Assigning duties

Rayna's POV.

If she really thought that I would turn off the air conditioner because of her then she'd gotten it all wrong. All that drama back there? Come on, it was just a facade. I could only imagine how much her conscience would have pricked her. Well, that was if she had any. I wouldn't have gone through all that stress and then return to put off the air conditioner just to make my cook feel at home. It doesn't work that way. 

In the meantime, I pulled the fridge open, took out a chilled bottled water and a water glass. All that talk back there had suddenly made me thirsty. Closing the fridge, I returned to the sitting room. As I settled on the couch, I poured myself a glass of water. While I was at it, I could feel her gaze boring into my skin. Well, that was the only thing she could do; she couldn't dare meet my gaze. Nonetheless, I allowed her have the moment to herself. That is, if it would allow her breath. I filled the water glass halfway, and then dropped the half empty bottled water on the center table. As I lifted my face to her with the glass in my grip, she turned to the other side.

“So, tell me, what inspired your love for cooking?” I asked, crossing my legs as I lifted the water glass to my lips. 

“Nothing in particular.” she said, a smile pushing her lips to the side. “I just realized I loved the magic in mixing two or more ingredients to get something nice.” 

Meanwhile, as she spoke, I glanced at her through the water glass. From the way she sounded, it was rather obvious that she was beginning to gain her confidence which was what I wanted from the onset.

“Really? That's good, I must say.” I said, uncrossing my legs as I dropped the empty water glass on the center table. “How was high school for you?”

“Pardon?” — the word leapt out of her lips on their own accord accompanied by a look of shock. 

“Don't tell me you didn't go to high school, didn't you?” I asked, raising a brow. “I mean, everyone went. However, you don't have to feel so bad if it isn't a prestigious school. Many of us had to take life as it came to us.” 

“No, no that's not it.” she said, shaking her head. “I actually went to one of the best high schools. And, the experience was wholesome.” 

“Now that you've mentioned it, I'm so envious of you.” I said, crossing my leg as I leaned forward. “For someone like me, I'd to endure constant bully and insults. You know, the big girls always picked on me back then. I guess it wasn't the same for you, or was it?” 

“No, ma'am. It wasn't.” she said, her voice suddenly dropped as it felt like my words hit a nerve.

“See? I would say that you're so lucky.” I said, putting a hand on the armrest as I leaned my body weight to the side. “Did I mention that I tripped a few times too? I guess I didn't. I was always carried away so, I didn't really watch my steps.” 

“I am so sorry to hear that, ma'am.” she said, swallowing the sudden dryness in her throat.

“There is no need for that, it was a long time ago.” I said, with a shrug of my shoulder. “However, I want to believe that I am not boring you with the memories of my school life, am I?”

“Not at all ma'am.” she said, shaking her head as she forced a smile through her lips. “I barely talk about my experiences, so it's fine.” 

The words had barely left her lips when the doorbell rang. As the sound reached my ears, I figured that Onyx had arrived. Now, things were just about to get more interesting.

“Just a moment, I'll be back.” I said, righting myself from the couch as I ambled towards the door. 

Lifting a hand, I gripped the doorknob and turned it open. Standing in front of me was a young lady with a ponytail hairstyle. 

“You must be lady Onyx, right?” I asked, even though I knew the answer in my heart. 

“Yes, ma'am.” she said, with a subtle nod of her head. “I am here for lady Aya.” 

“That would be me.” I said, with a smile on my lips. “Please, do well to come in.” 

I stepped aside for her to walk through. Lifting a foot, she took a step in. However, after she walked two more steps past me, she paused. Meanwhile, I didn't even notice that she was waiting, not until I shut the door and turned around to return to the sitting room that I found her standing at arm's length from me.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked, with a tinge of curiosity in my voice. “Why are you standing there? The sitting room is over there.” 

I pointed in the direction.

“There is nothing wrong ma'am.” she said, shaking her head. “I was only waiting to go in with you.” 

“Really? I didn't think that was still a thing around here, but thank you.” I said, walking past her as I proceeded to the sitting room while she followed behind. 

“Have a seat.” I said, gesturing with a hand. 

With my permission, she settled on the same couch that Maggie sat on. However, she sat on the opposite side, leaving a huge space between them. Staring at them, they seemed like similar poles of a magnet, repelling themselves. From that I could tell that they might have a problem getting along. 

“Well, now that we are all here, I presume that a proper introduction would do.” I said, darting my gaze back and forth as I glanced at the both of them. “So, I'll go first. My name is Aya Jacobs and you both will be working for me. If you have any questions, kindly ask.” 

They both exchanged puzzled glances. However, after waiting for a minute or so without a response from them, I took their silence as an answer. 

“Very well then, it seems that neither of you have got anything to ask.” I said, with a smile on my lips as I took the device on the table. “So Onyx, you're to clean the house twice every day. And, Maggie, breakfast should be ready by 4am, and dinner by 8pm.” 

“Breakfast by 4am?” she asked, as a look of shock seemed to mask her face.

“You heard me. Or you have a problem with that?”