His Conundrums

Chapter 18

Love, Gift, Curse

Earlier that day, Sirius opened up the letter he took from Arzon's room, the one with an epsilon symbol.

'Receive this little gift from your little participation. A limited-edition Acqua Di Gioia Jasmine Giorgio Armani, a perfect scent for your lady.'

It was dated 2 days after the bombing at Greenville Street. It was clearly stated Arzon has a woman, and the only woman who's been in contact with him was Therese Wendelwood, his maid.

-0-0-0-

She was a market vendor selling vegetables. She has to make money to feed her family from small coins she earned every day. She never had time to slack off, given that her father's death, her mother was handicapped, and she has 4 siblings studying.

"You're off to work?" Drew, her childhood sweetheart, took one basket of vegetables to help her.

"Yes, early as I can." She answered.

"Marry me, and I'll work for you." He said, and she just laughed.

"Then I guess I have to work harder to feed for another family." She joked.

"I told you, I'll work for you, and that includes your family." Drew tried to clarify his statement.

"Drew, it's not that easy. Just wait 'til we're at the right age and when I completely provided my family their needs." She said while giving him a quick kiss.

--

"HEY!" A man shouted, not from afar looking straight at her.

"Yes?" She asked politely as soon as he went closer.

"What kind of vegetables are you selling? Look at the potatoes I bought here yesterday!" He said while half throwing the bag of potatoes at her. She saw it had worms and almost throws up.

"Maybe you're mistaken. Look, I still have some potatoes you bought here yesterday, and they're still fine. Maybe you bought it somewhere." She tried to explain.

"No! How can I be mistaken? I only bought potatoes from you!" He shouted, making every people stared at them.

"But..." She was cut off.

"Are you saying I'm lying? How could you? I want my money back!" He demanded.

It was embarrassing to see people gathering around talking while seeing her arguing with her customer. She doesn't want to argue any longer with an old man. She gave back the money just like he said.

"Maybe it's better for you to sell off your face than your rotten vegetables." He muttered as he grabbed his money and walked away.

--

She packed her things and was about to close her store when a mysterious man approached her.

"You want to earn big? I know someone who needs a helper." The man told her. She thought for a second but declined.

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to work somewhere far from here." She said.

"He lives here, and he pays twice than what you earned for a year every single day." She paused for a moment, thinking it's not that bad to work for a maid.

"Here."- The man handled out a card.

"He lives there. If you're interested, go there directly. He wants to interview his applicants personally." He added before he left her thinking.

--

"I've heard what happened from the market earlier." He said.

"It's nothing. I'm fine." She said while giving him a cup of coffee.

"I found a job, and the payment was quite big. Stop working now, Therese." Drew pleaded.

"I don't want to burden you, Drew. I want to work for my family. I'm the eldest. I must look after them." She argued.

"I don't want to see you being talked like that, Therese. No man wished to see their woman being treated that way." That made her quiet, seeing Drew with those irresistible eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll stop working in the market." She said, making him smile.

"But that's not mean I have to stop working for my family." She added, which made his smile washed away.

She went there as what the man told her, not knowing she'll be more than just a maid.

--

"It's your birthday next week. Would you like to invite your family? Let them know you work just fine." Arzon asked her one night.

"No, we're fine." She said.

"I want you to." He demanded.

It's been two years already, and it was the first time celebrating her birthday without her working all day from the market and with her family. Although all they knew is that she's working as a maid for a wealthy man.

"Therese!" Adam, her 10-year old brother, called her in excitement and hugged her as soon as she saw her.

She was so happy to see her family looking good and healthy. They're not wearing the same old rugged clothes anymore, suffering from the cold. She finally saw her mother in a wheelchair with her 14-year old sister, Alice. And she was glad to see their 8-year old twins wearing warm shoes. It was more than enough to see her family on her birthday. She's planning to leave her job when she has enough money to go somewhere far with them, praying Drew's still out there somewhere so he could be there when that time comes.

During their celebration right at one of Arzon's private rest house, Therese saw how Arzon eyed her sister Alice. She never minds it at first, but Arzon talked to her in the kitchen when their little dinner was over.

"Did you ever got tired of working?" Arzon whispered in her ears, using his sweet tone. Her body shivered when his warm hands landed on her shoulders, pulling her closer to him.

"Of course, but for the sake of my family, that's not even a choice. Why?" She said while pulling out a wine glass from the shelves of glasses.

"Just asking." He smiled,  pouring her the wine.

"Just so you know, if you ever get tired, maybe your sister could work." He whispered, leaving her speechless, dropping her glass of wine.

She couldn't put her mind at ease that night, seeing how Arzon looked at her sister with those lustful eyes. She can't afford to lose her. She sacrificed her body and her heart just to provide them a comfortable life.

She went to see her family off. Although Arzon insisted on letting them stay there for the night, Therese would never allow that. Luckily, her mother forgot to take her medicines with her and told him they need to go home since there's no pharmacy nearby.

"Take care, my darling." Her mom told her and gave her a warm hug before they leave.

"I'm good, mom." She said while gently patting her mother's back.

"Take care of them." She reminded Adam.

"Of course! I'm the man in the family." Adam said while showing off his little muscles. They laughed, seeing how he tries to make them visible.

"Take care, Alice." She said, kissing her forehead.

She hugged her twin brothers and patted their heads. She waved goodbye and let her tears running by as they go farther and completely went out from her sight.

"Happy Birthday, Therese." Someone whispered behind her ears. She quickly faced the man who owned the voice she's been longing to hear.

"Drew?"