CHAPTER 4

'Hello, I'm Emma,' I greeted, trying to break the silence. 'I know, he said that,' she responded rudely. 'Well, um, can you show me where I can make his coffee?' I asked, hoping she would be nicer. 'Follow me.' She turned on her heels and I followed suit. 'Ah, he finally brought some more help?' an older woman asked as we entered the kitchen. She was a fit woman with a beige complexion and low flowing blonde hair with light brown eyes like mine. 'This is Emma, maid and coffee maker.' By the way she said it I sensed she wasn't happy about me being there or preparing coffee for Mr. Hollen, or something along those lines because she had no idea who I was. We'd never met before, so what the hell was her problem? 'Hello Emma, I'm Agnes. I do the cooking and cleaning. Halley, here, assists with the cooking and cleaning as well since this place is so big. It's nice to meet you.' Agnes was much more welcoming than Halley. 'It's nice to meet you too, Miss Agnes.' She smiled sweetly. 'Just call me Agnes or Aggie,' she laughed. I nodded. Halley snapped her fingers in my face, 'Stop dreaming. The coffee machine is right over there. Get to it.' I walked over and prepared a cup of coffee for Mr. Hollen. I was happy I knew what I was doing instead of having to ask Halley for help. At least Carl's Cafe gave me experience on a few things in the kitchen. I had no idea what to do when I was finished. Should I bring it up to his room? No, that's his personal space. Should I call him down? What? No, I'm not his wife. Should I wait? What if it gets too cold? I shouldn't have made the coffee until he told me so, but that's what he hired me for-- coffee. I sighed with relief as the door opened and he entered. He came right over, took the coffee then left. I went over to Agnes. 'How did he know I was finished?' I whispered. She pointed to the ceiling where there was a camera rotating at a three-sixty angle. He could see everything that was going on. 'Wow,' was all I said. A red light started blinking and the phone rang. 'Someone get that,' said Agnes; she had her hands in a flour mixture. 'I'll get it,' Halley insisted and rushed over to the phone, but before she could answer the call stopped. She ran out of the kitchen. 'Is she always this eager?' I asked once she left. 'Mr. Hollen doesn't like slackers, and he doesn't like to repeat himself; so, when he speaks you better listen, and don't interrupt,' she warned. 'He fired the previous maid before Halley because she turned away when he was talking to her.' 'How long has Halley been working here?' 'Oh, just over eight months.' 'And you?' 'Ten years. I was chef to his parents.' I wanted to know more about him, and Agnes had been around long enough to know a lot about him, but I didn't want to give the wrong impression on my first day. I would know in due time. 'Emma, you're wanted in the office,' Halley let out sharply when she came back. 'Where's the office?' 'Halley, show her to the office. You know its her first day here,' Agnes instructed. She led me up a flight of stairs then turned left on the second floor. She pointed to the sign on the door which read: 'The Office'. Her point indicated that I should look the next time I was needed there, or anywhere really. She went back downstairs as I knocked. 'Come,' he commanded. He was sitting at a desk, on his computer with reading glasses on. He looked so intelligent. 'Yes, sir?' 'Emma, whenever you are to make my coffee, I will instruct you when to so and where to bring it. Is that clear?' 'Yes, Mr. Hollen.' 'Also, you're staying the night.' I had seen the servants' quarters when we'd pulled up. It was along the right side of the mansion-- a nice, warm place, like a big cottage, with separate rooms and personal spaces. I couldn't wait to see the inside. 'Help Halley prepare a guest bedroom for you downstairs,' he continued. I was taken aback. I would be staying inside the mansion? In a guest bedroom? Emma's POV Why were the other maids in the staff house, and I would be in the guest room? It was what I wanted to ask him but didn't. I took the coffee cup and headed back to the kitchen where I found Halley mopping the floor where flour had spilled. 'Um, Halley,' I began. She made me uncomfortable, like a tiger ready to pounce and attack at any minute. She looked over to me, mop still in hand. 'What?' 'Mr. Hollen instructed that we should prepare a guest room downstairs.' 'He's having visitors again, Aggie?' she asked her, turning from me. 'Not that I know of.' 'Actually, it's for me,' I let out. Both women looked at me with awe. 'Mr. Hollen is having you sleep in a guest room?' Halley asked, dropping the mop. I nodded. She looked up at Agnes before Mr. Hollen appeared in the kitchen. 'Halley, what's the hold up?' he demanded. 'Nothing,' she replied quickly and took my hand in hers, leading me out of the kitchen. We walked straight ahead passed the living room, dinning room, a room with a huge pool table and colorful curtains, and another room that was all white. We arrived at four doors. 'Pick one,' she said softly. I chose the last one. We entered and started dusting and tidying up. We made the bed and changed the pillow cases. She left then returned with a broom, mop, a bucket of water, and cleaning products. We cleaned the floors and reachable spots. When we had completed everything, I helped her carry the supplies back to the storage room.