Chapter 8
It’s been five days since I started working here at the mansion of Marques Manufacturing owner’s son, Maître Andrew.
Nothing’s wrong with me here and I’m getting along with my four companions as maid servants.
My job is different each day. Different positions and tasks like what manang said.
I am also wearing the black uniform of the servants. Sometimes I can’t help but wander around the house since it’s eerily quiet and there’s no one around here all the time.
The last time I saw Zeke was when he brought me here. Well, I don’t really wanna see him, anyways.
Everyday I kept calling Tiya about Brylle or sometimes that neighbor who is sometimes in charge of him. It’s a good thing we always kept in touch. But I really do miss the child’s cute face.
The four of us are currently in the kitchen, manang isn’t with us since she’s doing something. Most of the time it was the three of them talking and sometimes I join them or they invite me to.
“How many years have you been together?” I asked. The three of them looked at each other before they replied in chorus.
“Five years!”
“We always wanted to work at the same place. So here we are, together as a sticky glue.” I was confused at what Jane said.
“So you all dreamed to work together as a maid?” I playfully remarked. Ema looked at me with an expression that screams ‘really?’ Actually, she’s the one I’m closest with among the three. Our beds are beside each other so we get to make casual conversations at night.
“Of course not, Nassandra. Jane couldn’t get in the company as an employee. While Nathan and I are already accepted. But we promised each other to be together at work so here we are. Working together as a maid.”
“It’s a good thing we’ve all been accepted here in Maître Andrew’s mansion.” Says Nathan. I stiffled out a laugh.
“Wow.” It’s admirable that they’ve been by each other’s side the whole time.
“So Nassandra, tell us something about your life.” Jane tells me. I looked at the other two who looked like they were expecting for an answer to the question. I sighed.
“My whole family died and I’ve been living on the streets for four years. Then last year, someone took care of me in their house so I practically lived there.” They listened to me in silence. I didn’t bring out to them about Brylle because they don’t really need to know that. I still don’t trust them that much. It’s sickening to have people break your trust just like that.
“Uhmmm” They obviously didn’t know what to say to me so I just smiled.
“But it’s alright, I’m happy with the way I’m currently living my life. Don’t stay silent, I’m not used to it.” The cheerfulness on their faces returned.
“Sorry for asking.” I returned the smile and resumed to talking casually. Whereas I returned to the memories that are needed to be forgotten.
We all turned our heads when manang entered the kitchen.
“You better hurry up with your tasks. Today is the return of Maître Andrew.” The three servant’s eyes’ widened at what manang just announced and immediately went back to their jobs. Madame walked closer to me.
“Nassandra, make sure that the living room at the front door is spotless. If not, clean it immediately.” I nodded and quickly walked towards the kitchen near the mansion’s entrance.
While cleaning, entered was a serious Zeke who’s wearing one earpiece. He stayed by the door, looking for something from afar before roaming his eyes around the house.
I looked at him to which he gazed back. He looked at what I am doing as he raised a brow at me.
“What are you standing there, maid?” He gave emphasis to the word maid and that’s when I realized I was standing like a fool in front of him. I started to remember the rules.
I bowed my head down.
“Sorry, maître.” I saw his faint smirk before turning his back at me. I left the living room since I’m not suppose to be intervening. If I stay, they might get suspicious of me.
Before I got distant, I heard Zeke shouting.
“Felix! Get the damn commando in the field. All of the guards!” I heard someone saying ‘yes, maître’ before returning to the kitchen.
“Was that maître Zeke?” Asked Ema. I nodded then leaned against the wall like them.
“What are we going to do now?” Jane said with a bored expression.
“Don’t you ever go to the field. You may go around in any part of the mansion just don’t go out for now.” We all stood up straight as manang ordered.
The three left immediately, I don’t know where they are going. So I decided to go back to our room. It’s afternoon already and I haven’t called home yet so I thought of calling Tiya or her neighbour to check on Brylle.
As I called, the neighbor who Tiya entrusted was the one who responded. I asked how Brylle is doing and stared a conversation.
When our conversation ended, I left our room since I heard a sound from the outside.
Closing the door, I heard heavy footsteps coming up as they angrily shut the door. I jumped upon hearing the loud noise.
I went to the kitchen where I saw manang with a sad face.
