Chapter 5
Natalie felt regret senting Martin’s impatient. She had only intended to be responsible for the finances when she received his payroll card, but it seemed her words had been misinterpreted.
The sound of water running in the background was the last thing Natalie heard as she tucked the card away and crawled under the blanker, splining the bed in half for Martin. The cold meds had her drowsing off before she could even wait up for a talk with Martin
Martin waited in the bathroom for Natalie to fall asleep. As Natalie dozed off, she dimly felt the dip in the bed when Martin climbed in. Her dreams brought along the comfort and warmth of her grandma. However, in her dream, her grandma was pushing her away, causing Natalie to cling tighter in her sleep. Oblivious to Natalie’s medication–induced drowsiness, Martin found himself stuck in what felt like an octopus–like grip, making sleep elusive.
He contemplated tossing Natalie out of the room, but paused when he heard her murmur “Grandma” amidst her dreams. The night turned out to be more tiring for Marin than any of his work nights.
By morning, as Martin got ready for work, Natalie was still deep in sleep. His frustration was at its peak, a breath away from waking her up.
That’s when Charlotte walked in with Martin’s newly ironed suit and threw a glance at the bedroom. “Mr. Scott, is Ms. Lewis awake?” she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Charlotte harbored dreams of setting her niece, Kimberly Larson, up with a man from a family like the Scouts. Kimberly, a Ph.D. holder and quite the beauty, seemed like a perfect match from where she stood..
But Timothy had brushed her suggestion away and chosen an online ad for Martin, much to her disappointment. Timothy offering the house for Natalie getting pregnant fanned the flame of her indignation
Anxious and resentful, Charlotte tossed and turned all night, stewing over a missed opportunity for Kimberly. Now, under the pretense Martin’s suit, she was trying to gauge the depth of Natalie and Martin’s relationship in the bedroom.
of bringing
Martin, with bags under his eyes, took the suit without answering her nosy question. Seeing Martin wiped out, Charlotte assumed they must’ve had a wild night. She was bummed out.
“Mr. Scott, those folks from the building management stopped by yesterday. They want the management fee for the rest of the year,” Charlotte said.
“Let Natalie handle that stuff from now on,” was all Martin said.
“But…” There was more she wanted to dish out, but Martin’s impatient look made her zip it. Once he bolted, Charlotte didn’t waste time waking up Natalie.
“Ms. Lewis, time to get up. Breakfast isn’t gonna m make itself, she called out.
Jerking awake, Natalie sees Charlotte standing over her like a giant. Geez, Charlotte, yo up “Mind knocking next time?”
nearly gave me a heart attack, Natalie exclaimed, sitting
“Thought you were dead to the world. Do you think you’d hear a knock?” Charlotte said with a smirk.
“Aren’t you a little outta line?” Natalie wasn’t used to such a sassy maid.
Unbothered, Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Alright, alright, I’ll knock next time. So who’s cooking breakfast!”
“And who usually does?” asked Natalie
“Usually, it’s me, but Mr. Scott said this morning it’s all on you now, all three meals. Charlotte gloated.
Natalie was
was taken aback, thinking, “But he never told me. Besides, a housekeeper making 3,000 dollars a month doesn’t cook She asked Charlone, “So what will you be up to if I’m the cook now!”
“That’s my business. Just do what you’re told,” Charlotte shot back sharply.
Natalie, getting heated, fired back, “How about you toss me half your 3,000 paycheck, and I’ll deal with the meals?” She didn’t get why Charlotte was on her case, or if i was Martin’s doing, but she wasn’t putting up with that attitude.
Charlotte fumed. “Why’s my money any of your business? Mr. Scott told you to cook, not me
“Alright, I’ll chat with Martin, Natalie said, ready to clear the air. “Now scoot. I gotta change.”
Charlotte didn’t think sweet–looking Natalie would be such a hard cookie to crack
After Charlotte left, Natalie got ready for her day and hit the kitchen to make breakfast. She’d been cooking since she was a teen, and today she whipped up something so tasty that Timothy was all over the compliments. Charlotte couldn’t believe it–she’d been hoping Natalie would make a
fool of herself.
When Natalie stepped out of Timothy’s room, Charlotte was on her again. “Ms. Lewis”
2:19 PM σ ·
Chapter 5
“It’s Mrs. S
Scott,” Natalie said, giving her the cold shoulder and pondering about Charlotte’s big paycheck’s worth.
Charlotte unwillingly continued, “Mrs. Scott, you went and made breakfast for two. What about me? If Im fending for myself, rell Mr. Scott to bump my pay”
*3,000 bucks is plenty for you to eat on,” Natalie snapped, checking her watch. She was late and had no time for this drama, so she headed for the
door
Bur Charlotte grabbed her arm tight. “Mrs. Scott, come on, you can’t treat me like this….
“Let go!” Natalie was trying to shake her off, but somehow, Charlotte ended up stumbling back. To anyone passing by, it would look like Natalie pushed her.
Just then, Martin’s voice cuts in, cold as ice, as he comes over to help Charlotte up. “What’s going on here?” he demanded, frowning.
Natalie caught on quickly. Charlotte was probably acting up the moment Martin walked in, trying to get his pity,
“Why are you not saying anything?” Martin was getting angrier.
“What do you
game.
want me to
me to say? She fell over herself. I didn’t even touch her,” said Natalie, just shocked at how far Charlotte would go to play this
“Mr. Scott, please, just be fair,” Charlotte was crying, acting like she was the one wronged. “This morning, Ms. Lewis was trying to butter up Mr. Timothy Scott, saying she’ll take care of all the meals from now on, and kicked me out of the kitchen. And she’ll slash my pay in half! You know about my situation. My son’s about to take the SATs this year…
Martin put two and two together, remembering what Natalie said about Charlotte’s fat paycheck and wanting her out. “Follow me,” he said to Natalie, steering her to the car, not wanting to make more of a show and disturb Timothy.
Once they were in the car, Martin was peeved. “Look, if you’re looking for a new housekeeper, this isn’t the way.”
