His Maid

"I'm sorry Miss Zöella...but we won't be needing you, your services aren't needed here anymore. We appreciate them but they're no more needed." Her boss said.

"But sir...what did I do wrong?" She asked confused.

"I'm saying your services are wanted no more...so get out or do I call security on you ?" He asked angrily.

"No, no need sir...I'd leave." She added as she left the office.

She let her black hair cascade down her back as she grabbed her bag and phone from her office heading through the door.

Goodbye Zealot and co. She said to herself as she flagged down a cab.

"Thanks." She said paying the driver and headed into her apartment.

"Luciano, Estoyencasa." She said kicking off her shoes.

"Luciano?" She said walking towards their bedroom as she heard moans.

She opened the door to see her boyfriend of three years in bed with another woman.

"Luciano...how could you, who's this puta?" She asked as angry tears streamed down her face.

The pain of losing her boyfriend and job was just too much for her.

"Zöella, Puedo explicate," Luciano added climbing up from the bed following her.

"No Luciano...you cannot now get that puta out of my house." She added throwing his stuff out as he got dressed and headed towards the door with the girl in hand.

"Buen Viaje a la basura mala," Luciano added as he banged the door on his way out.

Zöella sat on the couch with her hands in her head. Where was she going to start? She asked herself. How could Luciano do that to her? She thought to herself.

"Zöella, I came as soon as you texted," Zendaya said as she entered the apartment and met her friend with a glass of whiskey.

"Oi...mami, pull yourself together and tell me what happened," Zendaya said taking the bottle of whiskey from her friend, taking a seat beside her.

Zöella told her about what had happened from when she got fired until the time she met Luciano in bed with that puta.

"I'm really, really sorry...we gonna get through this phase soon," Zendaya said hugging her friend.

Zöella sat on the Lazy chair at her backyard with a glass of orange juice in her hand. She had called every contact she had connections with for a job but to no avail.

Was she going back to square one? When she had nothing and nowhere to stay? She asked herself.

"How's it going?" Zendaya asked setting down a plate of hot Italian pasta and meatball sauce before her friend.

"Same old, same old." She said taking a bite of the pasta as its taste exploded into her mouth making her moan.

"Well, I don't know if you'd be interested but an agency is looking for a maid for Alejandro Antonio, as soon as possible. The pay is $2000 a month though and other allowances." She said as Zöella turned to face her friend almost breaking her neck.

"The Alejandro Antonio?" She asked shocked. She could actually consider taking the job then later on when she gets an office job she quits.

"Thank you for this information, Zendaya. It actually means a lot." She added.

Zendaya gave her friend the website of the agency where she applied instantly.

"Well, I gotta go...I need to take care of some stuff." Zendaya added.

"Alright...I'd see you soon and give you feedback if I get any news," Zöella said as her friend walked out the door.

A few minutes after lazying about, She had a notification on her laptop.

She crossed her heart hoping it was from the agency stating she'd gotten the job.

She opened the mail with her heart pounding as it read...

Congratulations Miss Zöella

You've got the job you applied for. Kindly report to the Maids Agency Limited 99th Street, tomorrow at 9:00 am sharp to be taken to your place of work. No lateness.

Thank you.

She read through the mail for the third time before squealing.

"Oh thank goodness...I gotta call Daya." She said getting her phone and dialling her friend's number.

"Guess what." She screamed excitedly as Zendaya picked the call.

"Caray mamá, ¿quieres reventar mi tímpano?" Zendaya asked pulling the phone from her ear.

"Cállate, I got the damn job baby." She told her friend.

"Oi Mami, I'm excited for you... esto llama a la celebración," Zendaya said.

"Si, Si." Zöella agreed.

"I'd meet you at yours in an hours time... Hasta logo". She said before hanging up.

Zöella sat at the reception hall with other ladies who have also been employed as maids in various houses.

The agency had assigned an agent to take them to their various workplaces and their new residence.

They were asked to pack their luggage's when they were coming to the agency.

The ride to their residence was exciting, she talked to other maids and even exchanged contacts with most of them.

"Miss Zöella Castillo, you've arrived at your workplace and home." The agent announced as he helped her with her luggage to the gate of Alejandro's mansion.

His house was breathtakingly beautiful.

