In Chains.....

Jane

I shut off the bed at the sound of the pigheaded alarm and said my prayers, running off to the bathroom to take my bath. I brushed and dug myself in the bathtub thinking while scrubbing at myself about what am about to do.

Last night I had laid awake half of the night, thinking about what I stood to gain and lose from working for Mr hot bomb...Then, I had decided to give it a try. Though I haven’t told Sty yet, so I quickly washed off and ran to her room.

She was in the bathroom, so I went straight to her wardrobe to pick out something to wear. I had to look good to such a place as the impression might really work to my favour.

“Jane,are you okay?” Sty called from the bathroom.

“Yea. I just decided to do it” I called back focused on which dress to pick.

“Yeaaaa! That’s my girl. Am glad you are doing this Jane, believe me you will do just fine” she encouraged, walking out of the bathroom, her big towel wrapped around her blondie and white robe wrapped around her petite body, hands folded in her chest.

“Thanks, but for now I need a dress. I can’t go to such a place in any of my rags” she giggled coming to push me lightly aside.

“This I think will do” she speculated producing a mauve bobbed strapless gown “and then, this” she bent to produce a moderate stiletto heel from her shoe rack. I loved the combo. I smiled giving her a nudge.

“You never cease to amaze me Sty, I love it, thanks” I quipped excitedly, picking up the dress to flee the room.

“ Don’t forget to use a light shade gloss, J” I heard her say as I entered the guest room.

My phone rang immediately and I looked to see my landlord’s number. I bent and silenced it rolling my eyes.

“Just what do you want this morning. I'm I the first person to owe a rent?” I attacked the invisible Mr Granger.

~

I stood in front of the dark green brass gate of a gigantic structure shivering, fast losing my morale. I felt foolish coming all the way here just to go back, because of a lack of confidence. I looked at myself for the twentieth time that morning .

Shaking my head, I turned to go back then stopped as my phone vibrated. I looked at the caller, Sty. What a nice time to call.

“I can’t do it Sty, I can’t . I thought I could, but standing in front of his mansion, am freaking out” I panicked, talking to Sty.

“Hey sweet, take a deep breathe, close your eyes and imagine Mrs Poppydew’s face...there you go” she cooed bringing laughter to my face.

Mrs Poopydew was a teacher back in our grade three that had the funniest face that got anyone cracking up. Most often, when I got pissed at something back then, Sty would trick me to her office and then the minute I looked at her, I would lose myself in laughter, though it later got us in trouble.

I felt relieved.

“Now knock on the gate. Shhussssh no excuse Jane, do it!” She admonished gingering me up again, then I cut the call. I raised my hand and tapped at the gate as though it was a porcelain.

Soon I heard a rattle, and the gate flung open, I was expecting to see someone but none. I later found out it’s controlled from the inside.

I walked in as the gate closed after me, turning around in fright, then realizing he might actually be looking at me from a CCTV, I straightened up, held my shoulder high, and posed a graceful walk to the main door rapping on the door twice.

~

Cassidy

“Dad I’ll get it” Luke screamed from downstairs that he was seeing a movie. I couldn’t take him to school this morning due to some transactions I had to handle.

“Check the peephole first before opening the door ,tbud” I instructed him my eyes still pinned to my laptop sitting on the couch in my room. I heard an exchange downstairs but the person will have to wait or simply vamutss, though I think it’s the plumber guy I called this morning to check up a leak in the kitchen or maybe the Agency has sent someone, anyways, I really don’t care, the person has to wait.

“Dad?” My son ran in, in his usual hyperactive state jumping on the couch to grab at my vest. I turned with a scowl to look at him getting pissed at his disturbance.

“There’s a beautiful lady downstairs. She said she was sent by uncle Randy. I think it’s the new housekeeper” he said excitedly. I was surprised because my son hardly acknowledged someone like that.

“Go tell her to wait, I am busy now and will see her later.” He turned to leave and I called him back.

