A RECIPE FOR RUIN

Chapter 4- The House That Watched Her

The remaining part of the morning Amber faked that she did not notice everybody staring at her.

All the maids she passed looked at her with curiosity and irritation, and talked behind their hands like schoolgirls gossiping about the new girl.

"She thinks she's special."

See her skin…naturally, of course, Mr. Cooper noticed her.

"Tch. She won't last long."

Amber heard every word.

She just kept walking.

Throughout her life, she had been taught how to move on despite attempts by the world to humiliate her.

But in this massive mansion...

It felt different.

The walls seemed to be staring at her.

BACK IN THE KITCHEN

The episode with the eggs created some tightness in the chest of Amber. She was merely a moving machine wiping the counter, mopping the floor, and cleaning items she did not use at all.

The fingers seemed to shake with her scrubbing.

You're a helper, Amber. Do your job. Don't stand out. Don't break anything. Don't embarrass yourself.

She did not hear any footsteps until there was a gentle voice behind her.

"Are you okay?"

Her back was turned.. Her heart leaped..

Richard.

Still in his suit. And yet too genteel to be in the warm glow of the kitchen. But now his face was gentler, and his brows were pulled up in worry.

Amber lowered her eyes in an instant.

"Yes, sir. I'm fine."

"You're not."

She swallowed. "It's nothing. Mrs. Cooper was just... frustrated."

He shook his head. "You didn't deserve that."

Amber froze.

Richard used to talk very infrequently to employees in an emotional manner. But he was low and earnest now..too personal a man who had a wife next his door.

"Thank you, sir," she whispered. "But I'm okay."

You do not need to say that, he said in his murmur.

Amber inhaled sharply.

She felt seen.

A little too seen.

Their eyes met for a second.

Too long.

Too warm.

And Amber first to turn away.

CAROLINE'S EYES

Richard did not know, as he opened the door of the kitchen, that one of the maids, who was called Keira, was standing in the corridor.

Her lips curled.

"So this is the girl."

She looked over a mutual understanding with the other maid, Mila, who shook her head.

New, she is new, Keira whispered, and he is already around her apron?

Mila clicked her tongue. That is not how Richard ever greeted any of us.

Keira smirked.

That will be as long as her little fairy-tale occupation.

Little did they know that Caroline was there behind the corner... lurking.

Her jaw tightened.

Her fingers curled.

In reply, she hissed a word of irritation slowly.

So it was why he was late at dinner the night before.

The seed of jealousy had already started to get dangerous.

The First Private Moment between AMBER and RICHard.

At noon Amber was in the process of making lunch…a plain tomato basil soup. She wakes herself brushing off her thoughts.

Then she heard a footstep coming behind her.

Not footsteps.

Not a sound.

Just a presence.

She turned.

Richard stood still at the counter watching her as if she would have been a rare picture in an exhibition.

Amber's breath caught.

"Sir?"

He looked round, as though he had just woken out of a trance. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay."

She hardly spoke in more than a whisper.

"What are you making?"

Soup, she said to herself, for Mrs. Cooper.

His face was made to grow dull.

"And for you?" he asked softly.

Amber shook her head quickly. "I'm not allowed to eat here, sir."

Richard frowned. "Who told you that?"

"The other maids said…"

They do not make the rules, he interpolated.

You have become a member of this household. If you're hungry, you eat."

Amber blinked.

None of the employers had so far addressed her.

"T-thank you."

She blushed and her cheeks flushed.

"Amber."

She froze.

He hardly ever addressed her by that name.

Amber looked up slowly.

"Yes?"

Richard came nearer..not touching her, not even near enough to make it improper, but near enough that her pulse fluttered hopelessly.

You are doing well here, he thought to himself.

"In case no one has told you."

Amber's heart squeezed.

No one had told her that.

Ever.

She had no time to reply as..

BANG!

The kitchen door flew open.

Caroline entered with a bright and artificial look.

"Oh! Honey, you're here?"

Richard cleared his throat and retreated in silence. "Caroline."

The eyes of Caroline were dashing between them, and she read the air at a glance.

"Hm."

Her smile stiffened.

Amber, will you give me some assistance in the pantry? Now."

Nervously Amber wiped her hands. "Yes, ma'am."

Caroline's eyes sharpened. "Don't call me ma'am."

THE PANTRY CONFRONTATION

Amber trailed her into the giant walk-in pantry. The moment the door closed...

The atmosphere changed.

Caroline came nearer, her voice a little hiss dripping with poison.

Be careful, honey, dear," listen to me.

Amber swallowed hard.

I know how my husband is gawking at you.

Amber shook her head quickly. "Mrs. Cooper, I promise I'm not.."

Caroline put up a hand and stopped her.

Your promises have nothing to do with me. What I care about is my home."

Her eyes narrowed.

And I do not want you to be too comfortable.

Amber's breath trembled.

"I understand."

No!

"I don't think you do."

Her throat was painfully tensed by Amber.

"Do your job. Teach me to cook. Then go home. Don't... linger."

Amber nodded, heart pounding. "Yes. I understand."

Caroline smiled then sweetly.

A terrifying, cold smile.

"Good. I'd hate to replace you so soon."

Amber breathed a shaky sigh and Caroline ran out of the pantry to leave her standing alone in front of shelves of spices and a heart that was pounding too quickly and too hard.

RICHARD'S VIEW

Then, out of the other side of the kitchen, Richard saw Amber come out of the pantry, flushed and shaken.

He experienced a burning and pungent something scrape within him.

Caroline smiled derisively at her counter seat.

Richard's jaw clenched.

The house was changing.

His marriage was shifting.

And Amber, sweet, innocent Amber, had fallen blindly into the midst of a storm.

Richard was unable, however, to look away.

Not from her.

Never from her.