Hello,
It's been a long time... I've had this idea for a moment and wanted to try it. It will have a few chapters but I don't really have a number.
So enjoy!
Chapter 1 :
I am a maid. My mother was a maid. My father was a gardener. I was born into this world. However, my parents always wanted more for me. They worked so hard to give me a better future than they had. They weren't rich but they were in love. My mother always said that money doesn't make you happy but love does. I've always watched my parents during the evening when I was sitting at the table doing homework. He would watch my mother cook with such adoration in his eyes. He would try to help her but she would shoo him away. He just couldn't cook even if his life depended on it.
So he would turn to me and kiss me on the head, saying he was blessed to have us in his life and that we were the most precious things he ever had.
I had a twin brother, Caleb. He died of pneumonia when we were 8. My parents were devastated but they tried to hide it for my sake. I was young but I understood that I wouldn't see my brother anymore. They couldn't afford therapy for me so they decided to give me a teddy bear. They said that I could tell him all my secrets and that he would never tell anyone. I knew my parents were poor, that's why I took it and did just that. It became my best friend and I named it Caleb.
When I was 16, my mother found me a part time job as a maid in the house next to where she worked. The Pedrad family was like a second one for me. They were so nice and gentle with me. They had two sons. Zeke Pedrad wasn't home. He went to England with his best friend to study just a few weeks before I began to work. Uriah Pedrad was and still is a funny man. We have the same age and even when I was supposed to work, he would distract me and try to get me in trouble with him. Fortunately, Hana Pedrad was a kind and smart woman. She knew her son was the reason the house was still a mess even though I had spent the day cleaning. He was like a storm everywhere he walked. She would pay me more when this happened. I know you work hard here and cleaning after Uriah can be impossible. She would say and give me a bigger check.
But I loved this life. I loved this family that would take care of me.
My world crashed down when I was 19. Both my parents died in a car accident. They were walking back from work one night together. I was supposed to be with them but Uriah had made a mess after doing his painting class homework and Hana had asked if I could stay one hour to clean up with him. Of course I had said yes then told my parents they could go home. At that time, I was only working a few hours a week because I was studying to become a doctor thanks to my parents who helped me pay the school with the money I had already made. I had just finished the first year successfully, ready for the second one.
I was called by the police one hour and a half later. At first, I didn't understand why they'd call me. Then I heard those words. My parents were dead. Killed by a man who wanted to avoid a child running on the road. Unfortunately, he crashed into my parents. They died before the ambulance could come. One life sparred, two doomed.
I didn't go back to school in September. After the burial, I didn't have enough money for school so I did the only thing I could do. I left the Pedrad family who only needed a half time maid and joined the Eaton 's house, where my parents worked. I asked them if I could work here full time so they offered me my mother's job. I needed money and they paid well.
It has now been 7 years since I've started working for them. They became family. Through the years, I had a few raises in my salary and I couldn't be happier. After their death, I inherited my parents duty. I had to pay for my grandmother's room in a retirement home. She couldn't live alone and I couldn't have her in my house. I wasn't enough at home for that. My life was here. So after a few months, the Eaton's asked me to move in. I had a small apartment on their property. It would be rent free, in exchange I had to be available all the time. Except on my day off of course.
I sold my parent's house quickly after that, gaining money I put away for my future. I still wanted to go to med school but first, I had to have enough money for the 8 years it would last. I was almost there. Maybe two more years.
My grandmother always says she's proud of me. That my parents would be proud of me. Caleb too. That I would be one hell of a doctor who will deserve to be one after all I've done to get there. Not like those rich kids whose parents paid for all.
Evelyn Eaton always knew what I wanted to do. I told her during the job interview and she said my mother always told her I wanted to be a doctor. She encouraged me and would give me a bonus more often than I would deserve. She said she wants to help me but that she would be sad to let me go. I was like her daughter now. And for me, she was like a mother. Sure I would clean her house, cook and organize every party she wanted but she was kind with me. And being a neurologist, she had to encourage me to be a doctor. She even offered to help me when I would start school.
Marcus Eaton was different. He wasn't a joyful man. I didn't see him smile a lot, only when he won a case in front of the judge. He was a known lawyer for the rich people. At first, he didn't like me. That man despises change. So when a new maid came, he would be grumpy. Fortunately, my mother worked here so he was a bit more warm with me than when Nita came here a year ago. Now, I think he likes me but he would never tell that and never show it neither although he had some thoughtful attention to me. For example, I was ironing his shirts one day when I saw him walk past the open doorway. He stopped, watched me try to iron perfectly with a thing that was almost older than me. He didn't say anything but the next day, I had a brand new iron. I knew it was him. For him it wasn't much, but for me it meant a lot. Since that day, I've ironed his shirts in a record time.
