Chapter 29: Chapter 29

ELIZABETH'S POV

It has been more than five hours since Mr Smith and his wife got back. Mr Smith has been totally busy with work trying to rectify and sort out the issues that compiled whilst he was away. Ms Smith on the other hand has been with Clinton trying to make up for all the time she was away. Although Clinton dropped a few words and only when being asked, he naturally didn't contribute to her many talks.

She fed him and also administered his drugs to him before Clinton went to sleep in his room.

I have been stuck in my room, willingly stuck actually as I was trying to avoid bumping into Ms Smith by any chance. She clearly didn't look like one who is happy to see nor have me in their home. That is even a good reason for me to hasten up with leaving their house for good. She refused to acknowledge my services while she was away nor even thanked me for staying with her son. She really thinks everything is about money. Pathetic.

I started to pace around my room as I thought of what to do to get busy. I have done all the necessary chores and made food available to reach everyone. The only way I can possibly get busy now is if Ms Smith has a message/errand for me which I hope against all odds that she don't get to need me for anything.

"Ms Elizabeth? Are you in there?"

I heard a voice call me from outside. Funny of me to think my peace would last. I opened the door to see Cole standing and as usual his face showed no softness.

"What is the problem?" I asked slightly pushing my head out.

"Mr and Ms Smith would like to see you now."

Cole said and left. I wanted to ask if he had any idea as to why they are calling me but he already was out of sight before I could open my mouth to speak.

"Mr and Ms Smith?" This definitely isn't what I meant when I said I wanted to get busy with an errand because Mr and Ms Smith being together and requesting for my presence must be more than an errand. What they could be calling me for remains mystery to me.

Without wasting any more time, I started out on my way to see them still racking my head for the possible reason they called me.

"Sir, ma'am, you asked for me," I said to Mr an Ms Smith as soon as I got to them in the sitting room. Surprisingly, Clinton was there too. I became surer than anything that anything they called me for has to do with Clinton.

"Errrm,.." Mr Smith cleared his throat and shifted a bit in his chair. Ms Smith sat hands crossed on her laps. Clinton's expression like always couldn't be read. I couldn't tell if he was happy or not. His condition worsened any bit of expression I could read.

"I want to hugely thank you for what you have done for my son and family. I assure you that you will not go unrewarded. I will triple your pay as a maid here and I will pay for all those months I was away and you didn't receive your payment. I hope that is enough or at least close enough to compensate your hard work."

Oh really. You will triple my pay and even pay the ones I wasn't paid bla bla bla. Gosh, like wife like husband. Why are they acting like I never told them my intentions of leaving this house while they were away. Oh wait, they intend to shut my mouth with money and whatever pretense of niceness they have. All of them rich folks truly are the same. They thinks life revolves around their damn money.

"I'm sorry sir, but I already told you that I would like to resign. I only waited so I could make sure your son is in good hands before leaving. Forgive me if you misinterpreted my actions but I have no intentions of working here further."

I could see the angry twitch in Ms Smith's face as I spoke and Clinton looked towards me. I can't imagine the look he would have had on his face if his eyes was in a good condition that moment.

"Leave? Why? Haven't we treated you alright? Didn't you hear my husband right now? Believe me wherever you go, they won't treat you half as good as we have treated you here." Ms Smith said. She must be burning with suppressed anger right now and really I love to see it. She sound like she wants the good for me by asking me stay in her house but I knew her main reason for it. She would have to get new house keepers and start all over again to inculcate in them the things she wanted which is like work to her. Who knows if they can be able to stand her and might even leave the following day after they must have been employed. Or better still, she can take care of her home by herself since she does no real job other than stay home sometimes all day or invite her friends for gossips, do shopping and wear make-up the whole time.

Yeah, I might not be treated half as good as they treated me as she claims but I still want to leave and no amount of her words can stop me or make me change my mind.

"I thought about it properly ma'am," I said maintaining my stance.

Ms Smith scoffed.

"Can I ask for a favor, Ms Elizabeth?" Clinton said as everyone turned towards him. I was equally surprised and wondered what sort of favor he wanted to ask me of. It had better not be for me to remain in their house as I can't grant any of such favour.

"Okay sir," I nodded.

"Can you be here until I have my eye surgery? You can leave if you still want to after that…"

God, is this another way to keep me here or what. Why is he asking me for such favor. I don't even know when the surgery will be held and if it will be successful or not. I don't want to be in a situation of having to stay here in pity for him.

"I'm sorry but that depends on when the surgery will hold."

"By weekend," Clinton answered causing his mother to turn to him.

"Weekend? Did doctor Ken fix date already and didn't inform us?"

Clinton didn't respond. I muttered an okay.

"Very well then. You have made your decision and I releive you of your duties as soon as you fulfill my son's wish," Mr Smith said and waved me away.

"Okay sir, thank you sir," I said before leaving.

Phew! Finally I would be leaving this place, this family and starting over and afresh. It's so hard to imagine how I would cope and all that but I must give myself a chance and that I will do without letting fear stop me.