THE NEW CHIEF MAID

CLARA'S POV
I shoved my hair off my face with my squinted eyes as my vision was still bleary, my alarm had just woken me up. I couldn't even recall when and how I slept last night. I was still dozy but when I remembered I had to go to school, I sprinted to the bathroom. When I got out from the bathroom, My roommate was standing by the door waiting for me, she sprang in immediately, complaining about the fact that she had woken up late and was supposed to in the kitchen by this time.
I walked to my bed, using my towel to clean my body gently. I had just applied my cream, about to wear my undies when Reneta came out from the bathroom hastily almost falling off.
" What have you been doing girl? " She asked me already applying her cream. I became confused, I wanted to ask her what it seems like I was doing , but I restrained myself from asking. I had just put on my uniform, when Renata ran out of the room with her shoe in her left hand. I picked up my phone to check the time, it was 5:30 am. After I had finish dressing up, I looked at the mirror, combing my hair, smiling at how beautiful I looked. The door creaked open, I turned back to check who it was. A middle aged woman entered with anger written all over her face which made her very ugly, she was looking like a wicked scary witch in my favourite television programmes as a kid. I had become scared only by how she was staring at me, I wondered if I wouldn't faint when she comes nearer. As she got close, I picked up my bag and walked to meet her. I greeted her but didn't get any response.
" What is the time young lady ?" She asked with her arms folded at the back and her two eyes fixed on mine. I took out my phone from my bag and checked the time.
"One minute to six ma'am " My voice had become shaky for no reason.
" You don't know the time you ought to be out doing your morning duites? " she asked coming closer to me while I tried shifting back. "Let today be the first and the last day you would come down late. You are to wake up by 4:00 am every day I'm I clear?" She removed her hand from her back adjusting the cap she was wearing on her head.
" Yes ma, I wasn't informed " I removed my eyes away from her, looking at the door.
" I can see, you are new. Go outside now, we are having an emergency meeting and you are here combing your hair, looking at your ugly face trying to impress the master? " She shouted which made me shudder as I ran out of the room. There was no need for her last sentence. What was her problem and who the hell is she? I couldn't help but think. Well I suppose the meeting they are having at the moment has an answer to my questions.
When I got to the kitchen the whole staff had arrived, they were all standing. I stood at the back because I didn't want to get their attention. Reneta eyes caught with mine, she looked apologetically at me, more like she was telling me that she was sorry. After about 6 minute of standing, someone pushed me forward, I was close to falling but I regained my balance immediately. I turned to look at who it was, the woman who had chased me out of the room stood there looking at me irritatingly, I wondered what I had done to her.
" Would you move inside you ugly thing, why are you standing at the door? She folded her arms in alkibo looking at me with hatred, I wonder what I must have done to upset her, it is not like I stole her husband or something. By now the attention I was avoiding had now caught up with me, everyone turned and were looking at me. I stood there biting the my bottom lip continuously looking at the floor out of embarrassment. She walked to the front slowly, dragging her feet as she walked,making an offensive noise.
" To some of you that don't know, I will be replacing Mrs. Kate from today until she get back from Indian or whatever country she went to for her sister's operation. She wouldn't be coming back for long so I will be in charge. " She was walking about, looking at each of us. Some were mummering, while some people like me kept our mouth shut.
" Firstly, I would be giving my rules and regulations which you must abide to diligently or face the consequences. You will only have yourself to blame" She walked to the table where she had kept her bag, brought out some papers and started distributing it hastily. When she got to me she threw it on the floor just as I was about to collect it from her. I took few seconds to stare at her as she walked past me before I picked it up. On it was imprinted boldly " Rules and Regulations ".
" I want you all to read it aloud " She said bringing out her glasses. Everyone became confused as they turned looking at each other, not until she said it again shouting with a loud voice that can cause one to go unconscious instantly. Immediately everyone began reading, my mouth was moving but I wasn't saying anything out of fear I kept on praying she didn't notice, lucky for me she didn't notice until we were done.
" Good, so coming out here by 5 won't be tolerated, I want you all to be here by 5 on the dot. Anything other than that won't be tolerated. " I wondered why she was still repeating it after we had just finish reading it. " Any questions? " She asking with her hands folded to her back. I wanted to ask her about the students but I was too scared.
" Excuse me ma'am, what about the maids that are still going to school? " A girl asked making me feel so eased. It was as if she had read my mind and saw that I was afraid to ask, so she immediately asked even though she wasn't going to school.
" They ain't excluded, I expect everyone here by 5 o'clock. They would do their morning chores before leaving for school by 7 o'clock , hope that is clear.
" What 7 o'clock?" I shouted shockingly, I didn't even know when I did. My mouth were still open.
" Yes, if you have a problem with it then resign while I am still letting you to. Now get back to your morning duites" She ended her statement and left while other staff left one of the other talking to one another inaudibly. I saw Renata running towards me but I didn't stop to wait for her. I walked to the duiroaster to check what I was supposed to do this morning, lucky for me I was only going sweep the staff quarter. I picked up a broom about to leave when Renata tapped me on my shoulder.
" I'm sorry about this morning, I should have told you, I thought student were excluded because it has always been like that during Mrs. Kate time but this witch"
" I'm not angry with you, I have to go now else I would be late for school. See you later " I waved gently with a smile on my face before I turned to leave.
" Where are you sweeping? " Renata asked with her voice, I could everyone heard her.
" Staff quarter" I replied without turning back.
I hurriedly swept the staff quarters. By 6:59 am, I was done. I went back to my room to check myself in the mirror, I was good to go. Renata had told me to go through the third gate when going to school. I got to the gate, greeted the security guard and politely asked them to open the gate for me but they refused. They said they needed a letter from the head of the maid. I begged them that I was late and that Mrs. Kate wasn't around. I. Can't possibly go to ask that witch, she didn't even tell us her name.
" Please sir, just let me pass today, tommorrow I promise to bring the letter " They still refused. I couldn't help but imagine why it was such a big deal to let me go through, it isn't like I was entering into the compound. After my pleading for about 30 minutes, One of decided to call Mrs. Kate. Luckily she picked up and confirmed I was a maid but still a student and that they should let me go through. The gate open by itself and I ran out, I was already late. I needed to get to the bus-stop before I can get a bus, which was quite far.