Touched

His wife fell silent as her hand began to shake in the air, it was almost falling to the ground with full certainty that it would touch my face before reaching the ground. In the sprint he rushed and grabbed the iron from his wife's hand while I quickly stepped backward.

"What was that about?!" He questioned his wife in ire.

"What do you mean? Am I not allowed to teach the maid a lesson if she messes up?" Shirley queried.

"You are permitted but on a second note, she is human and not an animal" he collected the iron from his wife.

"How about plastering this on your face and you tell me how it feels?" he questioned rhetoric with a scornful stare, Shirley shot her a sharp angry look.

"You... You..." Shirley leaves her husband's side and approaches her, she raises her hands to slap Emerald but surprisingly, a hot slap rested on her face.

"What?" Shirley turned to her husband in shock, even Emerald lost word.

"What did he just do? He only made things worse" she thought frantically as she stepped backward stylishly.

"She is our maid but you ain't allowed to temper with her" he said, provoked.

"What has come over you, Blade!?" Shirley yelled at him angrily.

"Now, get lost" he sneered, Shirley stared at him in anger and left the living room. She exhaled deeply in relief.

"All of you leave" Blade instructed and all the maids that were on scene drifted away from the living room including Emerald, but he called her back.

"Yes, sir?'' She broke the silence that had been prevailing for almost five minutes.

"Are you ... alright?" he turned to her, taking a little step closer to her, they had no gap between them which made it even harder for her to breathe.

"Ye... yes sir" she nodded nervously.

"Did she startle you?" he asked softly with his eyes peering on every corner of her round smooth face, she swallowed.

"Definitely but I'm alright," she said.

"I will set things straight from tomorrow so you won't have any hard time working here in future" he said softly in a calm, interesting tone.

For some reason, she felt he was being too nice to her this evening yet she couldn't think of any reason why he should.

"Sorry for the troubles. Thank you, sir" she tried to smile modestly.

Still in the heat of the moment, he sent some loose hair lying on her face to the back of her ear, tenderly grazing his hands on her face; his touch sent shivers up her spine.

"Sir... Good night, sir" she stuttered nervously.

"Sure" after his short nod, she rushed out of the living room heading straight to her bedroom.

She blew a breeze on her face with her hands and mouth, and she lay on the bed flat with her flushed face.

"What was that?" she wondered in astonishment and confusion as the past incident flashed back to her memory.

She couldn't believe she was standing so close to her boss, and also he touched her and spoke calmly to her and -

"Wake up, Emerald!" she slapped her cheek, shyly.

She felt embarrassed to be reminiscing on an awful past but it isn't her fault, Blake wasn't any regular man that comes by.

He made butterflies to fluster in her stomach and also made her cold heart to thumb again after so many years.

It took some hours before she could slowly drift to sleep.

How wicked nature can be, morning arrived so fast and Emerald sluggishly started her day doing domestic chores. She quickly arranged the living room, balcony and the places frequently used by the Blakes and around 7:25AM, they came downstairs to have breakfast.

She set the dishes on the table as Christine entered into the dining room with her father, Shirley was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Madam Blake?" she wondered in silence as she focused on what she was doing.

"Good morning, Mr. Blake and to you, Christine" she greeted courteously as they took their seats across from each other.

They begin eating delicately while she stands at the side of the door waiting to be called upon.

"Emerald.... right?" Blake raised a brow lifting his gaze away from the plate.

"Yes sir" she walked forward closer to them.

"Dad, do you want anything from her?" Christine questioned curtly.

"Shut up!" he fired instantly.

Another thing noticeable in the Blake's family is that Christine hardly gets her parents attention and they pay no attention to her. She is neglected and being treated like an adult, that is why she is distant from them, rude and cares about nobody. But at least, she tries to show an attempt in getting her father's attention. The results remain futile.

"Anything, sir?" she asked politely.

"It's Friday, today. You are permitted to visit your parents and family but make sure to return early" he said calmly.

No one would ever believe Mr. Blake to be this considerate and understanding, she nodded continuously.

"Thank you very much sir" she said happily.

"Dad, I thought mum gave her no vacation?" Christine said cryptically, shooting her a disdainful stare.

"Whenever I'm talking, never speak!" he said in ire and Christine fell shut immediately.

He exhaled and stood from the seat, giving her a dekko. He left the room and I sighed.

"If so, who is driving me to school?" Christine asked angrily.

"I think you will need to book a designated driver" she said sarcastically as she backwardly left the dining room even before Christine would say a word.

Engulfed with happiness, Emerald strolled on the street with keys dangling on her waist. She was not able to make use of the expensive cars by the Blakes because of Shirley's abrupt personality and also to avoid people from knowing the kind of job she's doing.

She is so familiar with the street which gave her happiness and warmth that she's back home. She was also happy by the way Blake kept to his word without going back, she finally has weekends to herself even if it's a short time.

"My eyes ain't fooling me, right?" someone blocked her path of the street, she was wearing a dark shade.

"Debby?" This was the first name that escaped from her mouth as she anxiously stared at the feminine figure in front of her.

"Yes, it's Debby in the flesh" and Deborah pulled her dark shade wearing a bright smile.

"What have you been doing? I hardly hear from you" Deborah complained sadly.

"Well, you also need to know," she exhaled.

"I'm working as a babysitter for a rich family and the pay is pretty cool" she informed happily with a smile on her face and Deborah nudges her jokingly.

"Is there any work my Em can't do?" Deborah teased her as they began walking down the street.

"I can't steal, you know" she winked mischievously and they burst into laughter.

"How about dropping by at my place before visiting mum?" Deborah suggested.

"Talking about my mother, did she give you anything?" she asked anxiously.

"Anything? Is she supposed to give something to me?" Deborah asked, looking clueless.

"You mean my mum hasn't given you anything?" she asked rhetorically which made Deborah to breathe out loud like a scoff.

"Just let me know if I'm to receive something from her," Deborah said.

"Well..." she sighed, rubbing her forehead gently.

"I gave my mum the exact cash you paid for her during her last surgery" she frowned slightly.

"I thought she must have given you by this time" she said and Deborah laughed.

"And you made it sound so serious," Deborah said.

"Actually your mum told me about the fund and I asked her to keep it" Deborah paused.

"I mean, she needs the cash more than I do and judging by your job, you barely have time to visit her" Deborah sighed.

"I know," she said sadly.

"Don't bother to pay back. That's only a token, allow mum to live in peace" Deborah urged calmly.

"I thought she never told you about it" by this time, they were closer to Deborah's estate.

"Em, how about I request that you quit your job?" Deborah said rhetorically and she paused trying to understand her friend's words.

"Quit. My. Job?" she questioned, confused.

"Yes. Quit your job and I will pay you monthly" Deborah paused.

"All you have to do is make sure mum is in good condition and the same as you" Deborah added and she smirked.

"Sounds like an exclusive contract but unfortunately, I'm not interested" Deborah unlocked the door and she pushed her aside, entering into the fully air conditioned flat.

The flat was well equipped with exquisite furniture and appliances. Only the interior speaks " money " at first sight.

"Wow! It feels like ages since I came to your house" she exclaimed in astonishment with her eyes glancing at every corner of the wonderful house.

The wallpaper, wall stickers and beautiful artwork frame made the living room enchanting.

"Em, you have to accept my request. It's better than leaving your mother alone without hearing from her for a week ..." before Deborah could finish speaking, the ringing phone of Emerald cut her off.