“Behave yourself, and no rattling. You can tell her to make breakfast or whatever let her get busy, I’ll see her later” I dismissed him with a wave, turning back to my work.

“Ok, Dad,” he said fleeing from the room. I know all I said will fly through the window because he was too active for a 5year old, always running about the house and causing havoc.

After sometime working, I stretched my hands hearing my stomach growl from hunger I stood and went to the restroom. Coming out, I held the new comer giggle downstairs and it triggered my attention. The voice was sweet. I walked to the door meaning to go down.

~

Jane

A very plump little sweetheart opened the door to me looking very excited and jumping about the place. He welcomed me in his very little voice and told me he was going to call his Dad. I was both shocked and surprised, they never told me that he had a son. So meeting a little man was both interesting as it was intriguing.

“Lemme call ma Dad aunt” he said running upstairs.

After about sometime, he came barreling downstairs again, I feared he’ll fall that I had to meet him half way. He jumped on me eliciting laughter from me.

“Dad said yis bweeesy yis choming” he chortled grabbing at my hair band. I carried him to the couch and gently placed him down.

“Am hangey can I aff fweeod” He was so cute that I nodded wondering how am supposed to provide food for him when I don’t even know my way around.

“Where is the kitchen?” I asked tickling him which caused him to wriggle in laughter.

“That way....” he pointed, standing to run towards the kitchen and I followed.

Opening the fridge, I saw takeaways and assortments of drinks. Shaking my head I closed it and started opening the cabinets.I removed the skillet and frying fork and dropped on the brown flat glossy cabinet surface. Then I went to work and quickly prepared an omelette and some chips for him.

By the time I was done, he sat on the table munching his food as though he hasn’t had any since yesterday. I sat down and watched him eat quite happy with myself.

“The food is dwelishious, can I have more pweeese” he quipped, with drooled long black lashes. I giggled so loud from his gestures moving towards the skillet to scoop some into his plate.

“Dad!” He squealed from my back making me turn sharply towards him. I wasn’t prepared for the sight that greeted me.

Standing before me, was the same man I saw at the commercials yesterday at Sty’s, in flesh and blood and he was staring directly at me with a scowl on his face as though I had offended him or something.

“Go....goood day Si..sir” I stuttered in greeting him and rushed to drop the plate of omelette I was holding on the table which the little boy grabbed , squealing in excitement.

He didn’t respond just looked at both of us and murmured he wanted his meal the next second and strolled to the door of the kitchen.

“Dad this meal is more dwelishious than yours” the little boy uttered innocently, earning a glare from the Dad who disappeared from the kitchen.

I turned immediately and scooped the remaining dish inside a plate and then a bottle of water and rushed to the dining to place it on the table for him.

He sat in the dining clicking away on his iPhone and didn’t even look up at me for once. I finished placing the food and turned to leave.

“What’s your name?” I heard him ask. I turned with a tight smile.

“Jane....Jane Clarke” I provided, my hands crossed in front of me.

“Are you married?” he asked casually.

“No sir”

“Miss Clarke, the next time you serve me or Luke a meal without some milk, then make sure you have another job elsewhere” he slowly raised his dark eyes to meet mine making me shiver to thre spine.

“Am sorry Sir, I’ll ge......get it now” I stammered dashing out of the dining to the kitchen to return with the gallon of milk with the little boy at my heels. I poured some in a cup for his Dad and then little Luke.

“Dad,I like her” clamored Luke drinking his milk which left a funny mark on his moustache.

“What did I say about taking when you are not questioned, Lu?” He asked the child eerily, causing the boy to shrink back in fright. Luke looked up at me, and I smiled at him which he returned sweetly. I hurried back to the kitchen exhaling an air of relief.

Well, that wasn't so bad for a first day. Jane, you can do this. Ignore the dark and brooding beast. I placed my hand on my chest to tame the wild beat. That face was as dangerous and it was captivating, and those eyes, they could easily drown you if you don't hold on to the paddle.

Now I understand what the rumours say about him being an alluring devil.