The agent rang the bell as a bodyguard came out with the caretaker to open the gate for them.

The caretaker was a beautiful young lady in her 30's. She had green piercing eyes and a beautiful smile.

"You're welcome querido...I'm Kathy Rodriguez by the way, the caretaker of Alejandro's mansion."

"Gusto en conocerlo, Kathy," Zoëlla added as her stomach rumbled making her face red in embarrassment.

"Oh dear, come on let's have some lunch it seems you're starving," Kathy added as they headed for the kitchen and Kathy served them both as they sat talking about random things most especially what Alejandro likes and dislikes.

Kathy showed Zöella her room and then left to take care of somethings. Alejandro had gone on a business trip and was to return in the next three days.

Zöella picked her phone and called Zendaya. She told her about the beauty of the mansion and how she might have found a new friendship in Kathy.

They talked about random things and then Zendaya had to go because she had business to take care of.

Zöella began to unpack her stuff and arrange them since this will be her residence for who knows how long.

She listened to music as she unpacked and arranged the room.

Within a couple of hours later, she was done and decided to take a shower.

A couple of minutes after her shower and after she was fully dressed, she descended the stairs to the kitchen to go and get something to eat since she was starving.

She smelt a delicious aroma as she hurried to the kitchen.

She saw a shirtless man, he was 6'6 and had a toned body and of course 8-packs. His had black messy undercut hair.

"Errrm...Hola?" She greeted in a question-like form.

"Debes ser Zöella, la Nueva criada?" Alejandro asked.

" Si...I am Sir." She added.

"You're welcome." He said dishing his food and leaving the kitchen.

Zöella went on to prepare food for herself, cleared the kitchen before she ate.

After the kitchen looked sparkling clean, she left to her room wondering where Kathy was and how her boss was back early from the trip.

She later retired to her room. She turned on her laptop and started watching movies.

She had some snacks with her the whole time she was binge-watching series.

"Tomorrow is gonna be a long day." She murmured and sighed to herself as she drifted off to sleep.

"She seems different from the rest of the maids I've employed. Well, let's see how that goes."

Alejandro thought to himself as he was going over some important files.

"Buenas Dias sir." Zoëlla greeted as Alejandro entered the kitchen.

"Dónde está mi café?" He asked ignoring her greeting.

"It's here." She said handing him his black coffee with milk and no sugar. It was warm just as he liked it.

He drank the coffee as he checked his phone to see if he had new messages from the office.

"Buenas Dias Ale." Kathy greeted as she walked in dressed in her morning robe which stopped mid-thigh exposing her olive skin and long legs.

"Good morning Kathy." He added making Zoëlla shocked as to why he didn't answer when she greeted.

"Espero que te haya gustado tu café?" She asked as Zoëlla stared at them at the corner of her eyes while she stirred the pot of sauce.

"No estuvo mal Ella lo intentó." He added as Zoëlla smiled sadly at the food she was cooking.

"Kathy, Layla would come and pick up some files in the afternoon. They are on my bed so do well to hand them over to her." He stated.

"I might not be around so Zoëlla will handle that." She added.

"Whatever, just make sure she gets them." He added as he dropped his mug on the counter and left. Kathy went to her room as soon as Alejandro left and then Zoëlla continued with her work.

"Would they ever like me?" She asked herself as she drained water from the Italian pasta. After cooking lunch, she cleaned the kitchen, the hall, the bedrooms and washrooms and then took out the trash.

The doorbell rang right after she took the trash out so she hurried to get it.

"Hi."Layla greeted awkwardly.

"Holla, how may I help you miss?" Zoëlla asked.

"Erm-um-- I came to pick up some files." She stated.

"Okay....but can I offer you a cup of water or juice?" Zoëlla asked shocking Layla.

Wow, she's pretty and polite as well. Layla thought.

"Miss?" Zoëlla called breaking her daydream.

"Juice will do thank you," Layla said as Zoëlla brought her the juice and hurried to get the file.

She picked the file and looked at her surrounding before closing the door and hurrying down.

"Here you go." She handed over the files to Layla who set down her empty glass and took the files.

"Thank you, dear and it's nice to meet you Zoëlla." She added.

"Welcome Layla, hasta logo." She added as she walked her to the door and then came for the glass. She cleaned the water droplets off the table and washed the cup in the kitchen.

