Kamrynn’s POV
A red-haired woman with a freckled face, her belly round with pregnancy, stands with her hands on her hips, her voice sharp and angry. “Why are you being so difficult, Rmonica? This is ridiculous!” she yells, her tone laced with frustration. “You’re being selfish and unfair, and I’m sick of it!”
It takes me a moment to realize that the pregnant woman must be Eloane-the very person Rmonica had spoken so highly of. The recognition hits me like a blow, and I glance at Rmonica, who looks distraught. Her usual calm demeanor is gone, replaced by a visible strain. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears as she tries to reason with Eloane.
“Eloane, please,” Rmonica’s voice wavers, thick with emotion. “I’m not trying to be difficult. You know I appreciate everything you’re doing for me… but there are some things we need to discuss. I only want-”
“You only want everything to be your way!” Eloane snaps, her voice trembling with anger. “Well, newsflash, Rmonica-it’s not all about you!”
Hearing the harshness in Eloane’s voice makes something flare up inside me. I don’t know the details of their argument, but seeing Rmonica-who’s always so composed and kind-so close to tears stirs a sense of protectiveness in me. I can’t stand to see her spoken to like this.
Without thinking, I take a step forward. “Hey, that’s enough,” I say, my voice louder than I intended.
Eloane turns sharply, her eyes narrowing as they land on me with a glare that’s almost sinister. “Who the hell are you?” she demands, her tone icy. “This is none of your business.”
Instantly, my stomach dropped like a bucket of ice cold water had been dumped on me.
I falter slightly under her fierce gaze, but I force myself to hold my ground. “I… I’m Kamrynn,” I stammer. “I work here now. And… and I’m sorry, I just-”
“This has nothing to do with you,” Eloane interrupts, her expression hardening as she takes a step closer to Rmonica. “I don’t know why you’re letting random maids speak to me like that,” she says to Rmonica, her voice dripping with contempt. “I don’t have time for this nonsense.”
“Kamrynn was only trying to help,” Rmonica says softly, her voice trembling but still steady enough to carry authority. “Please, Eloane, let’s not make a scene.”
“A scene?” Eloane scoffs, her hands tightening into fists at her sides. “This entire situation is already a scene! You want to talk about appreciation? Then maybe start by appreciating the fact that I’m doing something for you that no one else would!” Her voice cracks, and for a moment, I think I see something deeper behind her anger-hurt, maybe even betrayal.
Rmonica’s shoulders sag as though the weight of the words crushes her. “Eloane, I know you’re upset,” she pleads. “But please, not like this. Let’s discuss this privately. We’ll figure it out, I promise.”
“Right,” Eloane mutters bitterly. “We’ll discuss it-your way, I’m sure.” She turns on her heel and storms off down the corridor, leaving a tense silence in her wake.
Rmonica stands there for a moment, as if frozen in place, before taking a deep breath and turning toward me. Her eyes are wet, but she manages a small, strained smile. “I’m… I’m sorry you had to see that,” she says softly. “Things are a bit complicated right now.”
I shake my head quickly. “You don’t need to apologize,” I say. “I… just didn’t like the way she was speaking to you.”
Rmonica’s smile falters, and she looks down. “Eloane… she’s like a sister to me,” she whispers. “But that doesn’t mean we always see eye to eye. I’m afraid I’ve upset her, and I don’t know if I can make it right.”
The vulnerability in her voice twists my heart. I wish I knew the right words to comfort her, but all I can say is, “I’m sure she’ll come around. You’ve always spoken so highly of her. She’ll understand eventually.”
Rmonica nods slowly, though there’s a distant look in her eyes. “I hope so,” she murmurs. “I really do.”
Tiona, who has been standing quietly to the side, finally steps forward. “Come along, Kamrynn,” she says gently. “We still have much to see. Let’s give the Luna some time.”
I hesitate, glancing back at Rmonica. “Will you be alright?” I ask, my voice soft.
Rmonica offers me a small smile. “I’ll be fine,” she says, though there’s a lingering sadness in her eyes. “Thank you, Kamrynn. Now go and finish your tour. You’ve got a lot to learn.”
As I follow Tiona down the hallway, I can’t help but feel a weight settle in my chest. The scene I witnessed leaves a knot of unease twisting in my stomach. Whatever’s going on between Rmonica and Eloane, it’s clear that it runs deeper than a simple disagreement.
More importantly, why does Eloane give me the chills?