Torn Between Two Masters

Fate Brings Us Closer Together

I wasn’t prepared for her the moment Aunty Ruby brought the young lady forward,the noise in the clubhouse faded into nothing. She stood quietly beside her aunt her eyes lowered,her hands clasped together as if she feared taking up space. There was a fragile beauty about her soft,untouched and dangerous out of place in the world like this.

For the first time in a long while, something stirred uneasily in my chest.

“So this is her” I thought.

I had come for a house help nothing more. But as I looked at her I knew my life had shifted in a way I could not explain.

When everything was settled, I turned to Aunty Ruby and nodded. “ I will take her”I said my voice steadier than my thoughts.

Goodbyes were brief. Businesslike. Aunty Ruby smiled the smile of some who had won.

“Come let’s go” I said softly to the young lady.

She hesitated small the nodded

“ Yes….. please sir”

“Don’t call me sir “I corrected her gently “ Am John just John”

She looked startled “ okay…. Sorry John”

We walked towards my car, and that was when I noticed Collins leaning against my car, arms crossed amusement dancing across his face.

Collins had been my friend since high school through university and now we are working bodies. One thing I love about him is that he’s very hardworking and generous. So when I first started working and needed someone to help me in my business I thought of no other person than him.

“Well well” he said with a grin “hello darling”

She stiffened “hi”

I opened the car door before the moment could stretch and further.

“Can we leave now?”I said sharply “ we will talk when we get home”

I helped her into the car and drove off the clubhouse shrinking behind us. She didn’t look back.

Charlotte’s POV

My heart wouldn’t stop beating.

I did not know what I had expected,but it wasn’t this, the silence in the car,the weight of John’s presence beside me,the road stretching endlessly ahead as if I were being carried into another life.

When we arrived,my breath caught.

The mansion stood tall and shining,the gates opening slowly. I had never seen anything so grand. Lights glowed warmly behind the tall windows.

“This is where he lives” I thought in disbelief.

John parked the car and stepped out first,without a work he came around the car and opened the door for me.

I froze.

“Come done” he said gently.

I stepped out, my legs trembling the house loomed above us,beautiful.

“Wow”The word escaped my mouth before I could stop it.

John watched me closely,something unreadable flickering across his face.”welcome to my home” he said quietly.”my dear”

The word my dear sent a strange chill through me. Not warmth, not comfort but uncertainty.

I smiled.

But deep inside I felt something.

He showed me around his house and took me into my room I will be sleeping in from now on.

Time goes it gets dark.

Collins leaned back into the chair in the sitting room”John “he said casually rubbing his stomach “why don’t you other some food for us to eat? Am starving”

John nodded and reached out for his phone, but before placing the order, his eyes drafted towards the kitchen doorway where Charlotte stood,quietly wiping her hands on her apron.

“Charlotte” John said quietly “what would you like to eat?! I would like to include it inside the order”

She paused then smiled softly,

“Thank you sir” she replied politely “but am already done with the meal”

John froze. He turn towards her slowly disbelief written all over his face.

“Done” he said “ you mean you were cooking all this while I thought you were resting”

“ No sir I prepared our meal I will serve it shortly” She replied and went back into the kitchen.

John exchanged a surprise glance with Collins , but before he could say anything, Collins laughed slightly “ well then” he said standing up “let’s eat before I pass out”

The settled at the table, and as food was served Collins couldn’t help but notice the rich aroma lingering in the house.

“This smells and tastes incredible” Collins said between bites “ Charlotte you cook so well”

“ thank you sir” she replied shyly.

Collins nodded appreciatively, clearly impressed. When they were done eating he requested Charlotte package some leftovers for him to send home.

“ I will take some home”he said with a grin” your cooking deserves to be enjoyed twice Charlotte”

Her cheeks warmed at the praise.

“Thank you sir” she said quietly.

As Collins prepared to leave grabbing his car keys, John walked him off.

“Collins” John said firmly “ don’t forget about tomorrow’s project”

Collins turned around nodding knowingly.

“Don’t worry I won’t “ he replied.

With that he drove if John closed the door and went back inside.

He thanked Charlotte for the food and they went to their rooms.

For the first time in years Charlotte slept like a baby.