JOAN’S POV
Now that I had seen my mom, I felt a lot lighter. I spent the rest of my day off going to my mom’s house and cleaning it up for her. The house was dusty and a bit damp due to how empty it had been for a while. I was happy to clean. When my mom goes back home, I wanted her to meet a neat place. I was certain that she would be okay again. She had to be.
The next day, it was time to go back to work. I booked a taxi and made my way back to the Stonewood mansion. It had been just a day but I missed it. I missed everyone. It was a bit weird but this place seemed like home now. The people there treated me well and made me feel welcome.
When we arrived, I got down from the cab and walked through the entrance of the mansion. As I entered, I couldn’t help but feel a bit excited.
However, my excitement quickly gave way to confusion when I finally stepped inside. The air was heavy, and the other workers seemed to be speaking in hushed tones. Something was definitely off.
I made my way to the kitchen, hoping to find some answers. As soon as I stepped inside, I noticed even more tension. The usual busy room was unusually quiet, and I could see Emily and Sarah exchanging worried glances.
“Emily,” I called out, spotting her near the sink. She turned to me.
“Joan, you’re back,” she said, trying to force a smile but failing. “It’s good to see you.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, glancing around. “Why is everyone so tense?”
Emily sighed and pulled me aside. “It’s Sir Derrick. He’s in a very bad mood today. When he’s like this, anyone could get fired for any reason. It’s best to stay out of his way.”
My heart sank at the thought of him being upset.
“Do you know why he’s so upset?” I asked.
Emily shook her head. “No idea. But trust me, it’s best to keep your head down and do as you’re told.”
Just then, Ms. Sullivan walked into the kitchen with a stern expression. She was usually so happy and cheerful. For her to not have a smile on her face, things must be really bad around here.
” Good afternoon, Ms Silluvan” I greeted her.
She gave me a weak smile “Hello dear. It’s nice to have you back. Welcome”.
“Thank you”
She turned to Emily “Emily, Sir Derrick has ordered that someone should go get him a specific wine from the cellar and bring it to his room.”
Emily’s eyes widened. “Which wine, ma’am?”
“The Chateau Marmont 2000,” Ms. Sullivan replied. “And hurry up. He’s not in a patient mood.”
Emily nodded quickly and scurried off. I could feel the unease growing as time went by. I didn’t know what to do or what to say. I just stood in a corner, afraid of moving.
Moments later, Emily returned, carefully carrying the bottle of wine. She looked around, and it was clear that no one wanted to be the one to take it to Sir Derrick.
Ms. Sullivan’s face got red with anger “Emily, why are you just standing there? Take it to him.”
Emily hesitated with her hands trembling slightly. “Ma’am, I…”
Before Ms. Sullivan could snap at her, I stepped forward.
“I’ll take it,” I said firmly.
All eyes turned to me, and I could see the relief in Emily’s eyes.
Ms. Sullivan raised an eyebrow “Are you sure?”
No, I’m not. I’m scared as hell. This is the first time I’m seeing everyone in this sort of mood. But at the moment, nobody wants to take it to him and if we wait a minute longer, he might come downstairs and snap at all of us.
“Yes” I murmured.
“Very well. Be careful and be quick.”
I took the wine from her and made my way to Sir Derrick’s office. As I moved, my heart pounded loudly in my chest. I hoped I wouldn’t make a mistake. I tend to make mistakes when I’m nervous.
When I got to his office, I hesitated for a moment, trying to calm my nerves. Then, I knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” his deep voice sounded.
I gulped.
“It’s Joan. I’ve brought your drink,” I said.
“Come in,”.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Sir Derrick was sitting at his desk, completely engrossed in a document. He barely glanced up as I entered.
There was a glass on the other side of the table. He motioned for me to pour the drink in the glass. My hands were shaky, but I tried to be as quiet and careful as possible, not wanting to disturb him.
As I finished pouring, I walked over to hand him the glass. But my hands, still unsteady from the nerves I felt, betrayed me. A bit of the drink spilled onto the document he was reviewing.
In an instant, Derrick’s demeanor changed. He slapped the glass out of my hand before more could spill, causing it to crash to the floor, shattering into pieces. I gasped, stepping back in shock.
“Goddammit, Joan!” he shouted “Can’t you do anything right?”
“I-I’m so sorry, sir,” I whispered, trembling in fear”I didn’t mean to-”
“You’re so fucking stupid. You-”
Before he could say more, his words drowned out at the back of my mind. Fear gripped me tightly. My mind flashed back to my past, to the nights when my ex would lash out in anger and hit me.
I could feel myself shrinking. Sir Derrick’s words blended into the background. I got flashbacks of times when Jake, my ex boyfriend, would hit me so hard with his belt because I made a mistake. My breaths came in short, rapid gasps. The room seemed to close in around me, and I couldn’t breathe.
My body seemed to move on its own. I didn’t know when my legs moved to a corner of the room. I curled up into a ball and covered my face with my arms the same way I would when Jake would hit me.
“You stupid bitch” he would spit at me.
I could still feel the pain of the beating he would give me. It was fresh on my skin.
“Joan?” Sir Derrick said. His voice softened slightly, but I barely heard it.
I was too lost in my fear. My body shook with my cries. My vision blurred with tears.
“Joan, are you alright?” he asked, stepping closer, but I couldn’t focus.
All I could see was his approaching figure, triggering more memories of being hurt.
“Stay away,” I whimpered, shrinking back further “Please, don’t hurt me. I’m sorry”
I cried louder. My body shook more vigorously this time.
“I’m sorry” I cried.
The tears came out uncontrollablly this time. I cried loudly as I recalled every torturing moment of my past. The pain was still fresh in my heart.
Just then, a gentle hand rested on my shoulder. I flinched but then turned to see Lady Irene.
“It’s okay, Joan” she whispered “Come with me”
She didn’t ask any questions. She helped me stand up and guided me out of the office.