5

A tap on my shoulders, had at once jolted me off the comfort of sleep.

Vision blur, I remained staring at the figure in front of me. Eyes slowly registering the person, and soon realizing it was a nurse.

I looked around the room, examining every corner and every object present, and only then did it come to my knowledge that I was still at the hospital.

Letting out a yawn, my gaze shifted over to mom who was still laid in the hospital bed, sleeping more peaceful than I'd ever seen her these past days.

"Did you sleep here?" I heard the nurse utter to me.

"Yeah.......Got so exhausted. What's the time?" I asked, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

"8 a.m" She replied.

At the mention of this, reality knocked the senses back into me

"It's a new day already?"

"Christ! I'm late for work" I exclaimed.

"Kindly tell mom I left" I called while running out of the room, pushing past every figure I came across in the hall.

Hurrying out of the hospital, I made my way down to the path which led to my house.

What impression would I be giving to the Williams, Second day of work, and I'm turning up late.

Now, the lady of the house wouldn't like that. Would she?

I tore open the door to the small apartment which mom and I stayed in. My eyes resting on the clock which was hung on the wall.

Just thirty minutes left to get ready.

This is so not good.

My clothes dropped to the floor instantly, as I hurried into the bathroom to have my bath.

It didn't take much for me to get dressed, and perfect to go. Only thing was, I hadn't much time left on my side.

Picking up my flats by the foot of the door, I hurried out of the apartment.

Racing through streets, one would assume I had gone mad. But not for once did I bother taking a stop. Not until I got to the residential area where the rich and influential people resided.

From afar, I spotted the Williams' mansion.

My brain had registered it at once.

The instant I drew closer to the gate, I spoke into the speaker, awaiting a response, and praying luck would be on my side on this fine morning.

The gate creaked slowly, paying its salutations to me, giving way as I hurried my feet into the mansion.

Getting to the front door, I pushed it open, silently praying Mr and Mrs Williams wouldn't be in.

Fortunately for me, I found the house to be empty. The kids had gone to school already.

Running over to the kitchen, just for me to find an angry Miss Tara there. Arms folded across her chest, gaze boring into me.

"I'm so sorry. I-" I tried to speak but was cut off immediately by her.

"Your second day here, and you already seem to fail. I hope you last longer here." She uttered then walked away.

Denna walked up to me, handing over an apron which she held in hands.

"Sorry." I heard her whisper.

"I want you to help Mary with the food. After that, I want you to go upstairs and clean all the rooms." That's your punishment for being late".

Miss Tara muttered in a voice that stated she was mad.

Mad at me.

Without muttering a single word after her, I went over to meet Mary who was at the far end of the kitchen, passing me a smile the instant her gaze rested on my figure.

Watching her quietly as she cooked, with random thoughts filling my head. Every now and then she would ask for a few ingredients, which I got for her, handing it over with a smile.

A few minutes after, we were done cooking.

That was my cue to go get the rest of the chores done.

Picking up my broom, duster and mop, I began my journey upstairs. Once again, to get drowned in the enormous building I found myself in.

Pushing myself into the first room, my eyes took in everything that came along with it.

A very large room. Most certainly, it was the bedroom of Mr and Mrs Williams.

Beginning cleaning, it took me good thirty minutes to get done with the room, and right as I was done, I hurried out, moving into the next.

Hours had passed and I was just about done with the rooms.

All rooms in the mansion had been attended to by me, not excluding the guestrooms. There was just one room left and after that, I would

be done with my chores.

Oh, how exhausted I was already.

The time read 2:55 P.M when I checked the clock in one of the rooms.

Bones already weak, I managed to pick up the broom and mop, making way to the final room to be cleaned.

This particular one "was just as big as the rest of the rooms. Its walls were grey.

A very large bed rested at the center of the room, with white sheets over it.

Moving to the bedside, I found boys underwear sprawled up on the bed, sachets of God-knows-what scattered all around.

The room sure belonged to one of the boys. I thought to myself.

I picked my dusting materials, then began work immediately.

My hands felt sore already as I tidied every single corner, but I couldn't stop now. I got myself into this. There was no turning back.

