Stubborn
1736 Words
Sarah walked into her room just as she saw Ganda arrive early in the morning, asking to see Antonio. The woman, still beautiful despite her age, was sitting on the bed, waiting for Antonio to come out of the bathroom. The middle-aged man stepped out with only a towel wrapped around his waist, glancing at Sarah who was clearly waiting for him.
“What’s going on?”
“Ganda’s downstairs. He wants to see you,” Sarah replied.
Antonio frowned, eyeing Sarah before nodding.
“Why would he come see me this early in the morning?”
Sarah shook her head with a small smile.
“I don’t know, honey. He just said he needed to talk to you.”
Antonio nodded and walked over to his wardrobe.
“Tell him I’ll be down in a minute. Let me get dressed first. Maybe this is about Evan.”
Sarah nodded and left the room, heading toward the main hall where she saw Ganda still waiting. Ganda stood up as soon as Sarah approached.
“Ma’am.”
Sarah smiled and lifted her hand slightly, signaling him to stay seated.
“Please, sit.”
She took a seat across from him, facing him directly.
“Antonio’s still getting dressed. Just wait a little, he’ll be down soon.”
Ganda nodded respectfully, offering a polite smile.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“So, what’s so urgent that you came here this early, Ganda?”
Ganda looked at her for a moment. Honestly, he only wanted to talk to Antonio, not her. But now she was sitting right in front of him, and it made him feel awkward.
“There’s something I need to ask Mr. Antonio, Ma’am.”
Sarah nodded, her brows furrowed in curiosity. She stayed seated with him, waiting. Mirna, one of the housemaids, had already brought out some tea and snacks for him. Sarah stayed put until Antonio arrived.
“If it’s about Evan, you can talk to me. Antonio’s usually very busy. If you need anything, just let me know,” she offered.
Ganda nodded politely but said nothing. Sarah frowned slightly, annoyed by his silence, but didn’t say more.
Finally, Antonio came down the stairs and approached them. Sarah immediately put on a welcoming smile for her husband.
“Ready, hon?”
Antonio gave a short nod and sat across from Ganda.
“What’s going on, Ganda? Why are you here so early?”
Sarah remained seated, listening closely. Ganda let out a breath—clearly, Sarah had no intention of leaving.
“I need to talk about one of the maids, Sir.”
Antonio raised an eyebrow.
“A maid? What about her?”
Ganda laced his fingers together, looking directly at Antonio.
“I want to talk about Anna. The girl who was r***d by the young master. Why is she back working at the young master’s house, Sir?”
Antonio paused, then turned to look at Sarah.
“She’s working for Evan again?”
Sarah nodded nervously, a faint smile on her face.
“Yes, she is. At her own request. Anna came to see me after she got out of the hospital. She begged me to let her come back to work. I warned her it was dangerous and even offered her compensation money, but she still insisted on returning.”
Ganda sighed deeply, while Antonio remained quiet, thinking.
“Where is she now?” Antonio asked.
Ganda looked at him.
“She’s at the young master’s house, Sir.”
Antonio rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
“What do you think, Ganda? It seems like she really wants to work with us. I could easily stop her, but... there’s no one like her who knows how to handle Evan the way she does.”
Sarah quickly nodded in agreement.
“I feel the same, hon. There’s no one like Anna. Maybe it’s selfish, but I don’t want to lose someone like her.”
Ganda sighed again.
“But this is about someone’s future, Ma’am. Maybe you both should talk to her—make her understand the danger she’s walking into.”
Sarah frowned slightly, not liking Ganda’s tone.
“She already talked to me, Ganda.”
Ganda smiled and nodded.
“Maybe Mr. Antonio should talk to her.”
Sarah let out an annoyed breath at his suggestion.
“Fine. I’ll go see her. I’ll have my secretary clear my schedule this afternoon. I’ll talk to her then.”
Ganda nodded, pleased with that. Sarah gave him a sharp look and then smiled at Antonio. If Anna stopped working for them, who else could she trust? Sarah clenched her fists, irritated that Ganda was trying to influence her husband. After getting Antonio’s decision, Ganda left the house and returned to Evan’s residence.
That morning, Anna was already in the kitchen helping Anet. She insisted on bringing breakfast to Evan herself. Anet had tried to refuse, but Anna was too stubborn. Anet poured soup into a small bowl, added a few slices of fruit into another container, and scooped a little rice. She also placed the medicine Evan was supposed to take. Anna stepped forward and grabbed the tray that Anet had set aside.
