THE MAID'S BILLIONAIRE

Chapter Six

Cindy's POV:

"Where have you been?" my mum asked as soon as I closed the door behind me. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts, and replied, "Mum, I... um, I went out with Sir Brian." I could feel my heart racing, hoping against hope that I wouldn't get into trouble. But deep down, I knew that I was in for it. As maids, we were expected to adhere to a certain code of conduct, and any deviation could cost us our jobs and everything we had worked so hard for.

"Cindy, you have to stay away from Brian," my mum warned, her voice filled with concern. I could see the worry etched on her face. She knew the consequences of getting involved with someone above our social standing. It wasn't just about preserving our employment; it was about protecting the fragile stability we had managed to build for ourselves.

I nodded silently, understanding the gravity of the situation. It would be difficult to distance myself from Brian, especially after the connection we had formed. But I knew that I had to abide by my mother's advice if I wanted to safeguard our livelihoods. Brian might want to talk to my mum, but I was certain she would remain steadfast in her disapproval. With a heavy sigh, Mum turned her back towards me and lay down on her bed, her silence speaking volumes.

The next day dawned with a sense of unease lingering in the air. I hadn't heard from Brian since our last encounter. He had gone to work without having breakfast, which was unlike him. I couldn't help but replay the events of the previous day in my mind. I had overreacted about his mother, even though what I had said was true. She was still his mother, after all, and that bond held weight. I knew my words had struck a nerve, causing a rift between us.

As everyone finished their breakfast and went about their assigned tasks, I noticed that Mum wasn't feeling well. Her normally vibrant energy seemed diminished, and concern washed over me. Determined to lighten her workload, I insisted that she stay in our room and rest while Janet and I took charge of preparing breakfast for the household. It was a role reversal, but I wanted to give my mother the opportunity to recuperate.

Janet and I worked in sync, navigating the bustling kitchen with ease. We were in the process of putting away the clean dishes when Thelma, one of the other maids, stormed into the kitchen. Her face contorted with anger, and I could see that she was ready to unleash her fury on someone.

"I saw you getting out of Brian's car last night. What were you doing with my boyfriend?" Thelma's accusatory tone echoed through the room, catching me off guard. My mouth opened instinctively, ready to explain, but Janet beat me to it, stepping in with a protective stance.

"The last time I checked, Sir Brian was still dating my friend here," Janet retorted, her voice filled with defiance. She pointed in my direction, her eyes conveying a message of solidarity. I felt a surge of gratitude towards Janet, grateful for her unwavering support.

Thelma's anger intensified, her eyes blazing with fury. "And who do you think you are? Brian is mine and will always be mine. I don't have time to compete with a maid like you. You're a nobody, and that's how it's supposed to be," she spat out venomously, her words cutting through the air like a sharp knife.

I could feel the heat rising within me, my patience reaching its limits. It was time for me to speak up and assert myself.

"I'm not going to argue with you over someone who doesn't even like you. We're not children anymore. Have a little respect for yourself and stop all this. You don't scare me, so just stop it," I responded firmly, my voice unwavering.

Taking Janet's hand, I walked out of the kitchen without waiting for Thelma's response. It was a small victory, a moment where I reclaimed my dignity and refused to be bullied. Janet nodded approvingly, acknowledging the strength I had displayed.

"That was good. I like that you stood up for yourself," she commended me as soon as we stepped outside the kitchen's confines.

"I learned from the best," I replied, a smile spreading across my face. Janet had always been my rock, my guiding light. Her unwavering support and encouragement had given me the confidence to face adversities head-on.

We made our way back to the servant quarters, the morning chores completed. The mansion stood majestically in the distance, its grandeur a stark contrast to our humble abode. We knew that in a few hours, we would return to the mansion to start preparing lunch. But for now, we had a moment to catch our breath and revel in our small triumph.

As the sun reached its zenith, casting a warm glow over the estate, my thoughts drifted to Brian. I couldn't help but wonder how he was faring, whether he had managed to find some peace amidst the chaos of his life. Our encounter at his workplace had left a lingering sense of longing within me. Despite the complexities and the barriers that lay between us, I couldn't deny the growing connection I felt towards him.

