Chapter 28: Do We Have A Problem

Adani's POV

"Oh My Goodness! Congratulations!" Mrs. Parriston squealed loudly as Penelope walked in her direction and showed her the ring. "I knew he would have popped the question," she added as I walked into the room.

Both pair of eyes landed on me, daring me to say something, anything. And as if my silence wasn't good enough, Mrs. Parriston just had to say something to me.

"Look, Adanio, my son put the ring on his future wife's finger," she said to me.

Flashing my fake smile, I dug deep. "Congratulations. And my name is Adani. Not Adanio," I corrected.

"Oh, what does it matter, it's not like it's of importance that I should get your name correctly," her usual self responded.

"Mother," Mr. Parriston said as he walked into the room.

"Congratulations, again. I can't wait for the wedding. Oh, soon enough, this empty mansion would have a few kids running around. I'm so happy. This is one of the happiest days of my life," she said and embraced her son whose eyes landed on me.

I excused myself and made my way to the bedroom. I got a hot shower, got into my nightwear and sat up in the bed thinking about tonight.

~

The following afternoon, I was in the upstairs storage unit getting clean cloths when I heard the door pushed open. Turning around, I was face to face with Mr. Parriston.

"You and John. What's going on?" he questioned.

I was baffled by the question and of his presence too. It was obvious he had just came home from his company. Briefcase was still in hand and his tie wasn't even loose as yet.

"John invited me out to dinner. He newly opened a restaurant and wanted.."

"That beach restaurant?" he interrupted and asked.

"Yes," I answered.

"Oh please. His restaurant has been in operation from since six months ago. There's nothing new about it."

"Well to him, probably it is. And it was just dinner and a walk."

"Where did you two walk?"

"Along the beach. With all due respect, Mr. Parriston, why are you asking me all these questions?"

He stepped closer, so close that I could feel his body heat beginning to wrap around me and wake up the butterflies I had to get rid of.

"You're right. What you do is your business but I do hope you're careful. John doesn't have a clean dating record. He uses his stale lines about being a chef and having a passion for food to woo women, then he dumps them when he has had enough. Sort of like when you would push a plate of meal away when your stomach is filled."

"Thank you for the information and congratulations on your engagement, Mr. Parriston," I sliced.

I moved away from him and left the storage room. I had already clean his bedroom so I was grateful I could have avoided him for the remainder of the evening.

~

I liked John. I looked forward to seeing him on the weekends when he came to the mansion.
We talked for hours on the phone at nights and he made me laugh. He showed me how to prepare one of his favorite dishes which he called a comfort pasta one weekend.

"You know, Adani, I like you," John said to me one evening after he finished his cooking. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a bouquet of flowers.

Roses.

Roses were my favorite.

"Thank you, John."

"You're welcome. You deserve everything beautiful."

Mr. Parriston walked into the kitchen. He looked between John and I without a word, got himself a glass of water and walked out.

"There's a vibe about him that is off. Usually, he greets me," John observed.

"Maybe he's just having an off-day."

"Hmm. Ready for the movies tonight?" he asked, pulling me in for a casual hug.

"I am."

That evening, John took me to the cinema where we brought popcorn and sodas and looked at a romantic movie. He was upset when the lead love interest didn't win the heart of the lead female character.

"He deserved her. The rich guy treated her like shit and was only interested in her when another guy got her attention," he pointed out.

"But the other guy knew what he was up against. She told him that she had feelings for the rich guy. They were only apart because the people around them dictated their relationship for them."

"But he shouldn't care what other people think. It's between him and her. He of all people should know that."

"You do have a point," I replied.

~
Spending time with John was easy. He was nothing like Wayan and he didn't come with the drama like what followed Mr. Parriston.

Mavielle was neutral when I told her about us. She had nothing bad to say but nothing good either which wasn't very comforting but I wasn't looking for her approval.

August was even hotter than July. I adjusted the air conditioner to a cooler setting in my bedroom as I got into my maid uniform to start my shift.

"Mr. Parriston wants to see us in his office," Mavielle said as I stepped out from my bedroom.

"What about?" I asked her.

"No idea."

Soon enough, we got there. Flamboyant was already seated across from him. He gestured for us to have a seat and handed a sheet of paper to Mavielle.

"The new shift was a trial. That trial is over and the regular shift would resume as of tomorrow," Mr. Parriston said.

"Okay, sir," Mavielle answered and looked through the information she was holding.

"Well, that would be all," Mr. Parriston said and dismissed us. We left the office and went into the kitchen.

"Mr. Parriston has put in some new stipulations and rules," Mavielle said as she sat down on one of bar stools.

"Rules like what?" I asked, peering over her shoulder.

"Everyone's half-day would be on Fridays and days off on the weekends. Doctor's appointments every six months to ensure a record of good health," Mavielle read aloud and continued, "Professionalism should be kept at all times once on the premises and absolutely no...." Mavielle paused.

"Why'd you stopped?" I asked.

"Because you wouldn't like this," she answered. She handed me the paper and I read.

"And absolutely no fraternizing with co-workers. Failure to keep up and obey the following would result in immediate TERMINATION at The Parriston's Estate."

My eyes popped. I couldn't believe it. Without thinking, I stormed into my boss's office where he was still at his desk.

"Mr. Parriston, you cannot be serious with this," I started.

"Miss. Prime, may I suggest you watch your tone and tongue," he said and without looking up from the documents he was going through on his desk.

"You inserted this after learning about John and I," I added, taking out the volume in my voice.

"No. It was in your contract that you probably didn't read thoroughly. I was just enforcing them. That's all."

"Now, you're enforcing this now?"

"Yes. Do we have a problem?" He was looking at me now with folded arms and a smirk.

I shook my head no and walked out of the office. Walking along the hallway, I reached for my cellphone and called John, informing him of what just occurred.

We agreed to meet up and talk about it more.

"There must be some kind of loophole where we can spend time with each other," I said.

"Ricardo is a chess player. Things always have to go his way."

"I guess we can meet up after work. I'm free on the weekends and.."

"Are you crazy, didn't you read what he stated, or can you even read?" John snapped rudely.

"John.. I.."

"Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I had a bad day at the restaurant. Lost some of my favorite customers because the chef screwed up the order and everything is just frustrating me all at once. And then you inform me about this and... I'm sorry," he apologized.

"Take me back to the mansion, please," I said.

Without another word, John drove me back to the mansion's gate. I got out, left his car door open and walked up the driveway myself.

Upon getting into my bedroom, I blocked and deleted his number. My eyes caught the flowers and although it was beautiful, I tossed it into the trash.

I thought too much too quickly for and about John.





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