Christine wiped off the sweat running down her face. The afternoon-sun was glowing with raw heat.
She had been working in the garden for almost five hours now. Sometimes she cursed herself for getting this backbreaking job at Mr Landa's villa, but atleast it meant money for her to pay the bills and it meant food on her table.
Christine didn't think much about Mr Landa. All she knew was that he had been some highly placed man in the german army and that he probably had put a stop to the war. Maybe she should be grateful that he had...but something didn't seem right about him.
She had only spoken to him a few times. The first time when he hired her and one time when he found her drinking HIS lemonad in the kitchen. She had been terrified since he had slapped her in the face and told her that she must ask for lemonad and not just take it. She had apologized and made him some new lemonad. Then she had left him there, with tears running down her face.
Since that time Christine had felt a great anger against him, still she didn't hate him.
Even though Mr Landa seemed like a cold tyrant, she knew that he could be charming, loving and caring.
She remembers the time when she had cut herself pretty badly on one of the gardenscissors and Landa had came to her with water and a towel. He had offered himself to clean it for her and she hadn't dared to dismiss him. He had been so gentle, holding her hand as if it was made of porcelain which could break anytime. He had cleaned the wound and suddenly kissed her hand, just above the cut.
Christine had stood quiet, just staring at him. She thought she should have said something but she was too surprised and chocked.
His voice suddenly made Christine come back to reality and her backbreaking work.
"Christine, come inside will you?"
"But Mr Landa...I've.."
"NOW CHRISTINE, NOW."
She didn't like when he yelled at her. And a knot of anxiety grow inside her stomach.
Maybe it was the warm day or Hans, which apperently was angry, that made her dizzy and she felt her knees get weak.
She met him in the kitchen, Hans was leaning against one of the kitchencounters, with his arms crossed.
"Didn't I tell you to clean this mess up? Wasn't I clear enough?"
His stare made Christine felt uncomfortable and she didn't know what to say.
"I...I'm so sorry Mr Landa. I will get right down to it."
"Yeah, you better Christine. I don't tolerate this sloppy work of yours. You have to do it better."
Hans looked at her, with fire in his eyes.
He slowly moved closer to her until their faces was only inches from eachother.
Christine had backed but the refrigerator had made her stop.
Hans put one hand on the refrigeratordoor, like he wanted to prevent her from escaping.
"Listen closely, cause I'll only say this once. If you are gonna be my maid I want you to do a good work. And you will be a good girl. Will you not?"
Christine felt like the air had fled her lungs.
"Yes, Mr Landa, I will do a good work."
"Tell me that you're gonna be a good girl. Say it, I wanna hear it."
"I'm gonna be a good girl. I promise."
Hans smiled and stepped away.
"Good girl. I know you won't disappoint me. I do love what you have done in my garden. It's beautiful."
Then he left the kitchen. Christine stood still, she didn't know what do think. He had been only inches away from her face and her body. Though, she had felt his body against her. She had felt his groin touch hers. She tried to get rid of the image but it was hard.
She had smelled his after shave and also a scent of his pipe, sweat and whisky.
It kinda aroused her, but she couldn't decide if it was in a good or a bad way.
She then left the kitchen and went back to work out in the garden.