Chapter 4 His Woman

• lissa's POV
• That evening, Veronica Dawn, the house cook, approached me. Her eyes still held a pitiful look, like when we first met. "Melissa, it's time to take food to mister Williams," she said gently.
• I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat as bile rose in my stomach. Why did I have to be the one to take his food? I wanted to ask, but fear held me back. I had been working since I arrived, and my whole body ached, yet I would prefer to continue than see that ice of a man.
• "Okay, Ms. Dawn," I replied reluctantly.
• Veronica smiled warmly. "Just call me Veronica, child." I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Now, quickly go have your bath and come take the food to him," she instructed, directing me to the maid quarters.
• I bathed and returned shortly after, feeling a bit refreshed. Veronica handed me the food, and I carried it shakily. "Careful, don't spill it," she warned.
• As I climbed the stairs, my fear grew with each step. I didn't know how Mr. Brown would react when he saw me again.
• My legs and body shook, but I tried to calm myself. "He's just a man, he's just a man," I chanted, trying to convince myself. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that he was a man without a heart.
• I finally reached the last floor, where Mr. Brown's quarters were located. The house was a three storey building.
• The floor's painting was different from the others, a dull grey color that matched my mood. "Just as grey as his heart," I muttered inaudibly to myself as I approached the brown door Ms Dawn described for me.
• Knocking seemed harder than I thought, but I took a deep breath and summoned the courage to do so. After two knocks with no reply, I pushed the door softly and entered, thick darkness filling my senses.
• The room was pitch black, and I stood still, gripping the tray tightly to avoid stumbling. "Mr. Brown," I called out, but only eerie silence replied. I thought he wasn't there and felt a wave of relief, despite the fear I was feeling. I hated the darkness.
• But as I turned to leave, the lights suddenly came on, making me jolt. The tray almost slipped from my hands, but I fought to steady it, my heart almost leaving me.
• "What are you doing here?" Mr. Brown asked in his cold tone, making me shiver.
• I turned to see him sitting on a sofa, shirtless with his legs crossed. I quickly averted my gaze from his exposed chest, feeling a lump in my throat.
• "I was sent by Veron... Ms. Dawn to bring your food," I said, correcting myself quickly. Mr. Brown didn't respond, just staring at me with a gloomy expression. I felt like prey before an angry predator.
• After an eternity, he spoke again. "Did you bathe before carrying that food?" he asked, not even looking at me.
• "Yes, I did," I replied immediately. He seemed to contemplate my answer, as if doubting my truthfulness.
• I found him infuriating. "Go back and bathe before bringing it," he said casually, still not looking at me. Was he deaf? Didn't he hear me say I had already bathed?
• "I already had my bath just now, Mr. Brown," I said through gritted teeth, trying to control my anger.
• "Just now, you were standing right there. Now, leave and never make me repeat myself again," he yelled, his voice making me quickly turn back and leave the room.
• My eyes stung with tears, but I held them back. Was he always this difficult? I had been working all day, tired and hungry, yet he treated me like a slave.
• I had to be strong, for myself and my dad, who was probably broken by now. I had still not heard from him yet so, I made a mental note to call him as soon as I finished my tasks. Maybe he felt too guilty to call me. I pitied him. Just some months ago, he lost his wife, and now his daughter was with some heartless man.
• I returned to the kitchen, dropping the food on the table, and earning a shocked look from Veronica. "He asked me to bathe again," I explained before she could ask.
• She shook her head and continued working. I rushed back to bathe and change, not wanting to be sent back again.
• When I returned to the kitchen, Veronica was preparing another meal. "He won't accept that one again," she said, though I didn't ask. I fought the urge to not roll my eyes.
• Mr. Brown was indeed annoying. Veronica arranged the food perfectly before letting me carry it. As I headed back upstairs, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me. I tried to quicken my pace, but the tray slowed me down.
• The person caught up, and a nice feminine cologne wafted into my nose.
• "Hey, who are you?" she asked coldly. "And what are you doing here? I don't recognize you." I took a deep breath, feeling a headache coming on.
• Was she supposed to know me? Does She know every worker in the house, even from the back? "I'm Melissa, the new maid," I paused and replied passively, already upset and tired.
• She was likely Mr. Brown's woman or sister based on her tone. And I didn't care to meet any.
• She sneered, "You're a maid? You don't look like one. Are you one of those girls who disguise themselves as maids to steal people's men?"
• Okay! She was his woman, and I didn't really have the strength to deal with her at all. What the fuck was wrong with the people in this house? They acted like they hit their head against some rock.
• I fought the urge to not roll my eyes as I was now facing her and it'd be considered rude. "I'm a maid, ma'am, and I'm not here to steal people's men." I said it mockingly, trying to hide my frustration.
• I then turned around to continue on my way but she yelled, "Stop there, young lady! Turn back and leave. I don't like your attitude and I don't need anyone taking care of my man. I'm back now, and I'll do it myself."
• With that, she stormed past me, her shoulder slightly brushing against mine, leaving me frozen and dumbfounded. I wondered what to do next. Should I return to the kitchen, go back to my room, or try to complete my task? The encounter left me feeling uncertain and very annoyed.