CHAPTER 37: A BITCH AND A BASTARD.

The next day, I was on the first floor, with a bowl of delicious fruit salad Ms. Rita had prepared for me. As I shoved a spoonful into my mouth, I couldn’t help but think about my new plan. The plan was to play along for three days and after that I would disappear. I didn’t want to give anyone or Alexander the slightest clue about what I intended to do, that was why I needed to pretend as if everything was alright with us. He was a step ahead of me, but by the time I was done with him, he would realize he was only a million steps behind me.

My thought was interrupted by the sound of the entrance door opening, and the last person I would ever expect strode in. It was Linda, Alexander’s mistress. What was she doing here? Of course she was here to see him, what else would it be?

I turned my attention back to my food and shifted on the couch, trying to make myself look as small as possible to avoid her. But I was wrong, instead of walking past me, she stopped right in front of me and glared at me. Now that I could see her clearly, I wouldn’t deny the fact that she was actually beautiful. Her light brown eyes were gorgeous and her long strawberry hair was full and curly. Her fair skin was blemished and she seemed about two inches taller than me and also had more flesh in her bones than I did. She was stunning, and it made me wonder if that was why Alexander was attracted to her.

"So you are the one?" she began, after looking me up and down, disgusted. Meanwhile, I was confused. The one for what exactly?

She leaned closer, her eyes fixed on my white hair as though she was trying to tell if it was real or a wig. "I never thought weak-looking ones were Alex type for a wife."

Weak? It had been a long time since I heard someone call me weak, and I didn’t have to think very much to know why she said that. It was because of the color of my hair and how fragile I looked. Not that she was wrong. My appearance was something I have been bullied for all my life.

"And mute too," she added when I didn’t say a word, and that was what finally hit my nerves.

"Excuse me? You can’t just come in here and say things about people you don’t know," I said, frowning.

"Come in here?" She laughed. "Shouldn’t I be the one telling you that? This is my home, you are the stranger here, and I can have you kicked out whenever I want."

"Why don’t you do it then?" I prompted, giving her a challenging look.

"Are you challenging me? You want to know what I can do?"

I just ignored her and went back to my food. She seemed to be a trouble, and the last thing I wanted right now was to get in a fight with someone, especially not her at all.

But to my uttermost surprise, she pulled the bowl from my grip and smashed it on the floor, causing the bowl to shatter, content splitting everywhere on the marble floor.

My eyes widened, staring at the mess she created and I felt the heat rising in my chest, burning its way up to my throat. How dare she?

"That’s just a glimpse of what I can do. You don’t eat when I am talking to you." A satisfactory smile spread across her lips, and I curled my fists to stop myself from slapping the smile off her face. "By the way, consider this as a warning, never think of coming close to Alex. Do your job quietly and disappear once the contract is over. If possible, you can do it before then."

I choked on my spit, dumbfounded. Never think of coming close to Alex? Was she insane? If there was a way to get rid of the memories of Alexander in my head, I would have done it. The thought of him alone made me nauseous and sick.

"You can’t tell me what to do. Oh, and I am not stuck with ’your Alex’. He isn’t worth someone I wanna even look at," I asserted, and noticed the relief that flashed through her eyes. "And also, I believe you both are meant for each other. A bitch and a bastard, what a perfect combo."

Linda’s nostrils flared. Before I knew it, she slapped me so hard on my left cheek and stars sparkled in front of my eyes. I could even taste blood in my mouth and my face stung like a thousand bees. How could a female hit like that?

"Is that enough or you need more?" she sneered.

Need more? My face was already in hot pain and even though I wanted to put her in her place further, I didn’t think I could handle another slap.

Seeing my reaction, she scoffed and walked away.

Once she was gone, my gaze travelled back to the fruit salad that was now scattered everywhere. I still couldn’t believe that the delicious mixture Ms. Rita had spent time preparing was gone that way. Linda would definitely pay for what she did, anyway, anyhow. I wouldn’t forgive her that easily.

Standing up, I made my way to the kitchen to sort out something to clean it up. When I got to the kitchen, I found Ms. Rita setting a freshly brewed Jasmine tea on the tray, and upon seeing me, she smiled, nervously and signaled for me to come closer.

"Is everything okay?" I asked as I neared the kitchen table.

"Yes... it’s just that master’s mistress is here and she wants me to serve her this tea..." She nodded to the tray of tea. "It’s her favorite. But..."

"But what?"

"I can’t take it to her... The other day I added lemonade to give it a unique taste. I thought she would like it, but it turned out she didn’t and banned me from ever making her tea," she explained.

"If she said that, why don’t you just listen to her and don’t make her tea?"

"Right, but Mr. Harrison is not around. And the order came directly from master. It has to be done."

"So what are you going to do?" I asked.

She seemed to think for a while before cautiously looking into my eyes, pleadingly. "I know this is wrong, but please can you help me take it to her, ma’am..."

A frown instinctively caressed my forehead upon hearing her demand. For some reason, I knew she would say that, and honestly I didn’t think I would help her. Linda was the last person I wanted to face again, not after what she had done.

"I’m sorry, Ms. Rita... I can help you with anything else but that..." I respectfully declined.

Her face fell, and I could see the disappointment in her eyes. She didn’t say anything for a moment and just stared at the tray.

"I understand," she said quietly. "I shouldn’t have asked."

"Why can’t one of the other staff take it to her?"

"They are all busy... or probably avoiding her," she admitted. "Nobody wants to deal with her temper. And... if I don’t do it, it will come back on me."

I signed, not knowing what to say. Ms. Rita was a kind woman and had always treated me well since I came here. And as much as I wanted to say no, I couldn’t ignore the sadness in her eyes. She could lose her job and I didn’t want to be responsible for it.

I rubbed my temple in frustration and reluctantly said, "it’s alright... I will do it. But this is the last time. Don’t ask me for this kind of favour again."

Ms. Rita’s face lit up with relief. "Thank you, ma’am. Truly, thank you. I owe you for this."

I mumbled "No problem", then grabbed the tray of tea and walked out of the kitchen.