Chapter 7

• Hector was back from a successful board meeting ever since the death of his wife. It wasn't the best board meeting he had attended but better than the ones he had conducted for two years, he walked to his office to drop some files when he noticed the envelope His secretary had promised to drop.
• Growling in both frustration and tiredness. Hector stuck the envelope inside his suitcase before striding to turn off the light, everywhere had gone dark and everyone was going home already.
• Hector took in some breath before sauntering into the elevator. It was time to go back home! There was much time to check the envelope to see if Miss Conner had any hidden secret.
• His car was waiting for him in front of his company's building when he stepped out of the existing door. The guard nodded at him which he returned with a simple wave. Hector slipped into the back of his car before sinking into the chair, he was tired and needed some sleep but could he even do that?
• “Home, please Thomas, ” he uttered, rubbing his eyelids from stress.
• “Sure, sir, ”
• Even as he was falling asleep his thoughts were filled with what kind of a person Teresa was, he remembered how scared she looked some hours ago. He was always feeling guilty whenever he thought of another Lady and not his wife, he brushed her thought away as he ordered the driver to switch on the radio for the first time.
• Meanwhile, Teresa had prepared dinner while Ms.Clinton had retired to bed. Her old self needed some rest, Teresa and Rose were in the kitchen setting up the table for everyone including herself and the driver.
• Maria was back from school a few hours ago and she hasn't come downstairs for a second. “Why are there so many plates on the table?” Ms. Clinton's voice echoed, her face looked like someone who had just woken up from a deep sleep.
• “Well, I was dropping one for Thomas and me, ” Teresa Let out, making Ms.Clinton wiggle her head. “No! The family don't eat with the maid or drivers, The workers are to eat alone.” Ms.Clinton let out sauntering inside the kitchen.
• Teresa stood stunned at what Ms. Clinton had let out.
• In her hometown, all her neighbors ate together, they lived in a small and poor neighborhood but all of them were happy.
• The cool night breeze hit Hector sweetly as his driver opened the car door for him to get down. He took his briefcase from the seat, he shook his head before scratching the back of his neck,
• “Do you need anything, sir, do you want me to get you something?” Thomas asked as Hector glanced in his direction before shaking his head which indicated No. “I don't plan on going to work tomorrow, I would just work In my office at home, just take the day off, ” he told Thomas who nodded with a happy smile.
• He watched Thomas closing the door before handing him the key. Chuckling, Hector held Thomas's shoulder before dropping the key back in his hand. “I can use any of my cars here if I need to go out tomorrow, drive yourself home to your wife and come back when I resume work,” he said, making Thomas smile broadly.
• “Thank you, sir, ” Thomas let out before entering the driver seat, the engine of the car was put to life in less than a second as he drove out of Hidalgo's residence.
• He stilled however when he perceived a sweet aroma. He had forgotten to eat as usual and his stomach was already grumbling. He walked inside his house to hear the sound of the television, who had turned on the tv? Why were they watching a movie when his wife just died?
• He walked into the parlor to notice his daughter sitting on Teresa's Lap with a popcorn as she kept smiling hard at the tv series, never had Rose gotten along with the maid like she was doing now. It had been a while since Hector saw his daughter smile this way. He set his briefcase close to his leg before rubbing his face. He was tired and the nap in the car had made him more exhausted.
• He noticed Teresa getting up from her chair as he hurriedly tried to go out the exit door before coming back inside again, he wanted to act like he just got back home but it was too late as Teresa had noticed him.
• “Oh, hello sir?” she uttered as Hector turned to notice that she was better looking than when she did in the morning. He noticed his daughter walk towards them as she clenched towards Teresa.
• Hector was surprised. Their last maid had been great at keeping her criminal record and identity hidden from him, Hector clenched his teeth and his hand in a fist. He would never make such a mistake of putting his daughters in danger.
• The maid was a gold digger who only cared about her next pay money and not the affair of his daughter, he had trusted his daughter in her care but he was wrong to have accepted her into his house. “Baby?” he said, pecking Rose's forehead before moving to the parlor to switch off the television.
• The sudden quietness in the house was deafening. “Can you not do this again?” he asked Teresa, who nodded. Hector turned to leave but Teresa's voice stopped him. “I made dinner and the girls have been waiting, ” she let out, making him wiggle his head.
• “Not hungry, ” he dubbed as he walked upstairs to his room. “What's wrong with your father Rose? He's so grumpy for no reason, ” Teresa said, making Rose open her hand in a way that meant she didn't know either.
• “I have an idea, why don't we bring some to his room?” she said, making Rose beam with a smile.