Dangerous Secrets

Chapter 3

“This is Elizabeth, the head chef, Elizabeth, this is Krystal, she'll be assisting you henceforth.” Jasper introduced us.

I shook the lady's hand, “you can call me Kim.” She is old, probably older than my mum, but she looked healthy.

“Welcome Kim, I do need help around the kitchen. Thank you Jasper for granting my request.”

“It's alright. Krystal, come, let me show you to your room,” Jasper said, and I followed him. Why does he keep calling me Krystal? Given that's my first name, but everyone else calls me Kim, is it so hard for him to call me that too?

But so far, he seemed nice, not the kind of inconsiderate bosses most domestic staff had, who'd choke their staff with too much work, and not care to employ assistance.

“Here's your room. That's the only thing that concerns you for now, your room, the kitchen, and the dining table where you'd serve my food.”

I scrunched up my face as he said that. He said it like I lived for his satisfaction. I decided to ignore him.

“Do you live alone in this big house?” I asked instead.

“Well, now that you are here, there are two of us.”

“Oh wow. I'm not sure I'm happy with that.”

“Why not? Do you think I'd do something to you? And ruin my public reputation, you think you're worth a headline on 8 am news?” He scoffed. “Oh please. Get over yourself.”

What the hell? That wasn't even what I was talking about.

“Ouch. First of all, that was rude, second of all, that wasn't what I meant. I meant that it'd be boring and tiring alone in a mansion like this, since from the looks of it, you ain't one to engage another in a conversation.”

“Oh, I thought you meant something else. There's the TV for a reason, and also the garden, you could spend your whole day there, it seemed like you love the view.”

That's right. I totally forgot about the garden, I could spend my whole day there, and not get bored. That's perfect.

“Where's your room?” I asked. I needed to know, just in case I had to call him when the food was ready.

“That doesn't concern you.”

“What if I have to call you when your food is ready?”

“Call my phone.”

“I don't have your number.”

“222…” he called out his number like a crazy person. What is wrong with this guy? What's the big deal in showing me his room? It's not like I'd steal from it or whatever, what the hell.

“I need to rest, go back to the kitchen and help Elizabeth.”

“Alright, but one more thing, I'll need to go back home today to get things sorted, get a few of my stuff, and also tell my family about the new development.”

“Whatever you want, but not before I have dinner.”

“When are you going to have dinner?”

“Like I said, I don't know. As the spirit leads.” He replied and walked away.

I walked back to the kitchen to help Elizabeth as Jasper had instructed. With what he said, I may end up staying here till probably 3 am. And I didn't tell my family I'd be gone this long. What were Sophia and Alex going to eat? My mum doesn't get back from work until it's past 10 pm.

What have I gotten myself into? I'm okay with bearing the consequences of my actions, but when it starts to affect others, especially my loved ones, that's when I start to hate myself.

I messaged Sophia telling her I'd probably be late and sent her money to order food for herself and Alex before I got back, then I went back to assisting Elizabeth.

Elizabeth told me her daughter's graduation was this weekend, which meant I would be the only one here with Jasper for the weekend. God, it's going to be a long weekend.

***

“Dinner is served,” I said immediately as Jasper picked up the call.

“Okay,” He replied. What the hell? Is he joking?

“Please come down and eat, I need to go home and check on my siblings, and be sure they are fine, and also ready myself to start working here fully.” I was getting so frustrated, why would he say okay just like that, like I didn't tell him I needed to go home earlier?

“Stop bothering me Krystal, please.”

“It's Kim…” I was still talking when the line went dead. He hung up on me.

What was I going to do? Elizabeth already left, this was just my first day, and I didn't want to mess things up, I also didn't want my siblings to feel uncomfortable because of my absence.

I took a seat on the staircase and dialed Sophia's number. She didn't answer, this only made me more frustrated and sad, I didn't know when tears started falling from my eyes.

I dialed Jasper again, but he didn't answer. So I made up my mind, there and then, I was going to leave, God damn the consequences. I was not going to put the well-being of my siblings on the line because of a stupid bet.

I grabbed my backpack and stepped outside. Not before texting Jasper that I was leaving.

I got to the gate, and it won't open. ‘Not now please, not now,’’ I muttered.

I typed in some number combinations like I did earlier, but the gate won't budge. I tried and tried and tried, but nothing.

With nothing else to do and no way out of this mansion that I was now beginning to detest, I went back into the house, and just then, I saw Jasper climbing down the stairs majestically like he had no worries in the world.

“Go get in the car, I'll drive you home,” Jasper said.

I dared not ask any questions, all I wanted at that time was to get home and make sure my siblings were fine.

I jumped into the car, and he climbed into the driver's seat seconds later.

The drive was silent, with him occasionally asking for directions, and me giving it. I didn't bother to bring up any conversation, I just wanted to get home.

He stopped the car in front of my house, and I thanked him before jumping out.

“I'll be waiting,” he said.

“Why?” I asked

“Because Elizabeth isn't there, and I need an early breakfast tomorrow.”

“Can't you make yourself something?”

“What would I be paying you for if I have to cook for myself?” At that point, I wanted to smack him so badly.

“Also, I need you to accompany me somewhere.”

I was going to ask where when I heard… “Kim, you're So dead. Where have you been?” my mum yelled from behind me.