These Fragmented Parts

CHAPTER EIGHT

“I HEARD YOU JUST MOVED to your new place, did you have nice housewarming presents?” Celine asked, as I just smiled timidly. After having a small conversation with her about many random things a while ago, she handed me a black button up dress and a white apron to prevent me from soiling my ‘beautiful clothes’ as what she said earlier and I didn’t know that the uniforms of the helpers are really comfortable.

“I didn’t. I guess it was just a bad timing,” I said as we both made our way to the hall upstairs, no pictures just abstract paintings that were minimal in design as well. The walls were just white contrasting the dark colored floor and it was so quiet and lifeless despite the subtle extravagance and order it holds. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I can really feel a place whether it feels comfortable to be in or just plain energy draining, and certainly, this place feel empty.

“I see, I shouldn’t really pry,” She laughed it off, smoothing the conversation. It was so easy to talk to her as if I have nothing to force in myself. “There’s nothing much to do here honestly, they barely come home. They just come here when they need something. The things look mostly untouched.” We were taking small steps as I tried my best to observe my surroundings although there weren’t that much to see.

“Where do they usually go?”

“Well, I think it’s an upper class thing, if the social hierarchy still exists up to now... Mrs. Elena LaCour is the chief executive officer of local vegan products, called ‘Extravegance’ if you heard of that already. Her family owns a farm and an orchard in a countryside which became the source of her products and from time to time, she has business trips meeting with potential investors from different places,”

“Oh, so she is vegetarian, it must be tough.” I commented, as we both paused and leaned on the ledge. It seemed as though she hasn’t been in a decent conversation for such a long time and I was glad that she wasn’t making this as a chore to me.

“She is not, but she hides it from the public. She also lied about having cancer and being cured throughm being a vegetarian, for the sake of the credibility of her products, but it seems so paradoxical isn’t it?”

“Oh no, you are very gossipy.” I laughed which made her laugh while she was nodding. Her skin was so pale, her cheeks got rosier when she laughs.

“There’s nothing to deny, but they don’t really care and I have not much interests on family secrets as well and they know that.”

“I can see how much one risks only for business success. I just really thought things like this only happen in books and soap operas. It’s quite fascinating to know that things like this exist in real life,” I said.

“I thought so too, before I worked here until I find out things on my own and they don’t care if I found out or I don’t But they give me extra cash to secure themselves that not a single word will get out although without the extra pay, there’s no way I’d use my own energy to expose them and their products even when I heard that they use small portions of meat as extenders in some of their products.”

“You are very committed and true to your work, I admire that. “ She smiled upon my remark

“Yes, I love what I do. But I am also utterly disinterested in stirring troubles that will just cause me.”  She explained.

“How about Mrs. Lacour’s husband?”

“He works in the town hall as a head in the finance department I think, that’s all I know about him. I barely see him here as well, and for their only son, Stinson he has an apartment of his own but sometimes he stays here with your sister,”

“Oh, Chloe did not mention anything to us since they just began dating. How long have you been working here by the way? And I’m sorry for the questions; I got really interested with all the things that you shared to me.” I was taken aback how I was getting along well.

“I’ve worked here ever since I was around your age or older. They’ve had me here for so long,”

“I see why their secrets are not much of a big deal to you.”

“I’ve seen people come and go. Cooks, gardeners, other helpers and yes they have those here. We are the only people in here since they are doing extra help in the orchard in the countryside.” I nodded.

“Anyway, we should get going, shall we?  for the things we’ll be doing today I’d be dry cleaning their suits and what’s scheduled for Claudia’s work today is to clean the bathrooms, I hope it’s okay with you and if you need something, I’d be in the next room. You can begin cleaning here and the cleaning materials are also there, I had it ready a while ago before you arrived.”

“Thank you for assisting,” We both smiled at each other before she went downstairs for a reason I do not know, maybe she was getting something. Even the sound of her footsteps barely made any sound. However, I opened the door and entered a spacious guest bathroom that looked clean enough but I guess it needs some maintaining. When Celine referred to bathrooms, I started thinking about how many bathrooms this house has which gave me the conclusion that they must really be a wealthy family.

 I took a few moments to look at myself in front of the mirror as I felt how much I viewed myself with so much disgust due to the exhaustion evident on the rough patches of my face, my tired eyes, and my hair on a clean bun, and the entirety of myself in this kind of uniform. It gave me the feeling of absurdity.

I was about to pick up the bucket on the floor until I was disrupted when I suddenly heard the door creak open as I gasped in shock when I turned my head and saw a man a few years older than me, with dark hair, listless eyes and a finely chiseled jaw line with his glare pinned on me. He shut the door softly. My heart began pounding violently.

“Look what we have here,” He took a few steps towards me and stood behind me. I could see his reflection in the mirror with those devilish teasing eyes. “It’s me Stinson, if you haven’t met me yet.” His voice was gravel causing my heart to pound faster. He placed his hand on the side of my arm, smirking as he ran it slowly, slithering down with his fingertips.

“I wish I met you earlier, you’re lovelier than your dirty-mouthed sis,” He chuckled after allowing those words slip from his mouth as if those nauseating was silk sliding on his lips. I was absolutely frozen on my tracks seemingly as though I was swallowing rocks that wound my throat; I can’t bring myself to do anything.

“Are you going to use the bathroom?” My voice almost creaked. I was shaking and it was evident enough. Despite the look of terror my face holds, he seemed to like it as he was scheming to devour on it.

“I’d be glad to use it with you here,” He chortled lowly. I turned away to leave but he moved closer causing my lower back to be further pressed on the sink. “It’s funny how it turns me on seeing women wear this kind of junk. There’s no way that bratty sister of you will wear this for me, such a little shit.” He tucked a strand of hair on my ear with his glare still pinned on me as if he was scrutinizing my whole existence through his gaze.

“Don’t touch me,” I warned but I doubt that it would get me out of this situation.

“You are not the first substitute here; we’ve had more than one. And you know why they never return? I make sure I f**k their brains out,”

“Please stop it,” I writhed but he held my wrist. “I haven’t thrashed anyone here yet, you can be the first one,” He whispered giving my earlobe a bite. I whined in pure disgust. “I wonder what kind of lingerie is underneath this uniform I always salivate for,” I was dying to escape from his grip but I couldn’t bring myself to escape neither scream and ask for help. Even if I would, I doubt someone will hear me.

The door suddenly creaked open, Celine’s eyes were widened in shock and fortunately, Stinson let go of me giving me one last gaze. “We’re not done yet,”

He turned to Celine and muttered, “And you, you know your business.” He stormed outside of the bathroom as Celine hastened towards me. “Are you alright?”

The day hasn’t officially begun but why do I feel like it’s already over?