Dropping The Crown

Ricardo's POV.

"That maid of yours just made a scene," my mother said as I watched Miss. Prime scurry away to the entrance.

"I should talk to her," I responded.

"I hope you'll fire her! There's something wrong with that one. She's incompetent, she's rude, she's..."

"Mother, excuse me." I moved away from my mother with Rockett at my tail.

"Maybe I should talk to her first. You should wait in the office," my sister advised. I obliged and headed to my office to await her there.

After some minutes, a knock came. I knew it was her.

I tented my fingers and took her in. Her makeup was now messy and she looked very

uncomfortable than relaxed.

"Have a seat, Miss. Prime," I told her.

"Thank you." She sat down and crossed her legs with her arms folded. I watched as her right leg started bouncing lowly up and down.

"First of, let me start by saying that perhaps that wasn't your atmosphere, and I shouldn't have expected you to just fall in with the crowd," I spoke.

"I appreciated the invite. Some of the things people were saying were getting to me. My skin isn't thick enough," she responded.

I looked at her beautiful chocolate skin that appeared to be drawing the lights in and causing a shimmer.

"Miss. Prime, how's your session going?"

"Oh, wonderful. She's the best. And she's not the cause of my actions. We just haven't gotten to that point as yet."

"Well, I'm not going to ask for details."

"You weren't going to get them," she answered, and my eyebrows rose at that, "Sorry... I didn't mean any disrespect... I.." she stuttered.

I held my hands up, silencing her. "Hey, it's fine. I liked what you said."

She smiled at me and I found myself smiling back at her. A comforting silence hung in the air. "So, are you okay, Miss. Prime?"

"I am. And Happy birthday, Mr. Parriston."

"Thank you."

She got up and stood over my desk. She reached for something in her purse.

Out came the tiniest gift box I've ever seen.

"What's this?" I asked as I took it with a laugh.

"I know it's nothing much, but I at least wanted to give you a present. You've opened up your

home for me and gave me a job. I didn't know what to get you but I hope you like it."

I opened the box and saw a golden tie-pin with the letters 'R' and 'P' engraved on it.

"Wow. Big things do come in small packages. I've always wanted one of these but it kept slipping

my mind until I wear a tie that wouldn't behave itself."

We shared a heartily laugh. "I'll cherish this," I added.

"I hope you do."

Immediately, I attached it to my tie and Miss. Prime lean over my desk and made a better

adjustment for me.

"There. Sharp as always."

She drew back but our eyes couldn't shift from each other's. It was like we were hypnotized and captivated in our staring.

"If I've overstepped..." her soft voice spoke up.

"You didn't..." I answered, still transfixed.

"Ricardo.. Are you in..." came Penelope's voice. She sliced right through the atmosphere like

lightning. She came into the office and spotted me and Miss. Prime.

"Oh, I didn't know you were having a meeting," she said and I knew it was a form of insult to Miss. Prime.

"Penelope, what's the matter?" I asked her, looking in her direction.

"Honey, you left your party because one of your maids decided to throw a fit and make a scene."

"I didn't throw a fit. I excused myself," Miss. Prime defended.

"You excuse yourself, after waltzing into the crowd like you owned the place."

"Well I'm sorry if I've commanded the attention of the crowd. I certainly didn't ask."

"Commanded attention, no sweetie, people wanted to know where the maid stole the outfit. You

had a Jennifer Lopez's Maid In Manhattan moment," Penelope snapped rudely.

Miss. Prime's expression shifted to anger then sad. I stood up and walked between the two ladies.

"That's enough. Penelope, I wouldn't be returning to the party. I've had enough mingled." "But..."

"I've said what I've said."

"So you'll just stay in here with her?"

"No. Miss. Prime, you're dismissed as well," I said as I turned to her.

She nodded and walked out of the room. Penelope huffed and walked out after her. I sighed loudly and sat back down at my desk and looked over some financial report to pass the time.

****

Adani's POV.

"Hey!" I heard Penelope called behind me. She increased her pace and reached me before I took the stairs down.

"You have some nerve," she spoke again but I didn't respond.

"Oh, now you can't talk, huh, cat got your tongue, okay, that's fine, but I know you can hear me

so you better listen up and obey like the maid you are. You stay the hell away from Ricardo. He's

going to get engaged to me and I'm going to be his wife."

I stayed silent and made my way back to my bedroom.

"That's right. Confined to your corner like a child. Stay in your place," she went on.

I entered and shut the door behind me. I couldn't believe this woman but the fact she had to

stoop so low only showed she was bother by me and seeing me alone in the same room with her boyfriend.

Were they even a couple though?

She definitely had a vision for them being together and I didn't want to get in the way of that.

It was hours later when the party came to a stop. The music ended and the people left. I imagined what the grounds must have looked like, littered with plastic cups and bottles and plates, but the maids had a day off and I dreaded Mrs. Parriston coming into my room, bellowing for me to clean the grounds.

I leaped as a knock came to my door. Slowly, I opened it.

"Am I disturbing?" Mr. Parriston asked.

"No. I wasn't in bed.. I was just thinking."

"About?"

"Cleaning up after the party."

"Rest assure it wouldn't be your task to do. I came to apologize for Penelope's behavior earlier.

She shouldn't have said those things..."

"You're not responsible for others' actions or words. No apology necessary. I'm used to people like her."

"Come here."

Mr. Parriston's sigh sounded melancholy. Without expectation, he pulled me in for a hug.

My heart raced. My butterflies left my stomach and went straight up to my head. My eyes popped and a ripple went down my spine with warmth and comfort.

His captivating fragrance filled my nostrils, his toned arms were like a form of protection and I

felt safe in them. I melted in the embrace and I wished this moment could last forever.

"Have a goodnight, Miss. Prime," he whispered in my ear. He broke the hug and I felt vulnerable

once more.

"Good night, Mr. Parriston," I managed to say.

I watched until he was out of sight before I closed the door in and locked it.

Like a child's rejoice after receiving her favorite candy, I was giddy with lust. His fragrance

remained on the nightwear I had already changed into for bed.

"So that's what you're doing, huh, lusting after your boss?" Came Wayan's voice.

I shot up from my sleep, put on the lights and looked around. The room was empty. The doors and windows were locked.

"Damn it!" I cussed myself. Even though we weren't in the same room, the torture continued.

"I think it's time I tell my therapist about Wayan and my nightmares," I told myself and stayed awake for the remainder of the night.