Chapter Eight

The news of Madame Claudia's return put the entire servants in a state of trepidation. Celia was the most disturbed and agitated about her return. She had to make sure, without an iota of mistake that everything in the house was in place. The driver had gone hours ahead of time to wait for Madame Claudia at the airport to avoid any silly excuse that would make him arrive late, and risk him being fired by her.

Celia kept shouting, giving orders and walking round the entire house to make sure there was no error else Madame Claudia would have her head. Bella was the only servant exempted as she had to deal with Alexander's excessive needs and demands. She had gone out thrice that morning to get Alexander the perfect kind of pizza. First he had asked for a cheese pizza then changed his mind to wanting a pepperoni pizza after Bella had gone and returned the first time. When she came back with the pepperoni pizza, he said that he wanted chicken pizza instead and Bella set out again. She was not allowed to use any of the cars in the house. Tired from that adventure, she had another pile of laundry to do for Alexander and also to prepare lunch for him. She did not have the time to talk with Christine to know why exactly the entire house staff were in anxiety about Madame Claudia's return. 'Madame Claudia must really be a very strict and scary woman to have the entire house that way', she had thought to herself. Bella saw how everyone was super conscious of making the tinest mistake in their work. She quickly waved that off her mind and focused on her own work.

Sir Felix returned from the office earlier because of his wife's arrival and Alexander decided to honour his mother and did not leave the house. Even Sophia was also waiting for Madame Claudia. She had slept over the previous night. Dinner would be made for the entire family and the preparation for that had started the dawn of the day. There had to be no error in the meal else those responsible would be in serious trouble.

While these were going on in the house, Alexander found himself in the garden, having a quiet time. He never liked his mother's attitude of always throwing everyone in a state of fear and anxiety for even the littlest things and Sophia was another piece of headache. There was no difference between Sophia and his mother and that was why they were so close. They both were manipulators, hostile and somewhat evil, according to Alexander's analysis. He needed a break from the scenes in the house and the garden was the perfect place for that. It was cool and peaceful and it had an atmosphere free from worries and fear. It was also the reason Bella loved it.

Alexander had ordered some drink and snacks from Bella and was waiting for its arrival while allowing the garden do it's natural work in his heart. His mind had a lot of burdens in it. Burdens he never spoke of but kept them locked up deep in his heart. He has always lived in fear and guilt, regretting actions that he had taken carelessly in the past and for what? for nothing. Alexander would look back at everything and realized that it was for nothing. If only he was wise then, things would have been different, a life would have been saved and his life would have been in a different way than it was.

As he sat in the tranquil garden, staring mindlessly at the sun flowers before him, he heard a voice, "Your snacks sir".

He turned to see Bella holding a tray of his orders.

"Place them on the table" he instructed.

Bella sensed something different about Alexander's voice. It was not authoritative or strict as usual. If Bella was not so certain, she could have sworn that he was sad or depressed. While setting the food on the table before Alexander, she took a corner glance at him to examine his face and she could see something in form of a guilt, pain and sadness cast over his face. There was something bothering the bossy Alexander that moment and Bella thought it to be his mother's arrival. Then again she thought, as Christine had told her, Madame Claudia was so particular about him, she would never let any harm or discomfort come near him so Alexander should be at least very enthusiastic about his mother's return.

Something tingled in her heart and she was not so sure if she cared for him at that moment but she felt knowing what was bothering him. He seemed lost.

"Sir" She called out to him but he did not respond. He just stared idly to nowhere exactly.

"Sir" Bella called out again, this time louder.

Alexander shook a little and turned to her. "Yes" he replied softly to Bella's surprise.

"Your snacks and juice has been served" Bella informed, gesturing to the table.

Alexander looked at the food and back at her, "You can take them away. I've lost my appetite for them" He said and quickly turned his gaze back to it's original position.

"But sir....."Bella started but Alexander interrupted.

"No words, Bella. Just take them and leave. Go rest or something till I need you" He said.

Bella was then sure that something was definitely wrong with Alexander. She was either expecting him to change his mind about the type of snacks he wanted and have her go back to preparing it for him or he should have another strenuous work for her but instead he was telling her to rest.

As Bella stared at him deeply, she could sware that she saw water in his eyes. Alexander was hurting and she realized that could be the reason for his behaviour. Perhaps he was looking for a way out of his pain and misery and being wayward was the only way he could follow.

