Dropping The Crown

Adani's POV..

"Here's the cellphone, new SIM and some clothes you desperately needed. Everything is

functioning," Mavielle said she handed me a box in the foyer the following morning.

"Thanks. I really needed this. My mom and Adonna are probably most eager to hear my voice," I answered and gave her a quick side hug before disappearing into my bedroom.

In there, I quickly removed the phone from the box along with its contents before inserting the

SIM card and powering it on. It booted alive and I started setting it up until I got to the home

screen.

Taking a deep breath, I called my mom.

"Hello?"

"Hi, mom. It's me. How are you?"

"Oh, Adani, sweetheart. It's so good to hear your voice. I'm doing well, how are you?" she asked. "I'm great."

"How's the job going?"

"It's really good." We spoke for a few more minutes before we said our byes and I called Adonna next, hoping she would answer.

I heard when she picked up but she didn't speak first.

"Adonna?"

"Who's this?" she almost snapped.

"Adani," I answered.

"Oh my. Adani! Hey, how are you?"

"I'm good. How are you?"

"I'm good too."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I had a gut feeling after you left though that I should relocate to a new apartment so I did.

Destiny doesn't even know and I intend for it to stay that way."

"I agree. You just never know, you know?"

"I know right. But that's mainly all that's new with me right now. How's the job... and your handsome boss?"

"Must add him in there?"

"Hey. I looked him up and his company. He's quite the successful guy. And rumors have it that he is single."

"I'm here as a maid. Not a girlfriend, Adonna."

"Hey, you never know..."

"Ha! Let's catch up soon. I have to get to breakfast and then to work. This is my new number, you can reach me on this."

"Okay. Talk soon. Bye." "Bye."

I was heading towards the kitchen for breakfast when Mrs. Parriston stepped into my path. "What was your name again?"

"Adani, ma'am."

"Yes, that. I want the other guest bedrooms clean and dust immediately. I'm having company." "Yes, ma'am."

"Off you may go," she finished and shooed me off with the wave of her hand. I took the elevator upstairs and started on my first room which was really cleaned but I was much more thorough than before.

As I finished and I stepped into the hallway, I noticed Mr. Parriston was just now getting out of his room.

His black suit was perfection on him. His hair was neatly styled on his head and his fragrance captured my attention longer than it should have so he caught me on the verge of drooling. "Good morning, Miss. Prime," he greeted as he walked in my direction.

"Good morning, Mr. Parriston," I answered and cling onto the mop stick for support of remaining rooted.

He looked at his watch. A Rolex no doubt about it.

"Your shift hasn't even started as yet, why are you cleaning so early, and have you already eaten breakfast?"

"Your... Mrs. Parriston wanted me to clean..."

He held his hand up, stopping me from finishing the sentence.

"You don't work for my mother, you work for me. And before you start every shift, you should have your breakfast. It's a rule."

"I'm sorry... I didn't want to upset your mother."

"I understand. But please leave what you're doing and go have your breakfast."

"Yes, sir."

I placed the cleaning supplies back into the storage and Mr. Parriston and I took the elevator

down. It was a comfortable silence, and I didn't spark a conversation.

As we stepped out, Mrs. Parriston was heading in our direction.

"Ah. Good morning, my sweetheart," she greeted her son.

"Morning, Mother. May I have a word with you?"

"Of course."

They walked in another direction and I made my way to the kitchen.

"There you are. I thought you must have gotten lost," Beth greeted, "Good morning by the way." "Good morning."

"Here. Your breakfast is getting cold," Mavielle said and handed me my plate as I took a seat next to her.

"Where were you?" Flamboyant asked.

"I was cleaning a room."

"Already, without your breakfast?" Mavielle asked with a concerned look.

"Mrs. Parriston caught me on the way to the kitchen and told me she was expecting company so

I should clean the rooms."

"She of all people knows the rules. How dare she?" Mavielle questioned.

"Well, why didn't Adani stand up for herself and say something?" Flamboyant asked.

"I'm not going to challenge anyone in their own home," I answered.

"It's Mr. Parriston's mansion. Not hers," Mavielle said.

"Still, it's her world and I know my place," I said back.

Flamboyant smiled her usual coy smile before speaking. "Don't worry. I've already set Mr.

Parriston's breakfast down for him."

We ate in silence until we finished breakfast and split up to start our daily tasks.

Almost to lunchtime, I finished the rooms and was humming to the storage unit to lock up when

I heard rapid footsteps approaching.

I turned and saw an angry looking Mrs.Parriston.

"You! Who the hell do you think you are, huh! Reporting me to my own son?!"

"I didn't report..."

"Shut your stupid mouth. Just look at you. A disgusting ugly maid who doesn't seem to know her

only place in this mansion would be with the buckets and the mops!"

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came. She then turned on her heels and left

me there feeling like my heart was getting torn from my chest.

Naturally, the tears welled up and I fought to keep them at bay.

"Hey! It's your half-day today, what are you going to do?" Mavielle asked cheerfully as she came

to check on me.

"I don't... I don't even know yet," I answered.

"Hey, are you good?" She looked at me and noticed I was looking everywhere but her face, "Adani, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm fine."

"You're not fine. Did something happen, I saw Corrine on the way down, did she do something or say something to you?"

"Her words are so cruel. But umm.. I'm fine," I answered.

"Have you finished the rooms?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. So have I... So how about I take my half-day with yours and we do something together, go

shopping, go to the beach?"

"Sounds great but I'm not..."

"We're free to do whatever we want on our half-days, Adani."

"I would think that but..."

"What's the matter, you can tell me."

I didn't want to open up about my haunting past. I didn't want to remember every painful

scream, cries and regrets over again.

"I just can't go!" I snapped at her and stormed away. I went into my bedroom, locked the door and flopped down on the bed, regretting snapping at Mavielle.

"EVERYONE! GATHER!" I heard a voice shouted. I came out of the room and went towards the voice. Mrs. Parriston.

"No time to rest!" she shouted again, "Family and company are coming and I expect this place to

be sparkling. No dust, not even your dead skin cells should be discovered. I will be inspecting! Now, off you go."

Mavielle rolled her eyes and we dispersed. I went back into my bedroom and got into the shower while the others went about their way.

I grabbed a robe this time as I got out of the shower.

"You!"

I almost jumped out of my melanin.

"Mrs. Parriston, what.."

"Girl... If you don't shut! Didn't I give specific instructions that this place should be cleaned?" "Ma'am, it's my half-day and I..."

"It's your WHAT! You better get out there with the other maids and clean this place before I drag you to it!"

Flashbacks about Wayan's cruel ways played like a short film in my head. I scurried away from her presence and went into the bedroom itself where I got back into my work uniform and went back into the foyer expecting to see the others, but it was only I and Mrs. Parriston there.

She looked up from a chair as I walked into the room.

"As your punishment, you will be cleaning alone. I sent the others home."