CLOSE SHAVE WITH DEATH.
*two weeks after Leila’s mother’s funeral.
“Grocery shopping done, laundry done, now dinner and a little bit of cleaning up then I will call it a day.” I mumbled to myself as I placed my hand on the door knob.
As I pushed open the door to Alexander’s house, the familiar interior and scent filled my nostril, my eyes welled up with tears thinking of how I am back in this house, but not as the wife..rather the maid.
“About time you showed up Leila,” Tammy sneered. She stood in the hallway , arms cursed looking me up and down with a look of disdain on her face.
“I’m sorry..” I mumbled.
“Took you long enough to make it Leila...sorry maid,” Tammy spat, her cited dripping with hate and contempt. I lowered my face and gripped the hem of my dress.
I hated this place, but I had no choice, this was the only place safe enough for me to stay whilst my private detective digs deep into Allison.
“Well...are you just going to stand there?” Tammy sneered at me.
I gulped, a bitter taste filling my mouth. I hated the fact that I could not give her a befitting reply, Alexander already told me what was going on and for the time being I just have to listen to her and do as she says.
I moved past Tammy, avoiding her gaze and walked into the house. I saw Alexander in the living room, he was sitting on the couch and his eyes were glued to the TV.
“Alexander...” I began, my voice quiet.
“Do not even start with me today Leila. Tammy is my girlfriend and your boss. You agreed to be a maid, her maid in exchange for a place to stay. Do not drag this matter any further and just do as you are told.” Alexander spat at me, but his eyes betrayed his harsh words.
My shoulders slumped. I knew he did not mean a word that he said. He is doing all of this to protect me from whatever Tammy and Emily were cooking up against me. We had to keep fighting and hating on each other in front of Tammy, while we romanced and kissed in the shadows.
I retreated to the kitchen, where I began to prepare dinner. As I chopped the vegetables, I tried to calm my nerves and shake off the feeling of doom that hung over me.
But fate was not on my side,as I heard Tammy’s voice behind me.
“Oh look who it is, former Mrs Castor, turned maid, is cooking.” Tammy said in a mocking tone.
I remained silent, and focused on my cooking. I had to ensure everything was okay or Tammy would go all out on me again.
“You know, I am still so sorry about your mother’s death, and now your father had an accident last week?” Tammy continued, her breath hot against the back of my neck. “A clash with a drunk driver, now that is something we see everyday right?”
My hand froze and my body went numb. I knew exactly what Tammy was saying. She had caused that accident. She was after my father now!
“Tammy...” I whispered, my voice a low deadly whisper.
“Poor shame, poor shame Leila,” Tammy mocked. “Accidents can be very dangerous, especially for someone as old and fragile as your father. Maybe he should be more careful in the future...or he might just meet his wife soon.”
My heart raced. I knew Tammy was threatening me, indirectly telling me that the next time my father might just end up with more than bruises and a few cuts.
“She wants you out of the picture and out of Alexander’s life. She would do whatever it takes to make sure you are gone.”
“Dinner will be ready soon,” I mumbled in a shaky voice.
I made my way to the dining room, my steps were heavy and shaky. I dropped the tray of foods and returned to the kitchen to tidy the place up. Coming back a few minutes later.
I saw Tammy seated at the table, a smirk on her face.
“ I see you have decided to join us,” Tammy said with a smirk.
“Sit down Leila. I know you are tired after a long day of cleaning and cooking.”
I nodded and sat. My eyes were glued to the plate in front of me. The food was delicious and had a heavenly aroma but I could not shake off that feeling that was bad was about to happen.
“So...” Tammy began, her eyes filled with malice.
“Why are you not eating? Do you not like the food? You made it.” Tammy said and turned to her food.
“Stop troubling her Tammy, she will eat when she feels like. She is not some child to be coaxed before she eats.” Alexander’s sharp voice cut through the silence and he took a seat next to me.
I remained quiet, I could not help but feel something was about to go wrong. This whole thing felt like Deja’Vu.
“I am just saying ...” Tammy said and focused on her food.
I kept my peace, but Tammy’s words still rang in my ears. I looked down at my plate, the food was beginning to get cold.
The pangs of hunger bit me, my stomach growled and I knew I had to eat, something.
“Just eat it Leila...you are being paranoid.” The voice inside comforted me.
I picked up my spoon and took a small bite,my eyes lowered to my plate. The food was delicious...but then it had a weird taste.
I sat quiet, trying to figure out why it had a wire taste then I felt a sharp pain in my stomach.
“Help! Help me Alexander.” I cried out in pain.
“She poisoned me...” I screamed, my mouth foaming with saliva.
“I did not do this...Allison did.” Tammy said, dropping the bombshell.
“Allison?”I mumbled and it all went dark.