Chapter 18 A maid
“Hey boys!” Danielle greeted with a loud smile as the triplets walked out of the kitchen with Theo, who was holding a serving plate.
“Hello.” The boys answered with a straight face because they weren’t sure who she was.
“Boys, this is Danielle. Danielle, my children.” Arthur introduced with a smile, while Danielle squatted in front of them.
“Come and give Aunt Danielle a hug!” She uttered, opening her hands. The boys kept put, looking at Aurora’s face for permission before doing anything.
Arthur noticed this and shot Aurora a firm look. Aurora smiled at the children and nodded slowly giving them permission.
They walked into her open arms and she embraced them. “There you are!” She uttered excitedly, caressing their heads.
Aurora gulped hard as she watched another woman, whom she sure knew was literally her rival, cuddle her children.
“Guess what?! I got you chocolates!” Danielle added, reaching inside her medium-sized Saint Laurent bag for the chocolates.
Bringing them out, the boys’ faces lit up in excitement. She stretched them to each of them, but they hesitated.
Ryan looked at Aurora and said; “Mummy, can we have it?”
Arthur clenched his jaws and swallowed hard. ‘Why must they ask her for everything?!’ He thought in frustration as he diverted their attention from her to himself.
“Of course, you can. Danielle is like a mother to you too. She wouldn’t hurt you, okay? You can take it from her.” Arthur assured the boys as he collected the chocolates from her and gave it to them.
‘What? She’s like a mother to them? Asshole, I am their mother!’ Aurora yelled in her head as she stared at Arthur and Danielle in disbelief and anger.
She knew what he was trying to do. All these were just to frustrate her, so that she’d give up and leave.
‘Well, guess what?! You’ve failed. I am never leaving my boys alone. You can have all the girlfriends in the world, but I’ll always be their …”
“Aurora.” Arthur called, jolting her out of her thoughts.
“Mr. Arthur.” She responded.
“Help Theo set the table.” He uttered and turned to look away. He and Danielle held the boys and led them to the dining room.
Aurora lifted her brows in surprise and scoffed as she watched them walk away. She was now officially a maid, and there was nothing she could do about it.
Letting out a sigh, she made her way to the kitchen to assist Theo like Arthur asked.
Getting into the kitchen, she met Theo about to carry a tray of grilled chicken, and she hastily stopped him.
“I’ll get that.” She uttered, and he creased his brows in confusion.
“No. I’ve got this. Thank you Miss Aurora.” He replied, carrying the tray, but Aurora moved closer to him and held unto the tray too.
“Please just let me do this, okay?” She mumbled sadly, and Theo noticed her countenance.
“Are you alright, Miss Aurora? You don’t look good. And why are you doing this? I am supposed to be the one to do all these. I’m sorry, but I can’t let you.”
“Mr. Arthur said I should assist you.” She responded with her head lowered.
“And I’m saying I don’t need assistance. You should be waiting for this at the dining table. You’re not the butler, I am. I’ll tell him this. Please let go of the tray.” Theo insisted, and Aurora slowly removed her hand from the tray.
“Is this the last thing you’re serving?” She asked, moving out of his way.
“Yes. Come, Miss Aurora.” He said as he made his way out of the kitchen, holding the tray.
Aurora silently followed behind him to the Dining area. Getting there, they saw they were seated already.
“I thought I told you to assist him in setting up the table.” Arthur uttered, looking past Theo at Aurora.
“Mr. Arthur, I told her not to bother. I am done setting up already.” Theo answered before Aurora could say anything.
Arthur swallowed hard and looked away, ready to dig into his food.
Aurora looked at the chairs and saw there was no place for her to sit. There were five chairs, and they were all occupied.
Theo also noticed this, and spoke up; “Errm… Miss Aurora, Please wait here. There is a spare chair in the store. I can get that for you.”
“No!” Aurora and Arthur chorused, and they both exchanged looks.
“Don’t worry, Theo. I’m not hungry anyway. I can eat mine later.” She answered, looking at the boys and forcing out a smile.
