Chapter 37 Bad Pay

Chapter 37 Bad Pay
Marilyn's POV

I’d barely closed my eyes when a faint noise suddenly interrupted my sleep.

My body had just started sinking into the thin mattress, and my muscles were slowly relaxing after the long painful day.

It took a while before I was able to close my eyes to sleep, but the second I finally did, there was a gentle knock on my door.

It wasn’t loud, but it was rough enough to pull me out of my sleep.

I jolted awake immediately, my heart racing as sleep vanished from my eyes.

I was barely composed, I thought something bad was happening somewhere.

For a second I just sat up, staring at the ceiling, and breathing fast, wondering who could possibly be knocking at this hour.

I didn't even know how I managed to fall asleep.

Despite how hungry I was and Lucian promised me he'll make sure I've something to eat, I still didn't get anything.

I yawned out loud as I pushed myself up slowly, my head still heavy, and my body tired but subtly at alert.

It feels like nothing good will ever come knocking on my door by this time of the night.

I finally got up from the bed and turned on the light.

The weak bulb flickered before settling.

When I opened the door, I suddenly froze.

Standing outside my door was one of the house maids. She was holding a tray of food with both hands.

The smell of the food hit me instantly and my stomach was suddenly reminded of how hungry it was.

My stomach growled painfully as I stared at the tray, begging for it to come closer so I could devour whatever was on it.

But after staring at the tray for so long, I noticed something else. It wasn’t just the food—it was the look on the maid’s face.

The maid was staring at me like she had seen a ghost.

Soon, her eyes moved past me into the room, taking in the small space, the old bed, the cracked walls, and everything that felt out of place.

Shock was written all over her face, clear and loud, even a blind man could tell that she was totally shocked to the core

I bet she was just as shocked as I was when I was first shown to this room as my room and where I would be sleeping.

The maid couldn’t hide it anymore. Her lips trembled as she looked around the room again and again, fear and disbelief mixed together.

“Is… is this where you sleep?” she asked, her voice breaking badly.

Then she took a small step back, as if the room itself scared her. “Here? You sleep here?” she whispered again, her eyes wide.

It was obvious she couldn’t believe someone was living in a place like this inside the mansion. Her hands shook slightly as she held the tray tighter as if she was scared it'd dropped.

I didn’t answer her question. My eyes were still lingering around the tray in her hand.

I couldn't wait to have the food—that’s if it's mine.

I barely even looked at the maid properly. All I saw was food in her hand.

“Is that mine—?” I finally asked, my voice breaking softly as I scratched my hair sharply.

By now, the maid's mouth was already wide open, and her eyes were running around the room.

Then she shook her head sharply, as if trying to shake off her endless thoughts. She looked at me and nodded. “Umm—yeah! Lucian asked me to—” I didn’t let her finish before stepping closer and quickly grabbing the tray from her hands.

I rushed back into my room and dropped the tray on the bed, then I flung the cover open and sat down immediately.

Without thinking, I started eating fast, like someone who hadn’t eaten in days.

My hands moved quickly, spoon clinking against the plate as I continued to scoop food into my mouth.

I barely chewed on the food, I just kept swallowing them in bunches like I was scared someone would stop me from eating.

I didn’t care how I looked.

Hunger had taken over completely and I can't help but obey and eat like a glutton.

While I ate, the maid just stood there, frozen, watching me consume food like my life depended on it.