17

*****IN THE VICINITY***

**MEANWHILE IN A MANSION ELSEWHERE******

A girl dressed in black and white dress, with a brush in her hands quickly gave off the vibe of being a maid, for a rich man. She stood up, head bowed, fists clenched, as she awaited her master’s final prediction. She was in big trouble, there has been a series of theft in the mansion, and it all seemed to take place, where she was assigned to, so instantly, she was labeled the culprit. She had pleaded with her madam that it wasn’t her that did it, but was shunned. And now, she waited for the master to spell out the bad news for now.

She waited as the elderly man, placed his cigar in the mouth, a cup of wine twirling in his arms as his racketed labored breath filled the room. He was dying of a lung failure, yet he kept on smoking. What a stubborn man, this was.

She involuntary coughed as the man’s head snapped up.

Oh, Rose, you are here, why didn’t you announce your arrival when you came. The man, the honorable Mr. Whitfield Duke of the Whitefield Empire said, looking at her.

Rose could almost rolled her eyes. She had informed him about her presence, three times now, add that to acute amnesia.

“Am sorry, sir, it escaped my mind. Madam sent me to you, she said that you are the one to decide my punishment.” She added, hoping to cut to the chase. She couldn’t have him forgetting that she is here, one more time.

Oh…well the punishment. He said standing up, as he placed the cigar and wine glass on the table and went to sit at the edge of the table, looking at her.

Rose could see the lust and desire in his eyes and chose to ignore it. She knew that the Duke had a thing for young girls, but she made sure that she steered clear of his path. Now she could only hope that he didn’t bring that up.

Well, you see, stealing is very bad…very bad in this family, and once caught, your punishment is immediate dismissal and possibly jail time for a few years, depending on what was stolen and who it was stolen from. The duke said as he ravished her chest, his hands tingling from the anticipation of being this close to her, her perfume enticing him. Rose noticed this and began a bit uncomfortable, she moved from a foot to the other, edgy.
The duke noticed it and cleared his throat and continued.

“As I was saying, I am sorry to tell you, but you are hereby dismissed…”Rose was immediately put down, disheartened. Don’t blame her, although the duke was a pervert and the madam was an asshole, and they treated her like crap, always bullying her and pushing her down to the mud like she didn’t matter. The pay was good, very good, that she was willing to swallow all this maltreatment for over three years and now she is being kicked out like that, and she was certain, that they won’t give her anything. Her mind was busy wondering how she was going to get a job without any certificate to show she went to school.


But…I can help you, I can drop all charges of you and you can retain your job, hell even get promoted. The duke continued pulling her out of her thoughts.

Pardon? She asked blinking her eyes at him.

“Agree to be my mistress and you can stay here as long as you like, I will make sure that nobody bullies you ever again, not even my wife, the madam. You will be promoted, hell I can even make you my official mistress, you will have your own maids and privileges attached to it.” Rose stomach churned when she heard this. There and then, she felt like puking and slapping the duke at the same time for an abnormal idea, he had just spluttered out. But she reined herself in, she took a deep breath and mentally reminded herself.

Remember, what did I say? Orange doesn’t look good on you, so please do not do anything that will get us jailed. Let’s just quit and walk away, you can find another job elsewhere.

I am sorry sir, but I am afraid that I have to decline your offer, I am sorry but I won’t throw away my dignity and self-respect like that. Rose said as she dropped the brush on his table.

I have resigned. She announced as she turned and left the office, midst the yelling Duke was directing at her.

She left the mansion as she made her way to the curb, hailing a cab. The cab soon stopped beside her as she entered and closed the door.

Good morning, miss. Where to? The cab driver asked looking at the rear mirror.

Oakwood avenue. Ress replied as the cab driver switched on the ignition and drove away.


Immediately she got to Oak wood avenue, she paid the driver and came out, heading to the apartment where she lived with her best friend and roommates Casita and Olive. Casita worked in a restaurant so she was always with Olive. And just last week, she received news that Olive was sick and had been given a two days sick leave and she was supposed to resume work tomorrow. So it was Casita taking care of her.

She knocked on the door, and waited for a reply.

Just a moment. A voice from inside yelled as she could hear the fumbling noises and a minute later, padded foot going to open the door. The door swung open as Olive came to view. She was still wearing her pajamas, with her hair scattered and bits of popcorn could been seen sticking out of it.

Rose! She gasped, what are you doing here? Did something happen? Olive asked hugging her.

Yes I guess. Rose said after they disengaged and they both walked inside, with Olive closing the door.Rose looked around their small apartment with a frown on her face disapproving what she was seeing and said,

“Where is Casita? How could she let you turn this place upside down. It looked like what a circus played in.” She added as Rose scratched her hair nervously.

Sorry about the mess here, but in my defense, you weren’t expected back till Friday and this is Wednesday… it’s Wednesday right? Olive asked looking at her.

It is Wednesday and look how you have managed to turn here upside down, dirty plates, junk food littered everywhere. What a dump. Rose commented looking round their tiny apartment.

I was sick and alone. Casita hasn’t been back for three days. You were at work, so I figured that I will clear it up, before Friday, and well…what are you doing wearing your work uniform, also, what are you doing here? Olive asked fixing her glasses properly.

Well, bad news, I got fired. And I told you that I could help with your illness, but you don’t want me to perform my ‘mojo’ as you call it on you… Rose said dropping the bomb.

No offense, but I rather stick to the medicines. I am not saying that I don’t believe you but… hold on, you lost your job? Olive said shaking her head in disbelief.

Yes I lost my job….hold up, did you say Casita hasn’t been back for THREE DAYS?? Rose said as she stopped in her tracks and faced Olive who nodded her head slowly.

“And you didn’t think to call me or inform the police?” Rose said as she watched Olive cringed in fear as she stuttered,

“I…was told not to. Or Casita would be killed.” She murmured as Rose saw that Olive was shaking in fear and softened her hard glare at her. She then noticed that Olive had some bruises on her face which she was trying to hide.

“What do you mean? Were you harassed? Olive is there something that you are not telling me?” Rose said as she pulled Olive down on a couch as Olive started crying.

“It wasn’t my fault. They came here, and scattered the house, and they beat me up. I found out that Casita was with them, she was tied up in the video they showed me and they warned that if I called the police, Casita would be dead. And they told me to find a man called Black and tell him this.” She said as Rose quickly wrapped her in her arms and patted her as she was crying uncontrollably.

“Who the hell was Black? And what did he had to do with their friend being kidnapped?” Rose wondered as she patted Olive who was letting buckets run down her face.

“Don’t cry, Olive. I am so sorry that you had to go through this all alone but I am here now, I will help you and together we will find our friend, I promise.” Rose said, her fist clenching with anger.