She dished out lunch for all the domestic staff and herself since Kathy and Alejandro were not joining them.

After lunch and cleaning the plates she retired to her room to rest. She got snacks out of her bag as she binge-watched a series on Netflix.

"Hi, Kathy." She answered the phone.

"Zoëlla I won't be joining you guys for dinner tonight...in fact, I won't be home for about a week so I need you to take note and it's almost 5:00 pm you need to get started on dinner. Alejandro will be back by 8:00 pm." Kathy ordered.

"Okay...I will have fun wherever you are." Zoëlla added.

"Graçias Zoëlla, hasta logo." She said hanging up.

She decided to prepare Paella for dinner. She hurried to the kitchen and started. First, she heated one tablespoon of oil in a large paella pan over medium-high heat.

She then added chicken and sauteed it for 2 minutes on each side. She then took out the chicken from the pan and added sausage and prosciutto then sauteed for 2 minutes.

Then took it out from the pan and added shrimp, and sauteed for 2 minutes. Remove from pan. Then reduce heat to medium-low. She added onion and bell pepper and sauteed for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then

added tomatoes, paprika, and 3 garlic cloves and allowed to cook for 5 minutes. She added rice and allowed it to cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

She stirred in herb blend, broth mixture, chicken, sausage mixture, and peas. And bought to a low boil; cook 10 minutes, stirring frequently. She added mussels to the pan, nestling them into rice mixture.

And allowed to Cook for 5 minutes until shells open. She then discarded any unopened shells. And arranged shrimp, heads down, in rice mixture, and cooked until shrimps were ready. She sprinkled 1/4 cup lemon juice.

She then removed it from heat and covered it with a towel, and let stand for 10 minutes.

She checked the time and it was 6:30 pm. She went upstairs and showered hurriedly and dressed and came down as she dished dinner to the rest of the staff since they lived in just like her.

She set the table for her boss as she cleaned the pans, pots and plates used to cook the food.

Alejandro rubbed his temple as he walked in. He was tired and hungry.

"Good evening Sir." Zoëlla greeted as she took his briefcase and coat upstairs into his room.

"Where's Kathy?" He asked as he entered the room.

"She said she wasn't going to be home para una Semana." She added heading out.

"Okay...bring my dinner upstairs." He ordered.

"Si," Zoëlla added as she descended the stairs. She dished his food out and took out a box of his favourite juice and set it on the tray along with the food covering it with a napkin.

She knocked on his door and waited for an answer. He opened the door as he had his towel on his waist and water droplets glistening down his hair and arbs. He looked breathtakingly hot.

Zoëlla dropped the tray of food on his table and headed out as she let out a sigh of relief.

She entered her room with her heart pounding just as her phone rang startling her as she answered it.

"Hey, Sia." She answered. She was one of the maids she'd met at the agency. They both talked into the night about their bosses and work.

Alejandro had enjoyed his Paella so much yesterday. He wasn't a fan of it so yesterday when he opened the food and saw it he became angry.

He wanted to throw it away right in front of her face but thought otherwise because he was hungry and tired thus he couldn't go out to eat.

He took one bite of it and suddenly it's flavours burst into his mouth as he moaned. It was delicious and he didn't even realize when he was done with his food.

He even took the plates to the kitchen himself after the meal.

"Buenas Dias, Zoëlla." He greeted her as he entered the kitchen.

"Buenas Dias sir." She responded shocked.

She placed his coffee in front of him as she left to the backyard garden to pick herbs to prepare food for the day.

"Thanks for yesterday, I enjoyed the meal. I don't like Paella but yours was wonderful." Alejandro complimented.

"You welcome and contento de que te haya gustado." She added smiling as Alejandro was about leaving.

"Sir, your collar is not fastened well." She added as she approached him about helping him when he held her hands and threw them down.

"Listen here puta, you work here is to cook and clean not whatever you tried doing just now, watch yourself. I'd never fall for a lowlife like you. Just because I complimented you doesn't mean I like you get that into your Cabeza dura, you understand ?"

" S-s-s-si Sir." She said wiping tears off her face as he left for the office.

"It's okay Zoëlla." Edwardo the young bodyguard consoled her.

