CHAPTER 4: TOGETHER AGAIN
2015 Words
MILES APART OR FAR AWAY, THE UNIVERSE JUST HAS A WAY OF BRINGING US BACK TOGETHER.
*Amaya's P.O.V*
"Elizabeth," Alejandro calls, interrupting me as Elizabeth enters the living room holding what I suppose is his briefcase.
I was still surprised by his last statement. How did he know? Was he watching me? When he entered the room earlier, I'd smell the same scent from the stranger I ran into? Was that him? No way, I wouldn't have been accepted as a housekeeper if he was.
Andria was right; he looked out of this world. His mere presence makes me feel intimidated. He would sure like Andria when he sees her. I don't even have the right to adore his features. People like him go well with all those rich ladies that drive by Maria's shop in fancy cars. Adoring him is like chasing the wind; Vain. I can just say he's a perfect gift from God with lovely hair touching his shoulder.
He goes to the beautiful dining room visible from where I'm standing. Inside of the house is glorious. There were multiple golden framed portraits of old billionaires hung on the wall. I knew they were billionaires because I enjoyed reading old books of successful and remarkable people. The floor was covered in expensive looking rugs. Chandeliers were hung on the wall. Everything in here seemed like it was 'architectured' by a professional. I hug my wet body when a wave of cold wind hits me.
"Hello." Elizabeth says in her fragile little tone with a hint of Spanish accent. Everyone here spoke in a fluent Spanish accent well except Elizabeth. She's quite peculiar, I was shocked when I first saw her standing idly. She was the quintessence of beauty, she had different colors of eyes. I just wonder how much beauty she had to show beneath the scars that covered almost half of her face and body. I wonder how she got them but she doesn't deserve it.
"Um...hi." I force a smile.
"I'll show you around, follow my lead." She smiles cheerfully. Her smile just has a way of making things bright. I follow her as she climbs up the stairs. I looked at the dining room to see Mrs. Luis talking over the phone while Mr. Luis, who was in the living room when I arrived but left to make a call, stared at his wife. Alejandro sat two seats away from his father. I wonder, why have so many seats when there are only three occupants? Alejandro begins to turn to my direction and I look away.
"I'm glad you were chosen. Those other women seemed like trouble." She says and I'm taken aback.
"And you think I don't look like trouble?" I ask and she smiles.
"No. I know a good heart when I see one." She says and it makes me think of Maria.
We both go to the left corner of the hallway. The hallway was designed in beautiful patterns of precious stone each coming after the other. The whole hallway setting seemed relaxing.
"Benedict Katherine, a French architect, remodeled this house after the last occupants left. The Luis's has been here for twelve years. It was Mrs. Luis dream to stay here before Mr. Luis joined her her seven years ago." Elizabeth says as she also looks at the walls.
"Benedict Catherine has good taste." I say and she nods.
"It was Mrs. Luis' idea, Catherine just followed orders." She says. From the way Mrs Luis dressed, I knew she had fashion taste.
I look at different costly looking vases placed on high stools as we walk.
"Don't stare too much. It's just a white elephant. Breaks like silence."
"You seem to have had a bad experience with them." I am amazed.
"I broke almost a hundred my first year here . Mrs. Luis wore me as her scarf." She jokes and I chuckle.
"I can just imagine. '' I recall Mrs. Luis's bubble gum pink scarf which looked like it was choking her or better still, she was choking it.
We stopped by a door. "This is Alejandro's room. His office is there." He points at the door facing the door we stopped next too. I noticed her happiness drop a bit. I always noticed things like this because I was too familiar with it.
"How long have you been here?" I ask and she smiles.
"Since I was eight that's fourteen years ago if I remember correctly."
"You worked as a housekeeper when you were just eight?" I ask and she nods. I remember when I was eight, chasing life like it was so easy, oblivious of how things would change a year later.
"Are you one of those girls that swoons after Alejandro?" She asks, staring at me. They seemed close. I mistakenly hit my feet on the hard door while trying to stretch my throbbing leg and I hiss in pain from the impact.
"Are you okay? I'm-"
"It's fine,"I cut her off, holding my knee in pain.
"Come, I'd treat your bruises." She says and I wave my hand dismissively.
"I'm fine." I say although the pain grows worse by the minute.
"Alej- I mean, you wouldn't be able to work effectively if you don't get it treatment." She says and I open my mouth to protest but she beats me to it. "Mrs Luis wouldn't appreciate it."
I recall the reason why I'm here in the first place. I'll just work till tomorrow. I can't risk losing my job now especially without carrying out my task.
"Okay." I say and she smiles. She offers to help me walk but I don't allow her. She had very white skin so her scars were very noticeable. She also has beautiful blonde hair.
