Chapter 5 Five

Olivia approached the garden with jittery nerves, unsure of what awaited her in this meeting with Mrs. Brooks.

In the garden stood a woman, gracefully tending to the flowers. She was draped in a regal blue gown, radiating beauty and elegance. It was none other than the mistress of the house, Mrs. Brooks.

Olivia approached Mrs. Brooks timidly, and greeted her respectfully. "Good day, ma'am. You requested my presence?" she inquired.

"Ah! Yes, you are Olivia, correct?" Mrs. Brooks asked without turning.

"Yes, I am Olivia," she replied.

"So tell me what went wrong with you and Judith." Mrs. Brooks said.

Olivia hesitated before narrating everything that's been going on between her and Judith ever since she began working for the Brooks, and she didn't leave any stone unturned.

"I've heard about the situation from my son. I apologize for the mistreatment you've endured from Judith. It's partly my fault for not overseeing things properly," Mrs. Brooks expressed regret, her fingers delicately tracing the petals of a flower.

Olivia waved off her apology. "It's alright, Ma'am. No need to apologize."

"My son mentioned you as a potential candidate for the head maid position. Do you believe you're capable of taking on such a role?" Mrs. Brooks inquired.

Olivia weighed the options. Becoming head maid would reduce her workload, increase her salary, and accelerate her savings to repay the loan. Plus, she couldn't risk another tyrant like Judith taking over.

"I believe I am capable, Ma'am," Olivia asserted confidently.

Mrs. Brooks was impressed by Olivia's determination. She smiled and said, "Excellent. You have the position..."

"Wait!" A female voice interrupted from across the garden. It was Ella, seated nearby and overhearing the conversation.

"What's it, darling?" Mrs. Brooks asked her.

"Wait, Mom, I need to confirm something," Ella insisted, "So, let me get this straight," she continued, her eyes fixed on Olivia. "You said my brother came to the kitchen to get water when he found Judith mistreating you. But earlier, you said you sent water to my brother this early morning. So, why was he in the kitchen if not for water?"

Olivia stumbled over her words, trying to respond. "It's just..." she began, her voice faltering.

"That means you lied earlier this morning," Ella pressed on. "Is something sexual going on between you and my brother? Because I don't see why he would support an ordinary maid."

"I don't understand," Mrs. Brooks interjected, looking confused. "Did you seduce my son?" She frowned at Olivia.

"No. Ma!" Olivia said with a trembling voice.

"Tell me the truth or I'll sack you." She yelled at Olivia.

"I didn't lie, Ma," Olivia protested, her hands trembling. "I did send him water this morning. You can ask him."

"Wait, Mom, I need to confirm something," Ella insisted, pulling out her phone and dialing Nathan's number. "Nathan, did any maid bring you water this morning?"

"Oh, yes. A maid did bring me water this morning," Nathan confirmed from the other end, and Olivia felt a wave of relief wash over her.

"You're lucky you're telling the truth," Ella remarked before walking away.

Mrs. Brooks felt relieved and addressed Olivia. "Okay, Olivia, you're the new head maid. The Butler will escort you to the head maid's quarters, where you'll have your own room from now on."

Relieved and overwhelmed, Olivia thanked Mrs. Brooks profusely. "Thank you, Ma'am. I won't disappoint you." She said and walked away.

***

In a study, a fit middle-aged man with white hair sat surrounded by papers, a symbol of his industrious nature even in his advanced years.

A knock broke the silence. "Come in," he beckoned.

Nathan entered and addressed the man, "father, You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, take a seat," his father gestured to a chair opposite him, and Nathan obliged.

"I heard your relationship ended," his father remarked. There was a hint of jest in his tone.

Nathan shrugged off the remark. "Breakups happen all the time. No big deal."

"Good to see you're taking it well. Ending things with her saved us from embarrassment," his father commented.

Nathan frowned. "Embarrassment? What do you mean?"

"I'm referring to your engagement with Isabella. It's crucial for our families' interests. She's the ideal match, and it benefits us both," his father explained.

"Marriage for benefits? Shouldn't there be mutual understanding?" Nathan countered.

"Sometimes, sacrifices are necessary for progress. Isabella returns from London today. You'll pick her up from the airport and she'll stay with us for a few weeks," his father instructed.

Nathan eyed his father suspiciously. "Did you arrange this?"

"I didn't, but it's an opportunity you shouldn't overlook. Sacrifices pave the way to success," his father advised.

Nathan pondered on the situation. Katie was the main reason he was strongly against his arranged marriage with Isabella, now that they're now longer together and her memory is no longer holding him back, but instead is being replaced by Olivia's. There was wisdom in his father's words, yet thoughts of Olivia lingered in his mind.

'I shouldn't be thinking of her. She's nobody, she's just a ,' he scolded himself. "I'll arrange escorts to accompany me." He said.

His father beamed. "You've made the right choice. You won't regret it. Her room beside yours is ready," he revealed with a knowing smile.

***

Later in the day, Nathan stood outside the airport with five of his men, scanning the crowd for Isabella Monroe's arrival. He spotted her among the throng, her satisfied smile irking him.

"I knew you'd be waiting," she greeted smugly as she approached, followed by two girls carrying her luggage.

"What can I say? My father insisted," Nathan replied, his tone tinged with annoyance and Isabella's smile faltered momentarily as he said that.

"Just kidding," he added quickly, attempting to ease the tension.

Her smile returned. "You always had a sense of humor, Nathan. It's been so long since we last met. Did you miss me?"

"Of course, you're an old friend," he replied diplomatically.

Isabella's expression soured slightly. "Is that all I am to you? Just a friend?"

"I mean, you're an important friend," he corrected hastily as he realized his misstep.

As they reached the garage, Nathan opened the car door for Isabella. She gave him an approving nod before she entered. He followed suit, closing the door behind him.

"So, tell me about London," he prompted once they were on the road.

"It was amazing. We should go there for our honeymoon," Isabella suggested eagerly.

"No need. I was born there and lived there for a while. It would be boring for me," Nathan explained.

Isabella's enthusiasm waned. "Oh, I didn't know. We can go somewhere else then. By the way, you haven't mentioned our engagement yet," she reminded him pointedly.