Chapter 8: Trapped

Sarah.

It'd been 3 weeks since I started to work at the Raymond mansion. I sent Teddy to school by 7:30 and walked to the mansion. In these 3 weeks, I was able to go back home by the time Teddy returned from school. Bella became my good friend and she gave the details about the Raymond family. She had filled me enough to know each and every member of the Raymond family. Till now, I hadn't had any encounters with any of the Raymond family members except for three times when those green ones met my blue ones. The three times I saw the handsome face, I was literally lost in his eyes. The first time was on the 3rd day of my work here at the mansion. I was going back after completing my work when we crossed paths. I literally ran into him as I was walking looking down. It was really hard to keep the mask on for the entire day and I learned that it's better to keep my head down so as to not attract other people because of the mask. When I sensed that someone was blocking my way, I looked up and got lost in those green eyes. There will be a lot of handsome men in this world but this man is definitely different from everyone. I wondered why I couldn't stop myself from drooling over him. If it was not for another man who pushed me aside, I would have fallen into his arms. I murmured an apology and fled from there.

The second time I saw him from a distance. It was a Saturday and the whole Raymond family was having lunch. That day I had prepared fruit tart and chocolate mousse for the dessert as ordered by Pamila. I came with the desserts and handed them over to a maid who was serving at the table when my eyes again met with the green ones. This time I immediately looked down and went back to the kitchen. Our third meeting was the most interesting one. I was a bit late and was running towards the mansion when I collided with something hard. I was about to fall and so closed my eyes but I never touched the ground. When I opened my eyes, I was greeted with mesmerizing green. It took me a few moments to realize that he was holding me in his arms. I quickly regained my posture and mouthed a thank you before running towards the mansion.

In these three weeks Pamila took care to give me only the job of making desserts. Each day I tried to make something new and I hadn't gotten any bad reviews yet. All the other maids and other workers at the mansion including Chef Charlie liked my dishes. Whenever I was free, I went with Bella and helped her around. I wanted to tell Bella about my little secret under the mask but I didn't want to betray Uncle Donald.

Today was Saturday and for the first time, I had to work until night as some guests were coming for dinner. Chef Charlie needed extra help and he requested me to help him. I couldn't refuse and so asked Uncle Donald to take care of Teddy. I can't bring Teddy to the mansion as he might ask about the mask. Pamela had given me permission to resume my job a couple of hours later than usual. After sending Teddy to school, I called Uncle Donald and asked him to pick up Teddy directly from the school. I don't know how long it will take to return tonight. Teddy has never stayed away from me. So I told Uncle Donald that he could keep Teddy until my work was done. He said that he would come to pick me up after work and tonight I could stay at his place as it's a holiday tomorrow. I needed to go to the market to get some clothes for Teddy and myself. I was waiting for the month to get over so that I would get my paycheck. But then I don't think I will get a chance to go shopping. I will have to use my savings for now.

I quickly packed a pair of dresses for both of us as I won't be returning back tonight. It's already nine in the morning and I have two more hours to get to the mansion. So I quickly finished all the cleaning work and also did the laundry. By the time I reached the mansion, preparations for the dinner had started. Everyone was busy doing one or the other work.

I quickly started to prepare for the dessert I had to make. Pamila has given me full authority to decide what to make. I had already prepared a list of desserts I was going to make. I have chosen different varieties of desserts from all over the world. 2 hours later I was already done preparing my dishes and so I started to help chef Charlie. Two more hours later, I sat on the bench in the backyard exhausted to the core. It was the same with the other workers. We had our lunch in silence and resumed work after lunch. By thirty minutes past four, Pamila showed up with a worried face.

“What's the matter, Pam? You look as if you have a breakup.” Katie, one of the maids, asked half humorously.

“Madam Raymond is busy at the moment. Young master needs to clean his room.” Pamila said.

Everyone including Katie seemed to be taken aback by Pamila's words. No one uttered a word. I have understood that everyone feared him but am I afraid of him? No, but still I can't go and clean his room. If I encounter him again, I might lose my control. It's better to stay away from him. Pamila spoke again cutting the train of my thoughts.

“Sarah, will you clean the room? I know it's not part of your job but as you can see everyone is busy. Bella will come with you to show you the room.”

Why was it always me? She was right, it was not my job. I had finished my work hours back and still, I was here just because I couldn't say no to anyone. Now it's Pamila and she is requesting me. She could have just ordered me.

“Is young master there in his room?” I asked.

“No, he is not. He went out and won't be back for an hour.” She said making me leave a breath of relief.

“Okay, I will go and clean it.”

Soon I was walking through the silent hallway of the mansion trailing behind Bella who was holding the cleaning supplies. She stopped in front of a room and said.

“This is young master's room. You can carry on from here. I would have helped you if I didn't have other chores to finish. Now I have to leave.” Bella left leaving the cleaning supplies by the door.

With a pounding heart I opened the door and looked around. The room was clean. It just needed a little bit of dusting. I took the cleaning brush and cloth and started to work. I was halfway through the cleaning process when I felt someone's eyes on me. I looked around but no one was there. I might be just hallucinating and continued my work. I had almost cleaned the whole room when I heard a door opening. I quickly looked at the door and it was still closed. I continued my work and finished it in a few minutes.

I was about to get the cleaning supplies and leave the room when I felt someone’s presence behind me. I turned so fast that I lost my balance and stumbled and hit something hard. Even without looking up, I knew who it was. I didn't want to get lost in those mesmerizing green orbs and so did what I thought would be better. I pulled away from him and made an attempt to run away but failed miserably as he held me by my waist. In a flash of a second, he pinned me to the nearest wall.

Now I was trapped between him and the wall. He caged me with his hands and when I say I had never been this close to any man in this way, it's the truth. A strange sensation ran through my whole body making me tremble. I didn't dare even to look up until he commanded.

“Look at me.”

It wasn't a command but still had the power to make my core wet. I slowly opened my eyes and at once got lost in the most beautiful creation of God. I couldn't be any more grateful for having this mask on my face. It helped me to hide my emotions but what about my body. It was reacting to the slightest touch from him. He started to move his hands trailing up my hand towards my face and that was when reality dawned on me. What if he removed my mask? I had stopped wearing the burn mark prosthetic after I became familiar with the mansion. I can't put myself and Uncle Donald's reputation at stake. I had to act immediately. Without thinking any further, I just pushed him and ran to the door leaving all the cleaning supplies behind.

I stopped running only when I safely reached the kitchen.