“Manang Vilma, what’s wrong?” She forced a smile at me.
“It’s nothing. Where are the others? We need to clean something.” I shrugged.
“I have no idea.” She just nodded at my answer.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“Get a wet rug.” I was confused at her command at first but I obediently followed. She walked towards the front door.
“Remember what I told you, Nassandra.” I furrowed my eyebrows. Why? Is there something wrong?
As we arrived at the porch by the front door, I was burst upon a red trail that leads to upstairs.
Is that blood?!
I stopped in my tracks as I stared at the situation. There is blood dripping towards the room of Maître Andrew!
Zeke looked towards our direction by the door with a smirk plastered on his face. With him was a white man wearing a serious expression on his face.
Manang maintained her gaze low while I can’t help but stare at Zeke’s smirking face. Looks like he isn’t pleased with what I’m doing. His companion seems confused on who I was. This made me turn back to the traces of blood.
“Mama! Papa!” I heard a voice of a young teenage girl.
I closed my eyes, wishing those memories I kept burrying in the back of my head wouldn’t come back.
“Nassandra!” Someone held me by the shoulder which caused me to open my eyes. In front of me was manang who looked at me with a worried and sad expression.
“You’re in front of the Maîtres.” She pointed out. I returned my gaze towards the two men and immediately walked away from them with my head low.
“Work fast and clean the mess of this house.” Said the white man with a British accent. Manang bowed her head.
“Yes, Maître Dale.” Manang held my hand then led me to where the blood is. She knelt down and started to wipe it out. Still dumbfounded, I looked at her in disbelief.
“What are you doing?” Zeke asked while I looked at him. I ignored his question as I placed the rug on the floor and proceeded to wipe out the blood.
During my first wipe, I felt my eyes in the verge of tears. It hurts to see the color of blood. I wanted to divert my gaze away from the sight but I needed to get the job done. I prevented the tears from falling from my eyes.
I walked towards the stairs as intending to clean it up to the room.
I don’t know why but I feel myself running out of air. My breathing pace is accelerating and my mind is full of questions. What is happening? Why is there a lot of blood? Is the master wounded? Or maybe it’s someone’s else’s blood? My eyes widened at the sudden thought that formulated in my mind. They’re not serial killers, right?
I shook my head and continued on cleaning. The trail of blood ended up till the master’s bedroom. I was cleaning by the door when suddenly I heard a sound of glass shattering. I can’t help but turn to the door. Things kept continuously falling until I felt myself shaking…
Trembling due to nervousness and fear. I tried my best to ignore the noises I’m hearing and continued on my task hurriedly, hoping I’d get out of here soon.
When the blood is gone, I stood up and walked towards the stairs. I was about to go down when suddenly the door opened. I felt my body stiffened.
“Maid,” My eyes widened upon hearing a deep and monotone voice of a man. I walked closer to him and bowed.
“Yes, maître?” While bowing, I tried to take a look at the man’s face. That’s where I couldn’t believe at how handsome this human is. Very very manly.
A tan-skinned man with a clear face. His sharp eyes that are brown in colour made his face more masculine. He’s got an evident jawline and tall, lean figure. He doesn’t seem like a wrestler nor he was thin. His face is dark and very serious. He looked at my figure.
“Are you new here?” I felt tingles from my spine when I heard his deep voice.
“Yes.” I respectfully replied.
“Call the head servant and tell her to come up here.” He commanded. I bowed again before running down the stairs.
I found manang by the porch, deep in thought. She looked at me when I called her.
“Maître is asking for you.” She forced out a smile and stood up. Before she went up, I held her hand gently. I was worried that something bad might happen to her.
“I will be fine.” I smiled then she lets go of my hand.
Stariing at the distance, I went back to the kitchen where Nathan, Ema, and Jane are waiting.
“Nassandra? What happened?” I sighed as I looked at Ema.
“Maître Andrew has arrived and there’s a lot of blood by the front door leading to the master’s bedroom.” They seemed shock at my story then lowered their heads. Nathan clenched his fists.
“You’ll get used to it, Nassandra. Don’t you ever tell anything to the police.” Jane went closer to me.
“Why? What’s going on with them?” I asked.
“We also don’t know, we tried asking madame about it but she never bothered to answer us.” Then there was a silence in the kitchen. All of us are puzzled at everything that’s happened.