The Power of His Look

"Courage slips between my fingers, eagerness goes in the slip, I have fallen like a taffeta lands at the feet, and a puddle of perdition drowns, the content is in it."

...

I had to scrub the kitchen floor, once I finished I started in the dining room, unlike what I think, it is not a dirty job, because it was already shiny, but in the eyes of my strange boss, that is not the case. I have to leave everything perfect, I have the mop in my right hand and I rub it on the floor. A light strand of my hair has slipped out of my hairstyle and now crosses my forehead and is part of my field of vision. I can't fix it, I'm tired, and it's not noon yet. My hands hurt, I'm sweaty and thirsty. But I want to finish this before I go get that glass of water that I need so badly.

Water... the word reminds me that it is missing at home and so is electricity. How will mom be? A light bulb goes on over my head, I'll call Mila when she's free. Maybe he knows something. I continue working, until finally mopping and completing my task. It is the first of three. It's already midnight there, and I'm hungry. It doesn't help to be so close to the kitchen, from here I smell the food, I savor the aroma on my palate, as if air could feed me.

Movement began in the area a while ago, I still don't see the face of who is preparing lunch, but I hope she is good and gives me food. I shake my head. Granger informed me that that's within the contract. Wait... I don't remember signing a paper. I'm about to start collecting the cleaning tools when the housekeeper arrives.

“Aryanna”

“I'm done, did I do something wrong?” I suddenly question, it's because she called me in a neutral tone and studies the dining room with a sharp eye.

“Don't worry, everything is in order come to eat” tells me.

"I have to take this to the cleaning room" I point out.

"I'm aware of that, hurry up, I'll wait for you here" she communicates and I don't know why I get the idea that we will sit there, at that huge table.

When I return, she starts walking after telling me to follow her. She pushes a door that reveals the staff who work in the mansion, it is a room that resembles a public dining room, not bad, but it clashes with the property everywhere exclaiming its elegance. A set of three tables are distributed, chairs, and although Granger and I occupy two, there are still plenty. I am shy, I have only seen one familiar face among those present, Julia who smiles at me, it is an invitation for me to be by her side. A woman who can't be more than thirty years old brings me food.

I look for Granger but she's gone.

“Genesis doesn't eat here, he prefers to eat in the kitchen” She highlights softly “And this is Camila, she is the maid”

I look at the aforementioned woman who has sat with us after leaving me the plate served.

“Oh, thank you very much, Camila”

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Aryanna. Yes, you are a young girl, how old are you?” she inquires, looking at me like she does with those hazel eyes, I can't stay silent.

“I just turned twenty-three” She looks surprised.

“You are, but you look less” I smile. It's direct, it makes me a little uncomfortable, but it looks nice.

“Thanks, I guess”

"Well, both of you eat" Julia tells us, urgently. We only have an hour to rest, for that reason and because the food is going to get cold, stop chattering.

Besides us, there are two men at the other table. One looks older than the other. Neither of them is attractive, I don't find their physique attractive, they both have an ordinary face and that's it. I stop looking at them and put another spoon of food in my mouth. I try to be polite when eating, even with how hungry I am, because I won't look like an animal. It would be a shame.

“They are the gardener and the driver is the older of the two, they are not very talkative, only among themselves” She comments. He's almost finished his dish.

I hurry with mine.

“¿Who makes the food? It's delicious”

“Zinnia Tyson, winner of a Michelin star, the highest paid of all here. You know why? Well, it's the one that satisfies the demanding palate of our boss, alias "narcissus" he says, huffing.

“Enough” her partner orders, patting his hand. She looks at her amused.

«I'm already lost... daffodil? »

"I'm just telling the truth" she repeats, shrugging her shoulders.

“And you know you shouldn't say it, Camila”

“Oh, it's not like I'm here either, Mr. Ego”

I want to laugh. They fight in my presence, I don't know how to act about it.

"Forget what our loose-tongued companion said" she tells me, giving the other the cold shoulder.

I find myself in a bind, which side should I be on?

"No, Aryanna, keep in mind, he is a difficult man, sometimes unbearable, and knowing this in advance will help you be cautious" the maid mentions.

“Well, it is true that it can be complicated, but he is the boss after all and it is true that the chef's pay is more, however, she is someone who receives remuneration for her work” she deserves it.

“Yes, just like us, Julia”

“If you do not agree, and you remain dissatisfied, leave, you are free, you can terminate the contract”

Things get uncomfortable, I clear my throat. I think again that I haven't signed anything. I don't even know my payment. I couldn't be dumber.

“I haven't signed anything yet”

“Oh really?” Frowns, Camila.

“It's something bad?”

“Don't worry, maybe I'll ask you to sign today, that's most likely. The boss has this habit, one day he sees your work and if he likes it he allows you to sign the document”

“Oh, what if he's not happy?”

“He cancels what he thinks your work is worth. That happened to a girl, I think her name was Melanie, I'm not sure” intercedes Camila.

I get scared, what if that happens to me?

“That was Elizabeth, and it's because she didn't do things right. You, calm down, Aryanna” She caresses my shoulder and I appreciate his show of support “¿What should you do now?”

“The stairs and vacuum the carpet, then dust the objects in the living room”

“You've had a hard day”

"It couldn't be lighter, it's more of the same, get used to it" the other advises.

“I guess” I deflate.