CHAPTER 9

The remainder of the week was just me prepping food with Astrid and some other girls and also serving dinner while Ernestine stared and murmured at me. I cleaned the house every once in a while, if no other help was really around. To work as the staff of this family was one of the most gruesome things I had ever done. They had standards that were outrageous.

Just the right angle to put cutlery, the right way to steam and clean cups before setting it at the table, the correct pattern you need to use to make a swan out of a napkin for only dinner, the right way to even put a plate down while serving. It was all ridiculous but nevertheless I endured it. If I was fired right now, it would be hard for me to sneak around the house again without being recognized and then I wouldn't accomplish what I came here to do.

My body hit my bed with a loud thump. I didn't care, no one would notice anyway. Since I was now one of the staff, I was given a bed in the staff quarters. Granted it was small and stiff, at least I had finally left that rat infested attic. I rolled over and tried to find a suitable position I could rest in. I couldn't fall asleep as I had to serve dinner soon but that didn't mean I couldn't rest a bit.

Just as my eyes closed shut, I heard my name ring through the halls outside the staff quarters door. I knew who it was by the banshee-like screech in her voice. I carried my pillow and covered my face as I tried to drown her out. Couldn't she just leave me alone for one second. The door was kicked wide open and I buried my face further into the pillow.

"Mariam Jacobs, get up from that bed right this instant!"

I groaned but made no effort to get up from the bed. The room became silent so I figured she had gotten fed up with me and left. I was wrong. My feet were pulled and I was dragged out from under the pillow and onto the floor. My ass hit the ground at an awkward angle.

"Ow. Astrid, the fuck?"

I rubbed my ass as soon as I stood up with a frown on my face. It was starting to get sore from the fall. Astrid stood there with her arms folded and a scowl.

"Serves you right for running away from your duties. Do you know how much work is out there for us to do? You're only a night maid but you act as if we run you like a slave all day."

I raised my hand in the air to counter her last sentence. Of course, I didn't work all day but whenever I did it was tedious. Her glare kept me from saying anything so I bit back my words and kept silent. Astrid was never one to bargain with or interrupt when she was angry. Instead, I gave her the smile that I always gave to her when I was silently begging for her forgiveness. She paid me no mind and scoffed.

"To the kitchen now. We need to prepare the plates and cutlery. The chefs are almost done."

I nodded and trailed behind her. At least it was the menial jobs she called out this time. She stopped in her tracks which almost made me bump into her. Without turning around, she spoke.

"After this, you're on clean up duty."

Astrid left me in the dust as she walked away. I stood stuck in place wondering who in the world I had offended to give me this girl as a mentor.

•••••

It wasn't easy but the night service went smoothly and since I was on clean up duty, I didn't go out to serve which meant that I didn't get to see any of the family's faces and that was a relief. I had arranged and cleaned the kitchen for the next morning by myself since Astrid told the others to let me do the work as my punishment.

I unplugged the sink and wiped my hands clean of the washing water I used to wash the plates. I sighed and spun around ready to go to bed and end this day. I couldn't move once I saw who stood at the door. A man in a gray sweater and black slacks stood at the only entrance in and out of the kitchen. He had a glass of brandy in his hands and pushed his glasses up the ridge of his nose. His dark curly hair covered most of his eyes but I could see a faint hue of blue behind the glasses. I bowed just as I had been taught to whenever one of the family spoke to me directly.

"Good evening, sir. Is there anything I could help you with? A dish perhaps?"

The man eyed me from my head to my toe and grimaced. I must have looked dirty from cleaning up so I used my hands to clean my clothes and arrange my hair. He walked towards me slowly and I could feel my heart beating fervently in my chest.

"What is your name?" he asked condescendingly.

"Mariam Jacobs sir."

He had gotten to me at this point. I stared at his shoes not wanting to see his face. A hand was put on my chin and my face was forcefully dragged up. I strained against the force of the pull but it only made it worse. He succeeded in raising my face up and now I was looking into his eyes. They were a shade of grayish blue. It looked like a storm was raging inside. He pouted before he spoke.

"You're new, aren't you?"

I could smell the alcohol on his breath. He was probably drunk. I had to defuse the situation before it became worse.

"Yes sir, I am. Do you need help to go to bed? I could call someone..."

A slap stung my face. He growled.

"I don't need any help from the likes of you but I may take you up on the offer of helping me to my bed."

His hands snaked up my gown and cupped one of my breasts. I shuddered in disgust and tried to move away but he pinned me in between the sink and his body. He brought his face closer and took a swig of the drink in his hand.

"Come on. You'll be very helpful to me."

He removed his hands from my body, put his glass down and placed his hands on mine. Before I knew it, I was being dragged across the halls with his hands on my mouth preventing me from screaming. I struggled to fight against him. The fight I was putting up was no match for his strength. Tears ran down my eyes as I realized that I could be raped this night. The thought of it made me sob into his hand harder.

As I was being dragged, I heard footsteps approaching. I screamed and although it was muffled, I hoped it would be enough to get the person's attention. The man began to pick up his pace but I dug the heels of my feet into the ground. Those footsteps were like a ray of hope to me. I was not going to go down without a fight.

Just then I saw a woman coming our way. She had on glasses and wore a silk robe. She pulled it across her body. Immediately the man's hands left my body. I shuffled away and tried to catch my breath while wiping the tears from my eyes.

"Caleb? What are you doing down here at this hour?"

Caleb smiled and put his hands through his hair.

"Nothing darling. I was just walking when this young lady walked up to me and said she was lost. She's new here so she needed directions. I was just helping out."

The woman looked at me with an understanding look. She walked up to him smiling and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"That's my husband. Always looking out for others. One of the reasons why I married you."

Caleb chuckled. He turned to me who was still in shock of what transpired before me. How could she not see the man standing in front of her for who he truly was?

"Go down the hall that way and take a left. You'll get to your room."

He put his hands on my shoulder and I instinctively flinched. He squeezed and smiled.

"Goodnight."

The lady turned around and started to walk away but before Caleb left, he leaned down and whispered into my ear.

"I hope I see you again Mariam."

His eyes sparkled in delight as he heard me whimper. He smirked and left me standing in fear. Footsteps retreated and the duo was gone. I was left alone in the hallway. I was glad I was now free but what had happened had shaken me up. I slid down to the floor and let the sobs shake my body. I wasn't sure I could do this anymore.