5. Feel Like Tortured

"I only ate one packet! Why do you want to fire the chef? He didn't do anything wrong!" I don't know where the courage to counter Krystal words came from. 

She widened her eyes with one arm around her waist. Her bold makeup made her look even scarier. I was so shocked that I unconsciously developed hiccups. At first, it was once, then twice until finally, it didn't stop.

Krystal let out a long breath, lowered her hand, and moved to get me a glass of water. 

"Listen, Nikkie. This time I'm going to let it slide. I'm not going to fire the chef because it seems to have taken you by surprise. Stress isn't good for the baby, remember?" she explained as she confiscated the rest of my instant noodles.

"But you're also under contract. Remember, you're currently working with me. You must take good care of your pregnancy. One of them is not carelessly consuming food, especially unhealthy foods that are high in sodium. I have the right to get that from you, understand?"

I bowed my head, nodding slowly. After all, what she said was the truth. I had forgotten that I had signed a written contract.

Krystal smiled sweetly, she took some fruit from the refrigerator and cut it up for me. 

"I hope this is the first and last time. Be good, at least until the baby is born," Krystal ordered before leaving me to her room on the second floor. 

In the days that followed, I no longer dared to challenge Krystal's dietary rules. I ate all the food she served obediently, whether I liked it or not. Fortunately, the fish menu ended after 5 days, so now I could happily eat chicken and meat.

Unfortunately, this spoiled and comfortable life quickly bored me. I, who used to be busy working part-time from one place to another and always lacking time for myself, was now confused by having too much free time.

Humans have a response to boredom by finding activities. I started by reading a book, but reading for too long made me dizzy.

It was almost evening, and Krystal and Richard weren't home. My eyes scanned the surroundings, trying to figure out what I could do to kill time so that 9 months wouldn't feel like torture. Suddenly my eyes caught the image of the maid who had just taken the dry clothes out of the washing machine.

"Are my clothes dry?" I asked conversationally. The maid was in her forties, slightly overweight, and had an exotic tan. 

"Of course, Miss Nikkie. Please sit and wait while I sort the clothes. It won't take long, just your clothes and Mr. Richard's," she said with a smile on her face. Her hands began to get busy sorting.

I ignored her request and followed her ironing the clothes. 

"I'm just bored. Let me help, ma'am... may I know your name?" I coaxed with a pleading face. 

"My name is Sharon, Miss Nikkie. But sorry, this is my job. I can't take any chances especially when you're pregnant with the successor of the Moonstone family," Sharon politely refused. I puffed up my cheeks in disappointment but still stood beside her.

"Alright, then let me take care of my clothes. It's not much and it won't harm my baby," I assured her. Sharon didn't seem to agree but eventually, she nodded her head.

Sharon watched me iron my three pieces of clothing. Then I let her do the work of ironing Richard's shirt and pants. We chatted endlessly until Sharon finished ironing. 

I offered to help her put Richard's clothes away and this time Sharon was not as stiff as before, allowing me to do this easy task. She said that his room was the second door from the stairs. 

I didn't have time to look around his room, after putting the clothes in the closet, I went out and closed the door, then turned around preparing to go downstairs. My face suddenly hit something solid and fragrant.

Then I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist. "Oh my God, Nikkie! That was close! Are you okay?" asked Richard with a flash of anxiety on his face. 

"I'm fine, thank you. Oh, and I just put your clothes in the closet, I didn't touch or see anything," I replied as I took some distance.

I need to confirm my actions, I don't want to be misunderstood as being rude or having bad intentions like stealing. Richard snorted in amusement, he released his hand and took a few steps back to give me space.

"Sure, thanks for doing that for me. Have you seen Krystal?" asked Richard before I went down to the first floor. I shook my head softly and Richard nodded before entering his room. 

At first glance, I felt that there was something strange about the room Richard had entered, but I didn't bother and chose to ignore it.

The next day, I was again struck by boredom. Just like the day before, my eyes were busy scanning the surroundings. Until I finally found the chef busy in the kitchen. 

"Hi, what are you doing?" I asked while peeking over the chef's shoulder. I later learned that his name was Blake, a middle-aged red-haired man of medium height, who was surprised by my sudden presence.

"Hello, Miss Nikkie. I just finished preparing lunch for you. Are you hungry?" he asked kindly. I shook my head slowly, not feeling very hungry. 

"Can you make bread? Dessert?" I asked suddenly. Blake said he could make anything. I then asked him to teach me to make bread. 

Blake agreed, and we spent the whole afternoon making bread. I didn't eat lunch until 3 pm while waiting for the bread to bake. Blake taught me a few tricks to decorate the bread and we ended up spending the whole afternoon making bread and cakes.

I was tired, but above all, I was glad that I wasn't bored anymore. Krystal came home before dinner was served.

We ate dinner together, Krystal and Richard taking turns asking me how I was feeling and what I was doing. I then took out the cake I had made with Blake and served it to them. 

Krystal seemed happy at first and enjoyed the cake. Everything was fine until she asked me which cake shop I bought the cake from. 

"I made it myself! Blake taught me, "Isn't that bad for a beginner?" I asked happily. Unfortunately, Krystal's facial expression didn't look so good. 

"You made it yourself? Doesn't baking take a long time?" asked Krystal trying to make sure.

Richard glanced at the two of us in turn, he then pulled Krystal's hand as if to calm her down but Krystal brushed him off. 

I still didn't know where I had gone wrong, just nodded in agreement. "I spent all afternoon in the kitchen making this."

Krystal closed her eyes tightly, her hand moving to rub the bridge of her nose. I bit my lip like I'd made a mistake.

Krystal let out a long breath, opening her mouth for a few moments as if considering what to say.

"Nikkie, what you're doing is a lot of work. Didn't I tell you to take care of your pregnancy, not only can you not eat carelessly but you can't be exhausted! Why are you like this?"