A Voice of Pain

Rayna's POV.

Returning to the sitting room, I realized that I'd spent over thirty minutes talking to Maggie as I lifted my gaze to the wall clock by the side. I knew what that meant; my favorite TV show would have come to an end or might be about to. But, I'd to do what needed to be done. No one should be that careless. And to think that I'd barely stayed in my own house for two good hours and there was already a threat of burning it to the ground even made me more angry.

Nonetheless, I ambled towards the sitting room with hopes that I would be lucky enough to see the show even if it was for a minute or two since I missed the last one due to a busy schedule. However, I also knew that the chances of getting a minute or two out of the show was as slim as the strand of hair caressing my forehead. Arriving at the sitting room, I settled on the couch and just as I thought, the show was over. On display on the TV screen were the cast and characters. 

“Not again.” I muttered the words under my breath, running a jerky hand through my hair. “It is all because of you.” 

Perhaps, I should have just talked to her a little, but if I did just that, then she might not have realized the gravity of her mistake. Frustrated, I tossed my head back on the headrest of the couch, glancing at the ceiling while clenching the TV remote with a death grip.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes to think. I'd freed my schedule just to be able to see this week's edition of the program but in the end I still missed out on it which means I'd have to wait until the next week. The thought of that made me squeeze the remote in my grip, almost crushing it.

“Ma'am? Are you alright?” — Onyx asked, her voice cutting through my thought like a whip. 

As I heard her, I opened my eyes. She was standing in front of me with a long brush which she wanted to use on the rug. 

“Is there a problem?” I asked, with an edge to my voice. “Or is there something you need?” 

“No, ma'am. Not at all.” she said, with a smile on her lips. “However, I noticed that you were with the TV remote, and you were almost about to crush it in your hand. So, I thought you were having a nightmare and that's why I decided to call your attention to it.” 

“Thank you, but I wasn't having a nightmare.” I said, smiling back at her. “I am fine. But, why does it look like you need something?” 

“Nothing ma'am, I just need you to lift your legs a little above the floor so I can clean the rug.” she said, pointing to the exact spot she intended to clean. 

“Have you been waiting for so long?” I asked, narrowing my gaze at the words with a feeling that she'd been watching me for quite some time. 

“No, ma'am, I just got here, and then I realized what you were doing to the remote.” she said, dropping her gaze to the object in my grip. “However, if you'll allow me. I need to brush the rug now.” 

“Alright, go ahead.” I said, lifting my legs to the couch. 

With that, she brushed the rug and in no time, she was done.

“I am done ma'am, you can drop your legs now.” she said, standing at the other side while holding the brush vertically in her grip. 

“Thank you.” I said, dropping my legs. 

I'd barely done that when my stomach made a sound. In all honesty, if I knew that it would take this long before getting something to eat, then I would have just stopped by an eatery. Or better still, order an Uber eat. If not, what's the whole point of getting a cook who wouldn't deliver your meals on time? Meanwhile, as my stomach grumbled earlier, it seemed like she noticed it because she suddenly stopped working and instead, tilted her head to both sides, as if expecting the sound again to be sure that she hadn't heard wrong.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked, with a tinge of curiosity in my voice. “Does your neck hurt from the job? If that's the case then you should go get some rest already.” 

“Thank you ma'am, but I'm fine.” she said, still titling her head to both sides with narrowed eyes. 

On the other hand, I wasn't fine. I had no idea whatsoever when Maggie would bring in my food. Furthermore, I didn't know when my stomach would grumble again, but I was certain that I didn't want her to be there when it does because I was almost as certain as the break of a new day that it would make that sound again.

“Are you sure you don't want to take a break?” I asked, the words seemed to drag themselves from my throat as I shot her a subtle ‘go somewhere else’ glare.

“Yes ma'am, I don't.” she said, not catching a hint of the glare that I shot her. “I only have this place to clean and after that, I'm done with my work for the day ma'am. So, I'll just quickly…” 

“You know what? Uhm,” I paused, placing a finger on my lips while holding a sidelong glance. “You can do that tomorrow.”

“I understand your concerns ma'am, but I would rather do it tonight.” she said, clenching the brush to return to work. 

“Take it from me, you can do it tomorrow.” I said, flashing a smile across her worried face. “Don't worry, I won't delay your pay.”

I figured that she didn't want to listen to me because of the words I said to Maggie earlier. And, she didn't want the same for herself. 

“Alright ma'am.” she said, picking up the dustpan from the floor.

With both objects in her grip, she walked away. 

Heaving a rather depressing sigh, I closed my eyes and formed my hand into a fist as my stomach bit me painfully.

“Maggie!”