LOCKED

REGINA

Seraphina went to her in-laws house with Richard who left immediately like he was never there. She stood still, lost, she decided to sleep.

Waking up the next morning, she saw three maids staring at her but not the friendly kind of look.

"Good morning." She greeted.

"I'm the head maid. I want you out of that bed, pick a broom and get to work. You have tons of work to do." She said totally ignoring her greetings.

"What? What do you mean?" She asked confused.

"It's an order from the bosses. I won't repeat myself." She said as Seraphina got down from the bed.

"You two...make sure she works really work hard. And you should work hard or no food for you today." She said harshly as she hissed leaving the room.

"You'll sweep this room, dress the bed...why am I even telling you? Get to work!" One of the maids snapped at her. She dressed the bed then swept, she was told to sweep the staircase, which seemed almost impossible, she got assistance then she vacuumed when she thought she was done.

" Here are some clothes that needs washing."

" Okay. I'll quickly use the washing machine." She said in response.

"Not that. Your hands...they all need hand washing."

" But they are too much." She complained.

" You dare to complain?!" She received a slap.

'Back at home, when dad was alive, nobody dares to raise their voice at me but here I am, a lowly maid dare to slap me.' She thought glaring at the maid who hit her.

"You're still standing here?"

" I'm sorry. I'll wash them." Seraphina apologized as she sniffed back her tears but she couldn't control them. Whispers and murmuring followed.

" What's happening here?" They all kept quiet, Seraphina bowed.

" It's this stupid girl who won't work so we decided to teach her a lesson." The head maid said.

" Angela that's not how you should address her. She's my wife." Seraphina heaved a sigh of relief on hearing Richard's statement but it changed to a bitter expression on hearing the next.

"How do you expect her to work if she's not properly dressed. She's not on maid's uniform? Make sure she has one then make sure she works really hard." He said, Seraphina raised her head.

"Ric..." She stopped when he glared at her.

"Okay Sir."

"carry on." With that, he left.

'He rejected me in front of everyone.' Seraphina shivered at her thought. Angela smirked.

"Seraphina, you must have thought so highly of yourself but now you know your place. Get to work then." Angela said as Seraphina took the clothes to wash.

"Do you guys want to join her? Leave my sight now!" She yelled as everyone scurried away.

Later that evening, Seraphina got inside tiredly, she never knew washing would be so hard.

"Uhmm...excuse me. Where can I find the head maid?" Seraphina asked.

" Probably in the garden. Sir Richard called her but she should be done by now." The lady replied.

"Thank you. I'm Seraphina"

" I'm Regina." She smiled.

'She looks nice. ' Seraphina thought with a smile.

Her stomach growl, she went to the garden, she heard moans, she blinked.

'I guess the hunger is making me hear things now. ' She chuckled. Her eyes widened when she saw Richard and Angela making out. She vomited immediately, they turned looking at her then hissing, reconnected their lips. Seraphina ran out in tears back to the kitchen.

" Hi. You're back. " Regina called, Seraphina looked around.

"I'm the only one here now." Regina said like she knew what was on her mind.

" Okay." Her voice cracking.

" You're crying. Are you hungry? I haven't eaten my food yet. Come eat with me." Regina offered.

" No, I'm not."

" But you haven't eaten since morning and it's not healthy for your condition." She said as Seraphina looked at her.

" I was pregnant once so I know. But why are you..."

" We're not close enough for you to start asking me questions." She said coldly heading to her room. She called her mother.

" Hi mom."

" Why are you calling?" Her mother asked.

" Uhm...I...I...I..."

" It seems you have nothing to say. Don't ever call like that again." She ended the call. Seraphina cried. Looking at her contact list, she settled on 'Daddy.'

"Hi daddy. I want to apologize for the lies and you know... everything. I miss you so much. Since you left..." She paused breaking down.

"Since you left, dad a lot has happened and it is still happening. I got pregnant, mom married me off and now I'm a maid who does more work than the rest. I promise to be strong for you and the baby. Bye. I love you." She ended the voice mail. Her door opened, on spotting Angela.

"Did I tell you to come in?" Angela asked.

"No. I'm done with my chores and I want to rest." Seraphina said.

"You're done with your chores and you want to rest? Who said you were done? Have you cleaned the garage?" She asked as Seraphina kept quiet, staring at her. That alone infuriated Angela.

" I asked a question!" She snapped.

"I'm sorry. I haven't."

" Good. Now go clean it up." Angela yelled.

" Now?" Seraphina asked.

" No dummy! Forever... Be snappy about it!" She snapped her fingers. She looked at Seraphina with hate and disgust... Seraphina left the room.

"Where are you going?" Richard asked on seeing them.

"I was...."

" She volunteered to clean the garage so I'm leading her there." Angela lied.

" But..." Seraphina tried voicing out.

"Is that so?" He narrowed his eyes at Seraphina with a sly smile.

" Yes Sir." Seraphina said bowing her head as she decided then and there not to depend on him or the family.

" Make it clean then." He uttered then walked away, she breath out.

"