A Grave Mistake

Rayna's POV.

Tapping a foot as if counting down like a time bomb about to go off soon, I glanced at the wall clock. However, after what seemed like waiting for a lifetime, Maggie finally showed up in the dining with a food tray in her grip. 

“Do you realize that this is your first day on the job?” I asked, with a furrowed brow. “What took you so long?” 

“I am so sorry ma'am, but I had to begin the process again just like you asked me to.” she said, transferring the meal from the tray to the table. “And I do realize that it's my first day, but…” 

“You will do better, right?” I asked, cutting her off. “I have heard that over a million and one time already today so, it's not difficult to know that it would be your next words.” 

“I am so sorry ma'am.” she said, taking a step backward with head bowed and hands clasped in front of her. 

“Well, sorry won't make those improvements for you.” I said, bringing the meal closer to myself as I took off the lid used to cover it. “So, you'd better start taking correction or else, your pay would slip off your grip this month and I bet you don't want that.” 

As I picked up the fork from the tray, I noticed that she was still standing there as if expecting me to say something.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked, with an edge to my voice as I turned to face her with a furrowed brow. “Why are you standing there? Or do you want to join me?” 

“No, ma'am.” she said, shaking her head. “I just…” 

“You can leave.” I said, cutting her off. “There is no point waiting for a five-star review which you won't get. At least, not from me.” 

I figured she wanted me to taste the food, while she on the other hand studied my reaction to see if it was good. But, hello? This isn't some cooking competition and I ain't no judge. So, I'd rather eat my meal the way I want to. Or perhaps, she didn't have enough confidence in what she'd prepared. In the meantime, she withdrew herself from the dining table and before long, she was out of sight. 

Returning my attention to the meal in front of me, I shoved my fork and swirled it around then I took a bite. After chewing for a few seconds, I noticed that it was actually good. However, knowing what lies ahead of me the following day, I finished up quickly. 

“Maggie.” I called, pushing the empty plate to the side as I wiped the corners of my mouth with a napkin. 

Immediately, she appeared before me with hands clasped in front of her.

“You can take this away.” I said, pushing the plate towards her with a hand while I gripped the water glass with another. “Make sure you wash it immediately.” 

“Yes, ma'am.” she said, clearing the table. “I will do so immediately.” 

“You forgot this,” I said, pointing a finger to the water glass on the table as she turned to leave. “Or were you expecting that I would bring it to you instead.” 

“Of course not ma'am, I wouldn't dare think like that.” she said, including the water glass on the tray. “I will be more careful next time.” 

After saying those words, she hurried away to resume her duties while on the other hand, I let out a heavy sigh. I'd barely dropped my head to think a little when I felt someone tap me.

“Ma'am?” Onyx called, trying to bring me back awake.

She must have thought that I was asleep when actually, I was reflecting on a few things. However, after she called out to me the first time, I blinked my eyes open.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked, lifting my head as I turned to face her. “What do you want?”

“Nothing ma'am.” she said, shaking her head. “I came to tell you that I'm done preparing your bed. I thought you must have fallen asleep here.” 

“Thank you so much, but I wasn't asleep.” I said, with a smile on my lips. “I just wanted to get a moment alone. That was all.” 

“Alright ma'am, still your bed has been prepared. So, you can go to sleep whenever you want.” she said, returning the smile. “Also, I would retire to bed soon because I'm done with my work.” 

“Of course, you should.” I said, with a subtle nod of my head. “You have worked so hard today and I'm happy. So, go get some rest.” 

“Thank you ma'am.” she said, excusing herself. 

As she did, I scraped a hand over my face and then righted myself from the chair. All I had in mind was to get to my room and sleep. In the meantime, I walked out of the dining and into the sitting room. However, as I proceeded to my room, I found Maggie sitting on the couch with a long face. Actually, I should have confronted her for sitting on the couch without my permission to begin with but as I noticed the look on her face, I knew that something was wrong.

“Maggie?” I called, wanting to be sure it was her. “What are you doing here all alone? And what's with the long face?” 

“It is nothing ma'am.” she said, swiping a hand at her face as she tried to hide her tears. “I am fine ma'am.” 

“Is that tears I'm seeing or does your eyes suddenly let out water at will?” I asked, shooting suspicious glances at her. “How can you say it's nothing when you're crying? Does it make any sense to you? Tell me, what happened?” 

“I made a mistake ma'am.” she said, the words seemed to drag themselves from her lips as she rubbed and twisted her hands.

“What mistake did you make?” I asked, with a tinge of curiosity in my voice. “It shouldn't be that bad for you to sit here alone crying, or is it?” 

“It is ma'am.” she said, her voice breaking as she blinked back tears. 

“How bad?” 

“I just realized now that I put in an ingredient which I wasn't supposed to in your meal.” 

“Pardon?”