They have a son. Tobias. I've never met him. He left with Zeke Pedrad in England to study. I've seen old pictures of him but he is 13 years old on it. A bit chubby but dark blue eyes that I'm sure he still has. Evelyn only speaks with him on the phone, never once did they skype. She goes to visit him 4 times a year but he never came home. Said it would be too difficult for him to go back to England after that. But I don't mind, one less person to care for in the house. And with Evelyn's three cats, I have my hands full. They are evil. Cute but evil.
I'm cleaning the stairs thoroughly when I hear Evelyn running in the house with her heels, screaming for me.
"Tris! Tris!"
I throw my sponge on the floor and run to her. What's wrong now? Is she hurt?
"Yes? Are you alright Mrs Evelyn?"
She runs to me with a big smile on her face. Okay, she's fine.
"Perfectly fine! Tobias graduated! He is an anaesthetist!"
"That's amazing! I'm so happy for you!"
"There's more. He's coming home."
That is not really a great news for me. I know what that means.
"Coming home. You mean visiting?"
"No. Definitively. He said England isn't great enough to live."
"Or he wants to leave a girlfriend behind." I mumble.
"What?" She asks.
"Nothing. You're right this is grand news. Does Mr Marcus know?"
"Not yet. I wanted to tell you first because we are leaving tonight to see him and he's coming back with us in five days. I want this house to be spotless. Nita and you will make sure everything is perfect. I also want to surprise him with his friends and family when he comes back. You will make sure the welcome party is amazing for him. He deserves it."
"Of course madam. I'll take care of it. Do not worry for that."
"I won't. I have faith in you. You are amazing."
"Alright, I'll go pack your clothes then."
She hugs me then runs off screaming for her husband. Dear lord, she is something.
I run upstairs, grabbing my sponge and bucket on the way. I leave it at the top of stairs, out of the way. I wash my hands quickly then go to their bedroom and take out their suitcases. One for Mr Eaton. Three for Mrs Eaton.
I begin with Mr Eaton's first. It's always quick. Shoes. Suit. Tie. Pajamas. Toothbrush. Done.
Now the fun begins.
I open the three suitcases and start. Nita comes at this moment to help.
"They are leaving?"
"Yes. Their son is done studying. They are going to England and coming back in five days with him."
"How old is he?"
"28 I think."
"Oooh… and what does he look like?"
"I don't know."
"Come on Tris, you've been here for seven years. You must now what he looks like."
I put Evelyn's silk nightgown in the case then look at Nita.
"I don't. I've never seen him. Only the pictures in the leaving room."
She huffs but keeps putting shoes in the 'shoe suitcase'.
"It doesn't matter, Nita. We are here to work. Not to flirt with the bosses' son. You'll have to remember when he'll be here that you can't expect anything. This isn't our world."
"That's stupid. We are all humans."
"Maybe but they pay us. I am responsible of you and want to keep my job."
"They won't fire you. If you weren't poor, they would treat you like their daughter."
"Nita. I've worked here for seven years. My mother worked here for fifteen years before that. Please don't mess this up. I have nowhere else to go."
She huffs again and closes the suitcase. She then goes to leave.
"Nita, I know you're only here on part time but we'll have a lot of work this week. The house must be perfect. I have to plan a party for them."
"Yeah… yeah… don't worry."
She walks out and I grunt. She can be kind sometimes but it seems like she can't keep in mind that we aren't guests here. We are employees.
I finish with their suitcases then put them next to the stairs. I call Will, the driver/ handyman, so he can take the suitcases to the car.
"Hey Tris." He greets me.
"Hey Will. How are you doing?"
"Great. Heard that we have a few days of vacation."
"Not really. Lots to do."
"I know. You're not alone. I'll help you as much as I can."
"Thank you."
He smiles then go upstairs. I take the opportunity to make a few cupcakes for them to take with. I even slip one in Will's jacket. He's been working here for 5 years so we became really good friends.
When they are leaving, Evelyn is giving me orders for the next few days. I write them down immediately.
"Tobias hates yellow flowers. And he's allergic to…"
" To soja. I know. Don't worry."
"Fine. I also want to have Champagne from France."
"I already ordered it. It should be here on Thursday."
Marcus walks past us, chuckling.
"Come on Evelyn, we have to go. The girl knows what she's doing."
"Call me if you hesitate on something."
"I will. Now go. Your son's waiting."
She smiles and walks to the car. I run after them when I remember something.
"I almost forgot. Here, I made some cupcakes for you. Banana and oat. No added sugar."
"You're perfect."
I smile when she rolls up the window. I stay there until de car disappears.
Now I have a lot of work to do.
So what do you think of it? I have a few ideas for the following chapters but I take in consideration all ideas from you. See you soon!
