"Good afternoon, sir… please, who are you?" she asked.
"You're asking me who I am… in my own house?" he replied sharply.
He stepped closer, frowning.
"In fact, who the heck are you?"
Ella's heart skipped. She stared at the floor.
"S-sorry, sir… I'm the assigned housekeeper. Ella," she stammered.
"Housekeeper?" he repeated, surprised.
He ran his hand through his hair, irritation obvious on his face.
"Why didn't my mum tell me about this?" he muttered.
Then his expression hardened.
"And I've told her to stop employing maids in this house. Those people are home breakers," he said, looking at her with disdain.
Ella swallowed hard.
"Sir… I'm different," she said softly.
He scoffed.
"Oh please. All of you are the same. No exception."
There was a brief silence.
"Anyways," he continued, "I have my breakfast by 9 o'clock. Anything later than that, you'll have me to contend with."
He turned to leave, then stopped and looked back.
"Bring the food to my room when you're done."
His gaze shifted slightly.
"And I don't know who has that load in the sitting room."
"Sir… it's mine," Ella said nervously.
He sighed.
"Then take that trash away from there."
Without another word, he walked out.
Ella quickly went to the sitting room, carried her bags to her room, and then hurried back to the kitchen.
So madam has a son? she thought.
Then why didn't she tell me?
She frowned slightly.
And he is so rude… God, please help me in this house.
She quickly got to work on his breakfast.
After she was done cooking, Ella carefully arranged the food on a tray and carried it to his room.
She knocked gently.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
Henry stood there, frowning.
"Do you know what the time is?" he asked coldly.
"It's… 9:45, sir," Ella replied.
His face hardened.
"9:45? I said 9 o'clock."
"I'm sorry, sir… I lost track of time," she said softly.
Henry let out a dry laugh.
"Can you even hear yourself? You lost track of time… for common jollof rice and fried fish?"
Ella lowered her head.
"In fact, you're so lazy," he continued. "I don't even know why my mum employed you."
His voice grew colder.
"You're just a negative energy on your own."
Ella said nothing.
"You know what? You can eat that food yourself. I'm not eating that trash."
"But sir—"
"Are you deaf?" he snapped. "Take that food out of here."
"S-sorry, sir," she whispered.
She turned quickly, tears already forming in her eyes, and walked away.
Henry sighed and slammed the door shut.
Ella walked straight back to the kitchen, her vision blurred with tears.
The moment she stepped in, she broke down.
"What kind of life is this?" she cried.
"Can't I just live a normal life… without all this?"
She leaned against the wall, shaking.
"Why…?" she whispered.
"Why is he so rude to me?"
She sniffed.
"Or does he know me?"
"What have I done to him to deserve this kind of attitude?"
Her voice faded as exhaustion took over.
The doorbell rang.
Ella hurriedly wiped her tears and rushed to open it.
She opened the door and saw Mrs. Sampson.
"Good evening, ma," she greeted, taking her handbag.
"Yes, good evening. How are you?" Mrs. Sampson asked.
"I'm very well, ma."
Ella hesitated.
"Ma… sorry, but can I ask a question?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Do you have a son? I saw a—"
"Yes, I do," Mrs. Sampson interrupted. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. It slipped my mind."
"It's okay, ma," Ella replied.
"What happened? Did he give you a hard time?" Mrs. Sampson asked knowingly.
"Well… he said his breakfast must be served by 9 o'clock. I tried my best, but I lost track of time… and his reaction wasn't good."
Mrs. Sampson laughed dryly.
"Please don't mind him. That boy alone is a headache," she said.
"Do you know he's about your age?"
Ella's eyes widened.
"My age…?"
Ella was still shocked.
"My age? Ma, are you serious?" she asked.
"Uhm… yes, of course. Or maybe just a little older than you," Mrs. Sampson replied.
"Wow… I actually thought he was in his mid-twenties," Ella said.
"Not really," Mrs. Sampson said with a light laugh. "In fact, he's still in high school. He hasn't even written his WAEC yet."
Ella's eyes widened even more.
"Ma, this is really shocking. You mean he still attends secondary school?" she asked.
"Yes! Just do whatever he asks you to do to avoid trouble. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma," Ella replied.
"Uhm… I made dinner," she added.
"Okay. I just need to go upstairs and freshen up. I've really had a long day," Mrs. Sampson said as she walked upstairs.
"Okay, ma," Ella said.
She then hurried back to the kitchen.
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