My Blood Tastes Sweet

That day, I had just picked up my paycheck from the head housekeeper at Ashford Manor when I ran into several new maids near the entrance. The woman at the front wore flawless makeup and had a sharp, calculating look in her eyes. The moment she saw me, she greeted me with exaggerated warmth. "You're Mr. Ashford's personal maid, aren't you?" I gave her a calm nod. She smiled at once and leaned closer as if we were already friends. "I'm Megan Doyle. I just started here." I said nothing. Her gaze dropped to the necklace around my neck, and envy flashed across her face. "Cressida, you just got paid, right? You take care of Mr. Ashford personally, so your salary must be huge." A maid sweeping nearby let out a snide laugh. "Of course she does. She makes a million dollars a year." Megan's eyes widened. "She makes a million dollars just for looking after Mr. Ashford?" She put extra emphasis on just. The maid with the broom laughed again. "She takes care of him personally. That's hardly the same as what the rest of us do." Megan turned back to me with a smile that did nothing to hide the jealousy in her eyes. "Cressida, what exactly do you do for him?" "I arrange Mr. Ashford's schedule and make sure I'm available whenever he calls," I said evenly. "That's it?" She looked ready to laugh. "So anyone quick on their feet could do your job?" I didn't answer. Another young maid pointed at my necklace and chimed in. "Megan, don't say that. The work may be easy, but the one million dollars isn't all she gets. Mr. Ashford gives her presents too." Megan stared at the glittering necklace as though it rightfully belonged around her neck. She bit her lip, then scoffed. "Cressida, why do you always look so miserable when you make that much for doing so little? We're all maids, but you have it better than any of us. Why act as if you have something to complain about?" She looked me up and down with open contempt. "Have you spent so long serving Mr. Ashford that you've started imagining you're Mrs. Ashford?" I met her gaze without saying a word. My silence seemed to irritate her, and her words grew even nastier. "Am I wrong? You're a maid, just like the rest of us. Why do you act as though you're above everyone? If I had the chance to care for Mr. Ashford, I'd be grateful every day. I wouldn't walk around scowling at everyone the way you do." The maids around us immediately began whispering. "Megan has a point." "Exactly. She makes a million dollars a year and still acts miserable." "Megan should be allowed to compete for the position if she's capable enough." Megan's smile widened. She stepped closer and lowered her voice, though not enough to stop anyone nearby from hearing. "Don't worry, Cressida. If I become Mr. Ashford's personal maid, I won't hog all the perks the way you do." The way the others looked at me changed at once. Everyone stared at me, but Megan's fake smile made me feel neither angry nor hurt. Only one thought filled my mind. 'She's really going to fight for the job.' I could hardly believe my luck. At last, someone was willing to take my place in that hell.