TAMING THE COLD-HEARTED BOSS

Chapter 05: A Troubling Discovery

Chapter 05: A Troubling Discovery

Maggie got lost for a moment in his gaze, empty yet so intense that she almost forgot about their explosive first meeting. Suddenly, he let go of her abruptly, breaking the silence.

"I believe I already told you not to get in my way again," he said in a calm but firm tone.

Maggie flinched, lowering her eyes in front of him.

"I... I'm sorry. Excuse me. I didn't do it on purpose," she whispered as she moved a few feet away.

Richard stared at her for a moment, coldness filling his eyes. Then he held out his hand to his son.

"William, let's go, son."

"Yes, Dad," the little boy replied.

Mother Sarah came out of the room. Just as Richard reached for the gate handle, the little boy turned around, and his eyes met Maggie's.

She gave him a small smile and waved goodbye.

But it was all in vain. Her smile quickly faded when the little boy, although he had stared at her for a moment too, remained completely expressionless.

Not a smile.

Not even a goodbye.

Mother Sarah stepped toward the gate and waved goodbye to them before quickly returning inside. It was at that exact moment that she noticed Maggie, her face tense, her eyes fixed on the exit.

"Maggie!" she called.

No answer.

"MAGGIE!" she insisted, a little louder.

Maggie jumped.

"Yes, Mother!"

Mother Sarah walked over to her and looked at her carefully.

"Maggie, what is happening to you today? You've seemed distracted since this morning," she noticed.

"No, Mother. I'm just a little lost in my thoughts. And it's none of my business, but that man's very short visit has made me curious," she said, slightly looking away from Mother Sarah's eyes, as if trying to change the subject.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, Mother. That's all," she replied, still avoiding her gaze.

"All right. That man's name is Richard Evans. And honestly, just like you, his very short visit troubled me a little. But I think he must have had an emergency. He's a very busy man, you know."

"And how do you know him, Mother?"

"My child... it will soon be lunchtime. Finish what you have to do first, and we can talk later. All right?"

"Of course, Mother."

"Richard Evans? I've never heard of him. But if he knew he was going to be busy, why didn't he postpone his visit until another day? That way, I wouldn't have had to get scolded by him, and I wouldn't have had to deal with his coldness. Coming all the way here and leaving almost immediately... that's disrespectful to Mother Sarah. If he's always that cold, I feel sorry for his poor wife," she thought, troubled.

One hour later.

"Come on, children. Go get ready to work on your school assignments. I'll come and check on you, so count on me!" Maggie exclaimed.

She was busy putting away the dishes and cleaning the tables in the dining room where the children had eaten when Mother Sarah came to find her, looking rather worried.

"Maggie, my child!" she said.

"Mother!" Maggie turned toward her.

Maggie narrowed her eyes when she noticed the worried expression on her face.

"Mother, what's wrong?"

She walked over to Maggie, and they both sat down.

"You know, Maggie... life is very strange."

"Mother, why do you say that?"

"That man, Richard, is very different from the way he was six years ago."

"I'm sure she's talking about how cold he is," Maggie thought, completely convinced.

"I learned today that his wife, that kind-hearted woman, died while giving birth. A miracle she had waited for years to receive, and when she finally got it, God decided to take her away."

"Oh my God!" Maggie whispered.

"Is that why..."

"Why he's so cold?" Mother Sarah finished.

Maggie nodded slightly.

"Yes, I suppose so. He used to be a very cheerful man, and I think her death has a lot to do with it."

"That's sad," Maggie whispered.

"Let us give glory to God. He hasn't forgotten me. And I know that with time, and with the love of his son, he will find a little more happiness."

"Or maybe not," Maggie murmured, lost in her thoughts.

"What did you say, Maggie?"

"No, Mother. I was thinking the same thing as you."

"And you, Maggie? Tell me what's troubling you, and this time, tell me the truth," Mother Sarah suddenly said.

Maggie almost jumped to her feet, getting up as if she were trying to escape the conversation.

"My child, sit down, please."

"M... Mother, I'm fine... you don't have to worry," Maggie said.

"Listen, Maggie. I am getting old, and I know how to recognize when something is wrong. I was hoping you would come and talk to me directly, but since you haven't, I can feel that it's hurting you much more than you are saying. Do you remember the day you first came here?"

"Yes, Mother, and I will always be grateful that you gave me a chance."

"And thank you for staying. I know many young women your age would not have done the same. But what I remember most about that day was that same distant expression, that frozen look, and those tears you were trying to hold back. You desperately wanted a job. After all the refusals you had received around here, you no longer expected much from anyone. And for your age, you already carry a very heavy responsibility."

Maggie lowered her head, caught in her own thoughts.

Everything was rushing through her mind, especially her parents' request.

"Maggie..." Mother Sarah whispered.

"Tell me what's wrong."

Maggie quickly wiped away the single tear that had escaped. Then she lifted her head.

"Mother Sarah, I am so grateful for everything you've done for me. I'm happy to be here and to work with you."

"But..." Mother Sarah interrupted her gently.

"No, Mother Sarah. There is no but. I... I just want to find another job to do alongside this one. My family is going through a very difficult time, and I'm the only one who can really help..."

"All right. I understand. I'll help you find another job. I'll ask around for you. But please, don't make that face anymore."

"Thank you, Mother."

Mother Sarah stood up. Just before leaving the room, she turned around and said:

"From now on, you will finish your work one hour earlier. That way, you'll have a little more time to look for another job. So now, you can go."

Maggie frowned.

"No, Mother. The children still need me!" she exclaimed.

"Maggie, I'm insisting. You can go. You've done a great job with them. They already know what to do," she repeated with a smile.

Unlike Maggie, who was still tense.

Maggie's Point of View

A few minutes later, I said goodbye to her, my stomach tied in knots. It was true, I felt a little lighter because she had managed to see through me and had spared me from making that request that I found so disrespectful toward her.

Mother Sarah is extraordinary.

She is like the mother I always wished I had.

What else can I do? They are my parents, and I owe them all my respect, even though I struggle to receive the same respect from them in return.

I left with a new goal: find another job.

And I hoped it wouldn't become another exhausting battle.

Maggie walked all the way, going in the opposite direction from the road back home, stopping by store managers, cafeterias, and small businesses.

But nothing.

She stopped in a narrow alley, out of breath. Right there, in the small, tight alley, a sign revealed part of a business name.

"What is that?" she wondered.

"I should go check it out," she told herself.

She moved a little closer, and just as she was about to cross the road to enter the alley, she saw two figures approaching.

What a surprise.

It was a very shady-looking man, wearing ripped jeans, with tattoos covering both arms, and a woman whose curves were highlighted by a rather sexy dress.

They were kissing passionately.

Maggie rubbed her eyes as if she were dreaming.

Suddenly, she froze.

She was certain.

"Christelle?!" she exclaimed, completely shocked.