Torn Between Two Masters

And We Fell In Love

And two weeks passed so quickly, since Charlotte started living with John in her mansion.

That morning, Charlotte stood outside John’s bedroom door,her fingers cruled nervously around the edge of her apron, she took a deep breath and knocked the door lightly.

“Sir” she said softly “breakfast is ready.”

There was a brief pause before the door opened.John stood there in a crisp blue shirt,his bow tie undone, his hair slightly tousled. For a moment their eyes met, and something unspoken lingered between them. Charlotte lowered her head quickly.

“Thank you” John said, huu uh s voice calm and thoughtful. “I’ll be right there”

She stepped aside and walked back to the kitchen, her heart beating faster than she cared to admit. She had learned John’s routine over the past two weeks, how he likes his coffee, his favorite food and even when he wakes up and gets ready for work and closes. And yet she felt a little tense when he’s around, as though the silence between them held more than words.

John finished up dressing headed downstairs to take his breakfast. He ate his breakfast slowly, clearly impressed but saying little. When he finished eating he set the cutlery aside and looked up at her.

“This is very nice” he said. “ thank you sir” Charlotte replied, her hands folded behind her.

John stood up grabbed his bag and keys, paused for a while as if remembering something important. “ I will be bringing business partners over tonight” he said “ prepare something special”

Charlotte nodded “Yes sir I will”

Their eyes met again, longer this time. There was something unreadable in John’s expression. He quickly turned and headed for the door then said goodbye to her. He got into his car and drove off to work.

The sound of the car driving off echoed in a distance,leaving Charlotte alone in the house.

She began clearing the dining table,but her mind wondered. What to cook for the business partners. As the day wore on,she move around the house preparing for the evening, chopping vegetables,marinating meats,tasting sauces,her thought kept returning to John and the guest he will bring home.

By the time the sun begun to set down the house was filled with rich aromas and anticipation. Charlotte wiped her hands on her apron and glanced towards the door her heart pounding softly.

Moments later, John walked in with three men wearing black suits, John made them settle down. Charlotte went upstairs into her room waiting for John to call him to serve them. Downstairs John and his business partners started discussing about their project for an hour.

He later called out for Charlotte, she came downstairs served them their meals and went back. After they were done eating and talked small, they stood up and left. After John walked them of he went back inside and called Charlotte downstairs.

“Thank you for the meal” he said “ they all enjoyed it so much”. “No problem sir” she replied proudly.

She finished cleaning up the dining table and went to the living room. John was sitting down watching Television. He looked at Charlotte and said “ I’m feeling sleepy so God willing tomorrow am going to bed sleep tight my dear” She also went into her bedroom.

Back At The Clubhouse.

Aunty Ruby sat behind her small wooden disk near the entrance, her back straight, her eyes sharp despite that late hour. She counted her money slowly,the soft rustle of notes the only sound she allowed herself to focus on.

The door cracked open.

She did not look up,but her fingers stilled, the air shifted, with something unpleasant. She knew that presence. Chris never entered a room quietly,not because he’s loud, but because he carried danger with him like his shadow.

“Ma” he said smoothly, closing the door behind him. “It’s been a while”

Ruby raised her head at last. Chris stood a few steps away,tall and broad,his hands folded around his chest. A crooked smile played around his lips,the kind that never reached his eyes and his eyes cold.

“What do you want” Ruby asked Chris evenly.

Chris chuckled and walked closer, his shoes echoing against the tiled floor.”Straight to business I like that about you” he leaned one hand on the desk and lowered his voice.” Am here for Charlotte”

The name landed like a stone dropped into a still water. Ruby felt a ripple inside her chest but not let it reach her face.

“Charlotte doesn’t work here anymore” she said calmly, trying not to show her fear.

Chris laughed, shaking his head, “ you see that’s where you are wrong” he leaned in his voice warm and unpleasant. “ I paid for her and told you I ll come for her soon, I want her now”

Ruby’s voice tightened. “ you can’t have her”

Chris’s smile thinned “ I didn’t say I want to marry her “ he said carelessly. “ I just want to take her home for a while”

The meaning behind his words was ugly, Ruby’s eyes hardened.”watch your mouth”

Chris straightened,irritation flashing across his face. “ don’t pretend to be righteous ma this place survives because of men like me”

“ this place survives because I run it” Ruby shot back. “ and I decide who stays and leaves”

He studied her for a moment and laughed darker this time. “ you’re bold tonight”

“ am telling you the truth,”she replied “ Charlotte is gone”

Chris eyes narrowed.” Gone where”

“ I sold her” Ruby replied painfully “ to someone else”

The silence that followed was think and dangerous.

Chris stared at her, disbelief giving way to rage. “ You sold her” his voice rough. “ without informing me. I had already paid for her”

“ there’s nothing to tell” Ruby said “she was never yours “

In a sudden burst of anger, Chris slammed his fist into the desk. The money scattered the floor. “ you had no right” he growled “ she was promised to me”

Ruby stood up slowly, refusing to shrink back. “ there was no promise” she said firmly “ you took long to come back. I can pay you back or you can find someone else. Either that there’s nothing I can do”

Chris shook his head “ No”

Ruby frowned “don be foolish”

“I don’t want anyone else” he said coldly “i only want Charlotte”

“She’s not here and she’s not coming back” Ruby insisted.

Chris leaned forward again, lowering his voice to a dangerous whisper “ then show me where she is go bring her to me”

Ruby’s heart skipped a beat but kept her composure “ That’s impossible”

“That’s your problem” Chris said “ so solve it”

She folded her arms “ are you threatening me?”

He smiled, a slow and cruel curve his lips “I’m warning you”

Ruby’s mind raced. She had dealt with difficult men before but Chris was different. He did not forget. He did not forgive. And when he wants something he pursued it relentlessly.

“ she belongs to a respectful and powerful man now there’s nothing I can do about that” Ruby said carefully.

“ a powerful man?” Chris laughed outright “ powerful men fall all the time”

The words chilled her .

“Listen to me” Ruby said, her voice firm “Charlotte is no longer part of this life let her go”

Chris eyes darkened.” You don’t get to decide what I let go of”

He straightened and pointed a finger at her. “ I will give you time” he said slowly “ but don’t test me. Try to bring someone else, I will know I will come back again she should be here when I come back” he let the threat hung in the air.

Ruby lifted her eyes” you don’t scare me”

Chris replied “everyone says that”

He turned and walked towards the door, he paused with his hands on the handle, “ one more thing” he added without look back “ it not over”

The door slammed shut behind him, rattling the walls.

For a moment Aunty Ruby remained standing, her heart pounding in her chest. Her legs felt weak and she sank into her chair. The scattered money laid forgotten on the floor.

She sat there thinking about the situation and what to do next. Over thinking the decision about selling Charlotte the right decision or not.