Chapter 11

Kharis POV
Immediately he walked out, I gave Ma Cleopatra a fake smile.
Ma Cleopatra held my hands, smiled, and uttered "he would get used to having you around, trust me." I shrugged and excused myself.
I walked to my room. Oh yes, I had a big bedroom all to myself. The bed was large and comfortable, with four cozy pillows. I sat on the bed and felt extremely safe and at peace. I'm going to have the sweetest dreams on this bed, I thought - little did I know it was just the beginning of painful pleasure.
I took my time to explore the mansion. It was a big house, the kind in which most New York City kids dreamed of growing up. Secluded among trees on one of the most exclusive streets. It had dormers, balconies, a screened-in front porch, a free-standing garage, a gazebo, a pool, formal gardens, and clean white walls.
A blend of Japanese and northwestern architecture gave the house a perfect feel for a relaxing yoga retreat or any vacation. I mean, I could meditate here, feel like I'm in the Maldives here... home has never felt so good.
I got to the kitchen and realized they were tools and pieces of equipment I had never used before, even in the restaurant. I became confused and imagined how embarrassed I'll be if sir Frederick ever asks me to cook a meal that would require any of the mighty equipment.
Ma Cleopatra, I called out. When I got no reply from her, I figured she had not heard me. I went to her room and knocked on the door.
May I come in please, I inquired…
Oh please do my dear, Ma Cleopatra answered…
I pushed the door open and walked in shyly.
I called you five times before coming up here. I was hoping…
Kharis my dear, the mansion is a big one. It is quite hard to reach out to anyone here by shouting at the top of your lungs, Ma Cleopatra interrupted me…
Now see, each part of the house, be it the kitchen, balcony, my room, Fredrick's room and even yours has an assigned telephone number. For instance, if I want to get to you in the kitchen, I'll pick up my telephone and call the kitchen. I'm sure you can operate a telephone? She asked and ended her lecture on communication with a smile.
I understand Ma and proceeded to ask her to give me a lecture on most of the equipment in the kitchen.
"I'll be with you in 20 minutes. My flight is scheduled for the next 50 minutes. I have to pack my bags", Ma Cleopatra answered.
After a while, Ma Cleopatra was with me in the kitchen.
Do you have a cell phone? I heard her ask me as she walked into the kitchen.
Oh yes...you have my phone number, I answered.
Yes, I do. You need to have Frederick's number. She answered.
My heart raced a bit. I mean, what is the essence of having his number. What would I call him for!!! I kept thinking till Ma Cleopatra snapped me out of my thoughts.
This is a microwave, Kharis. Do you not know how to use this?
Well, that was Ma Cleopatra asking a young girl who worked in a restaurant if she could handle a microwave. Truth is, I was well versed in microwaves. I knew how to handle the microwave at the restaurant, Clintons' and my stepmothers'.
What was difficult was handling the microwave at Frederick's house. It was really big and sophisticated.
Back to Ma Cleopatra's question.
"I know how to use a microwave but this one seems tough"
Okay Kharis, all you have to do is put on the switch and…
Our microwave lesson was interrupted by an alarm tone.
Oh lord, Kharis… I have to run now. I didn't check my time. I wouldn't meet the plane if I stay here for another minute. Uhmm, Lois would help you out in regards to the microwave. Here is Frederick's number and remember he loves coffee in the evening and pancakes in the morning, Ma Cleopatra said while running out.
Okay, I understand. Have a safe trip. I'll keep in touch, I screamed out so she'll hear me.
I sat on the dining chair and thought about my parents. It was 2:56 pm and I had not received a call from them yet. Well, they were still at work.
I felt so bored and I decided to get familiar with my environment. Lois wasn't back yet to lecture me on how to use the microwave, so, I decided to check out Frederick's bedroom.
Funny enough, his bedroom door was opened. I walked into what felt like Paradise. His room was well litted and had lots of artwork. I think black was his favorite color. His room was purely black. Damn, I would give anything to lay on this bed - alone though, not with Frederick.
I knew I shouldn't be sneaking around but I was very curious to know the kind man he was. His fashion taste intrigued me. I was crushing on my new boss. How was I going to cope?
I left the massive bedroom and headed upstairs again. They were eight bedrooms in this mansion. I opened the 5th room and a mighty bookshelf caught my attention. I think this was his study. It had lots of best-selling business books from amazing authors. Every little detail about Frederick interested me. First, his fashion sense and then, his knowledge of business…
His parents must be so proud, I thought. I want to learn more about this man, I want to gain from him. I heard footsteps from down the stairs and I felt shivers. I was trying to be silent. My boss shouldn't catch me sneaking around in his room and study. That'll definitely be a bad second or fourth bad impression.
I wasn't aware of the number of times I messed up in his presence or gave him a bad impression of me.
I rushed downstairs and thanked my stars when I realized it was Lois and not Frederick.