Chapter 7 Dark Secrets

They both tore apart in an instant. Dripping in sweat. Shelly's legs dropped right away while Chase smacked his palm against his forehead in disappointment. He was shirtless, and he pulled up his pants.

"What? In my kitchen?!" I gasped at their audacity, feeling like a fool.

Shelly pulled him back and pulled up her panties.

"I'm so sorry ma... It was a-" she looked into Chase's eyes, lost for words. "A mistake ma'am."

"Whatever! You both are such a disgrace! What if a guest entered here?! And why haven't you served me breakfast?" I hissed at my maid.

"Ummm... I came to your room ma'am, you were still asleep so..." she scratched her neck confusedly.

"Just shut up!" I voiced harshly, causing myself another headache. "I understand that both of you are adults, but this shouldn't repeat, okay?"

Without waiting for their reply, I dashed out of the kitchen, disgusted.

Hurrying back to my room, I walked to a reading table in the corner of my room and switched on my computer system. There, I checked my mail and realized Evelyn had sent me some urgent documents. Some needed to be signed while others needed to be read, word for word.

I fixed on my reading glasses and scrolled through the files. Just then, I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." I replied, knowing it would be Shelly.

She entered with a tray of food and a glass of chilled lemonade, placing it on the stool beside my bed.

"Your breakfast is served, ma'am." Shelly muttered quietly with guilt, while she turned to leave.

"Come here." I called her back.

Though, it was the first time I had to barge into something so disgraceful. I know Shelly was a good girl. And I understand if she's attracted to Chase.

With slump shoulders, she stared to the ground, still unable to look up at me.

"I'm not pissed with you, Shelly. I don't want to. What happened today should never repeat itself." I warned in a calm tone. "Especially not in my kitchen, where food is made. As you said, it was a mistake, so this is your first and last warning, okay?"

"Okay ma'am. Thanks for being so kind and forgiving." She looked up at me and smiled.

I smiled too, knowing she's relieved. "Good. Where's Chase?"

"In his room."

"Tell him to see me soon." I ordered.

"Okay ma'am. Excuse me." She bowed in respect before walking out of my room. I continued reading and editing the document on my computer screen.

After a while, Chase walked in. This time, he had an oversized, Hawaiian shirt spotted with big red flowers and a three-quarter, faded jeans on. His dark hair was slightly wet, and I guessed he just had a shower.

"You called me." He said hurriedly, closing the door behind him.

"Yes, I was hoping you could help me with this tomorrow. I'd go to see my doctor and we could go pick up some new clothes for you. What's that you're wearing?"

"Clothes.."

"Ugh!" I rubbed on my head and saved the documents before walking towards where Shelly placed the food.

"Don't you have anything better to wear?"

"I wear what I have. Is something wrong with this?" he raised an eyebrow, surveying himself.

"It's old-fashioned. You need a new wardrobe of clothes."

He scoffed as if I surprised him. I changed my mind about him. "You don't need to go through the stress... If you don't want to."

"I want to. Perhaps I realize you are a grownup. You need to work and be useful somehow so, be prepared. I'd introduce you to Evelyn whenever I feel is necessary. You would be my errand boy."

"Errand-boy?" he mumbled, and confusion clouded his eyes.

"Yes. I understand that you're a graduate but no work is useless. You'll help me run messages and assist me with some writeups when necessary. If you're trustworthy and hard-working, I might get you a post in my company."

"You mean, a job?" He beamed with excitement.

"Don't get too excited about this, Chase. I don't employ lazy people. I'm considering helping you because of my son. You shouldn't be left behind so, we would leave immediately after breakfast tomorrow morning. You can leave now."

"Thanks so much, Alexa- sorry, Mrs Torres!" He corrected himself before I could. He blushed and stepped out of my room.

Later in the evening, I had completed the signings and had read all the documents Evelyn had sent. It's a good thing I resent them back to her so, I am a little relieved. Thinking about it, I feel bored. My is so lifeless even with all the wealth I've got so far. The people surrounded by me are mostly my workers, not friends.

I was feeling better, but not so good. At least, I could only eat a little. About my nightmares, it comes and goes like a devilish thought in my mind. There's no one to talk to except Arielle. 'Of course, Arielle! I should call her.'

I picked up my phone and dialed her contact.

The robotic beeping rang again and again, and I wondered why she wasn't picking. Is something wrong, or she's just busy? Busy-that word busy doesn't describe my friend. I am the busy one. If Arielle should have another name , it would be fortitude, forbearance, and endurance.

There I go again, Arielle is married. She might be busy taking care of her kids or even having a special treat with Ryan Smith, her husband. If he's definitely making up for his previous mistake, of course. I squeezed on a red silky dress with high splits and the most quintessential Y2K black sandals. Accessorized with a deep maroon leather shoulder bag and dainty gold earrings, my jet-black hair was parted down the middle and styled in gentle waves. I rolled up my read, rose lipstick and applied an amount on my lips.

Sometimes I am like this. I still don't know why or how my day is going to end, but I needed fresh air. I gently stepped out of my room and locked the door, so quietly that no one would hear. Tiptoeing out of the hallway, I peeped into the living room. They turned the lights off, so I guessed everyone was asleep.

It was a minute past eleven o'clock. Looking over my shoulders, the pitch dark increased, and I walked downstairs. Turning the doorknob, I could go out without a single ping.

Finally, I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding and walked past the gate. It didn't take long before I got a taxi. I hailed at him and he stopped in the night's silence. It was an elderly man with thick white beards, bald head and dark shades.

I had stopped him before I realize and right now, I'm startled if I should go with him or not. My scared eyes turned back to my duplex, which was just a couple of steps away. I didn't want to go back.

"Where are you going, ma'am?" His thick guttural voice interrupted the ghost silence.

Just then, I realized it was fogy and kind of cold and I was braless in the strapless gown.

"Could you take me to the cinema?" It sounded weird to hear my shaky voice. It's not as if I'm homeless or something.

I waited patiently in the awkward silence for his reply. If he was going or not.

Just then, a smile beamed on his lips, and my eyebrows pulled up at him in confusion.

"Come on in, film buff!" he turned to me and I faked a smile. Pulling the door open, I threw myself into the seats while he turned on the engines and zoomed down the empty streets. The strange taxi driver increased the volume of his speakers. I didn't know it was on before boarding the vehicle. It was warm and fast.