Sarah walked out of the kitchen after having a quick breakfast. In the first moment that she caught sight of Ramsey, she immediately spun back.
"Sarah." Ramsey was quick to call before she attempted to step away. While Sarah contemplated ignoring his call or engaging with him, Ramsey approached her.
He wore a slight amusement on his face having seen her spun earlier.
"Good morning."
Sarah managed to look up to him. "Good morning, sir."
Ramsey studied her for a few moments and eventually wiped any sign of amusement off his face.
"Can we start over? I think that would be much better. How about I buy you a cup of coffee?"
Her brows creased for a second and her eyes staggered from him to the space beside him.
"I don't—I don't think there's any need for that. We can pretend like you never said what you said and I never heard it. I'm fine with that." Sarah unleashed while her nerves remained intact. Without wasting a second, she walked past him and he quickly held her hand.
"Maybe we should have that coffee now." He told her and dragged her towards the door without waiting for a reply from her.
"W-wait. I can't. I can't just leave..."
"Don't worry. You're with me." Ramsey assured her before opening the front door.
Sarah fell further speechless when her gaze met her fellow maid and roommate who walked out of the kitchen. Her concern now extended beyond how he was taking her out during work hours to also how this situation might be perceived. Sarah's top priority was to avoid getting into trouble. However, how could she respectfully ask her boss's son to back off?
Ramsey opened the door to the front passenger seat and urged her to get in. Sarah lowered her gaze to his hand holding onto hers. He casually released her hand.
"Please." He added with a softer look in his eyes. Sarah felt whatever little resolve she had melted away. Though reluctant, she got into the car without uttering a word. Ramsey was grateful and had a little smile while he shut the door on her behalf. She watched him walk to the other side of the car and during this time, a part of her prayed this was just a dream. Perhaps, she could indulge more without worrying about the aftermath or whatsoever.
While Ramsey drove out of the compound, Sarah avoided eye contact with the security guard and hoped he didn't see her in the car. The last thing she wanted was gossip. During the ride out of the neighbourhood, she kept her eyes on the view outside the window and tried not to think about the person next to her. Every house they drove past was a mansion of grand splendor, reminding her of the wealth she would never get to own in her lifetime. It wasn't long and Ramsey drove to a stop outside a small café shop.
He flashed her a smile before stepping down. Sarah sucked in a deep breath before stepping out. She looked down at her uniform, an information that had skipped her mind.
They took their seat at one of the empty tables. A waiter came by.
"It's fine. I don't want anything." Sarah told Ramsey as politely as she could.
"Come on Sarah, you have to have something. Anything. It's my treat."
She stared at him, her lips barely parted, an attempt to speak up but she shut them in the end. Sarah didn't want to get comfortable with his kindness and smiles, or even be indebted to him. It would only complicate things.
"How about tea? Is that okay?" Ramsey asked, his eyes still on her. She tried her best not to read meaning into the details on his face. But she couldn't help herself. His expression was warm and accommodating.
Sarah let out a quiet sigh. "Okay."
Ramsey's smile stretched a little broader before he turned to the waiter.
"Two cups of tea, please."
The waiter nodded with a brief smile before he was on his way. When Ramsey looked at Sarah again, he noticed how upright she sat and could not quite meet his gaze. Of course, he didn't need a prophet to tell him she was uncomfortable around him. He hoped she wouldn't, especially after deciding to venture down this path with her.
"I'm sorry." Ramsey started. "I shouldn't have put you on the spot, the way I did."
A light and brief smile appeared on her face. "It's fine. I'm over it. I understand it was a joke."
Ramsey clocked his head a bit to the right. "No, no. I told you, it wasn't a joke."
She stared at him a little longer without an expression whatsoever. Suddenly, she chuckled. "Okay, let me get this straight. You want me to believe that you, Ramsey Blackwell want to marry me, Sarah Miller?"
Ramsey laid back in his seat and folded his arms below his chest. "Yes. Why is that so impossible for you to believe?"
"Because I'm your maid. I work for your family. I... It doesn't make sense."
"Well, it's not mathematics. You're a woman and I'm a man..."
"You know what I mean." Sarah lowered her gaze from him after that statement. "I don't want any trouble. I need this job."