Moving over to the bedside, I began packing up items, and tossing them over to where they ought to be.

Just about dressing the bed, I touched something wet and sticky.

My fingers glided over the object, picking it up slowly, wondering whatever it could be.

My brain quickly did the processing and only then did my eyes widen on realization of what I had in my hands.

It was a used condom.

My fingers let go in an instant, while my legs found their way hurrying into the bathroom in the room.

Getting to the bathroom, another sight awaited me.

Packs of condom laid on the floor, some used, the rest, haven't even been touched.

My face scrunched up in disgust, as I washed my hands immediately, praying I wouldn't ever come across a thing like this again.

What manner of human owns this room? I thought.

With a cloth tightly wrapped around my fingers, I picked the packs up, arranging them on the sink, and then hurrying out back into the room.

Letting out a sigh, I resumed the chore that was already getting me frustrated.

It took approximately an hour, for me to get done. An hour off me whining to myself, wishing I didn't sign up for the job.

At this point, I was tired. Tired of everything around me.

Picking up my cleaning instruments, I got ready to leave. And right as I was about leaving, something caught my eyes.

A MacBook laid on the drawer next to the bed. But that wasn't what grabbed most of my attention.

Beside the MacBook was a large bulging envelope. My feet betrayed me instantly as I began moving towards it, like a magnet being pulled by metal. I picked the envelope up, opening and revealing its content.

What laid before my eyes, caused my jaw dropping.

Hundreds and hundreds of money. So much, I couldn't count.

The money dropped from my grip immediately, as I got scared of grasping such amount in my hands.

Turning quickly to leave, I suddenly remembered my mother.

You need this money. A voice echoed in my head.

Shut up! I snapped.

Taking a step forward, it seemed like life was playing a test on me right now, as I remembered the doctor's words. Without the transplant, she would not survive. I turned to look at the envelope, filling myself with a thousand thoughts.

Your mom would get better, only if you pick it up. There came the voice.

You could finally have her back home.

I didn't realize, I had made my way over to it, not until my fingers started brushing over the surface of the envelope.

Hesitating no more, I took half the money in the envelope, closed it, then placed it back where I saw it.

Fingers trembling as I tried to figure out the exact spot which I picked the envelope from.

My head snapped up, as soon as I heard voices drawing closer.

They got louder this time.

Quickly searching for a place to hide the money and without thinking twice, I emptied the mop bucket, placing the money there.

I placed the rags and duster on it in a bid to cover it properly.

Just when I took my hands off it, the door tore open, and in walked a girl and a boy, arms wrapped around each other.

They had their lips locked together, and they didn't seem to notice my presence.

The boy's hands placed on the girl's butt, while her arms were wrapped around his neck.

Soft moans escaping her lips while he trailed kisses all over her.

My hands mistakenly hit the broom which caused the pair finally taking notice of the presence other than theirs in the room.

Gazes examining me, probably wondering who I was and why I was up here in the room.

The boy had on a confused look, eyes narrowed while they bore into mine.

Looking back at him, I then realized I had not seen him before.

He had on a black shirt which clung to his body and was paired up with cargo green pants.

His hair was a sandy colour which was just perfect for his skin.

I couldn't tell if his eyes were blue or grey as he stared at me with intent.

He had a very defined jawline. A strong one at that.

His face was much more appealing to the eyes of any beholder.

Trust me, when I say his appearance was out of this world.

Don't go exaggerating now. My subconscious chimed.

I knew where he got it from.

Mr and Mrs Williams had it in them.

My gaze shifted to the girl who was beside him.

Her eyes accessed me from head to toe, looking disgusted at each second that passed.

Even though she had on an expression that wasn't pleasing, she still remained beautiful.

I couldn't tell if she had extensions in or if her hair was just that long.

"Who are you?"

"And why are you in my room?" The boy asked in a slightly raised tone.

I noticed the British accent in his words. Damn! they all had great accents. But, unlike his parents, his accent was a little bit mixed with an American accent. Probably because they had stayed in America for a while.

He was clearly pissed that his makeout session was interrupted.