I follow towards the right corner of the hallway and she stops by a door and unlocks it.
"This is my room." She says and I nod looking around. I guess they also treat their workers well. There was a bookshelf by the left of the room and a king sized bed by the right. The walls were similar to that in the hallway.
I stand in the middle of the room as she goes through another door in the room.
"You read books?" I ask.
"I love romance novels, Mrs. Luis doesn't appreciate it but allows it." She replies shyly as she comes out with a first aid box. She pointed to the bed and I sat. I take off my flats and her eyes widen as she stares at my feet.
"What about you?" She asks as she bends to take a good look at my feet.
"I read historical books." I do not fancy romance because it's something for the fantasy world, not real life, at least not my life. I've never been with anyone or I'd say no one has ever been with me.
"That's great. My mother loved those when she was alive." She smiles painfully and I stare at her as she lifts my heels. I felt pain but it became less painful when she said that.
"My mother enjoyed romance novels while she was alive and happy." I grin and when she looks at me I look away. When she was done with my feet, I stood carefully.
She walks to her closet and takes out a neatly folded dress. I noticed a star shaped scar on her ankle.
"Here, you'd catch a cold if you don't change clothes. You could return it tomorrow." She places it on the bed and smiles at me.
"Thank you." I was surprised by her generosity. Never in a million years would I expect anyone besides Andria to be nice to me. She nods and leaves.
I take the red satin dress on the bed. It was exactly what I loved wearing. I smile a bit.
Look at you Amaya, in the house of wealthy people.
* *
Elizabeth showed me around the house. It was already eight when we were done. The rain stopped an hour ago but it continued again. I could call Andria but I rather not. I'll just have to walk back home as usual.
"I'd be very happy to see you work here everyday. I have to get Mrs Luis's bath ready. See you." Elizabeth days as we reach the front door.
I'd hate to burst her bubbles so I just nod. She smiles and then leaves. I see a picture of Alejandro with some people on the wall next to the front door. He looked young here and he stood in the middle of four people that resembled him and Mr and Mrs Luis. Andria would love to see this.
I take out my phone from my bag and I take a quick picture. Before I could put my hands down, the scent of vanilla engulfs my nose.
I drop my hands down and I look to my side to see Alejandro looking at me in amusement.
"I thought differently of you." He says wearing an emotionless look. His voice was really husky and money, I could hear vibrations as he spoke.
"I'd leave now. Elizabeth has been helpful, she's a good person." I say not trying to put meaning to his statement. When he doesn't say anything and just stares at me. I leave. I look at the little garden again. The flowers are really beautiful especially the .... although it looks harmful its innocuous and produces a pleasant smell.
I hear footsteps and I look at a very large man holding a phone to his ear. He looks at me and puts his phone in his pocket.
"I'll drop you off," He says in a very bold and scary tone. His black hair was in a buzz cut. His biceps were contracting and expanding in black shirt.
"No thanks, I'll walk home." I say and try to maneuver him but he stops me.
"It's the priority of the Luis's to ensure the safety of their workers."
"And you are?" I ask in confusion.
"Mateo Madrid, Sir Alejandro's driver." He says and I look at him not believing him. He takes out something from his pocket and shows me his ID card, amused.
"I'm fine walking." I said and he seemed tense. For a man his size, it's surprising. I should probably just put my identity aside for once. It could affect his job. "Alright, I'll go with you."
I follow him to the large garage where four exotic cars where. One was a Mercedes, two were Porsche and the last was a Ferrari. I've never seen these brands before.
"This way Miss."He says holding out the door of the Mercedes. My eyes widened at his gesture.
"You can call me Amaya and you don't have to hold up the door for me." I'm just a regular housekeeper. I wanted to add.
"However you wish." He says and I smile a bit. He just looks forward. I entered the car which felt eerie especially because I've not been in this kind of car before. He gets in and drives off. I tell him my location and he searches it in the GPS in the car.
I stare out the door the whole time as it rains. I look at Maria's shop as we pass by it. She comes out of the shop holding an umbrella. When she looks in the direction of this car, I look away. The whole drive was silent and that's exactly what I needed. I asked Mateo to stop in front of my street, he didn't seem happy about it but he agreed.
"Here," He gives me an umbrella." at least accept this and you don't have to return it."
I nod and collect it. I smile in appreciation and he nods.
"Thank you for the ride." I say.
"The Pleasure is Luis's." He says and I leave. I wave goodbye and he drives away. Luckily it's late and people aren't outside.
I sigh tiredly and open the umbrella. It will be all over by tomorrow.
- Writer
