Mrs. Noldi
1285 Words
The next morning, the housekeeper sent by Mrs. Vior arrived. She was a middle-aged woman.
"Mrs. Noldi? Why did you bring a suitcase?" Soraya asked. She knew the senior housekeeper who had worked for the Horison family for years.
"Mrs. Vior assigned me to work here, Miss," Mrs. Noldi replied.
"So you're the new housekeeper for this home?" Soraya smiled broadly and embraced Mrs. Noldi.
"Please come in, Mrs. Noldi. I'll show you your room."
Soraya warmly welcomed her into the house.
Soraya and Mrs. Noldi stepped into the living room.
"Emily, let me introduce you. This is our new housekeeper. She's the senior housekeeper from the Horison family estate," Soraya said, introducing Mrs. Noldi to Emily.
Mrs. Noldi smiled warmly, and Emily returned the smile. They shook hands.
"Noldi."
"Emily."
Why do I feel like I've met this girl before?
"Emily, you can relax. Your only responsibility is taking care of your pregnancy," Soraya said before heading toward the kitchen.
"Mrs. Soraya, I want to make fried rice. Would you like some too?" Emily asked.
Soraya stopped in her tracks.
"Emily, we're cousins. Don't call me 'Mrs.,'" Soraya said with a smile.
"Okay, Sis," Emily replied, looking slightly confused.
Miss Soraya is such a gentle and thoughtful woman. Mr. Alan must be so happy to have married the woman he loves, Mrs. Noldi thought.
"Mrs. Noldi, this is your room. Please get some rest first," Soraya said kindly.
"Thank you, Miss Soraya." Mrs. Noldi returned her smile.
Emily began cooking Alan's favorite fried rice.
"Emily, you're cooking? Didn't I tell you your only job is to take care of your pregnancy? If we want breakfast, we can order it through a delivery app." Soraya picked up her phone.
"I asked her to cook, honey. I enjoy Emily's fried rice," Alan replied as he made his way toward the living room with his cane.
"Honey, why didn't you call me? I could've helped you." Soraya guided Alan forward, clinging affectionately to his arm.
"Miss Emily, let me take care of that." Mrs. Noldi took the plates from Emily's hands.
"I think you should sit at the dining table with Mr. Alan and Mrs. Soraya," Mrs. Noldi said.
"Please join us, Mrs. Noldi. Thank you for being willing to help me," Emily said.
Mrs. Noldi set the dining table with a warm smile.
"Enjoy your meal," she said.
"Mrs. Noldi, please eat with us," Alan invited.
"Thank you, Mr. Alan. I've already had breakfast at Mr. Horison's house," Mrs. Noldi replied politely.
Afterward, Mrs. Noldi went to her room to unpack her belongings.
Who exactly is Emily? Why does her face seem so familiar? I've seen her before. But where?
Soraya fed Alan while chatting playfully.
"Honey, do you remember Kio? The clumsiest, most tomboyish girl in college. She gave birth to triplets yesterday."
"Wow, her house must be much livelier now with three babies at once," Alan chuckled.
Emily ate quietly, her expression unreadable.
"Emily, do you have any funny stories from your school days?" Soraya asked.
"Not really, Mrs. Soraya. I wasn't very good at making friends," Emily replied with a faint smile.
Soraya frowned slightly.
"Honey, I need to ask your permission. I'm meeting up with my high school friends. We're going on a trip out of town, and I'll be staying for three days," Soraya said.
"When are you leaving?" Alan asked.
"In about an hour," Soraya answered with a light laugh.
"Why is it so sudden?" Alan protested.
"Muah."
Soraya gently kissed her husband's cheek.
Suddenly, Emily winced in pain and clutched her stomach.
"Ahhh..."
The spoon slipped from Emily's hand. Alan instinctively jumped to his feet, ready to help her. For a brief instant, Alan's eyes met Emily's.
Mr. Alan can see?
"Honey, be careful!" Soraya quickly grabbed her husband's hand.
Alan immediately stopped. He realized he was supposed to be blind. Deliberately, he bumped his foot against the edge of the table.
"Emily, what's wrong?" Alan asked as he held onto Soraya's hand and walked toward Emily.
"I'm fine, Sir. The baby kicked hard enough to make my stomach contract," Emily said as she slowly rose to her feet.
Alan stopped her. He gently rubbed Emily's swollen belly.
"Be good in there, little one. Don't make your mommy suffer," Alan whispered.
Soraya's eyes widened the moment she saw her husband caressing Emily's belly. She turned Alan around and guided his hand to her own rounded stomach.
"Honey, I think you've got the wrong person. I'm right here," Soraya said with a soft laugh.
"Mrs. Noldi is watching us," she whispered.
Emily hurried back to her room, feeling embarrassed by what had just happened.
Emily, how could you be so careless? What if Mrs. Noldi becomes suspicious? she scolded herself.
"I'm sorry. I just panicked because of our daughter in Emily's womb," Alan said.
Soraya looked annoyed as she packed the suitcase she was taking with her.
"Yes, the baby in that woman's womb is our child. I'm the mother, not her!"
Alan fell silent. He realized that his actions had hurt Soraya's pride.
And what about you and Tyson? How dare the two of you have an affair behind my back?
"I'm sorry, honey." Alan gently felt Soraya's face with his fingertips before giving her a soft kiss.
Soraya wrapped her arms around Alan affectionately.
"While I'm gone, don't get too close to Emily. I don't like seeing it."
"I can't promise that, honey. No matter what, our child is growing inside Emily's womb. If anything happens to Emily, it will affect our baby too."
**
"Sis, are you sure you're taking three days off? A lot of patients have already scheduled appointments." Dolla approached Dr. Tyson, carrying several medical files.
"Didn't I ask you to cancel them?" Dr. Tyson replied as he reviewed the medical records.
"There are six VIP patients, the children and in-laws of Mr. Billy Horison's business associates. How can we possibly cancel on them? They're not only Mr. Billy Horison's associates, they're also investors in this clinic! Wake up, Sis. Put an end to all of this!" Dolla pointed to the names listed in the files, her face filled with frustration.
Dr. Tyson looked at Dolla.
"I'm sorry, Dolla. I'm doing all of this for us. Thank you for always reminding me."
Honey, I can't leave just yet. We have a lot of VIP patients connected to Mr. Billy Horison today. Give me two hours. I'll meet you at the pier, Dr. Tyson texted Soraya.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Dr. Tyson? Are you in there?" Soraya called from outside.
"Soraya? You didn't cancel it?" Dolla whispered, her eyes widening.
"I already sent her a message," Dr. Tyson replied.
Looking visibly irritated, Dolla opened the door to Dr. Tyson's office.
"Hi, Nurse Dolla. Is Dr. Tyson in there?" Soraya asked with a friendly smile.
"Dr. Tyson is inside. But I'm sorry, Miss Soraya. You only have ten minutes before his office hours begin," Nurse Dolla said before walking away.
"Ten minutes? What do you mean by that?" Soraya asked, grabbing Nurse Dolla's arm.
Dr. Tyson gently removed Soraya's hand from Dolla's arm.
"Come in. We'll talk inside," Dr. Tyson said.
"Honey, what does she mean by ten minutes? We're leaving now, aren't we?" Soraya asked.
"Didn't you read my message?" Dr. Tyson replied.
"My message? When did you send me one?" Soraya asked as she took out her phone.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Dr. Tyson, Mrs. Emeralda and her husband have arrived," Nurse Dolla called from outside the door.
"Honey, you should read my message. Wait for me at the pier," Dr. Tyson said, guiding Soraya toward the secret door that led to the adjoining room.
**
- Writer
