Mae's story

When the pains in his head got worse, we had to move him to the hospital and we asked the doctors to run a scan and we discovered that it was not migraine like we thought it was; it was a brain tumour that was now like the size of a football.
The doctor blamed us for bringing him too late. He said dad had only a week to live. We begged him to try all he could to save my dad and he tried but none of the medications could save dad. He died a week after as the doctor said. Dads death terminated all my chances of going to college.
I knew mother needed my help and even though she wanted me to go to college, I told her I wasn't going to leave her all by herself, she said.
She was hurt and blamed herself for letting dad coax her into not going out to take a loan for his treatment. I knew shed be broken and devastated and so will I. We needed each other and I wasn't going to let her get over dads death all by herself, Mae added with a sniffle.
I walked closer to her and held her in a warm embrace. I didn't know what soothing words to say to her so I just stroked her back. We stayed like that for a few minutes and then we pulled out of the hug. Why didn't you ask for assistance from the Kings? I know they'd have been happy to help.
Your mum told me she has been working for them since Sebastian was just a child. Why? I asked confusedly.
Dad said he didn't want to be dependent on anyone. He and mum made a vow that they would never be debtors to anyone. Or rather dad made her make that vow. Even when dad was in serious pains, he made mum and I vow that we would never borrow from anyone even in his death, Mae replied. Wow!
A father sacrificed his life so that his family would suffer embarrassment form debtors. That's just how it seems to me. He preferred death to shame and embarrassment of his family.
I stayed with Mae for a while and made sure I brought back the good mood. To lift up the sad mood, I wiggled my eyebrows at her and asked, “So, do you have a boyfriend or someone you like?
It worked because she giggled like a high school girl. I laughed on hearing the sound of her laughter.
Uhm, I don't really know but I think he likes me, she said, her face turning red.
Wow, tell me about that, I asked.
Well, Danny is my best friend and I've had a crush on him since childhood. We grew up together.
Mum and Dad, before his death, knew how close we were and they weren't bothered whenever Danny and I were in my room alone. Danny had a girlfriend back then and I get jealous anytime I see them together. Sometimes, hed even make me go out with them whenever they were going out on dates.
Soon I started feeling like the third-wheel; the third party and I stopped going out with them. His girlfriend was also another reason why I stopped going out with them. Shed tell Danny that my presence wasn't giving them their privacy to do whatever they wanted.
She once told me to my face that I was a nuisance, She said. One day, Danny came to me and told me that they broke up. I didnt know if I should be happy or sad because he came to me looking sad. When I asked what the reason for their breakup was, he said I was the reason.
I became confused and I asked him what he meant by that. He said he broke up with his girlfriend because she cussed at me and called me names and he couldn't bear to hear her insult me all the time. Well, since then hes remained single and I dont know if he likes me or not she concluded.
If you are in love with him, Id advise you to tell him. The best thing is for him to know how you feel about him. You may be sacred because youd not want to ruin your friendship but I promise you, even if he doesnt love you the same way you love him, youd be at peace because you know how he feels about you and youd open up to other guys but if you keep your feelings to yourself, hed hurt you even more without knowing, I advised her.
She looked unsure about what Id told her. I know that shes scared that if she tells him, itd only drive him farther away from her. She looks like she would prefer to crush on him without telling him just so she can keep him by her side forever, even though it hurts.
On the bright side, he may end up liking you too. He may just not believe it now or know how to tell you. You could end up being the one starting the relationship with, I advised her.
OK, Ill think about it, she said and no one said a word about it again.we looked at the time and decided to start lunch. I offered to join her in making lunch. I taught her a few recipes too while we were cooking.
Soon lunch was ready and we both set the table. I asked her to get Sebastian. She did and came back saying Sebastian said he wasn't hungry. I didn't care if he ate or not but I was angry he didn't say beforehand that hed be missing lunch.
Well, I'm glad he doesn't have to eat my food which I spent my precious time making. I asked Mae and dish out her food and keep some for he mum while the rest should be shared among the rest of the workers in the mansion.