75
CHAPTER 75.
MAYA.
I was giddy with excitement as Tianna and I dutifully followed the guard but what made me even happier was the fact that it hadn’t taken any time at all. Everything had just happened quickly, as if it was too easy. He led us through a series of corridors and hallways until we arrived at the office.
There were movements inside and someone was scolding another person on top of their voice. Tianna and I were silent as we stood there, our arms crossed behind our backs. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on inside. The guard listened in and after a few seconds, he stepped back with a smile on his face.
“She’s with one of the maids. You’ll wait a little bit more.” He said, before crossing his arms in front of him. I flashed him a smile which died as soon as it came.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“OK, thank you. There is no problem with that. We will wait.” I replied before taking a deep breath. The scolding continued, until suddenly, the door opened and a maid walked out of the room furiously. Her face was squeezed and she didn’t look so happy. She walked past us and the woman who was inside suddenly sprang to her feet.
“Come back here!” She commanded, but the maid hastened up and began to jog down the hallway. Her head was bent and she seemed to be crying now.
“What is going on?” The guard asked, as he finally took his eyes from the maid who had run down through the hallway. The woman shook her head.
“She wants to go on leave. But she can’t.” She laughed, before her eyes left the guard and fell upon us. A curious look immediately took hold of her features.
“Who are these ladies?” She asked, running her eyes up and down our frame. I stood at attention and smiled.
“Good day, ma’am.” Tianna said the same, but it wasn’t enough to answer the question. The guard who had brought us signalled us to go on and introduce ourselves.
“My name is Mary, and this is my sister, Emily.” I said, as Tianna bowed curtly. The woman who now looked stern raised an eyebrow as she asked another question.
“OK, how can I help you? You haven’t answered the question ladies. I would like to know why you are here because I can’t remember seeing any of you. You work here in the Packhouse, no?” She asked, as her eyes continued to trail from Tianna to me, before exchanging a meaningful quick glance with the guard.
“Oh,” Tianna chuckled. “Please, ma’am, we are here to apply for maid positions. We are willing to work hard and learn quickly.” She said, saving me from the mental stress of thinking about what to say next.
She had spoken with a plea, and it seemed to touch the woman’s heart, but soon the look vanished from her face and the stern look returned. It chilled me to the bone. She looked so strict, and so authoritative, no wonder why she was the housekeeper of such a large and prosperous Packhouse. Her bearing was a very confident one. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“Oh, wordy but I’m not currently seeing maids. Come back another time.” She said, making my heart skip a beat.
“Another time?” I didn’t like how that sounded. Another time could be too late, and I didn’t want any of that to happen. If we left here today, there was a very little chance that we would get this ever again, considering what she had just said to me.
I didn’t back down easily, I persisted, making sure I’d be very tough and try my best before conceding to her words.
“Please, ma’am, just a chance to prove ourselves. We will do our best to impress you.” She said. She sighed heavily again.
“I’m sorry, ladies. The time for that hasn’t come yet.” She said. I was about to reply when the deep voice behind me chimed.
“Some of your maids are on leave. And I doubt the maid you sent out will be staying here for long. Why don’t you just take them in and let them work until the rest return. It was the guard who spoke, and I couldn’t have been happier. She sighed again, before planting her balled fist on her hips. There was a hint of a smile on her lips.
“Well, OK. Come in. I’m Ursula, by the way. And please, don’t call me ma’am. I’m not that old yet.” She chuckled, but it didn’t reach her tired eyes. She didn’t look like she had much strength left. As she walked back into the room and Tianna followed suit, I turned back to the guard and flashed him a dazzling smile.
“Thank you so much.” I whispered. His eyes raked over me hungrily, but I didn’t care. The most important thing was getting what I wanted using him.
He took my hand and kissed it, “My pleasure, good luck on your interview.” He finished before signalling me to go inside. I quickly walked inside, wondering if there could be a way to get him to do what I wanted as soon as we became maids.
He looked strong, and he was muscular, so I could use some of his help. I suppressed the thought, knowing that this wasn’t the time yet. There was still a lot of time to get things done. And one of the most important steps was very close.
“She gestured for me to sit and replied. “Well, tell me, what makes you think you’re suitable for this position?” She asked. It was Tianna who broke the silence. She sounded so confident for someone who had been pessimistic about the whole idea of going on this mission.
“Ma’am we are hardworking, diligent and also quick learners. We’ll do our best to serve…” She was interrupted when the woman raised a finger. “That’s enough. Let me see some ID.” She replied. We handed her our cards and she went through them.
I was very happy when she ran her eyes over them and put it in her drawer.
“We’ll be needing them if anything happens. Come back tomorrow, you both will be working at the laundry. Then I’ll see how you are faring. And make sure to come with your parents.”
The smile instantly died out of our faces.