Chapter 8

Beth's POV (contd)

My heart sank, and a wave of embarrassment hit me. The chef's words cut through me like a hot knife slicing butter. Rejection is what I am used to, but hearing it from a fellow woman cuts deeper.

"That's enough," the head Omega rebuked her. "Everyone deserves a chance to prove their worth, and I see so much potential in her," she shouted at her.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be so cynical. How will she interact with her peers? send her on errands?, how will she cope" she said, with disgust evident in her voice, like I was a disgusting trash in her path that she had to dispose of.

"I remember you were in the same position when you came to ask for help, but now you refuse her because she's mute and not up to your standards?" The head Omega spoke with so much venom in her voice that I couldn't help but shiver at her tone.

"And I always appreciate your assistance, but my situation was different. I was not disabled like her. I mean, look at her state," she scorned me, pointing to me, her eyes squinting in anger. I stood there wondering what was going to happen to me now.

" Alpha Javier ordered that Beth works in the kitchen, so if you have any issues with his orders then take it up with him, this nonsense has gone far enough," she said, turning to give me a kind smile. She continues, "You'll be helping with the evening meal, If anyone bothers you, come to me" giving me a wink as she walks away.

"What do you mean she should come to you? I would never bully her; that's beneath me," the chef screamed at the retreating back of the head Omega, following her to the door.

The chef came back to the kitchen after futile attempts to make the head Omega acknowledge her words.

"Alright, I hope you've all heard her. Beth is one of us now. Nobody should bully her lest she cries to the head Omega," she mocked me while turning to the other kitchen maids. "We don't want to lose our jobs now, do we?" she said in a sickeningly sweet low voice, which made the other maids chorus.

"No, we do not," hiding their laughter behind their palms, sneaking looks at each other.

Good, now get to work. You're all dismissed," she shouted, and the kitchen maids scattered to resume their various tasks. Some returned to cutting cabbage, washing plates, and tending to the pots on the fire.

"You," she pointed at me. I raised a finger and gestured, "Me."

 "Yes you, you're cooking tonight's dinner, Good luck with that" she smirked, going to the side of the kitchen to sit on the chair at the far end of the room, I had been so consumed in my thoughts that I didn't notice it.

It was as though she set me up for failure because all I saw on the table was chicken, potatoes, and spices, I guess they'd have to settle for a humble meal tonight, I got to work first on the unpeeled potatoes.

Initially, as I got to work I had this thought that other maids would join me and help with menial tasks,  like peeling, but it came as a surprise that I was left to do all the work, which I hadn't minded because I felt they were busy with their work but after some were done they didn't bother to help me.

After some time, I waved them over hoping for assistance, but instead, they scorned me, laughing among themselves. I ignored them and concentrated on my work, though at times my nerves would get the better of me, and I would spill ingredients and drop utensils.

And they would burst out laughing, Their laughter pricking me like a needle, a constant reminder of what a failure I am.

Not quite long a girl with auburn hair, dressed in a simple top and shorts came up to me, she settled beside me sitting on the floor like I was, and started to peel the potatoes, her unexpected kindness, made me smile and, I held up my two hands in thanks to her to show how grateful I am for her help

" Hi,  I am Henrietta but most people call me Hen," she smiled warmly, revealing her well-set, white teeth, to which I also smiled and waved to her.

" I'm sorry I should have been here to help, but they kept on sending me on errands, and I just got back, hope I am not too late, "she asked, her smile dropping down from her face, "No not at all " I signed to her to appreciate her thoughtfulness.

We continued to work and in no time we peeled all the potatoes and set to work on rinsing them in the water and boiling them.

In that short time, I learned so much about my work partner, Hen, her mother's first child, her father is deceased and she has two siblings, a troublesome younger brother, and a cute baby sister who she absolutely adores. 

Hen was so lively and active that she had me engaged in a conversation, which was a one-way communication considering the fact that I could not speak, but it was nice to have a colleague that does not dismiss me for being mute, in their words “they have nothing to say to a mute”.

When the meal was finally ready, the chef and her minions huffed in disappointment at our accomplishment, though they masked it well. Their reaction didn't bother me not the least.

At the chef's approval, we began serving dinner in the grand dining room. It was a big room, with long wooden tables arranged to fit an army, and a fireplace at the end.

The room was filled with laughter, and the clinking of spoons and plates, I and the other maids served them their meals and we went to fetch our meals, to eat with the rest in the grand dining room, on the late Alphas decree that everyone should be treated equally, when I asked Hen why the maid are also allowed to have their meals in the grand dining room.

As I moved to sit beside Hen at the table, my attention was shattered when Carrie, the nurse who had confronted me earlier, deliberately shoved me. I fell to the floor, spilling the food on my plate everywhere, and silence fell over the hall as all eyes turned to me.

"Slaves don't deserve to eat in the dining hall," Carrie hissed, her voice laced with malice. "Go and sit in the servant's corner." Then, she turned to Alpha Navier, and asked, "Isn't that right, Alpha Navier?"

All eyes turned to the Alpha, awaiting his response.