“When did you start working for Leo?” she asks.
“A week ago.”
“That explains it. I’ve been out of town. Just got home today. I wanted to surprise Leo. He always loves my surprises.”
I frown. “What kind of surprise?”
She looks at me for a long hard moment before scoffing. “The kind where we get naked, obviously.”
I blush and stare at the floor, scrubbing one spot on the wood over and over again. “Right. I shouldn’t have asked.” In all my romance books, the characters would have sex. My mother would always judge sinful things like that and yet, she wouldread those books into the late hours of the night. I knew it was wrong to read those things but I couldn’t help that I liked it.
Leo is not mine, I know that. But I can’t help but feel a flutter in my chest whenever he’s around. He’s just so handsome and kind to have helped me the way he has.
“I’m not sure how I feel about him having a pretty new maid,” Isabella comments.
That makes me stop scrubbing the floor. “What do you mean by that?”
“Well, Alice was old. And ugly. But you’re young and pretty. What is Leo playing at?”
I have no answer for her so I walk away to continue my chores.
After a long hour of silence, Leo finally returns home, breaking it. I’m in the kitchen when I hear Isabella greet him.
“Isabella,” Leo says, sounding surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“I came back from Spain. I thought we could go upstairs like we always do. I have a surprise for you.”
“Well…” He clears his throat. “Now is not a good time.”
I inch closer to the wall to listen to their conversation, even though I shouldn’t.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, now is not a good time. You should go.”
“I met your pretty new maid. What’s that about? I thought I was the only pretty woman in your life.”
“Isabella, we have an arrangement. We have fun when you’re in town but you’re not always in town. I needed a new maid. Alice was incompetent. Nothing else you need to worry about. But I have more work to get to so you need to leave.”
“Is she your new girl?”
I go still from Isabella’s question.
Leo doesn’t respond.
Isabella huffs. “Of course she is. You always did like your pretty girls. I should have known I was just another notch on your belt. But trust me, that girl is not half the woman I am. And she stinks like shit. I don’t know why you like her.”
I flush from her words. I know my clothes smell but I can’t help that. I’ll always be tied to my mother in some way.
I hear the door slam shut and then silence before Leo walks towards the kitchen. Hurrying back, I open the refrigerator door and stick my head inside since I don’t know what else to do.
“Emma,” Leo says. I wince, knowing I’ve been caught.
“Yes?” I ask, forcing myself to close the refrigerator door and look at him.
“Did you let Isabella in?”
“Yes. She said she was your friend so…”
