Chapter 5- House full of gazes
1234 Words
The next morning, Amber got up early, with a strange feeling in her chest. Sleep had not helped. The thought of Caroline attacking her in the pantry flashed through her mind like a distant echo.
Do your job. Then go home. Don't linger.
Amber sighed and put her old jeans and her oversized sweater on. Seeing herself in a mirror, with angry-looking eyes, the little curls that ran out of the bun, a face that strove too hard to remain still.
You can do this, she said to herself.
She has to survive for everything to fall into pieces.
She needed this job with her mother's hospital bills hanging over her head. She needed the money. She needed the chance.
And so she picked up her bag and went out.
BACK AT THE MANSION
The change happened the moment Amber entered Cooper's mansion.
It was subtle.
As the air itself was aware that something was different.
The maids.. Keira, Mila, and the other stopped whatever they were doing and stared at her as she was walking by. Their looks were not mere curious ones anymore.
They were sharper.
Colder.
Calculating.
Morning," Amber said, and tried to sound normal.
Only one maid responded.
The rest looked away.
Amber swallowed.
Okay. Just... work. Focus.
She went into the kitchen, her haven, and began to set out the stuff to make breakfast.
She had only just taken the first slice of the tomato when she heard the feet.
She turned..
Richard.
Amber froze for a second.
He appeared to have had a sleepless night. His tie was loose around his neck and he was apparently rubbing the back of his neck like he was attempting to relax.
At the sight of Amber, he paused.
Something gentle photographed his eyes.
"Morning," he said quietly.
Amber swallowed. "G-good morning, sir."
He stepped closer. "You're early."
I wanted to have breakfast ready, I thought to myself.
His mouth made a ghost smile.
You never do less than expected.
Amber turned red and blushed. "I'm just doing my job."
"That's not what I meant."
Their eyes met.
Something had been shared between them, hot and tender and illicit.
Amber jerked her head away.
RICHARD CAN'T STOP LOOKING
Richard stood on the counter and observed Amber cutting vegetables. She stepped with a blind, sharp foot, and hummed to herself.
There was a sudden tightening in his chest.
He was not entitled to observe her in this way.
But he did.
Every small detail:
The manner in which she swung her hair behind her ear, even the blush of pink on her cheeks as she was talked to, how she was whispering to the pan, as though she were talking to a baby.
He found himself looking excessively long.
Amber felt it.
She tried to ignore it.
But it caused her fingers to shiver.
"Is everything okay?" she asked softly.
Richard came to himself with a jerk. "Yes. Yes, I'm fine."
Liar.
He wasn't fine.
This wasn't fine.
But he couldn't walk away.
CAROLINE ENTERS THE KITCHEN
When Amber put the eggs onto the stove, the kitchen door opened.
Caroline interfered, perfect hair, perfect make-up, silk robe sliding behind her like a queen into her throne room.
Her gaze caught Richard in the spot.
Then onto Amber.
Then back onto Richard.
Her lips turned into a very cold smile.
"Well," she said brightly.
"You're up early too, Rich."
Richard cleared his throat. "Just checking on breakfast."
Caroline's brows lifted. "Since when?"
Silence.
Amber stood holding her eyes on the stove.
Caroline came with a clicking heel and leaned over the ear of her husband.
"Stop hovering," she whispered.
It was not to be heard by Amber, but she heard.
Richard stepped back.
Amber's hands shook.
EDITH'S NEW OBSESSION
Some little voice called out in the doorway.
"Mommy!"
Edith came in with a princess nightgown on her. She perceived Amber... and turned at once frowning.
"You're still here?"
Amber forced a gentle smile. "Good morning, Edith."
Edith marched up to her. "I don't like you."
Impatiently Caroline sighed. "Edith, behave."
"No!"
Edith banged the counter with her little hand.
"You stole Daddy's attention."
Amber froze.
Richard stiffened.
The smile of Caroline lengthened, not pleasant, but in a funny way.
Richard was kneeling next to his daughter. "Edith. That's not true."
Edith pointed at Amber. "You looked at her last night. You looked at her like THIS."
She made theatrics boggle.
Amber's face burned.
Richard floundered. "Edith.."
Caroline crossed her arms. “Children always tell the truth”
Richard gave her a warning shot.
She ignored it.
Amber's heart raced.
She did not want to become the source of conflict in this home.
“Oh, Edith, I swear, I will not take any of your attention,” Amber said softly
"Yes, you are."
Edith stomped her foot.
"And I'll make sure you go away."
Amber felt her stomach squeeze in agony.
Richard stood abruptly.
"That's enough."
Caroline smirked again.
A SMALL TRUTH
Amber served breakfast without any noise. Richard sat there faking reading emails. Caroline was scrolling through her phone and occasionally looked up to observe every action of Amber.
It was suffocating.
At last, Richard spoke and relieved the tension.
"Amber."
She paused. "Yes, sir?"
"Have you eaten?"
Amber blinked.
"No, sir. Not yet."
Caroline's jaw tightened.
Richard thrust his undipped plate at her.
"Sit. Eat."
Amber's eyes widened.
"I… I can't…”
"That wasn't a suggestion."
With a bang, Caroline dropped her spoon.
"Richard!"
He didn't turn to her.
His eyes stayed on Amber.
Amber hesitated.
It was the wrong thing to sit at their table.
Forbidden.
Dangerous.
Yet to say no would be impolite.
So she sat by the edge.. she was clumsy and nervous, and hardly breathing, as she tasted the food she had cooked.
Richard stared at her, an unsimplified expression on his face.
Caroline looked at them each with narrowing anger.
THE MAIDS ARE FINE BEING STILL
Keira and Mila were at the door acting like they were working as they whispered.
"He gives her food at the table?"
"Does he want to die?"
Caroline will ruin something today.
Keira narrowed her eyes.
We must remind the pretty cook that she is but a temporary thing.
Mila smirked.
"Oh, don't worry. I already have a plan."
RICHARD LEAVES... BUT NOT REALLY
When Richard got up after breakfast he took his coat.
"I'm heading to the office."
Amber bowed slightly. "Have a good day, sir."
He hesitated.
Just a second.
Then he bumped into her... near enough that she could feel the heat of his body.
Near enough that she could feel as though she were choking.
Near enough to whisper in his ear, near enough to hear him:
Do not allow anybody to make you feel small.
Amber froze.
Richard was striding out before she could take a breath.
Caroline observed the entire situation.
And her nails pricked into her palms.
The heart of Amber has ceased to be safe.
As the door shut behind him, Amber patted her chest and could sense her heartbeat.
Too fast.
Too loud.
She did not desire such emotions.
They were not supposed to belong to her.
Her role was to cook, make money, take care of her mother, and remain invisible.
But Richard was rendering this impossible.
And somewhere upstairs...
Caroline and Edith were plotting the start of the demise of Amber.
- Writer
