Chapter 9

When Rose woke up the next morning, the birthday party had ended.

The guests had left Leaving the family behind.

Rose was sure the Agrestes moved the party from the garden to the Livingroom because the whole floor was littered.

There were empty wine glasses, whiskey bottles and bits of cakes on the floor.

She needed to Clean the whole place before the family wakes up.

She started from sorting out the trash, picking up bits of broken glasses and Cleaning the whole floor.

She was done in a matter of hours.

She knew the garden won't clean It self.

'What the hell?'

The state of the garden was nothing to write home about.

The tables were Stained with wine and Sauce. There were lots of empty bottles and half empty wine bottles. The Corner beside the platform were the gifts and presents.

There were piles of gift boxes of different Colours and sizes.

She went back to the storage to get an Old cart she's seen there. It will be helpful to carry the boss inside.

She put the cart down and Hilled it with buses, pushed it inside the living room, packed before the stairs. She couldn't pick it up the stairs, She had to pick the boxes one after the other to Daniel's room.

The door was wide open which she considered strange. Daniel is not one to leave his room open.

'Maybe he forgot to lock the previous night' she thought and went about her business.

She stored the boxes in a Corner far from the main view. The end ofthe room leading to the bathroom was the perfect place.

then she was sure she had everything covered, she pushed the cart back to the garden and surprisingly met the cleaners finishing off from where she left.

' ma'am, we found this box earlier ' a worker joseph placed a big carton before Rose.

It was a huge one, so Rose asked that he help her move the corton to the living room and upthe stairs.

"That will do for now Joseph" Rose said as they approached Daniel's room.

Joseph placed the carton on the floor before the room.

Rose dragged the carton inside with a 'Thank you' to Joseph.

The carton fell and piles of Cash flew to every corner of the room. She has never seen so much money in one place.

'wow' she complimented the beautiful sight before her.

She emptied the content of the box on the floor, She fetched the Cashbook from the drawer and sat down to arrange the Currency notes.

The cashbook was a Christmas gift She received from her grandmother in-law last christmas.

The cashbook has helped her documment and record all the notes she'd picked from Daniel's clothes during wash days.

She' ld sort the notes by denomination first, document in before counting and the checks, she's been neatly keeping by the side.

She keeps them on Daniel's work table in the room.

'you're here' a male voice spoke behind her.

She turned around to meet Daniel's long gaze. Rose stood up in greetings and respect.

She didn't know he had entered the room.

" Good morning sir. I didn't mean to pry but the door was open andi let myself in''

She looked up and met Daniels eyes on her.

'is he mad at me?? she thought

' I'm truly sorry, i will leave now" She placed the

She started towards the door but Daniel had other things in mind.

" I came to fetch you to eat. It's 11 am " he said as he stood at the door.

Rose released a long breath she didn't know she's been holding for a long time.

"Oh, breakfast. Then i will finish quickly and leave" she said and went back to the pile of Cash on the floor.

"Come with me, you can continue later" Daniel repliesl as he held her up and locked the door behind them.

Rose felt goose bumps all over her body as their body met. It was something new like never before.

The feeding died quick cothen she felt Daniel's soft hand on hers.

It felt as though rubbing a baby's feet on hard rocks.

She was quick to withdrew her hand and stood behind him the moment they walked into the room full of the Agrestes.

" Good morning sirs and madams" Rose greeted.

She kissed grandmother's hands and pulled a seat to sit.

" Rose check on Norah and see why she's delaying us"

" Rose please get me a new plate, my daughter is joining us" a woman she never saw at the Villa asked.

" Get me a chopstick"

"I'll need a napkin"

"Tell Joseph to wash my car i will be going out after breakfast" her mother in-law spoke.

" Oh, tell pascal to hurry up".

" Hurry up little one, i am starving"

Rosita Cheerfully got up and went back inside to assist Norah as she's the only one allowed in the kitchen.

"good morning mama" Rose greeted Norah who she's grown to address as mama.

" My Rose" Norah called as she kissed Rose's cheeks.

" I came to help. Mother in-law is getting impatient".

Moments later she appeared carrying a wide tray of food. She carefully placed each dish on the table went back to bring the extra plates, chopsticks, the napkins and went out to the workers quarters to deliver a message to Joseph.

When she returned, the family was almost through with breakfast.

She stood afar watching and waiting for orders or to be called to the table.

She couldn't join the table as the family all occupied the Spaces and seats.

" Rosita!!" her mother in law called.

"yes Ma'am" she answered from her position.

" I need a new glass" her mother inlaw instructed.

Rose went to the kitchen and carefully picked out one of Mrs.Agrestes favorite cups, rinsed it and brought it in a clean tray.

" here ma'am"

" did you wash it?"

"Yes ma'am"

" Rosita, i need extra pepper in my sauce. Do something about it".

"Right away ma'am".

Rose kept running errands to and fro the dinner table.

When she looked at Daniel's direction, She noticed he wasn't eating.

He was never picky with food.

He's always had a huge apetite.

Today, he was unusually calm and quiet.

Grandmother was the first to leave the table and Daniel followed suit.