Chapter 11 pains

The crimson hallway started to appear smaller as I was crouched in the corner hugging my knees.

I didn't know how much time passed since the time he told me to go back to work but if there was one thing I absolutely detested doing at the time, it was returning to Warwick's sight.

Gaining my courage, I eventually stood up and carefully checked the surrounding to make sure I was alone. One gaze at me and they would surely think I was skipping work, and I doubt I would get lucky this time around.

However, as I was told, most of them were having some meeting downstairs.

As much as I was dreading it, I knew I had to go back to the kitchen. By the look of it, it was almost time to start making dinner.

I realized then how long I must have stayed in the corner and mentally cursed myself for being that stupid

My nerves were wrecking up but I somehow managed to ignore them and carefully made my way to the entrance of the kitchen.

After the whole scene that happened not even a few hours ago, I already knew all eyes would fall on me and news of my early return would spread around like wild fire.

And sure enough, for a second I was the center of attention but after a while everyone went back to work. Well, almost everyone.

Kedrick was looking back at me with eyes that showed genuine concern.

I found myself unable to look away as he slowly started to approach me.

He was now inches away from me and it was like the entire room fell silent and I found myself being more and more nervous if what of what he was going to say.

Just when I thought he would turn around and walk away, he finally spoke.

"I'm sorry kamala" He muttered abd his head dropped in shame.

I didn't know how to feel about it. To be fair, I wasn't exactly mad at the guy, we weren't close enough for me to feel like he betrayed me or anything ,but I couldn't help but blame him for the situation I was in.

" Are you okay! " He asked after a moment of silence.

No matter how I felt about him at the moment, I had to remember he was still my superior and I was still very much obligated to answer when he was talking to me.

" I -I'm fine " I said and mentally cursed myself for stuttering.

I didn't have to stutter, or at least I wasn't born with it. It was just something I developed over time. It was hard to not get a stutter when you were a maid, especially, a maid with both a panic and anxiety disorder.

"I really don't think that would happen. I thought at worst I would get reprimanded. If I'd know this would happen, I would never make you help me". Kedrick exclaimed abd his voice held an honest apologetic tone.

Punished. However, I couldn't help but want to stay away from him from now on. A part of me felt bad that I didn't want to be around a person who seemed genuinely good. He was the only nice person I met in the building besides Sarah.

Sarah.

With all the shit in my life, I didn't have time to properly mourn. In my world, you didn't have time to mourn. The death of a maid was nothing special so taking time off duties for a simple thing as mourning was inexcusable.

"It's okay, kedrick" I say quietly hoping he will just let me get back to work.

I don't want Warwick or any other chefs catching me in a conversation with him.

Unfortunately, I wasn't so lucky.

"WHAT IS THAT CUNT DOING HERE? " the man's voice boomed throughout the kitchen.

And just like that, all the attention was back on me. I kept my head down as if I hoped he wouldn't see me.

Warwick grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and threw me so hard I came crashing down on one of the counters, severely hitting my head over the rough surface.

The pain was close to unbearable but it didn't stop there. Soon enough I felt a stinging sensation from the contact with my face. I was again grabbed by the collar until I was inches away from Warwick's furious gaze.

" You fucking bitch! Did you think I was ever going to let you come back into my kitchen? "

He chuckled as he threw his first kick into my face.

Then another.

I looked around the room frantically, my eyes begging for any form of help but all I got back were pitying stares.some filled with concern, some with amusement.

The next blow landed right on my stomach. I yelled out in pain and desperately clutches my body closer to my face.

When Warwick took off his belt that I really started to panic, it only took a while as my thought were cut off when I suffered the first hit. I put my arm up to try and protest my face, but it was no use. The whip cut through my cheek and I did the only thing I could in the moment. Scream.

Just when I thought i was about to pass out, I heard a voice.

" Stop! Have you gone insane ? "

A man pushed Warwick off my trembling body. Kedrick.