THE MAID'S BILLIONAIRE

Chapter Five

Cindy's POV (6:30am the next day)

The blaring sound of my alarm jolted me awake from my slumber. I groggily switched it off and stretched, feeling the warmth of the morning sun streaming through my window. As I rose from my bed, I noticed that my mom's side was already empty, indicating that she had already begun her work in the mansion. That woman was always the last to sleep among all the maids and the first to wake up. With a yawn, I made my way to the bathroom, splashing my face with cold water and brushing my teeth to shake off the remnants of sleep.

Emerging from the bathroom, I closed the door behind me and made my way down the hallway. Curiosity piqued, I decided to check on Janet, my fellow maid and closest friend, to see if she was already awake. It came as no surprise when I found her still peacefully asleep, her alarm persistently buzzing beside her. Walking to her bedside, I gently turned off the alarm, hoping to rouse her from her slumber after a few minutes.

"I'm up!" she exclaimed as she finally stirred, stretching her limbs and blinking away the remnants of sleep. With a smile, she got out of bed and headed towards the bathroom adjoining her room.

An hour later, the mansion was buzzing with activity. Every room had been meticulously cleaned, and the delicious aroma of breakfast wafted through the air. The Smiths, our employers, were already seated in the elegant dining hall, enjoying their morning meal. As for the maids, including Janet and myself, we gathered in the kitchen, settling down for our own breakfast.

Amidst the clinking of cutlery and murmurs of conversation, Alice, another maid, suddenly spoke up, breaking the peaceful atmosphere. "So, there are rumors that Sir Brian and you are dating," she said, her eyes focused on me. A stunned silence fell upon the room as all heads turned in my direction, waiting for a response.

Caught off guard, I felt a mix of shock and uncertainty flood over me. I searched for the right words to say but found myself at a loss. Sensing my unease, Janet swiftly came to my rescue, her voice calm and composed. "Alice, where did you hear such rumors? It seems like nobody here has any idea what you're talking about," she interjected, casting a reassuring glance my way.

Alice remained silent, her gaze shifting uneasily. The tension dissipated, and we all resumed our breakfast as if nothing had transpired. Deep down, though, I knew my mother would be full of questions, and I couldn't help but fear her disappointment. Our Ghanaian family was deeply traditional, and I was well aware that dating someone, let alone the son of our employers, would not sit well with her. I silently hoped that she wouldn't be too disapproving.

After breakfast, everyone dispersed to their respective duties. Just as I was beginning to immerse myself in my work, my mom's voice suddenly called out to me. "Cindy, can I have a word with you?" My heart skipped a beat, and I exchanged a quick glance with Janet, who offered me a reassuring smile before leaving the kitchen.

Nervously, I followed my mother out of the bustling kitchen and into a quieter corner. Her expression was a mix of concern and sternness as she searched my face for answers. "Cindy, is it true what Alice said?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before responding, "Yes and no."

Confusion clouded her eyes, and she

urged me to explain further. "What do you mean by yes and no? Stop playing games with me, Cindy. And of all people, Brian? You know very well that his father is our boss, right?" she queried, her voice tinged with frustration. I nodded in response, understanding the weight of the situation.

"Cindy, I don't want you dating anyone at this age. Just because you're 18 doesn't mean you should start dating. Please, stay away from him," my mother pleaded, her concern evident. "But Mom, please..." I began, my voice wavering. She cut me off, her tone firm yet filled with motherly love. "I know what's best for you, Cindy. You need to listen to me. Mrs. Smith could fire us both if she finds out about this."

Resigned but determined, I walked away, my mind set on giving the relationship a chance. Disobeying my mother was not something I typically did, but there was an inexplicable force driving me to take this leap. Plus, I had never been in a relationship before, and something about Brian intrigued me.

As the day progressed, my thoughts were consumed by the impending date. It was 5:00 pm when Janet and I finally finished our tasks and left the mansion. Walking side by side, Janet turned to me with a curious smile. "So, I didn't get to ask you, how did it go with your mom? What did she say about Brian?" she inquired. I sighed, the memory of the conversation still fresh in my mind. "It didn't go so well. I knew she would disapprove anyway, but I still want to go on the date," I confessed, a tinge of sadness creeping into my voice.

