C3

Elizabeth shivered in fear as she stood before the chief maid and the wife of her boss, Ms Smith. Their eyes stared daggers at her that she wished she had a choice. She would have preferred being swallowed by the ground than facing the two women before her.

Karen as the chief maid has always hated her guts and never seize to use any opportunity she gets to show it.

As for Ms Smith, Elizabeth couldn't really tell her problems with her but she concluded it could be from the influence of her son. After all, she would always side her son so she didn't let it bother her that much.

She knew it, she had doubted Clinton's unusual quick forgiveness to her and suspected he planned something else. And right she was. Clinton never really let her go. Of course he wouldn't ever do that, more reason why she had her doubts.

"Elizabeth!" Karen shouted at the lost in thoughts Elizabeth.

"Yes ma," answered Elizabeth prepared for anything.

Ms Smith stood up and casually began to walk towards Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was standing very close to the door. As she saw Ms Smith approach her, even with her look casual and void of anger, she still knew how dangerous she could be.

For the years Elizabeth has served the Smith's family, she has been able to study them and learn some of their characteristics. Though she would admit, she was still far from completely knowing them. But moments like this where Ms Smith act so casually and not worried was when she should even be feared. To her, it was the most important time to watch your back more.

"I picked you up from the gutters, fed you, clothed you and still do!" Her voice was gradually rising now as she stopped just in front of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth don't dare look down. No matter how much she wished to run from her presence or even at least put her face down, she dare not. That is the fastest way to call for death from Ms Smith.

"How dare you? How dare you insult my son in this house? How dare you? You this cheap..."

She was still saying when Karen ran and held her.

"It's okay ma'am, she will face her punishment."

Elizabeth stared, horror-struck at Ms Smith's reaction. Is it just what she said that Clinton reported to her mother or was there something else she didn't know that is behind Ms Smith extreme reaction. She knew Ms Smith had temper issues but today's own baffled her.

After Ms Smith calmed down, she continued, "I don't like my anger being awaken Elizabeth. Know your place in this house and stay put in it. And let this be the ever last time I get this type of report again. Understood?"

" Yes ma'am," responded Elizabeth as she waited to hear her punishment from her.

But Ms Smith left the room leaving her alone with Karen.

"For the rest of the week, you are in charge of all the cleaning in this house alone," she said laying a heavy emphasis on alone.

Elizabeth considered the punishment harsh for a little mistake she did but there was nothing she really could do about it.

It was Tuesday, that automatically means she would 'alone' clean the Smith's mansion for the remaining six days. She envisioned how difficult it would be for her to singlehandedly clean the mansion considering how big the house is. To even think it wasn't just once a day task but twice in a day work. A work that more than ten maids do that only her would do.

Pity.