ANDRÉ

Hell, how did I forget to tell Halle about Sophia? This is definitely not good at all. I can practically see the wheels in her head spinning.

"I ask again, who is this bitch?" She repeats.

"Halle, sweetheart." I stand up and work to her, trying to calm her down. I kiss her hands and look into her eyes, then draw her into my arms.

"This is Sophia, the new housekeeper." I explain.

"Why is she..." she points at Sophia. "...your new housekeeper? Where is Mary?" She continues.

"She had to retire and she was the replacement I got." I further say.

"Okay." I watch her give her a long intimidating stare before her gaze returns to me.

"No problem." She smiles.

SOPHIA

I can see through a fake smile anytime anyday and that is exactly what Halle or whatever her name is, sends my way.

I don't like her, that is how plain about my emotions to her that i can get. I just dont like her, and for the records, no one has the right to call me a bitch anymore. It reminds me too much of that place. My worse reoccuring nightmare.

"Sophia, meet Halle, my girlfriend." He finally drops the bombshell and the final piece to the puzzle.

"Nice meeting you." I manage to say and stretch my hand for a handshake.

"And you too." She grips my hand tightly, offering me the sweetest fake smile ever.

"Please, excuse me." I scurry off to my room. Thank Goodness, the cleaning staff are coming in today. I hurriedly take off my clothes and take my bath, appreciating the water as it runs down my body.

Having finished my business in here, I  grab a towel from the rack and dry my body. Then head to the room where I apply some body lotion and deodorant before putting on my clothes.

...

"What do you think you are doing?" I hear her ask behind me.  Rolling my eyes, I turn.

"Hi." I say, trying to lighten up the air around here.

"Are you deaf, Safy?" She says, in a bid to spite me.

"It's Sophia." I correct her.

"Whatever." She waves her fingers over my face dismissively.

"I want to prepare breakfast." I reply, not ready for a fight. I'll take in all her banters because of André. He is my employer, afterall and the last thing I want right now is to go jobless.

"Make that a meal for one, I'll cook for André." She says and sashays to the cupboards.

"Okay." I nod and reduce the flour content for the pancakes I was about to mix before she walked in.

I mix in all other ingredients and fry. After that, I serve myself a glass of orange juice and head to watch my favorite show, Game of Thrones, on my phone, while eating. I love the show because of the crazy and twisted plots in it.

Two episodes later, I was still watching when I hear the bell ding. That must be the cleaning staff. I stand up to open the door for them to get in.

"Hey, Lorette." I great and hug the woman in charge.

"Sophia, dear." She squeezes my cheeks.

"As expected." I laugh, holding my cheeks in an attempt to hide it from her.

"What the hell?" We hear from the kitchen area, we exchange eye contacts before rushing there.

I hold in my laughter as we get there. André was repeatedly trying to rinse his mouth while Halle just sat there, bitching up as usual.

On a plate was a failed attempt at making pasta. Going up close, I pick a fork and scoop a little into my mouth, carefully.

Apparently, miss 'a meal for one' here mistook Sugar for Salt and you know what happens next. And to think she poured in a great quantity.

"Sorry, sir." I quickly rinse my mouth and fetch a glass of juice for him to get rid of the bad taste in his mouth.

"Thank you. That was helpful." He says. I look at Lorette and she raises an eyebrow at me, I knew I had some explanations to give later, but for now, let's focus on the matter on ground. She turns and makes her exit to go supervise the cleaning crew she came with.

"I made two extra pieces of pancakes, do you care for?" I ask.

"Yes, please. Add some sausage to that." He replies.

I quicky prepare the sausage and serve him. All this while, I could feel Halle's gaze on me. I am just doing my job, I repeatedly remind myself in my head.

I serve him the food and sit quietly away from them. Plugging in my earpiece, I finish up the episode I was watching prior to the cleaning staff arrival.

"Aren't you supposed to be somewhere?" She still has the nerve to ask, holding in my laughter I shake my head 'no' and wait till André finishes with the food. I clear up and leave.

...

"Who is she?" Lorette asks me the moment I join her. This time, I could not hold it again, I burst into laughter.

"She's André's girlfriend." I finally speak.

"I know there's more to that." She nudges.

"Okay. So, I went jogging this morning and returned to meet André watching TV. Then she comes in and starts calling me a bitch. I had my suspicions and he confirms that she was indeed, his girlfriend. I leave and return to prepare breakfast but she specifically says 'make that a meal for one' and I do. Then she prepares that crap." I laugh.

"You know the funny part, she puts sugar instead of salt." I keep laughing.

"Wow. That's alot in just a few hours." She laughs.

"Yes, it really is." I add.

"They are almost done with the cleaning. Sophia dear, what has been happening since the last time we came?" She asks.

Well, she goes mama bear on me most times. Even though she does not really know much about me because I'm still weary of my past, she tells me alot about herself and seems to understand that when I feel comfortable about talking, I'll spill.