"Good morning, Mr. Bennett," I greeted Malcolm as soon as he emerged from his room wearing a three piece - probably Armani - suit.
A grunt was the only response I got as Malcolm took a seat at the breakfast table.
"What would you like to have for breakfast?" I asked, ready to make whatever he wanted.
"Anything as long as there is a big cup of steaming coffee," Malcolm muttered.
I nodded and quickly went to prepare breakfast for him, making sure to have the coffee brewing.
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After fifteen minutes, I placed a plate filled with food and a big, steaming cup of coffee in front of Malcolm. Without a word, Malcolm begun eating whatever was in the plate, taking big gulps of coffee in between; while I stood there, waiting to see if he needed anything more.
"Why are you standing here?" Malcolm asked with a raised eyebrow.
Embarrassment colored my cheeks at his question. "Um - I - I just wanted to know if you needed anything else," I answered softly.
"If I do need something I'll call you, so get out of here and let me eat in peace," he snapped irritably.
Biting my lip, I nodded at Malcolm and scurried out of the kitchen and into the living room, ready to clean the vast space.
Malcolm left soon after finishing his breakfast. But, before leaving he gave me strict instructions not to enter the rooms that were prohibited to me.
The rest of the day was spent cleaning the penthouse, and doing Malcolm's laundry. After I was done cleaning the house, I prepared lunch for the staff members. I would've prepared lunch for Malcolm but he told me he would not be coming to his house for lunch.
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Malcolm arrived at the penthouse at 6:40 pm, looking tired. As soon as he plopped on the leather couch in the living room, I went to him with a glass of cold water.
"Good evening, Mr. Bennett," I greeted with a smile, setting the glass of water on the table in front of him. I turned to leave when Malcolm's voice stopped me.
"What's this?" he questioned with a frown on his tired, handsome face.
"Water," I stated the obvious.
"I can see that, why did you bring me water, I did not ask for it?" he enquired, annoyance evident in his voice.
"You look tired so I brought you water," I explained.
In response, Malcolm just stared at me with a peculiar expression on his face. After two minutes of constantly staring, I grew uncomfortable.
"I - I'll go prepare dinner," I said softly, turning away.
"Stop," Malcolm ordered.
"Yes?"
"Make dinner for two, I have a guest coming over," he told me.
Giving him a single nod, I hurried in the kitchen to prepare dinner.
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The door bell rang at 8:00 pm sharp. Drying my hands with a rag, I strode out of the kitchen towards the front door.
Opening the door, I stepped aside to let a woman enter. A woman who made me feel like trash.
She looked to be in her mid-twenties with glossy, dark hair that tumbled down her back in thick waves. She had a beautiful face; with thin, plucked eyebrows, a straight nose and glossy red lips. She was wearing a black dress with a sexy pair of heels.
"Good evening, Ma'am," I greeted politely.
The woman gave me a once over before turning away, grimacing in disgust. Ouch!
"Annabelle, darling, how are you," Malcolm said to the woman, kissing her cheek softly.
"I'm good now that I have seen you, how are you?" Annabelle asked, wounding her arms around Malcolm's neck with a smile.
"I'm good, come, let's eat, you must be hungry," Malcolm said, leading her to the dining room where I had already set the table, all that was left was to take the food.
I hurried in the kitchen and grabbed the dishes in my arms. I was able to carry three dishes in my arms, which resulted in me quickly setting the food on the dining table.
"Who is this woman?" I heard Annabelle ask just as I exited the dining room. Curious, I decided to listen to what was being said about me.
"She's nobody, just someone I hired to be my maid," Malcolm replied nonchalantly.
Tears stung my eyes at hearing his reply. Of course, I was a nobody, why on Earth would I mean anything to Malcolm. Just because I was the mother of his unborn child did not mean that I would suddenly have a place in Malcolm's heart. I was nothing but a nuisance to him. If he had his way, I knew for sure that Malcolm would pull the baby out of me and then tell someone to bury me alive.
Don't cry, Ariana, there is no reason to cry. You can survive this, you're strong. Don't let him get to you; don't let him win.
However, it was easier said than done. I was weak, and poor. A person like me couldn't survive in a world where people like Malcolm ruled.
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I took a deep breath to calm myself.
I would get out this. I would get out of here. I just had to wait for the perfect opportunity. And once that opportunity arrives, I am going to run; change my identity and would start a new life with my baby. Just me and my baby.
I was about to leave but what I heard Annabelle say next only had my decision confirming.
"Malcolm, I think we should get married now. It's been too long since we have been in a relationship, don't you think we should take the next step?"