"I was just-"

I couldn't speak. I wasn't sure if it was because of the wads of note hidden in the mop bucket, or because of the way they both stared at me.

"I was only cleaning your room" I managed to say.

"You didn't tell me the maids cleaned your room...I don't like it when they do it." I heard the girl say to the boy.

He turned over to me, gaze never leaving mine.

"You think my room needs cleaning?" He asked.

Was he kidding, cause no way a sane person would walk into this room, and say it looked fine. It was a mess a few minutes ago, until I started working on it.

I noticed they were still staring at me. Staring at me like I was some sort of experiment.

Unable to endure their piercing stares, I did the next thing that popped in my head--I picked the broom and mop bucket then hurried out of the room, while shutting it behind.

The door shut with a loud bang then I heard the girl giggling after, followed by low moans.

I found Ms Tara still in the kitchen, going through groceries.

"Have you cleaned all the rooms?" She asked at once the moment my figure came into her view.

"Yes ma'am"

"That was quick. Please come early tomorrow, for your sake." She said to me.

"You can go now" She added

A smile appeared on my lips at the mention of that, while I took my apron off, feeling much excited that I was leaving.

About walking out of the kitchen with the mop bucket, when the voice of Miss Tara halted me in my tracks.

"You can drop the mop bucket over there" She said.

I froze.

No way I was gonna leave the bucket behind.

The money still remained there.

Still lost in my thoughts, I heard the voice of Ms Tara speak again.

"You can leave now, Nia" She uttered.

Nodding at her, I proceeded out of the kitchen slowly, stopping right by the entrance, my eyes watching her.

The other maids were up cleaning the rest of the house, which made me the only maid in sight.

I remained there, eyes focused on her, completely clueless on what to do.

Suddenly, I found one of the kids walking up to me, it was one of the triplets. He turned his gaze from me, back into the kitchen and then back to my figure.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"The new maid." I whispered to him.

"why are you whispering?" He asked, completely confused as to what I was doing here.

"No reason." I said immediately.

The boy paused as he looked at me suspiciously, then he spoke.

"well I'm hungry." He uttered, then walked away right after.

Taking a look into the kitchen, miss Tara still remained busy there.

Sighing, as I watched her every move, and suddenly, an idea popped into my head, making my eyes light up.

I walked into the kitchen confidently, while Miss Tara raised her head up to look at me.

"What are you still doing here, Nia?" She asked.

"One of the kids stated that he was hungry, so I had to rush back here to get him something" I replied.

"Take that plate of food and go give it to him." Miss Tara said pointing at a plate of well garnished meal.

I picked it up gently, moving towards the doorway.

Still, I could feel her burning stares on my back, watching as I picked my steps.

"Oh God! Is that a mouse?" I yelped aloud.

"Where?" She exclaimed while picking up a wooden spoon and hurrying towards the direction I pointed at.

Quickly grabbing the money out and then placing it under the plate, I had it well hidden.

"Good Gracious! Mrs Williams mustn't know there are mice in her kitchen, else I'm doomed."

She said out loud.

I gave no response to her comments as I snuck out of the kitchen, the money held tightly in my hands.

Getting to the living room, I found the triplets sat on the couch, game pads held in their hands.

They were all punching on it so fast, chuckling in the process.

The three were so identical, it was hard figuring out who requested for the food.

"Hey." I said, but they didn't even look my way.

"which one of you said he was hungry?" I asked

They suddenly stopped and looked at me exchanging glances while smiling.

"Me" They said together.

I looked at them, unsure of what they were trying to do.

"I need to go now." I said.

"Why don't you pick which one of us requested for the food. We might be eleven, but we're not babies. One of the triplets said.

"Let's go easy on her."

"Fine. I'm Dylan, this Is Derrick and that is David. The only way you can tell us apart is with our hair. My hair's blonde. Derrick's is dark brown, while David's hair is light brown." Dylan said.

"Plus I have...." I didn't wait for him to finish, I dropped the food on the table hurrying out of the house, not bothered about what they had to say.

Only one thing rang in my head.

Get the money to the hospital.