Chapter 5 Breakfast

• Melissa's POV
• The next morning, Veronica had prepared a variety of meals, and I helped set them on the dining table. I overheard the other workers mention that Mr. Brown and his fiancée would be having breakfast together.
• I realized the woman I met on the stairs yesterday was his fiancée. They seemed like a match made in heaven, judging by their similar attitudes.
• As I placed the last dish on the table, the couple came downstairs. My eyes involuntarily fixed on the fiancée. She was a stunning brunette with radiant, fair skin that glowed from obvious care. Her loose shirt and hair, styled in effortless waves, framed her face. Her wealth and confidence were evident in her look.
• Mr. Brown forced a smile, and she giggled at something he said. I quickly looked away, not wanting to draw their attention.
• As I turned to leave, the fiancée's voice stopped me. "Hey! Get back here!" she roared. The other two girls and I turned to her, wondering what she wanted. "I don't want this here," she said irritably, and we exchanged confused glances.
• The blonde girl beside me asked, "What are you talking about, ma'am?"
• Her response was harsh. "Are you dumb? I said we don't want the food here. Take everything to the front porch. We need some fresh air. Right, baby?" She turned to Mr. Brown, who showed a bored expression before he forced a smile.
• "If that's what you want, Mia, then it's okay," he replied, before turning and walking away.
• "What are you still standing there like trees for? Move!" Mia snapped at us.
• We quickly grabbed plates and followed the blonde girl to the porch. Mr. Brown was already seated, looking unenthusiastic about the breakfast, making me ponder why he acted so uninterested.
• Also, I couldn't help but admire the porch's beauty, with its see-through glass offering a view of the compound's trees and flowers.
• As I turned to leave, Mr. Brown's order made me pause. "You, come here!" I approached him, wondering what I had done wrong.
• He seemed about to speak, but Mia arrived, took her seat, and scrutinized me from head to toe. Their gazes made me feel tiny and insignificant.
• "What are you still doing here? Do you want to dine with us?" Mia asked, eyeing me.
• I fought the urge to not roll my eyes before I replied, "No, ma'am. Mr. Brown called me."
• She turned to him, but he ignored us, acting like he couldn't hear. Mia tapped him lightly, saying "Baby, why did you ask her to stay? I want her gone; her presence is disturbing." She batted her lashes at him, and I waited for him to agree and excuse me. I longed to escape their presence.
• Instead, Mr. Brown said, "I want to punish her for not returning with my food yesterday." I was shocked.
• Didn't his fiancee tell him she had met me on the stairs and driven me back before I stole her man? I tried to speak, "I...I was," but Mia cut me off, eyeing me and before I could think, she emptied the wine in one of the glasses on my face.
• "You weren't asked to talk!" she yelled, holding the glass.
• I stared in disbelief, my eyes stinging with tears. I tried to wipe the wine off, but Mia shouted, "Dare you to touch that!" The wine and tears mixed, dripping from my face to the floor. I lowered my head, trying to let them drip faster, as the pain and humiliation intensified.
• Mia winked at Mr. Brown, caressing him, "You know I can always help you punish anyone, babe." He didn't react, digging into his food. I wondered if he was pleased or displeased, but he didn't show it. Why would it displease him? He would have done worse to me anyway.
• Mr. Brown suddenly ordered, "Get out! I'll call for you later." I quickly left, relieved. I rushed to my room in the maid quarters, slumping on the bed in tears. What had I done to Mia to deserve her wrath, added to Mr. Brown's frustrations?
• I cried until I was exhausted, then checked my phone for messages from my dad. Still, there were none. I hadn't heard from him since yesterday, and it was getting worrying. I had called him several times last night, but he didn't answer. I was about to call again when I heard a knock on the door.
• I hurriedly cleaned my face and went to answer it, expecting to be needed in the kitchen. But I was shocked to see Mr. Brown standing there, his presence unexpected. My gaze swept past his shoulder searching for Mia, but she was nowhere near.
• Had he come to punish me? I avoided his gaze, my hands shaking slightly. "I see you're lazing around when you're supposed to be working," he said, his tone angry.
• I tried to defend myself, "No, I was just..." but my words trailed off, unable to find a suitable excuse.
• I had been working non-stop since yesterday, waking up at 5am today, and now he accused me of lazing around?
• "You can't deny it, can you?" Mr. Brown sneered, and I shook my head, eager for him to end the accusation.
• "Good," he said. "Now you'll be punished for starving me and neglecting your duties."
• Before I could process his words, two guards appeared and grabbed me, dragging me away. "Let me go! Please!" I cried, struggling to free myself. "Mr. Brown, I'm sorry!" I shouted, hoping to appease him.
• The guards pulled me past the main house into an old, empty building. I continued crying and thrashing my feet, but they didn't budge. Their strength overpowered mine.
• We reached a door, and Mr. Brown ordered casually, "Stop." I felt a fleeting sense of relief, thinking I was free. But then he ordered again, "Take her to the other door."
• My heart sank to my stomach again as the guards began dragging me to the opposite side, leading me down a dark hallway. I heard a door creak open, and I was pushed inside, enveloped in eerie darkness.