The couple emerged from the room, their hands intertwined as they made their way to the dining room for breakfast. Zack gallantly pulled out the chair for her, his lips grazing her neck with gentle kisses. Ivy’s cheeks flushed, her lips curling up in a soft, tender smile. “Someone is trying to score points, I see.”
Zack let out a throaty chuckle as he sat across the table, his gaze never faltering from her adorable face. “It’s turning red again.”
Ivy playfully frowned, trying to contain the hue visible on her cheeks. “Don’t start.” She looked away and placed her gaze on the meal before her. She held her cutlery, taking off the cover from the mouthwatering dishes. With her eyes closed, she inhaled the sweet smell of grilled bacon as her fork clicked on the chinaware.
Just as she was about to get a taste of her crispy bacon, one of the maids suddenly burst in, jarring the dining table and rattling the chinaware. Some glasses shattered on the marble floor, splattering sprays of water beneath the table.
Ivy sprang up from the chair, her eyes narrowed into slits. “What’s the meaning of this?”
The maid stepped back, her gaze lingering on the mess she created without saying a word.
Zack slammed his fist on the table, his brow furrowing in anger. “Are you out of your mind?!”
The maid cowered in fright, her lips quivering as she fiddled with her fingers. “I… I’m…” She stuttered, unable to speak as her voice trembled.
Ivy exhaled, irked by her silence. Her eyes wandered over her, scrutinizing as she observed the girl’s trembling form; her fingers were restlessly tugging the hem of her apron as her gaze darted to the floor. “Emelia, what is it?” she asked in a calm yet firm voice.
Emelia’s eyes locked on Ivy; her face paled but wrinkled slightly as if silently sending a message across, one Ivy couldn’t quite understand.
“XAVIER!” Zack’s voice echoed throughout the whole room, his impatience evident.
“No, Zack, let me deal with this…” Ivy said, her eyes gleaming with a soft, placating gaze.
Zack’s fierce expression softened, his jaw unclenching as he let out a sharp sigh. “Are you hurt?” he asked as he took a stride, breaking the distance between them. He began checking her for any cuts on her feet.
Ivy pulled her feet back, shaking her head in a reassuring nod. “It’s alright, I’m fine.” She then turned to Emelia, whose eyes were still pinned to the floor.
“Emelia, I asked a question: what’s the matter? Is there something wrong?”
“Ivy, why are you wasting your time asking her that?” Zack’s eyes quirked, his anger slowly rising to the surface. “She is too clumsy; you almost got hurt.”
Ivy wanted to reply, but Xavier’s voice interrupted them. “You called, sir.”
Zack turned to him, his face darkening. “I want her…”
“Please don’t fire her, hubby,” Ivy cut him off, her hand wrapping around his. “It was just a small accident…”
Zack glanced at Emelia, his face scrunched up in disgust. He wanted to give a warning, but the next thing she did erupted the flames.
She hastily dragged the damask tablecloth, spilling the food all over. He flinched backward, avoiding the spillage while placing his gaze back on the floor.
“IS SHE NUTS?!” Zack let out a banshee-like holler, his eyes widened in fury. “WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!”
Ivy went silent, her eyes never faltering from her, still scrutinizing her all over. Her eyes were brimming with tears, her teeth sinking into her lips, still fumbling with her fingers.
“Something’s wrong,” Ivy murmured, looking away from her. Her eyes instinctively caught sight of another maid hanging around the corner, peeping at the scene unfolding. A frown etched her face as she noticed the girl plunking her foot on the ground, her mouth puckered in a tight circle while her gaze was fixed solely on Emelia.
Meanwhile, Zack was still brewing in anger. “I want her fired; she is definitely insane!”
Ivy held his hand, stroking it in a calming caress. “Hubby, leave this to me; let me handle it, okay?”
She said, batting her eyelashes to persuade him. Zack’s chest heaved slowly, suppressing his annoyance with a deep breath. “Fine.” He walked away from the messy dining room, letting Ivy take charge.
Emelia’s eyes darted up, meeting Ivy’s, and seemed to relax a little under Ivy’s gentle regard.
“Why did you do that?” Ivy asked, her gaze softened yet fierce in a way that showed her seriousness to get answers.
Emelia continued to fidget, unable to respond. For a brief second, Ivy noticed the glint of fear in her eyes; she was certain it was because of the probability of being fired, but felt it has to do with something else.
She couldn’t wrap her head around it.
“I apologized on her behalf, ma’am.” Xavier broke the silence, scolding Emelia with his gaze. “She doesn’t work in the kitchen but in the laundry.”
“Then why is she doing here? Isn’t she supposed to be somewhere else at this time?” Ivy asked, her eyes darting at both of them.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with her today; one of the maids reported that this was her exact behavior in the kitchen this morning,” Xavier replied before signaling some of the maids to come clean up. “Let me arrange something else for you and sir to eat.”
Emelia’s eyes widened as she suddenly interjected. “NO!”
Ivy and Xavier glanced in her direction, taken aback by her loud outcry. “No, let me cook personally for you, ma’am, please…” She said, her voice both pleading and laced with urgency.
“Shut up, Emelia; you don’t work in the kitchen…” Xavier reprimanded, his eyes narrowing in displeasure.
“Please…” Emelia begged, her eyes solely fixed on Ivy. “Let me personally cook for you…”
“Emelia, you’re clearly acting strange,” Ivy couldn’t help but point out, frustrated by her bizarre behavior. “What is it?”
Emelia shook her head, her gaze slowly shifted to the other end of the room. “I… can’t…” she said barely above a whisper.
This was Ivy’s tip on the iceberg; she walked up to her and impatiently dragged her out of the living room to a quieter space.
“Now you better start talking before my patience runs out…”
Emelia’s chest heaved up and down, scanning the whole place.
“Emelia!” Ivy raised her voice slightly, snapping back her attention.
“Perhaps you want to get fired, huh?”
“No, ma’am, please don’t let sir fire me…” She finally spoke up, still hesitant on explaining herself. When she met Ivy’s stern gaze, she quickly gave in and whispered something in her ear…