She pitied him the more and was forced to ask, "Are you alright sir?"

A question which seemed to have irritated him. He immediately turned to her with a frowned face. His tone was stronger this time, "No, Bella, I am not okay" he stood up and moved closer to her. Bella took few steps back, scared of him.

"I am not okay Bella, what are you going to do about it?" He asked, looking at her.

"I....I really.....don't know....sir....but maybe I could help a little" she stammered.

"How would you help?" Alexander pressed, taking a step closer to her.

Bella took a deep breath, her heart beat increased. She would have just minded her business and left when he said so. Now she was playing the voluntary role of caring friend and it was obviously going to land her in trouble. But can she blame herself? that was the kind of heart people had in her little settlement. They cared for each other and carried one another's burden. They rejoiced with those rejoicing and mourned with those mourning. When her mother had left her and her father, they found it easier to go through that phase because of the people. Bella practically had lots of mothers. All the women there were her mother as well as the mother of others. Bella was seeing herself subconsciously displaying that kind-hearted nature to Alexander who had been mean to her from the beginning.

"You know sir" Bella started, "In my little community, these are the kind of things we do for each other. We care so much about each other and even though we don't have the solution to their problem, we always look for ways to cheer them up and allow time do it healing work on them" Bella found the fear in her heart reducing as Alexander seemed to be mellowing down.

She continued, "You don't have to bear your pain alone. You can actually share them with people who cares and trust me you will feel better and eventually you will get over it".

"This is nonsense" Alexander dismissed and went back to his chair.

"No sir, it's not. It actually worked for me and my dad" Bella pressed. Alexander raised his face to her as she went on, "When my mother left us, we were so devastated. My dad started drinking and staying out late but thank God for everyone who was there for him, for us..."

"Your case is as simple as your mother leaving, mine is much worse. So, your nonsense theory will not work for me." Alexander interrupted.

"Why don't you try it sir?" Bella asked.

"Because I don't want to. I don't want to make a fool of myself to a dirty maid as yourself. Do you think I'm a fool, Bella? I've been making your life here a living hell and you want to take this opportunity to pay me back" Alexander said.

"No sir...." Bella shook her head.

"Quiet" Alexander raised his voice. Bella did not say anything further.

"You're lucky, I'm really not in the mood for you now. Just leave before I give you something very hard to keep you busy" Alexander warned seriously.

Bella quickly advised herself and made to go but stopped immediately she heard Alexander's voice, "I'll be needing your services this night, after dinner. Don't keep me waiting else you know the penalty. Am I clear?" He asked.

"Very clear sir" Bella replied and hurried out.

Straight to her quarters and to her bed she went, to fully maximize the time to rest well, waiting for what next awaited her.

Soon, Madame Claudia arrived by few minutes past six that evening and Celia ordered all the maids and servants to the foyer to welcome her. That was Madame Claudia's orders, Bella was not excluded.

As Bella moved to the foyer with the rest of the maids, she noticed a huge change in the house. The decor and arrangement of things were changed and she commended the change.

Madame Claudia walked in with her husband, Felix, and Soohia who had gone outside to welcome her.

Madame Claudia was a very skinny woman yet she looked fresh and exquisite. There was no doubt that she was a pretty woman. She had no smile on her face. The moment she entered the foyer, all the maids greeted her, not excluding Bella, to which Madame Claudia just nodded in approval and walked ahead into the grand living room. The servants lined up behind her with Celia before them, just behind Madame Claudia. Madame Claudia took careful time to examine the space before and when she was done, she turned to Celia, without a smile or a friendly expression, she said, "Very good Celia. The decor of the house suits my taste as usual."

Bella analysed her voice to be calm yet firm and somewhat strict, just like Alexanders.

"Thank you Madame" Celia replied relieved that there was no complaint from Claudia.

"I'm going to my room with my husband. Have a maid send me a glass of cold orange juice and some chocolate cookies. This shouldn't take more than three minutes. Then set the table for dinner" Madame Claudia instructed.

"Yes Madame" Celia replied.

"And where is Alexander?" Madame Claudia asked, her eyes wandering around in search of him.

"I don't know exactly Madame" Celia replied.

"Well, nevermind. I'll just call him that I've returned" Claudia said and walked out.

Celia immediately set to work on Madame Claudia's orders.