Chapter 20: Inexperienced Housekeeper
Sonya finished cleaning the kitchen and saw Julian sitting at the table, looking unwell, massaging his stomach–a stomach ache.
She ignored him and went to clean the living room.
“Get my stomach medicine,” Julian said.
“Don’t you have hands?” Sonya retorted.
“You’re the housekeeper now.”
Sonya nodded, grabbing the medicine cabinet from the living room and bringing it to the dining
TOOM.
This medicine is useless,” Julian said.
“Why would it be?”
“I took some last night, and I still feel bad.”
Sonya’s professional instincts kicked in. She questioned Julian about his symptoms, asking about, his recent drinking and eating habits. She checked the medicine cabinet. The top was the usual stomach remedy. She checked the expiration date..
“Take this on an empty stomach, best with digestive pills. Here are the digestive pills. Two will do.”
She prepared the correct dosage and handed it to Julian, urging him to eat breakfast. Then she cleared out expired medications.
Julian watched her, unconsciously smiling, but then a wave of emptiness washed over him.
“If it still hurts, go to the hospital. Stomach problems are serious.”
Sonya instinctively reached for her lab coat pocket, realizing she wasn’t wearing it. Her expression hardened.
“Get it checked. It could be stomach cancer. Plan ahead.”
Julian, who’d just taken his medicine, nearly choked.
“If I die, will you cry?”
“Whether you live or die is none of my business.”
Sonya turned to leave. She needed to check on the renovation. Mr. Givens was helping, but she still needed to make decisions.
“Julian, I want your noodles,” Seraphina came downstairs, then went to the living room.
Julian looked at his medicine, then at the clock. He needed to go to work.
“Clear broth?” he asked.
“Seafood noodles, Seraphina replied, watching TV.
“Seafood noodles require a trip to the supermarket. Should I order some for you?”
“No, takeout is unclean.”
Seeing Seraphina’s dismissive attitude, Julian put away his medicine and went to buy seafood and
noodles.
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Chapter 20 Inexperien
Outside, he saw Sonya helping the workers with the flooring, laughing and chatting–in a good
mood.
Sonya “was” in a good mood, having served Seraphina and Julian a dishrag–infused noodle soup. It was childish, but satisfying.
“Ms. Ella, the westmost room upstairs is locked. Do you have a key? Mr. Givens asked. Sonya got a key from the entryway drawer, going upstairs with Mr. Givens. She’d never noticed this room, or any other upstairs except the master bedroom.
None of the keys worked.
Sonya wondered if it was intentionally locked, containing something private.
She texted Henry.
He’d be having dinner, so he replied quickly.
“The key is probably lost. Have them break the lock.”
Sonya had the workers break the lock. The room was dusty, untouched for years. It was small, containing only a piano.
The piano was covered; Sonya peeked–it looked expensive.
‘He plays the piano?” she asked Mr. Givens.
Mr. Givens’s eyes flickered. “A little.”
Sonya didn’t press. Everyone had a past.
“Be careful moving the piano.”
Sonya diligently made lunch at Julian’s. She made dumplings, chopping meat noisily. Julian came downstairs.
“Can you be quieter? Seraphina’s sleeping!”
Sonya was surprised to see him home.“Aren’t you at work?”
“I’m off today,” Julian said irritably.
“You made seafood noodles again?” Sonya saw leftovers.
“Yes.”
“Amazing. You can actually cook.”
She’d thought he’d starve without her cooking.
“Not as good as yours.”
“The honor of praise from my ex after a breakup.”
Julian came into the kitchen, starting to wash dishes. He wasn’t used to it, dropping a bowl.
“My bone china bowl!” Sonya cried.
It was a pricey set, carefully chosen. She’d bought all the kitchenware.
“It’s just a bowl,” Julian mumbled, cleaning up.
“Clumsy!”
I’ll replace it!”
Chapter 20 ine
They bickered, like old times, yet
aware
their relationship had changed
Sonya continued chopping meat, more forcefully.
Seraphina came downstairs, looking pale and sleep–deprived.
Pregnancy brought various symptoms–loss of appetite, fatigue, and sleepiness.
Sonya served her dumplings.
“Can you be quieter when cooking? You woke me up,” Seraphina said irritably.
Sonya smiled inwardly. I’m always noisy when I cook.”
“I’m pregnant. Be considerate.”
I’ll try.”
You must be,” Seraphina said sternly.“Learn to be a good housekeeper and serve your masters.”
Masters? It felt like ancient times.
Seraphina tasted a dumpling. It was tasteless.
“Did you add salt?”
Yes.
She tasted another one. Still tasteless. She looked at Julian, who was eating heartily. She noticed a bandage on Sonya’s finger.
“What’s wrong with yo
your hand?”
“I accidentally cut myself chopping meat,” Sonya said nonchalantly.
Seraphina frowned. “Be careful. Don’t cut your finger off.”
“I didn’t cut off my finger, but a piece of meat ended up in the filling.
Seraphina, who’d just bitten into a dumpling, spat it out.
“You… you… ugh…”
Seraphina ran to the bathroom to vomit.
Sonya
hummed quietly.
“Be careful,” Julian said, eating.
She’d
“Keep your concern. I don’t need it!”
actually cut herself moving the flooring.
Julian finished his dumplings. He looked at Sonya, teasingly. T’m looking forward to dinner.”
Sonya narrowed her eyes. He wanted to be surprised. She’d give him a surprise!
