A Mistaken Night With The CEO

6: Warning glare

"Oh!" Miranda rubbed her sleepy eyes, wishing she could continue her wonderful dreams. But when her big brown eyes landed on the wall clock in her room, she gasped, "Oh my goodness! 10 a.m."

Although it was Saturday, Miranda knew Lady Loretta often insisted she prepare her tea and attend to her other needs.

Leaping out of bed without another care in the world, Miranda quickly dashed out of her maid's room, rushing past Juliet, who shook her head in disgust.

Juliet was two years older than Miranda and a single mother, though she kept this secret from the Luis family.

Juliet had landed a job with the Luis family after being kicked out of her parents' home. Her parents were wealthy, but Juliet couldn't identify the man who had gotten her pregnant. Having a child out of wedlock was against her parents' standards. She had spent one night with a mysterious man and believed she would recognize him if she saw him again, but five years had passed without a sighting.

He was young then, probably not older than twenty-two. Juliet didn't bother searching for him, assuming he wouldn't accept her. Now, she worked as a maid to support her four-year-old son, who was with her parents. They refused to sponsor her needs after the birth, telling her to work as she had chosen adult pleasures. She should be responsible for her son as a consequence of her choices.

Juliet, just as fair-skinned and beautiful as Miranda, did not like her, perhaps because she too was interested in the house master and wanted his attention.

Derrick was 25 years old, and Juliet was 24. She wished she were a bit younger and not a single mother; then, she might have pursued Derrick.

Remembering her son back home, Juliet left Miranda's room and headed to the kitchen to continue her work.

"Miranda, what happened with Melody last night? Did you get into a fight?" Lady Loretta Luis was seated on a pristine white couch in the living room as she questioned Miranda. She couldn't simply drop the matter as Derrick had suggested.

Lady Loretta had enforced a no-fighting rule among her maids, aware that jealousy often arose among women. Without such a rule, she feared a serious incident might occur in her mansion.

"I'm sorry, Ma. The lady slapped me again after Master Derrick and his guest left us upstairs. She slapped me twice and hit my head against the wall, and I only defended myself," Miranda explained, her head bowed as she knelt before Lady Loretta.

Miranda wasn't accustomed to lying, which had earned Lady Loretta's trust.

"But you know fighting is not allowed here. Why didn't you report Melody to the guards? They're here to ensure peace in the mansion. You could have asked a guard to escort her out. I didn't like your actions or Melody's last night. That behavior isn't tolerated here. Am I clear?" Lady Loretta was annoyed. Before Miranda could respond, footsteps were heard on the staircase. Looking to her right and behind, Miranda saw Derrick approaching.

Derrick was in a white shirt and black pants, wearing black slippers. Being Saturday, he wasn't heading to the office.

"Mother, what's going on here again?" Derrick asked, pretending not to notice Miranda.

Seeing Miranda again, kneeling before his mother with her head bowed, her blonde hair scattered and partially covering her face and neck, reminded Derrick of seeing her naked the previous night. He tried to dismiss the thought immediately.

"Good morning, Son. It's Miranda. I know you're not familiar with my maids. But it troubles me that she got into a fight last night, and if this isn't addressed, others might think fighting is acceptable here," Lady Loretta explained, as the other maids greeted Derrick. "Good morning, Sir."

"Hmm, then we should terminate her employment. A maid shouldn't be causing us stress," Derrick suggested, though he left other meanings unsaid. Miranda quickly pleaded, "Please, Ma. I'm sorry. I promise not to fight here again. I have nowhere to go, and I really need my job to survive."

Derrick's eyes darkened. He knew his mother might forgive Miranda, charmed by her soft voice.

He didn't want to mention how Miranda had intruded in his space the previous night, making him sleep late and miss his morning exercise.

Silence fell in the living room as the other maids waited for Miranda's possible dismissal. They too disliked Miranda. Her beauty seemed to taunt them as she walked with pride, often in seductive outfits since there was no mandated uniform for the maids.

"Hmm, Derrick. I might have sacked her, but I like Miranda. I appreciate her service. I admire how she speaks and carries out her duties. It's surprising to hear she's violent; I never saw it when I hired her. I saw an eager girl with big, shining brown eyes," Lady Loretta sighed.

Derrick frowned, his face stoic as he stood before his mother. He wanted to take a walk outside and not think about Miranda anymore.

If his mother liked Miranda, sacking her would upset her.

"So, what will you do with her now, Mom?" Derrick asked. "I don't want her services here and suggest you send her away before she causes more harm than good."

"No, my son. It’s good to have a forgiving heart. I have no issues with Miranda, and I won’t let outsiders come between me and my staff. They’re all my children, so I’ll correct her. Miranda," Lady Loretta turned back to her.

"Let this be the last time you’re reported for fighting in my home. If it happens again, you’ll be shown the exit. Is that understood?" Lady Loretta said, her expression stern.

Miranda nodded obediently, "Yes, Mother."

"Good. You may leave now. And why are you still in your nightgown? Did you forget your duties, or did you just wake up?" Lady Loretta asked, eyeing Miranda.

"I’m sorry, Ma. The cold kept me awake last night, regretting my actions," Miranda said.

Others assumed she referenced her altercation, but Miranda had Derrick in mind.

Derrick's fist clenched. He couldn't believe Miranda would boldly lie and backtalk to his mother.

Why was she testing his patience after the previous night?

"It's alright. Don’t repeat your mistakes. Show that you’ve learned, and avoid hurting anyone's feelings, alright?" Lady Loretta advised softly, looking warmly at Miranda.

"Okay, Ma. Thank you for forgiving me," Miranda replied.

"Yes. Go prepare my breakfast. You know how I like it, and don’t delay. I was waiting for you before sending Juliet. Go now," Lady Loretta instructed, her gaze shifting to Derrick, who was silently leaving, displeased by her decision to forgive the maid.