"Edwardo hice algo mal ?"She asked sobbing.

"No you didn't, just do you and don't let him get to you. You're a nice and intelligent person but circumstances brought you here." He consoled.

"Graçias Edwardo." She added getting up and clearing the kitchen as Edwardo went to his duty post.

Sia came through to her place as they weren't far from each other, besides they were neighbours.

It's been three weeks since she heard from Daya. She had called her but no answer. She hoped she was well.

"What do I get you to eat ?" She asked her new friend.

"Anything dear." She added as Zoëlla headed to the kitchen, she heated some of the leftover paellas for her and left some for her boss just in case.

She dished out a plate for her and got a bottle of water and juice for her.

"Thank you," Sia added as she took a bite out of the Paella moaning.

"Zoëlla this is damn good." She added as Zoëlla smiled.

"Thanks," Zoëlla added as she began preparing dinner which was Carrillada.

How was he going to face her? He asked himself as his driver drove him home.

She meant no harm after all. Well, she is his maid and he could talk or relate to her anyhow and no one could do nada. He thought nodding.

"Hi Emilia." He said through her phone.

"Sweety Estoy en tu casa." She added.

"I'd be right there in a moment." He added hanging up as they reached home. He got out of the car and entered the house.

"Babes." She said as she hugs him.

"Have you gotten food to eat?" He asked as they climbed the stairs.

"No, I was waiting for you." She added as they entered his bedroom.

Zoëlla set the table for them and waited as the descended the stairs.

She microwaved last night's paella and added it to the table. She served her boss and then later Emilia.

"This tastes horrible!" Emilia exclaimed while she knew very well she was wrong.

"I'm sorry ma'am, I can prepare something else for you." Zoëlla reasoned.

"Oh shut up Puta." She added throwing the got plate of Carrillada unto her arm making her shriek in pain.

"Emilia, Que demonios fue eso?". Alejandro asked angrily as Zoëlla rushed outside leaving them behind.

Luckily she had money on her so she flagged down a cab to the hospital and asked Sia to meet her there.

"Oh come on, she's just a maid they deserve that treatment." She added nonchalantly.

"If that's how you treat your staff fine, but not mine we're done I can't be with a heartless woman like you. Get your stuff and go." He added.

"No me dejes volver a verte en mi casa Porque si lo hago, solo Dios sabe lo que haré." He said as he hurried outside.

Where could she be? He thought to himself.

He had called her number but to no avail. He sat outside as he saw his driver drive Emilia off which was the least of his worries.

Zoëlla's burns were severe because the food was hot and because she had soft skin it made it worse.

They wanted to admit her but she refused as she left with Sia.

"Graçias Sia, hasta logo, Buenas Noches." She told her friend as she got out. She met her boss seated with his head in his hands.

"Sir, is everything okay?" She asked.

"Oh Zoëlla, thank goodness you're safe." He trailed off as he saw the bandage on her hand.

"Sir I'd be clearing the table." She said as she entered the house.

"Don't, I'd let Edwardo do so, go upstairs and go rest." He added as she left for her room wondering what had happened to her boss.

It had been a month since Zoëlla had worked with Alejandro. She had learnt to get used to his crazy mood swings. One day he's nice and the next minute he is rude.

She'd learnt the meals that he loved most and those he didn't like.

She could tell how his eyes lit when his favourite foods were served and how he hardly ate a plate full of the ones he didn't like.

She had been hearing from Kathy, once a while who was living her life to the fullest, travelling around the world.

She, Sia and Edwardo had become good friends.

"Hi Zoëlla, Layla greeted as she walked in with her boss." They had some files to finish off since it was getting late Alejandro suggested they complete them in his house.

"Holla Layla, Holla Sir." She responded to Layla's greeting and greeted her boss who waved her off.

She served their dinner and took it to his study room as he had requested. She placed the tray on the centre table and dished out the food.

It was Paella. She could see the smile on her boss's tired face.

"Disfrute de su comida," Zoëlla added as she was about leaving the room.

"Zoëlla, Layla would be sharing your room with you for tonight. I hope you have something that she could wear tonight and tomorrow morning?" He asked.

"Si sir." She stated.

"Very well then," Alejandro said as she left the room.

Layla and Zoëlla talked through the night. They both got to know about each other.

