chapter 3

Emma

"Is this his real name?"

"Nobody calls him by his real name except for his mother," said Martha

"Oh," That was all Emma could respond as she was confused.

"Emma, I suggest you stay away from our master. He's not someone you want to anger," she said pleading with her eyes.

"Wh-what? Wh-why?"

"Don't ask questions. Just do as I say," Her tone was colder than it had been. Emma responded with a nod of her head. She had no idea why Martha was saying all of those things. She was conscious, though, that if she wanted to work there, she had to obey her. But she had a sneaking suspicion that Martha was accurate.

She closed her eyes, expecting to fall asleep quickly.

***

She was alone somewhere. Somewhere dark. "Please Help Me Mom! Please Don't Leave Me Here, PLEASE!" Her screams echoed through the empty walls. She shivered when her echoed scream feared her. No one came.

What did I ever do to deserve a life like this? My own mother and father are treating me like this.

She thought and sobbed desperately hoping that someone would come and save her. "Mom, Dad, Please Help!" Her tiny hands banged on the rock-hard door. She sat on the dirty floor and rested her head on the wall. A few minutes later someone barged in.

"Get up, you filthy bitch," shouted her foster father and pulled her hair. She screamed in pain.

"Please Dad No! Please Stop!" She begged.

"Shut up you whore," he said.

"Please dad, don't!" She begged again. He was staring at her with his wicked eyes.

"Shut up," he snarled, then pulled the rope from his pocket and tied her to the bed she had no idea was situated there. She resisted and tried to flee, but she was unable to do so. He had her wrists and legs bounded. He took a belt from his closet. The small girl gazed at her father in fear and shook her head, pleading with him not to punish her.

"This will teach you that you can never escape from us," he hissed and lashed the belt on her skin.1

***

Emma awoke panting heavily. She was having nightmares once more. She didn't know she was sobbing until her palms touched her cheeks and tears streamed down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes and proceeded to the restroom. She went back to bed after washing her face. She exhaled deeply and relaxed.

The nightmares never left her alone.

Alexander

What was she doing to with him?

Her eyes are captivating and enchanting. Making me want to look into those enchanted green eyes again and again. I couldn't take my gaze away from her beautiful features. How did she look so stunning?

He had undoubtedly seen beautiful ladies that he could have at any moment and from any location if he so desired. But she... she was unique. Her body appeared to be untainted.

Alexander couldn't help but wanting to touch her. He could feel himself becoming stiff just thinking about her. Her eyes clearly revealed that she was terrified of him.

When he saw her for the first time, his heart constricted as she closed her eyes and ceased herself from breaking down. But he couldn't deny the thrill he had from knowing he was the source for her tears.

She was disobeying him, and no one else ever disobeyed him.

His sister then had to shout at her. Surprisingly, he did not feel satisfied at the moment. He tightened his hands and slammed them on the wall.

Why was it that it was upsetting him so deeply that she was crying? She was only a maid. A maid's job. Who was only supposed to be working at his home? But she was up to something else.

He sighed and pondered as he laid on his bed, trying not to think of her. But how do you do it?

In his imagination, she was everywhere. She wasn't even dressed attractively. She was just dressed as a maid. She was only wearing the standard socks and heels that all maids wear, and her hair was loose.

He wanted to grasp her hair to keep her in place when she didn't listen to him.

Fuck! She was driving me crazy.

It was difficult to think clearly. He realized he needed to take action. He forced his eyes closed and eventually fell asleep.

The next morning, he was awakened by the sound of the alarm clock. He shifted his gaze to the other side and switched it off. Alexander pushed himself to stand up and go to the restroom. He got out and changed his clothing once he was clean. He put on his regular tuxedo and sprayed cologne.

Alexander walked downstairs and saw that no one was present. He assumed he had to have his breakfast alone before departing for his own home.

That home belonged to his father, not to him. Although his father claimed Alexander could have the ownership, Alexander preferred his possessions. He was the CEO of their family firm and a wealthy businessman. As a result, he purchased himself a house and moved in. He visited at his father's place only on rare occasions.

The maids were cleaning the house when they noticed him and bowed. Alexander took a wine glass from the table and poured some wine into it. He took a long sip and went for a walk around the house. He came to a halt in front of a window that overlooked the garden. Looking around, he noticed someone tidying the garden, and the person's attention was drawn to the flowers.

With that much love, no one cared about the flowers or plants before, so he raised one eyebrow. He concentrated harder, and the scene startled him. It had to be her. She was picking dead grass from the ground, planting each flower plant delicately and gently patting it with her hands. Her beautiful hair was open, flowing with the wind as if her hair and the wind have been synced.

For a brief time, his heart stopped. Some of her hair was in her face, obstructing her vision, and she was attempting to pull it away from her eyes with her grimy hands. She shook her head, hoping that the hair would move back, but she was unsuccessful. She sighed and rose from the ground, rubbing her hands in the towel beside her. She finished patting her hair and pulling it into a sloppy bun. But that didn't stop part of her front hair from falling into her eyes, making her appear even more stunning.

She had finished her work and was on her way inside. When she entered, her gaze met Alexander's. She let out a shocked gasp.

"M-master, y-you're here. D-do you need so-something?" She stuttered, keeping her eyes down.

Fuck! What did she have that makes me want to get close to her?

Alexander remained silent and came closer to her. When she spotted him approaching, she flinched. He grinned as he saw her response. He relished her apprehension. He came to a halt when he was near enough to her and stroked her cheeks. As he massaged his palms, her silky-smooth flesh melted.

"S-sir what are you d-doing?" She whispered.

Alexander hated questions.