“Hey boys, don’t mess your clothes up, okay? I’ll be in my room.” She said to them, and they nodded, smiling.
With a sad heart, Aurora turned to leave the dining area, anf Theo followed behind her. He could sense what was going on, and he hated how Aurora was being treated.
“Are you okay?” Theo asked from behind her as they climbed the stairs.
Aurora clenched her jaws and turned to look at him, tears threatening to fall out of her eyes. “Yes, I am.” She mumbled with a feeble smile.
Theo saw beyond her fake smile and moved closer to her. “I’m sorry.” He uttered, as they both walked down the hallway.
“No.” She muttered, shaking her head. “You don’t have to be sorry. I brought this upon myself. I deserve this.” She mumbled, lowering her head as she finally gave in to her emotions.
With her face wrinkled up, she broke into tears. She couldn’t walk anymore and covered her mouth with her palm, trying to stop herself from weeping.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t bother…”
“No. No, Miss Aurora. This is about you, not me. Don’t worry about me, okay?” He answered, standing in front of her.
“It’s okay.” Theo added in a soft voice, reaching inside his breast pocket for a handkerchief. “Here.”
He moved closer to her and carefully wiped her tears with his handkerchief.
Aurora reached for the handkerchief so that she could do it herself, but then, her hand touched his. She lifted her head and their eyes locked.
She could see the remorse and pity in his eyes as he gazed at her. She took the handkerchief from him and looked away.
“Please don’t pity me. I was the one who bridged the contract we signed, not him.” She mumbled, cleaning her eyes well.
“But you’re suffering already. He doesn’t have to make it worse.” He answered, making Aurora speechless.
After a few seconds, he moved away from her front and they continued walking.
“I bet you’re hungry. I’ll bring your food to your room, okay?” He uttered, turning to leave.
“No! Wait. You don’t have to!” She grabbed his hand, making him stop.
“I insist. If you’re going to break down when you get inside your room, at least, you’ll have something in your stomach.” He answered, slowly moving her hand away from his wrist.
“I’ll be back soon.” He added as he took long strides away, heading back to the kitchen.
Aurora got into her room and laid on the bed, thinking about everything that was going on in her life.
After some time, she heard a knock on her door. It was Theo.
“Come in.” She answered, still lying on her bed. Theo turned the door knob and the door gave way to him.
He walked in with a tray of food in his hand and saw her lying on the bed.
“Here! I quickly made this. There was no one left from the other one. I hope it’s as good as the one I made earlier.” He uttered, and her eyes widened.
“You just made this?” She asked in awe as she sat up.
“Yes. You have to eat.” He answered, placing the tray on the bed.
He opened the cover on the plates and the aroma of the rice and chicken he made filled Aurora’s nostrils and the air around them.
“Hmmm… that smells so good!” She answered hungrily, staring at the rice.
“Now, let’s go in with a taste.” He uttered excitedly, scooping some rice with the spoon and moving it to Aurora’s mouth.
“Open up.” He said to her, after she hesitated. She opened her mouth and took in the rice.
Theo’s eyes widened in anticipation as he watched her chew. “How is it?” He asked anxiously.
“It’s so good.” Aurora answered, closing her eyes and smiling widely as she derived all satisfaction her taste buds could ever crave for in just one spoon.
Theo’s smile faded away slowly as he gazed at her smiling face.
“Miss Aurora.” He called, causing her to open her eyes.
“Hm?”
“Please don’t cry again. You look extremely beautiful when you smile.” Theo answered, making Aurora eyelids flutter.
“What?” She asked in shock.
“You’re so beautiful.” He added.
Aurora gulped and slightly lowered her head as she felt her cheeks flush.
“Thank you, Theo.” She muttered.
He smiled and reached for the spoon, taking another scoop of rice.
“Here… Have another.” He said, moving it to her mouth. Aurora shyly opened her mouth and toon it again, staring at him as he prepared to feed her again.
‘Is he going to keep feeding me? Why… why is he so sweet to me?’