Brian's POV:

Work had been exceptionally hectic that day, with the finalization of a deal that had consumed my attention since I had joined the company. As I exited my office, the grumbling of my stomach reminded me that it was well past noon, and I needed sustenance. I made my way to the waiting area, intending to grab some lunch before continuing with my demanding schedule.

Just as I approached the waiting area, I caught sight of Cindy stepping out of a car. Surprise flickered across my face as I watched her, wondering what she was doing here. I had purposely left work early that day, hoping to avoid any chance encounters with her. Our date had gone well, but I had reacted poorly, giving her the cold shoulder after her impassioned outburst. I knew deep down that she had spoken the truth about my mother, but my conflicted emotions had clouded my judgment.

Without thinking, I walked over to Cindy as soon as she passed the gatekeepers, a mixture of curiosity and concern fueling my actions. "What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice laced with a tinge of apprehension.

She turned towards me, surprise evident in her eyes. "Um... good day to you too," she replied, a slight quiver in her voice. "I brought you lunch since you decided to skip breakfast," she continued, shoving a package of food into my hands. Her gesture caught me off guard, and I found myself unable to form a coherent response.

As Cindy started to walk away, I instinctively reached out and gently held her wrist, halting her in her tracks. "Cindy, I'm sorry about yesterday. I know what you said was true, but I was angry because she's family," I murmured, my voice barely audible.

A moment of silence passed between us, as if time had frozen. Cindy looked into my eyes, her expression softening. "That's okay. I understand," she replied, her voice filled with empathy.

Realizing that I had a chance to rectify my mistake, I mustered up the courage to invite her to join me for lunch. "Come eat with me," I implored, a sense of urgency creeping into my voice. I didn't want this encounter to end so abruptly.

She hesitated for a moment, contemplating my offer. "Thanks, but I have to go. My mum won't be happy if she finds out that I left the mansion without her knowing," she explained, her words tinged with a hint of disappointment. "But before I go, can you ask your ex-girlfriend to stop harassing me every time she sees me?"

Concern flooded my veins as I listened to her plea. "What did she do? I hope she hasn't tried to hurt you," I asked, my voice laced with worry and regret.

"I'm fine, she just wants me to stay away from you and never forgets to remind me that I'm a maid," Cindy responded, her voice steady, despite the underlying frustration.

"I'm so sorry about all of this," I began, my voice heavy with guilt.

"Stop apologizing on her behalf," Cindy interjected, determination resonating in her tone. "I'm okay, so don't worry. I can handle it. I have to leave now. Goodbye."

With those parting words, she swiftly walked out of the building and disappeared into a waiting cab. I stood there, watching her departure, a myriad of emotions swirling within me. There was something about Cindy—her strength, her resilience, and her unwavering spirit—that drew me in. I couldn't explain it, but with each passing day, I felt myself slowly falling in love with her.

Cindy's POV:

After paying the cab driver, I stepped out of the vehicle and made my way towards the entrance of the mansion. It was then that I noticed Lisa and Thelma, Brian's ex-girlfriend, stepping out of Lisa's car, laden with numerous shopping bags. Thelma's eyes locked onto mine, a mischievous glint in her gaze.

"Thank God you're here, maid girl. Come take these bags to our room," Thelma commanded, her voice dripping with condescension. My initial instinct was to object, to refuse her demeaning request, but I knew better than to jeopardize my position. I reluctantly took hold of the bags, carefully balancing them, and began the ascent up the stairs to their room.

The weight of the bags pressed against me, making the task of climbing the stairs a little more challenging. However, I persevered, determined to fulfill my duty without complaint. Eventually, I reached Thelma's room, her footsteps echoing behind me. I placed the bags down, relieved that they had made the journey unscathed.

As I turned to leave, Thelma blocked my path, her gaze fixed upon me. I braced myself for whatever confrontation awaited me, unsure of what she had in mind.