Chapter 4: The Suspect
1271 Words
The next day, Dora woke up earlier than usual, she felt better than the previous having cried out her heavy mind. She decided to do something that'd impress George.
She went ahead of the maids and do the light cleaning of the dinning and the living room.
After an hour of stretching up and down, she entered the kitchen to cook. It's wasn't long before she found the roster and the meal of the day were clearly written. She picked the breakfast, burritos with scrambled eggs, chorizo and mango salsa.
She's almost done before Coco comes in to assist her.
Shortly after, the dinning is all set under the grand crystal chandelier.
Dora made her way upstairs and head to the master bedroom. She was about to knock when she heard a grin voice coming from the inside.
She bent her knees slightly and placed her hears on the sharp greyish door.
“How many are the women?”
“Pay them off and tell them I don't ever want to see them again.”
“Also, make sure the doctor do the necessity and no leave no clue.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up, he said, “yes, who's there?”
Having heard this, Dora flinched, her body trembled at the shock of how he Knows there she's outside.
Before she could turn her back to leave, George opened the door.
He scoffed, “what are you doing at my door, stalker?”
“Em…” she stammered. “I wanted to inform you that breakfast is ready.”
“Since when did that become your job?” He said indifferently, shooting her a menacing gaze. His cold aura making Dora's palm became more sweaty.
“I made you a nice…”She jolted but didn't get to finish her statement before Maria interrupted her.
Approaching them, she yanked, “what are you doing, brat?”
Dora looked at George for rescue but the red in his eyes choked even more.
Before she could find a word, George flinged his fingers with a sign of dismissal.
“Get lost.” He said gently, as he shut the door.
“Answer me now, brat. Are you ignoring me or something?” Maria said, jacking Dora's shoulder back and made her look at her.
“None of your business.” Dora rolled her eyes and was about to leave.
“I see someone is playing a seduction here. Where do you think you are, huh? Answer me!”
Dora flip back her hair natural black curly hair and hurried away.
“Hey! You…” Maria said, pointing at her exiting figure.
Back in her room, Dora sat alone, soliloquizing on the edge of the bed.
'What’s that about?’
‘Did I hear him say the women?’
‘'How many women are they?’
'Who's he talking to?’
'What happened to the women.’
‘Is he a human trafficker?’
She continues to gesture, bitting her nails and hitting her own head frequently.
When she can't seems to make any sensible conclusion, she decided to find out whatever there is. Starting from the house maids, to his personal assistant, Manuel, who's also an ally to her.
At noon, she approached Mrs. Grace, the oldest chef. As the latter saw her, she hurried forward and bowed slightly, “how may I help you Mrs. Hoover.”
“Please, I need to see you. Is it a good time to chat?” Dora said, pressing her palms together and looking intently at the woman who's well on her way to sixty.
“Whatever you want, I'm always at your service.” She said, dropping the napkin she was holding on a nearby freezer.
“Let's go to the garden.” Dora said, pointing at an edge of the grand kitchen.
“Okay, you first.” She said, gesturing forward for her to lead.
Both women stepped out while the rest maids continue doing the chores.
After walking around for a while, they came to a bench and Coco pointed at a nearby bench, “let’s sit there.”
Dora nodded, and when they reached the metal seat covered with cow skin, they sit.
“I heard about what happened at the wedding, I felt pity for your mother. I know how she felt…” She adjusted her blue apron, well ironed and neat as though she never used it work.
“Having experienced rejection from my own son on his graduation, I know how hard it is for a mother to be rejected by her own child.” She said, rubbing her feeble fingers under her eyelids as if trying to force back her tears.
“I'm sorry for what I did but…” Dora adjusted her mini skirt. “There's a misunderstanding.”
She looked at her as if searching her eyes but she nodded for her to continue.
“I did what I did that day because I had no option. Of course, I love her, but I don't have an option. I'm truly sorry…”
Dora's face turned sullen, clapping her palms on her lap.
“It's okay, you better make sometimes to visit her to explain yourself. You owed her the apologies not me.”
She grabbed Dora's arm. “What exactly do you want to talk about?”
Dora began, “I wanted to know everything you know about George.”
Immediately, Coco let go of her arm, she flipped her face around, watching if anyone was around.
“You know, I can be sanctioned for this, if we get caught. One thing the boss hates most is gossip, whether it's at work or at home. He detest gossipers and stalkers.”
Dora lifted her palm, tapping it on her cheek with the realization she had gone against George's values for the first time, trying to impress him.
She urged Coco to speak on.
“Sometimes, he can be wonderful. Sometimes, he's mysterious. He can stay in the room all day, without asking anyone for anything, sitting by his laptop just...”
“He must really like his work.” Dora interrupted.
“Nobody likes work, Dora. I am fifty-eight this year and I've been working since I was sixteen. If you ask me…”
“Wow,” Dora said, covering her O-shaped mouth with her hands.
Coco swallowed, “I’d tell you that I am used to it. But the truth is I'm afraid, as old as I am, I'm still afraid things might go wrong if I stop working.”
“This is true for many, but what everyone is afraid of may vary.” She concluded.
“But as for him, I have the opinion that you might be right. I've been working here since he was twelve, I've never seen him show weakness or break down for a moment, even after he lost his father.”
“He's really a great guy. I used to wish he would marry my daughter.” Coco said, her cheeks slightly turned red.
“I understand, but have you ever caught him in an act?”
“What do you mean Dora?”
“I mean…maybe he's just been putting on a facade and he might have some dark secrets…I suspect he's into some illegal things and… ”
Coco froze in shock, covering Dora's mouth with one hand and the other at the back of head. Flipping her head around to be sure no one hears her.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching from the other end of the garden.
She released Dora immediately and looked at her with a grin face.
- Writer