“Let Ganda bring it to him,” Anet suggested.
Anna shook her head with a smile.
“I’ll take it, Anet. I can do it.”
Anet reached out, holding Anna’s hand to stop her.
“Anna, I don’t want you to get hurt. Don’t be so stubborn.”
Anna smiled at her, as if to say she’d be fine. She set down the tray and gently held Anet’s hand, trying to reassure the older woman.
“Anet, you know better than anyone what his condition is. I know you want the best for Mr. Evan. Please trust me. Even if he hits me, chokes me, stabs me—I’ll take it. I know what I’m doing. Even if it happens again... I’ll be ready for the consequences.”
Anet squeezed her hand in return. Why did it feel like Anna was truly sincere about Evan? What was she really looking for in that broken man?
“Alright. I’ll just pray for you. Do your best.”
Anna nodded and looked up at the second floor. She was afraid, yes. But she believed Evan still had a mind and heart—at least when he was sober. Anna picked up the tray, leaving out the medicine Sarah had given her. She stopped in front of Evan’s room and tried to prepare herself. If Evan got violent again, she had to stay strong. This was her choice.
Anna opened the door and stepped inside. The room still looked just as she remembered. She placed the tray on the nightstand and walked toward the sofa. On the floor, she noticed several needles scattered—remnants of Evan’s drug use. She quickly cleaned them up. She jumped when the bathroom door opened—Evan. She stood there, head down, waiting.
Evan saw her and smirked. He walked into the closet and came out wearing only soft cotton pants—no shirt, nothing else. Anna tried not to be distracted, even though it was broad daylight. She picked up the tray and placed it down again, backing away slowly. Her hands were shaking. She wasn’t sure if Evan was sober or not. She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts.
“Hey, you!”
Anna flinched and looked at Evan.
“Y-yes... Sir...” she stammered, standing beside him with a racing heart. She wanted to disappear, but it wasn’t that easy.
“Feed me!”
Anna froze at the order. Did he really want her to feed him?
“Sir…”
“What?” he asked, a sinister smile tugging at his lips.
“I…”
“Do what I said!”
Anna immediately sat in front of him and picked up the plate of rice. She spooned some soup and brought it close to Evan’s mouth. He ate it, chewing slowly. Anna felt a wave of relief—he actually ate it, and didn’t do anything weird. She gave him three spoonfuls in total before he suddenly spat it out.
“Ugh! What did you put in this?!” Evan shouted, grabbing his drink.
Anna jumped, shocked, looking down at the rice spilled on the floor.
“I only gave you potatoes and chicken, Sir.”
Evan wiped his mouth and gave her a sharp, suspicious smile.
“Don’t try to fool me. Clean all that up!” Evan pointed at the rice scattered across the floor. Anna quickly nodded and was about to stand, but Evan stopped her.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Anna turned to look at Evan.
“I’m going to get a cleaning tool, Sir!” Evan chuckled, making Anna frown in fear. He laughed even harder when he saw her standing nervously near him.
“Clean it up like a dog. Lick it until it’s spotless. I want you to eat every bit of it. You’re that woman’s dog, aren’t you?” Anna froze, staring at Evan’s vomit on the floor, then looked at him with teary eyes.
“I’m not a dog, Sir!” Anna said, rejecting his demand.
“Then what are you? You’re willing to be her servant, you’re willing to lick her boots, so why can’t you lick that filth for more money? Tell her you just licked my leftovers, maybe she’ll pay you more!” Tears rolled down Anna’s cheeks. Why was Evan doing this to her? She wasn’t Sarah’s lackey.
“I’m not working for Madam Sarah!” Evan raised his hand and glared at her in anger.
“Don’t mention that filthy woman’s name in front of me!” Anna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Evan stood up and stepped closer to her.
“But I’m not—“ Anna was suddenly yanked by force, pulled down to her knees, and forced to the floor to lick the leftover food.
“Do it!” Evan shouted furiously. Anna shook her head violently, refusing what he asked.
“I won’t!”
“You damn b***h!” Evan yelled and crouched down, pushing Anna’s shoulders to force her face closer to the floor.
“Sir... Stop it!” someone shouted as they entered Evan’s room, making him turn around in frustration.
- Writer
