7

Catalina Maria.

I step back as multiple plates are thrown into the sink. Foamy, soapy water splashes against my face as they dump them in carelessly. The whole basin is full, and someone shoves a pair of gloves into my hands. In the blurry view of my tear-filled eyes, I see numerous housekeepers in the space—like a hive of bees, they are all whispering about me.

Louder footsteps storm into the vast kitchen and a strong hand yanks me around to face Madam Louise, the insane head of housekeeping.

“You see,” she says.  “I told you—you’re a wench, and a wench belongs in the kitchen.”

I quickly wipe my cheeks.

“All of you, pay attention!”

Louise yells and the whispering stops.

“I know many of you have been spreading rumors—saying Sir finally married a woman. But let this be a lesson to you all. She is not Mrs. Mendoza. She is collateral. And now, she is part of the housekeeping staff. She will wash dishes as the rest of you do. She will scrub floors until they shine. If only you had been a good girl, Catalina, you wouldn’t have bumped into anyone. Now you have dug a pit just like your fiancé did.”

“I will make sure she works, Madam Louise.” Rosa says.

“Good. Everyone, get to work. We have a party to prepare for.” With that, she turns and leaves.

Madam Louise leaves the kitchen and Rosa starts assembling the plates and cups into separate places.

“What were you thinking bumping into them?”

“I need to call my parents. It seems I will not be leaving the grasp of this family any time soon. I need to call them and tell them that I am fine.” I say, and she sighs.

“There is a phone in the central living area. You can use it if you know their phone number.”

I nod at where she points and start walking out to go there. Before I can even get anywhere out of the kitchen, three girls stand in front of me to stop me.

“I have never seen a situation where a girl marries the most powerful man in Malcolm city and yet is a housekeeper.” One girl laughs.

“She is a beauty, though, but Sir doesn’t fall for beauties.”

I try to walk away, but another one blocks me.

“Especially not with Sabrina around. We thought if Salvador would get married, it would be to her at least. She must be punching the wall right now.”

“We can’t really say. This one is not really a wife, so it maybe Sabrina won’t be too upset after all.”

I tighten my grip on the gloves.

“Can you all excuse me?” I squeal and they look at me for a silent second before bursting into laughter.

One places a hand on my shoulder.

“We are trying to give you some scoop before you make a big mistake again. Like the one you did today?” the one with blonde hair sneers and rolls her hair in her fingers.

“Can you guys just let her pass?” Rosa says, and before they respond to that, I push past the circle they have embedded me in.

When I see a phone, I rush to it and type in the shop number of my dad’s bakery. Once I dial it, my hands are shaking, and I have to slap my other hand on it to keep it from acting so. It connects.

“Hell—hello?”

“Dad, Dad, it’s me…” I exhale a deep breath because the next slur of my voice is a strangled cry.

“Catalina. Catalina. My daughter!”

I hear him combust into tears.

“It’s me, Dad. How…how are you?”

“W-where are you? I heard you were taken to the Mendoza mansion. That damn Lucas! How dare he put you into such trouble? How dare him! I would ruined his life, but even now, he is useless. Everyone in the streets is talking about how he has become the Don’s dog. He was branded… he and his brothers. Salvador Mendoza burned their shops and their houses too.”

“What about you? Hope they didn’t hurt you—” I try not to sound teary.

“They came to search my shop, our home, and Stephanie’s boutique.”

Stephanie is my stepmother.

“They are looking for a diamond. I told them I knew something of it and they should please let you go, but those men came with guns, and they were not afraid to use them. I went to the police station but when they heard the name Mendoza, they told us to go and pray, that they cannot bring a case against that bloody bastard!”

“Dad, do not worry about me. They are not suffering me here. They are just keeping me until they find the missing diamond that they believe Lucas has.”

“I don’t believe that! That man is ruthless. I was at the gate earlier today, but the security did not allow me to enter. I will continue going to the police station—”

“No, Dad…don’t bother. The Don has promised that he won’t hurt me.” I lie.

“So, can you come outside? Can you come outside so that I can at least see you and know that you are alright? Everyone in the street has heard what has happened. They say you are a prisoner in the Mendoza house, and Lucas and his brothers are guard dogs.”

I push the phone away from my ear to cry. Utter tears that are making my throat close in agony.

“I can’t come out yet. Please, I don’t want to anger the Don. But please, believe me. I am fine. I have my own room, separate from him, and I just have to wait until things calm down a bit—”

“Catalina, is it because I am your foster dad that you think I do not know you? I know when you are telling the truth. You are not fine…” his voice is strained.

“Dad, I am fine. Soon, we will see each other. I promise. I will call you regularly, okay?” I say, noticing that someone or some people are approaching.. I do not want them to speak out of turn when they see me.

“Have you eaten?” my dad proceeds to ask. “I can send some bread, your favorite sandwiches… What about college?”

“Dad, I will call you when I figure out the rest of that. Um, I’ll take classes online or something.” I say, even though I have no idea how that would work out. I know for a fact that I do not have my computer here.

“Bye.” I say and end the call before he can say another word. Once I do, I fix the phone back into place. The approaching footsteps of the people I was trying to run away from are quite nearer than I thought.

“Thanks for inviting me to your tea party, Maddy.” I hear someone say.

“You’re welcome, girls. You know I always want you guys to be present in the affairs of my family, especially this one. My mom hired Andrew West to perform—this night is going to be awesome.”

“Andrew West!?” another voice screams.

“Yes, girls, the Backstreet Boys are also performing. You guys make sure to take a lot of videos.”

“Is your brother’s wife’s brother going to be there?”

“Which of my brothers are you talking about?” the voice asks.

“Salvador, of course. We heard he got married. Everyone is wondering what she looks like. I won’t be surprised if everyone at the party will be out to look for her.”

“Hmm, girls, why don’t we go and have some wine first?” the girl says, obviously steering them away from that conversation.

I hide behind a large pillar of the wall, closing my eyes and waiting for them to walk away. When they do, I exhale and step out from behind the pillar—only to find one more girl, her arms folded as if she was waiting for me to come out.