"She qué?" Layla said amused.

"Yeah, the two-timing puta was shagging Luciano all along, before I even caught him cheating," Zoëlla added.

"I'm so sorry Zoëlla, in all you've got to work with a rude boss," Layla added.

"It's fine, I've gotten used to him and his tantrums." She said as they giggled.

Zoëlla woke up earlier than usual, she searched through her suitcase for office wear for Layla.

She's such a nice girl. Zoëlla thought.

She picked a maroon off-shoulder office dress that stopped at the knees and a black blazer, then pencilled heels for her. She neatly ironed the clothes and hanged them in the closet.

She prepared breakfast for both of them and waited for them to come downstairs.

"Good morning Zoëlla, thanks for the clothes I'd return them tomorrow," Layla added.

She looked stunning in the clothes. The dress hugged her curvy figure perfectly.

"No, Layla eres Como Una Hermana pequeña para mi." She said as she served her boss his coffee and a sandwich and Layla a cappuccino and muffins.

"Have a nice day at work." She said to them as Steve took Alejandro's suitcase.

Alejandro held his tummy as Layla helped him into the house.

"What's wrong with him?" Zöella asked concerned.

"He's sick, I think it's from something he ate outside," Layla stated as Zöella helped them upstairs.

Zöella went to the kitchen to prepare soup for her boss. She decided to prepare Sopa de Pollo con Fideos.

She peeled and coarsely chopped vegetables and then heated a large skillet over medium heat. She then added the olive oil and garlic and sautéd the vegetables for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Then she added the chicken backs to the pan and allowed the chicken to brown for 2 to 3 minutes. She added water and bay leaves and allowed them to simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Then sprinkled salt to taste. The chicken will be soft and practically falling off the bones. She removed the chicken from the pot and separated the skin from the bones.

She put pieces of the meat back into the soup pot and added oregano and gave it a good stir. She increased the heat making the soup boil fast.

She broke dry noodles in half and added them to the soup. She cooked until the noodles were done. And then dished out a bowl for her boss.

She set the soup on a tray with water and then carried it to his room. Layla had left for home so Zöella had to feed him and made sure he took his drugs.

She set the food on the table and helped him sit up with the help of his pillows.

She began feeding him with the soup patiently waiting for him to chew the meat and noodles before giving him another spoon.

"Estoy lleno Zöella." He added pushing the spoon away. She set the bowl of soup down and helped him take his drugs.

"Get some rest, Sir, you'd feel better when you wake up."

"Thanks, Zöella." He yawned as he fell asleep. Zöella cleaned up the kitchen and dished herself a pot of soup and then headed for her room.

She went through her mail and still she had not received any email for an interview with the companies she'd applied for.

How long was she going to be his maid? She questioned herself.

The pay was decent. She had been able to save up a lot since she wasn't paying any rent, not bills. But she had to get a job that qualified her status.

She was an MPhil holder. She thought as she lay on her bed.

She recalled those days where she had a decent job and where everyone had repeated her. But now all the people she helped had long forgotten her and the efforts she made towards them.

Most of them had stabbed her in the back and leaving her to her fate.

Alejandro got out of bed already feeling better. He knocked on Zöella's door.

"Come in." She stated. She had changed from her work clothes into bum shorts and a big sweatshirt that stopped mid-thigh.

Alejandro entered and sat on the couch beside her bed.

"Sir, are you okay? You shouldn't be out of bed now." She stated genuinely concerned.

"Estoy Bien, Zöella." He said.

"Alright, Sir." She sat on her bed. There was an awkward silence for a while before Alejandro spoke up.

"I'm so sorry for treating you bad Zöella, I thought you were like all the others." He added.

"It's fine Sir, I understand since we're not in the same status. It's bound to happen." She stated as Alejandro sat close to her on her bed.

"I'm sorry, let's start on a clean slate." He added as she hugged him. She felt warm and loved.

Her heart beat rapidly against her chest. His hair smelt of pineapples. He smelled so delicious.

"Okay, Sir." She broke the hug. "Call me Alejandro dear." He said getting up.

"Graçias Zöella for everything." He smiled.

"It's fine Alejandro." She said as he walked out shutting the door behind him.

"What the hell just happened?" Zöella thought audibly.