Maid for Him

MFH: Chapter 9 Jumpscare

Ever since that incident, I haven’t got enough sleep. It is different from the first day of our transfer here in this big, grand mansion. I hate that somebody is bugging me up. Whoever he is, he's not worth my time but why is he suddenly bothering me with all these creepy stuff?

I turned around from my left side of the bed, overlooking the window. I glanced at my wall clock and it is already two in the morning. Oh my gosh! It is still dark outside. Since the mansion is kind of mysterious with many trees surrounding it, the branches of the trees seemed to be a scary arm of monsters lurking around the place. It reflects the dimly lit lamppost outside. By the sight of it, I already feel a lot of goosebumps creeping all over me. My heart started to beat fast. The bad thing though, I forgot to lock the sliding door from the mini balcony of my room.

I look at the window so intently as if gathering all the strength in me to stand. I keep on telling myself that those were only branches and nothing more. I got up real slow, as I look around. I didn’t like this feeling that I am being observed by someone. I can feel it deep within me.

I almost jumped out of bed when the telephone rang from my room. I grabbed the thick mattress and cover it all over me as I bend down with my arms and legs behind my bed. My heart almost stopped when I remembered that monsters usually hide underneath the bed.

“Oh, mother, father, brother, sister! Help…” I silently shrieked as I jumped back from my large, king-sized bed, still covered with my mattress. My teeth are already chattering with too much nervousness when I remembered that I didn’t have any brother or sister. My father left both of us when I was young. I never saw my father ever since. I never knew the reason why and I wouldn’t want to know, either.

“Oh dear, oh dear, just my...my mom ...mom, please help me,” I muttered nonsense as if whispering as I close my eyes. I am too afraid that I can’t even move a muscle.

Who will call me at this unholy hour? What is that caller planning to do? Kill me with a heart attack? I hope the ringing will stop because I am shivering non-stop as well.

When I can’t hear the sound anymore, I peek at where the telephone is located. It is beside my mini table situated near my bed on the left side. But here I am, located on the right side of my bed, almost falling but I was able to stop at the very corner of it.

I looked at the telephone for a long time and due to very tiring stress and nervousness in one, I was able to close my eyes and I never thought it would bring me back to sleep.

“Criselda?” I feel like someone is shaking my body as if wanting me to wake up.

“Hmmm…”

“Wake up, it’s already nine in the morning! The sun is rising in your window! Get up right now.”

“Mom...I am not a leaf ready for photosynthesis, please.” I mumbled as I am still closing my eyes. I was able to emphasize the last word. I hope my mother will understand that I am very sleepy at this time.

“Look at you! You’re sleeping on the floor already. What is this all about, Criselda?”

“Oh my gosh!” I said as my half body got up real straight in an instant. My mom was shocked. I am wide awake and I am looking around my room like a fool. I am as if looking for something but is unsearchable.

“What is wrong with you?”

“I haven’t got a good sleep last night, mom. Somebody called me at around two in the morning.” I wailed as I frowned. I can see my mom chuckling as soon as she heard my woes.

“Oh dear, I am sorry. It’s just me.”

“What?!”

“I am just testing the phone if it is working. Besides, I never knew I dialed the number beside my room and not the kitchen’s number. I wanted to eat something because I was hungry last night.” She said apologetically. I regret reacting that instant. I almost forgot my mom is not good at almost everything. I understood her innocence about many things around that is still new to her.

“Oh, it is okay, mom. I guess I will have to sleep in your room tonight. I am really scared I thought some ghosts or pranksters are invading me already.”

“Yeah, it’s okay to me, dear.” She smiled as she helped me get up from the carpeted floor when I fell asleep last night.

As we walk downstairs, I can see Mrs. White walking to meet us. She is smiling a bit but I can see the sadness in her eyes. Weird, we never spoke a word as we eat a late breakfast that is prepared for us beforehand. It never happened before, but it's the first time this week that she's never asking about something. Only the sound of fancy silverware and white ceramic plates can be heard the whole time. I am honestly not getting used to it.

I am ashamed because I was late for breakfast. I thought they will eat without me but I was wrong. We ended that breakfast with a full stomach but that scene left me curious. I decided to follow Mrs. White to the small room again. I took a peek of her again, this time listening to one of Lauren Keith’s most popular songs. I love how his rendition of this popular song rocked nationwide. The fans are screaming with delight as he sang this one.

“Take my hand, take my whole life too, but I can’t help falling in love with you…”

I closed my eyes. I can still remember his smile on the official music video while he’s singing that line of the song. I can see Mrs. White closing her eyes as she listens to it. She’s crying again. I can hear her signature sniffs that seemed to last a minute after a silent sob.

She’s holding the picture frame and touching it, she’s as if imagining herself touching his left cheek. She’s always leaving the door open a bit that’s why I can somehow see what she’s doing.

“Take my hand, take my whole life too, but I can’t help falling in love with you…” I saw Mrs. White looked back to where I am because I sang really bad without me noticing it already! My goodness, it is supposed to be a whisper but I sing out loud because I am also becoming emotional by just seeing Mrs. White.

“Criselda?” She asked as she straightened her eyeglasses. I awkwardly smiled. I am busted.