"Beautiful," he mumbled. With her trembling figure, she peered into him. It brought him to a halt in his work. Alexander tightened his hands and stepped away from her, gently removing his hand. That provided her an opportunity, and she fled from him.

What the hell was I doing?

He muttered under his breath as he ran his fingers through his hair. He needed to keep his distance from her. He reasoned that if he went back to his house and visited his father's house less, he would be able to get rid of the unidentified desire he had for her.

He left the home after breakfast, got into his car, and drove away.

Emma

What was his problem? Why was he so close to me and touching me!

Emma thought to herself. To say she terrified was an understatement. She, too, was perplexed. No guy had ever approached her, much alone touched her. She couldn't move because she was so terrified. But, while she had to agree that his touch was warm and delicate, she didn't appreciate random males touching her. She expressed her gratitude to God for his leaving. He seldom visited, as Martha said, and he spent most of his time at his place. She was relieved that she didn't have to see him too much.

"Come on girls, have your breakfast," she overheard Martha summoning the maids. All of the girls followed her and sat at the kitchen table, which was reserved for the maids. They'd brought their meals with them. They were sitting with their friends, chatting about how hot their master was.

Seriously? He is our master. How could they say that? How could they even think that!

Although she had to admit he was gorgeous, she thought it was not right for them to look at him that way.

"Hello there," a soft voice said, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Oh, hi," Emma quietly replied.

"So, you're the new maid here?" She asked as she sat beside Emma with her plate full of food.

"Yes," she said and smiled.

"I'm Vanessa," she said and offered a handshake.

"Emma," she shyly replied and shook her hand.

"Emma? Any special reason for naming you that?" She chuckled and asked.

"Uh not really, no special reason," she seemed uncomfortable as she said. She was aware that her name was unusual. It was given to her foster parents before she was adopted, according to her foster parents. She had no idea who had given her the moniker.

She chuckled, "It's okay. Don't need to be embarrassed, sweetie," she said. After that they all ate their breakfast. There was an awkward silence among all of them until Martha came.

"Girls please finish your breakfast quickly. You have work to do. And let me tell you what you guys have to do for today. Okay, so, Vanessa, you will work in the kitchen and clean the dishes. Susan and Alice, you two will clean the living room," and she continued giving them the list of the work they had to do.

"And lastly Emma, you have to clean the dining table, the library and the rooms," Emma nodded her head at her. She was happy with her work. She loved cleaning and she was excited to clean the library area.

Finishing her food, she placed it under the sink and washed her hands.

"Move aside, you jerk," someone said from behind. Emma cocked her head and noticed a brunette girl with a smile looking at her. She said nothing and stepped out of her way, giving her space to wash her hands. She went about her job, keeping her gaze fixed on Emma as she squeezed the liquid soap over her hands and cleaned them.

"You're the one who poured water into Miss Sofia's lap?" She asked in a mocking voice. Emma replied nothing. The girl already knew the answer.

"Well, what kind of a retarded girl are you?" She said and walked away.

Emma watched as the girl left and she sighed, her breathing was breaking in between but she refused to cry

"It's okay, Emma, just ignore her. She has always been like this," Vanessa remarked as she patted Emma on the back. That was all she'd ever done in her life. First, the abuse and later the poverty had taught her a valuable lesson about ignoring such circumstances.

Emma completed washing the dining table, which took her about 10 minutes. She now had to tidy up the library. She was ecstatic, and she adored reading. She entered the library when she arrived the door.

She exclaimed when she saw how many volumes were on the shelves and how large the library was. It was larger than her and Miss Garcia's home.

God, I don't know where to start from.

She had that notion, but luckily, other maids were cleaning the library. She let out a sigh. She was relieved that she didn't have to clean it all by herself, but she was also dissatisfied. She hoped to spend some alone time with her favorite thing in the world.

Books.

"Excuse me, do you need something?" She turned around and saw a guy staring at her. The guy had astounding blue eyes and blonde hair.

"Uh w-well I-I'm here f-for cleaning the li-library," she stuttered. She despised stammering, but it was a childhood problem.

She was never very adept at mingling, particularly with males. The person in front of her was incredibly handsome, which made her even more apprehensive.

He chuckled and said "Okay. You can clean that section," he pointed out. She quickly headed toward that direction.

She reached the section and started to clean it. That place was very dirty.

Does anyone even read these books? The books look like no one haven't touched them for years.

She cleaned all of the bottom shelves but left the top shelf alone. The book shelves were all at least eight feet long. How was she going to get the upper shelves clean? Her gaze was drawn to a place where the ladder was stored. She breathed a sigh of relief as she slid the heavy ladder to the part she was cleaning and came to a halt. She took one step at a time, gently placing her feet. She was afraid of heights; therefore, it was tough for her. Her eyes were closed as she carried on with the motion. Her feet slid as she was ready to take another stride.

Her scream attracted the attention of everyone in the library. She felt she was going to fall and break her hips, never being able to stand straight again. The floor was constructed of wood and appeared to be strong enough to break someone's back. But instead, her body was hovering in mid-air.

Am I really floating now?!

When she opened her eyes, she noticed a pair of blue eyes looking at her. When she realized he was holding her in his arms, she exclaimed. She bowed her head in shame.

"Easy there beautiful," he said and put her down.

"T-thank you," she said quietly and turned around to leave.

"Hey wait. what's your name?" He asked.

He is asking for my name? No boy has ever asked that.

"E-Emma," she instantly answered and exited the library. She made the decision to inform Martha that she would be unable to clean the upper shelves of the library. She hoped Martha would not be enraged.

She went into the bedrooms to clean, picking up the vacuum and a pail with rags.