Chapter 4 Surprise visitor

Larissa

Few hours earlier...

The day felt like any other as I kneaded the flour to be used to bake Thursday's carrot cake.

I hadn't seen Rick since the conversation I overheard earlier, not like I wanted to; that cheating twerp could rot for all I cared.

I felt a little anxious at the thought of leaving, the thought of starting again held the unknown. The Walton's household paid handsomely and I wasn't sure if I would be able to get a well paying job like this elsewhere.

I was done with the mixture, and had just put it in the oven when Michael's PA, Patrick, walked in.

"Good day Miss Larissa," he greeted.

"Hello," I wiped my hands with a soft towel. wondered what all this was about, was he sent by Michael?

"I'm a very straightforward man, Miss Larissa, and I've got a preposition for you," he said, smiling weirdly.

"I really don't think I'm interested " I answered him coldly, remembering the conversation he had with Rick earlier and how he talked down on me.

"Calm down and listen to me... Larissa Sucrae."

I whipped my head back at him, shock reflected in the depths of my eyes as I stared at him. How did he know that surname?

He smirked, " I know a lot about you; a lot more than you can imagine," and walked up to me. "Your little secret no one knows about and even your little affair with Mr. Rick. I wonder what would happen if I happened to spill?.... Accidentally of course," he added.

My heart went cold as I listened to him. I took a deep breath, not wanting to show any sign of weakness and asked,

"What do you want?"

"Now that's how two polite adults talk to each other," Patrick smiled, "Take a walk with me."

I excused myself from the kitchen as he led me through the gardens. We soon stopped beneath the trees.

He finally turned to me, "Miss Larissa, I believe you to be aware of the status of Rick Walton. He's the only child and the heir of the Walton's household."

"And what does that have to do with me?" I questioned.

He stared at me, "And who he gets married to is an equally more important affair. Aptly put, you're not his class and shouldn't even be anywhere close to him. You were nothing but just a side distraction to him."

I clenched my fists as Patrick's words made me feel ashamed. In his eyes, I was nothing more than a maid; a tool that could be easily disposed.

"Now I know in the heat of things, you may have been led on to believe somethings," he glanced at me, "but all that is just a young man's charm to swoon you. You see, Rick's father has put me in charge of affairs pertaining to his son and you are just a distraction to my work."

I tried, but failed miserably to hold back the lone tear that escaped my eye. But immediately it fell, I wiped it off as I didn't want Patrick to realize how much his words hurt me.

He continued, "The allure of the Walton's empire is one that not many women would resist, but I'm afraid that this is the closest you'll get, Miss Larissa."

My stomach lurched as I stared coldly at him. In the end they all saw me as a tool and now a gold digger. I wanted to speak but Patrick held up a finger.

"No words Miss Larissa, Just listen to everything I have to say first. I have a deal for you. You walk away, quietly of course, and I'll make sure I reimburse you handsomely or...." he didn't complete his words, but the threat is evident.

"Think about it, see you," Patrick nodded at me, before leaving.

I waited till he was out of sight before I slipped to the ground,my eyes burned with unshed tears.

'I won't cry,' I promised myself.

I felt used, looked down on and it hurt so much because I was too weak and powerless to do anything about it. What could a maid like me possibly do to make Rick pay for hurting me this way?

"Well played, Rick. You've finally revealed the kind of person you are," I muttered bitterly, my teeth clenched in anger.

When I got back inside, I was relieved to see that Madam Rosé didn't notice my absence.

I headed to the kitchen, wanting to check if Tracy was back.

Tracy was my friend and colleague, and this week was her turn to head to the market to get groceries needed in the house.

I met Tracy in the kitchen as she was unpacking some grocery bags.

"Did you get margarine?" I asked, stepping forward to help her.

Tracy gasped, covering her mouth with one hand as she exclaimed, "OMG! I forgot."

"Madam Rosé is definitely going to wring your neck," I said and teased her, "since you remember that boyfriend of yours more than your shopping lists."

Tracy blushed and threw a carrot at me. She had a boyfriend who worked at Pizza hut. I remembered when she brought back a gigantic pizza to celebrate her birthday last year; one of the advantages of having a boyfriend who worked there.

"He almost wouldn't let me go when I went to see him during his lunch break. I pleaded for a long time before he agreed," Tracy said. Her voice sounded aggrieved but her expression told me she loved the attention.

"Hmmm, I can imagine," I said teasingly.

"Speaking of men, there is something you need to know," Tracy said in a lowered voice.

"What's that?" I inquired.

"My intuition tells me that Mr Michael seems to have the hots for you," Tracy said, giggling.

"What!" I exclaimed, my thoughts quickly going down memory's lane of Valentine's day.

"Yes, he asked me about you today," Tracy replied,"It felt weird the first time he spoke to me was to inquire about you."

"What did he say?" I asked inquisitively.

"He noticed you were not the one who served him his cake and asked about you. I had to cover up and tell him you weren't feeling too fine because I didn't see you in the kitchen and he was already waiting for his cake."

My mouth went dry, could it be he only asked me because of the carrot cake? Or because of that night? I thought he would let matters slide and pretend like nothing happened just like I was doing. Could it be that he wanted to see me?

"Move your lazy asses Ladies, we have important company coming," Madam Rosé's voice called out, snapping me back.

Tracy and I resumed work immediately. I diced, sliced, fried and God knew what else. At the end, she shooed us out of the kitchen saying she needed space to cook her signature dish for our guest.

"I'm so tired," Tracy grumbled, dragging her feet.

"Me too," I lamented and asked, "Have any idea who's coming?"

"No idea."

We parted ways at the stairs. I headed towards my room, intending to take a quick bath and change my stained uniform to a clean one.

"We meet again, Miss Larissa."

I jumped in shock, " Can you stop appearing like that Mr Patrick, it's unnerving." I glanced coldly at him as he stood by a corner creepily.

He shrugged, "I came seeking your reply, Miss Larissa. You know, I don't have the time to..."

I didn't even wait for him to finish speaking, not wanting to hear anymore of his nonsense about me not being good enough for Rick as I rudely interrupted,

"I'll be resigning by tomorrow."

Patrick cocked an eyebrow, clearly surprised at my sudden words. He probably thought he would have a hard time trying to convince me to stay away from Rick.

"I'll be expecting your letter." He turned, about to walk away.

"Last I checked, Mr Michael is my employer and he will be the one I would be tendering my resignation letter to," I called out behind him.

He paused and wanted to argue, but changed his mind and walked away.

"From today henceforth, I won't be anyone's plaything. I'll live my life independent of anyone's opinion." I thought to myself.

I went back in the kitchen to help dish the food when Madam Rosé called out.

"Start setting the table, stop dallying," Madam Rosé said hurriedly.

I turned, carrying two of the trays out. I rushed out, not wanting Madam Rosé's shouts ringing in my ears.

I was heading to the dining room when the sight I saw made me gasp; my face paled.

Clang! The trays in my hands fell to the ground with a loud clatter.