Chapter 27 (SHOW SOME RESPECT)

Chapter 27 (SHOW SOME RESPECT)

“Oh, the kitchen. So there’s a door from the back.” Her face lit up as another plan popped in to her head. A leave creaked behind her which made her startled. She turned around and saw Michael smiling at her.

“What da!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?” she whispered. “Hi Emily.” He waved at her. “You fool.” She grabbed his hand and hurried away before any of the maids in the kitchen would see them.

“What was that?” She released his hand when they were far away from the apartment. “I was looking for you,” he said with a smile. “Why are you looking for me? Do I owe you anything?”

“No, I just like you,” he said and she chuckled. “Are you kidding me? You like me?” She burst in to laughter. “Do I look like I’m interested in anyone? No, just answer me.” Michael’s expression changed and he lowered his eyes sadly.

“I’m sorry.” He apologized. “Michael, what are you doing with her?” Naomi approached them. “I… I… Nothing,” he stammered. “I doubt that. Tell me now!” She commanded him angrily. “Stop talking to him that way.” Emily intervened.

“And what’s your problem with that?” Naomi turned to her. “He’s not a kid and he’s not under you. We are all servants here. Respect him!” She snapped at her.

“Emily, stay in your lane. You know I hate you right? Whatever you are doing, do not try to involve Michael.” She grabbed his hand. “Let’s go.” She dragged him away with her. “Let me go!” Michael struggled to set himself free but she held his hand tightly.

“Good gracious, what’s that!” Emily shook her head. “This girl can’t cease to amaze me,” she gasped. “Now I can’t go back there again,” she hissed angrily.

Emily returned back to the room hours later. She took a bath and changed in to her pajamas. Immediately she lay on the bed, Naomi entered grumpily. Her bunk bed was the one facing Emily’s and she was using the one down.

Emily quickly closed her eyes pretending she was asleep, she didn’t want any trouble with Naomi that night again as she was already tired.

“Why would they even put us in the same room?” she said under her breath with her eyes still shut. “Are you talking to me? Because if you are, kindly say it out loud,” Naomi said but she ignored her.

“Naomi, don’t you get tired of fighting?” A girl on the upper bed asked her. She was trying to sleep but Naomi was disturbing her. “Mind your words!” Naomi warned her.

“Just keep your voice down and don’t you ever talk back on me. I’m older than you.” The lady said. Naomi looked at Emily who was twitching her face. She looked like she was holding her laughter.

“Do something and you won’t sleep this night,” she said to Emily. Emily turned around facing the wall, her back was turned to Naomi and she opened her yes. She covered her mouth to stop the sound from coming out and she laughed to her satisfaction.

The next day was a Sunday, the day they don’t work. Everyone brought out their dirty clothes to be washed. They all went to the back of their Quarters to wash their clothes.

Emily sat very far away from them, she knew they would mock her and she wasn’t interested in fighting with any of them that day.

“Hi.” She lifted up her head from the basin and saw Michael smiling at her. “You again?” she looked around. “Aren’t you scared Naomi would see you here?” she asked him and he rolled his eyes. “I don’t care about her. She’s bossing me around like I’m her little brother, I don’t like her.”

Emily’s face lit up, she was glad someone didn’t like Naomi too as much as she does.

“Sit here.” She moved a little and Michael sat down. “How old are you?” she asked him. “I’m 23” Emily dropped the dress she was washing and raised her brow Surprisingly. “23? What are you doing in here? You should be with your parents.” She says and he smiled.

“Life happened. I’ll help you wash,” he said changing the topic. “No, you have yours to do.” She declined his offer. “Then I’ll wash all and then you rinse.” He suggested.

“Alright then, since you insisted.” She passed him get basin with soap water and he started washing the clothes. “So tell me about yourself,” Michael said and she giggled.

“There’s nothing special about me,” she smiled. “I would like to know,” he insisted. “Alright. I guess you know what brought me here so I won’t go in to that again,” he nodded his head. Emily told him about her, and how Belle tried to talk her out of going there.

“What a pity.” He shook his head. She carried the basin of the rinsed clothes to the dryer and started spreading them. “Yea, that’s how I’ve been living. No tell me about yourself.”

“Naomi look.” A girl who was sitting beside Naomi pointed to Emily and Michael who were so far away from them. “I wonder what they are talking about,” she said. Naomi chuckled, she tightened her lips.

“Do you think he’s in love with her?” she asked Naomi. “Are you kidding me? Michael is 23 and she’s older than him.” She rolled her eyes and gasped. “So what, they can date.” The girl giggled.

“I wonder what Emily is even doing with him. I mean, who would dare a boy with braces? Michael smile all the time like a fool.” She laughed.

“And what’s wrong with him having braces or smiling?” Naomi was getting annoyed. “Hey, why are you getting angry?” The girl was surprised. “You know what, just leave my side. You aren’t helping at all.”