Loren. I was in your store yesterday, and I... I think I left something behind." She pauses, her voice wavering. "My wedding ring. I need to get it back."

There was a brief silence, and then the man spoke, his tone reassuring. "Ah, yes, Miss. I've been expecting your call. Your ring is safe here with me. When would you like to come and retrieve it?"

Robin felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. " Thank God. But I… can't come myself. I could send a guard there to retrieve it?" The words tumbled out before she could stop them, the thought of leaving the house and facing Malik's inevitable anger too much to bear.

"Ah..," the man says, his tone apologetic. "I can't do that, miss. But since you are unable to pick it up yourself, would you like me to bring it to you? It's our policy to deliver lost items directly to the owner."

Robin hesitates, unsure if she should invite a stranger to the mansion. 

But the thought of getting her ring back overwhelms her. "O-okay, yes, that would be great. I'm at the Blackwood Estate. Can you come by tomorrow morning? Maybe by 10?"

By that time, Malik would have already gone to work.

"Absolutely," the man replies. "I'll be there. See you soon!"

Robin hangs up the phone, her heart racing. She knows Malik won't be happy about a stranger coming to the house, but she desperately wants her ring back.

Just then, Malik appears in the doorway, his expression unreadable. "Who was that?" he asks with an overshadowing eerie look. 

Robin knows instantly she has to count her words.