More Than A Maid

Writer’s POV

“Hi Francis” Francisca walked over to him.

He was staring at his script again for the zillion time.

“I scored sixty plus, not up to seventy” He told Francisca before she could even ask.

“Yeah, I know” Francisca said.

“You’re not to be blamed because I don’t really feel bad”

“I know that too, but do you still need my help by the way?” Francisca asked him.

He looked up at her and smiled.

“I was gonna ask you to be my partner” He said..; “I … I meant, reading partner”

“Yeah, I get. We can do this together Francis”she said

She stretched her hands, offering him an handshake, which he received willingly.

“We’ll start whenever you are ready” Francisca told him.

“Okay by me; I’ll fix uhm.. a date very soon” Francis said.

“Okay, now cheer up”Francisca told him and then walked away

_-_-

Fast forward

Peter’s POV

Just like we planned, Bella continued to be my tutor; not only because I asked her too but a teacher also made that suggestion. Besides, our examination was fast approaching.

We managed to study together; although it was really hard for me to put away with my feelings. She too was uncomfortable around me at first but we got along and it looks like she has forgotten real quick that I confessed my feelings to her.

Also, if she isn’t studying, she’ll be with her phone..

I kinda had a thought that she might be seeing someone I don’t know.

So I decided to bring up my feelings again.

“Do you have a boyfriend Bella?” I don’t know why I started this way.

“Huh… What..” She stuttered.

“These days, you are use your phone more often..” I told her.

“It’s called a phone for a reason obviously… are you trying to be giving” me dos and don’ts?”

“No. Of course not. I.. I’m just curious” I paused;

“You know.. I told you twice that I really like you but I never for once got a response from you” I finally said.

“Hmmmn” She muttered slowly. She shut her eyes for a while..

“You like me?”she said

“Yes Bella, yes. I really” can’t help it”I told her again

“I am your housemaid. You have probably forgotten that” Bella said.

“No… I.. I haven’t”

“Oh! Listen Peter, does this makes any sense to you?”she said

“It does. It makes absolute sense to meI like you so much and I can’t help it. I don’t even treat you as a maid or do I?” I asked her and she was mute for a while.

I came closer and placed my hands on her shoulder.

“I don’t see you as a maid Bella. You are my friend, my teacher… My..”

Surprisingly, Bella interrupted me.

“I like you too Peter” She said.

“You do?”I asked her to confirm what I just heard.

She nodded in affirmation.

“I… It’s been for a while now and I … I have also been trying to hide it; because of our odd relationship to start with. Your mother employed me to be your maid.. and not to.. fall…” She paused.

“And not for us to fall in love..” I completed the statement and she nodded slowly.

“None of this is any of our fault Bella. I think it’s time we stop hiding our feelings” I suggested.

“Are you trying to ask me to be your girlfriend?”

“Hmmn.. err… something like that.. I.. Uhm.. I really know how dating is like but since we both like eachother; I think we should uhm… date” I summoned up courage to say this. This is no way near a pick up line.

“Peter! I… ” I interrupted her.

“Or is it it what I think?”

“What do you mean? What do you think?” She asked me, staring into my eyes too.

“You already like someone else..”

“But.. I.. I just told you, I like you. I like you too Peter” She repeated.

“Do you have a boyfriend or someone you’re into and I don’t know?”I quieried.

“No” She blurted out.

“I’m not trying to poke into your privacy but you are always with your phone, talking to someone… and you know, it seems serious like lovers discussion”

“Huh?” She exclaimed.

“I’m sorry for poking into your privacy. I figured out while wondering if I should tell you about my feelings again..”

“I don’t have a boyfriend Peter..”

“Oh I … I uhm, I see” I remarked.

I didn’t know if I should furthermore go ahead and ask about who she’s always been talking to.

“It’s my mom” She answered before I asked again.

“It’s a long story Peter, I don’t know where to start from. In a simple sentence; my father’s death, there’s definately a culprit”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“What? Someone actually killed your father?”

“Apparently that’s what it looks like. My mom and aunt are definitely gonna catch whoever it is. I speak to my mom everyday because she tells me each and everything she suspects during her own secret investigation” She briefly said..

“Now she told me that she has just been to where he used to work; just figured out that my father was about to be promoted and transferred when his accident came in. We really didn’t know about the promotion … I guess he wanted to make a surprise but…” She sniffed, so she won’t start crying again.

“Everything is make more sense to me now. Looks like the person who planted Dad’s accident must be someone around us, most like someone he worked with”

“There’s more to say Peter”

“Say no more” I cut in.. “Geez! I really shouldn’t have asked you such a question in the first place. I didn’t know, something was bothering you” I hit my head

“”It’s okay, it’s not your fault too” She said, trying to out on a smile.

“And about us having a relationship… I uhm… I’m scared, I .. I need to think about it Peter” She said.

“I’ll be patient with you. I understand you” I said.

* * *