More Than A Maid

Bella’s POV

I heard the whole conversation between Peter and his mom. I came out of my room just in time.

“Bella!” Peter exclaimed and rushed over to me; he was gonna pull me closer to him; for a hug but I moved away quickly.

“I… I didn’t go anywhere” I muttered.. and he smiled.

“My heart almost jumped out” He said.

“What?” Mrs Benson cut in sharply and walked over to us. “Your heart almost jumped out?”

We stood at an attention and didn’t say anything.

“What’s going on here?” She asked us.

I stayed mute; trembling a little as I left Peter to confront his mother and do the talking.

“Mom why did you lie to me that you sent Bella away?” Peter asked.

“That wasn’t a lie, that was a quick smart test and you just proved it to me that there is something between you and her. It’s very obvious” She said, folding her hands.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“There’s nothing between us” Peter denied instantly.

“That’s right” I supported; disengaging my hand from him ‘cos he was still holding mine since then.

“Then explain to me what this fuss and lovey-dovey drama is all about?” Mrs Benson said; obviously disbelieving them.

“I…” I wanted to speak even when I wasn’t sure of what exactly to say. But Peter Interrupted and took over..

“Bella is my maid; not just a maid to me because she is the only one that is always there for me. She stays with me when I’m alone. Apart from the domestic chores she does, she also helps me academically and she’s a very great friend. That’s why I felt so scared when you said that you sent her away” Peter briefly explained and I looked at him. Then looked at the hard gaze in his mother’s eyes.

“Hmmn. Is that all?” His mother asked.

Peter and I stared at eachother and he gave me a sort of look which means I should be calm. I’m trying to..

“That’s all” Peter finally said.

“That’s all” I added too, looking at my feet and fondling with my fingers.

“Okay. If you both are really trying to convince me that there’s no extra strings attached. Then I’m firing Bella this minute and I’ll hire a new maid” Mrs Benson said.

“Huh/ what?” I and Peter exclaimed at the same time.

“Mom.. what.. but I just gave valid reasons why she should stay”

“I know right. I’ll employ some else to take over from where she stopped at and also make sure that she’s capable of whatever you need Bella for. I might even consider employing a male worker.”

“Mom!” Peter exclaimed. My eyes were already clouded with tears.

“Ma’am…” I began to plead. “I… I haven’t done anything wrong. So please…”

“No please, you are leaving..” Mrs Benson cut in sharply.

Tears began to roll down my cheeks…

“I’ll go pack my things. Thank you for allowing me to work here” I turned to walk away.

“No, no mommy!” Peter began to whimper too and he held my hand, stopping me from taking more steps away.

“Bella isn’t leaving!” Peter said.

“Any more reasons you aren’t telling yet?” Mrs Benson asked, now standing at an akimbo angle.

“Yeah” Peter responded and I looked at him. Was he gonna spell out the whole truth??

“Like I said it’s obvious that there’s something you are hiding..; come on don’t tell me you are about to cry.. because of a girl? a maid?” Mrs Benson said.

Peter wiped his eyes and sniffed.

“I’m addicted to Bella, don’t you get it mommy? And I just told you stuffs that she helps me out with, no one else can replace her” Peter summoned up the courage to say those words.

His mother was speechless..

“So she’s not leaving” Peter said.

“Okay fine. She won’t leave but don’t you ever say you are addicted to her. Geez! Gosh! it’s just a mere lust or infactuation because she helps you with somethings. I would never accept her, there are better other girls; don’t make me choose one for you” Mrs Benson said.

“Thank you Mrs Benson” I said.

“I was talking to my son” Mrs Benson fired.

“But thank you for making me stay back” I still thanked her and she didn’t say anything but rolled her eyes.

I expected Peter to thank his mom too but he shot her a hard stare at first then stamped his feet against the floor as he went to his room.

I bowed my head a little before Mrs Benson then went into my room too.

“I have always known that she’s somehow. There better not be anything other than that between them. Arrrrgh!”

I heard Mrs Benson say.

* * * *

Still Bella’s POV

I returned to my room; I fought back the tears from rolling again as I wiped my tears.

Oh My God! I almost got fired! Because she thinks there’s something between Peter and I… and where as there is! What if she later finds out! We had better stop it already! I can’t afford to lose this only means of earning.

Then we can perhaps continue a fresh relationship when I’m financially stable and not his maid; that’s even if Mrs Benson will be in support by then . But of course she should! She only meant that I’m not Peter’s kind of girl because I’m his maid. She’ld definately approve it when I’m someone better.

I returned to my reading table and tried to focus on my books but I just couldn’t. Lot of thoughts were running through my head yet I felt half-relieved because I’ve already studied enough and I’m already prepared for the first papers.

Oh Good I prepared before now, else I won’t be able to read anything now that she’s back and she ruined the whole sweet moment.

And Peter, he walked out of his mother ealier. He was boiling in anger because his mom turned down our relationship before we even announced to her there’s a relationship. How would he feel when I let him know that I’m no longer interested in the relationship we have just started. Pretty bad I know.

I guess I won’t break up with him now but I will, immediately we are done with our examinations… so it won’t affect him.

I sighed heavily, left the reading table like my legs are wobbly then I laid tiredly on my bed. I tossed on it for a while, still very worried about the whole suitation.

* * *

To Be Continued