Janet's expression softened, and she playfully teased, "What happened to my best friend? Who is this bold and rebellious girl standing before me?" I chuckled, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood. "I don't know, Janet. I can't explain it, but I just feel compelled to give it a try. Besides, it's not every day I get asked out on a date," I replied, a hint of excitement in my voice.

Before I knew it, we had arrived at Janet's room. I glanced at the wall clock, my eyes widening as I realized I had less than an hour to get ready. "Brian will be here in the next 45 minutes," I exclaimed, a mixture of panic and anticipation coursing through me. I quickly rushed to my room, hastily taking a shower while Janet rummaged through her wardrobe to find something suitable for me to wear.

Thirty minutes later, I emerged from my room, clad in a simple white dress that fell just above my knees, accentuated by a silver-colored belt. The white and black heels borrowed from Janet completed the ensemble. I took a moment to assess my reflection in the mirror, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement swirling within me.

As I stepped outside, I silently prayed that I wouldn't run into my mother. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Brian standing in front of his car, his appearance more casual than his usual business attire. He flashed a warm smile as our eyes met, and with newfound courage, I walked towards him. "You look great," Brian complimented me, his voice sincere and kind. "Thanks," I replied, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks.

Brian opened the passenger door for me, and I graciously accepted his gesture, thanking him as I settled into the seat. He swiftly made his way to the driver's side, and soon, we were on our way.

The drive to the restaurant was filled with a comfortable silence. I

was too nervous to initiate a conversation, fearing that I would say something foolish and embarrass myself. However, Brian's calm demeanor and occasional glances in my direction eased my nerves, reminding me that this was just a casual outing between two people getting to know each other.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Brian once again displayed his gentlemanly nature by helping me out of the car. His hand lingered at the small of my back as we made our way inside. A courteous staff member greeted us at the entrance and led us to a cozy table for two. Brian pulled out the chair for me, and I gracefully took my seat, feeling a mix of gratitude and excitement.

As we settled in, perusing the menu and engaging in light conversation, time seemed to slip away. A few minutes later, we placed our orders and continued our small talk, eager to learn more about each other. Brian leaned forward, his eyes filled with genuine interest. "Tell me more about yourself, Cindy," he requested. "Well, I'm 18, turning nineteen in a few months. My mom and I both work for your dad, as you already know. Oh, and I have a dream of starting my own clothing line before I turn twenty-five," I shared, a hint of enthusiasm in my voice.

Brian smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling. "That's cool," he remarked, clearly impressed. "But I want to know more. What's your favorite color? Favorite food? Anything interesting about yourself," he inquired, genuinely curious. I was about to respond when the waiter arrived with our food, momentarily interrupting our conversation.

We enjoyed our meal together, sharing stories and anecdotes. I opened up about my hopes and dreams, and Brian reciprocated, allowing me a glimpse into his world. Time flew by, and before we knew it, a waiter cleared his throat, signaling that the restaurant was about to close. Brian swiftly apologized, and we rose from our seats, preparing to leave.

Walking towards the exit, Brian and I exchanged smiles, both reluctant to end the evening. As we reached his car, realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. "Oh my goodness, I'm in trouble," I exclaimed, my eyes widening in panic. Brian looked at me, puzzled. "And why is that?" he asked, his concern evident.

"My mom is going to be furious. She specifically told me not to go out with you, but I couldn't resist," I confessed, a mix of guilt and worry weighing on my shoulders. "Everything is going to be okay. If you wouldn't mind, I could talk to your mother."

You will do no such thing, please", Cindy tried to reason with him.

Brian's expression softened, and he took a step closer.

He dropped the topic when he realized that it would do them no good. It was their first date and it would be better if they took things slow for now.

It would even be worse if your mum found out about whatever it is that is going on between us. "And what do you mean by that?" Brian asked a bit, defensive.

"Brian, you and I, I mean everyone knows that your mum doesn't want her reputation to be stained. What do you think her friends will say if they find out that her son is dating a maid!" I was starting to get pissed but I know it's not his fault. "Cindy, I am aware, but that doesn't mean that my mum gets to decide who I date or not." After Brian said that, no one spoke again till we got to the mansion.

As I made my way back to the servants' quarters, I opened the door slowly, hoping to avoid making any noise. But luck was not on my side as I turned around after closing the door, only to find my mom wide awake and waiting for me. The air grew heavy with silence as she stared at me, her eyes searching for answers.

"Where have you been?" she finally spoke, her voice a mixture of worry and disappointment.