Ramsey studied her for a while and the waiter showed up with their cups of tea.
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
He watched her take a light sip of her tea then sat up.
"Okay, look at it this way. I need a wife and think you'll make a great partner."
Sarah blinked a few times while staring at him.
Ramsey let out a light sigh as he momentarily looked away from her. There were certain words he was trying hard not to use in order not to upset her. But it seems he might have to paint a vivid picture for her.
"Look, if you marry me, you won't need to work as a maid anymore. I'll take care of your needs. In other words, I'm telling you to use me."
He watched her brows gradually furrow.
"I'm not that type of woman."
"I know and I'm not insinuating you are. It's a marriage of convenience. We'll be married solely on paper. There's no need for love or any of that. I can only offer you financial security and protection."
Her brows relaxed and she lowered her eyes to her hands on her lap. More than the hurt she believed she should feel about this offer, Sarah was perplexed about why she felt conflicted with this proposal. Like a part of her would love to say yes.
"Why do you think I would agree to this?" She lifted her eyes to him.
Ramsey had a soft expression and a weak smile on his face. "I don't know. I didn't predict your reply. I'm hoping you would and if you won't, I'll accept your decision."
Sarah kept staring at him.
Say no, now! Her thoughts screamed. Instead, she gulped down and staggered her gaze from him.
"I need some time to think about it." The words flowed out of her mouth before Sarah knew it.
Ramsey's smile broadened. "Sure. Is two days enough? I'll have to return to the city in a few days."
"Okay." She picked up her cup and drank several sips of her tea, all while stealing glances at him.
Afterward, Ramsey drove her back home.
"I have to be somewhere. I'll see you later." He told her after he stopped in front of the building. She nodded in understanding and hurried to take off her seat belt.
"Thank you for the tea." She appreciated and he reciprocated with a smile. Sarah stepped down from the car and watched him drive away. She looked around, suddenly aware of her surroundings, and straightened the bottom of her uniform before walking into the house. Without wasting a moment more, she decided to continue where she left off.
While dealing with the laundry, Sarah felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and was met with a curious look from her roommate, Angela.
"So?"
Sarah looked away from her to continue with her work. "So?"
"I saw you." Angela came in front of her, a slight amusement on her face. "I had to cover for you from others without actually saying you left with the boss. The least you could do is tell me what's going on." Her blue eyes glistened with expectation.
Sarah barely looked at her. "It's... It was nothing. He had something to ask and thought we should talk outside."
"Like what? What did he ask?"
Sarah took in a deep breath and stared at the woman for a short while.
"I'm sorry. I can't say."
Angela sucked in a deep breath, her smile varnishing from her face. "Oh... I see."
"I'm grateful that you covered for me..."
"But you can't tell me why you were out with Ramsey Blackwell," Angela stated with a hint of spite. Then, she looked her up and down. "Be careful."
Sarah watched her walk away. She shut her eyes to stop herself from allowing the young woman's attitude to disturb her already disarray thoughts.
Ramsey walked into the cemetery with a bouquet in his hand. After walking by several headstones, he stopped in front of one. At first, he put on a light smile before gently placing the flowers in front of it. Once he stood straight, he dragged in a deep breath. A mixture of regret and sadness swirled within him. In that moment, he relieved several fond memories and wished he could have them live again.
Later that day, Sarah stood in front of the door to the study room. She exhaled several times to calm her nerves. A strange fear had engulfed her and she was finding the strength to keep her calm. There was no need for her thoughts to run wild with negative possibilities.
Finally, she knocked on the wooden door and a voice came through.
"Come in."
Sarah gently pushed the door open, walked in, and closed it behind her.
Freya Blackwell sat behind the large desk. Sarah hastened her pace the very period the older woman lifted her eyes to her.
"You asked for me, Mrs. Blackwell?"
"Yes, sit down," Freya told her and Sarah sat down. She held her hands tighter on her lap, still on the cusp of holding in her nerves. Sarah wondered if Freya knew of her discussion with Ramsey and might have decided it would be easier to relieve her of her duties here.
"Miss Miller, I'm sure you know why I've called you here."
Sarah gulped.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. See you again!