The Maternalistic Maid {UNEDITED; BOOK 2}

Chapter 23: The Other Woman

Y'all gonna want to fight after reading this one! That's all Imma say...

Shadé

When I was escorted back to the Staff's Quarters, I was surprised to see all 20 maids, including Gina, waiting at the door for me. Some were frightened, others were shaking their heads. But Gina, specifically, looked pissed and I knew exactly why.

"Ladies, get back into your rooms. Folashadé, we need to talk," she demanded.

"There's nothing for us to talk about, Gina, I have to pack," I said as I walked right past her.

"There is. You lied to me," she said offensively in a low hiss.

"Gina, I lied to everyone so, you're not the only one. Please get out of my face with this," I said, highly annoyed. I turned away from her and made my way to my room where Gina left my duffle bag and suitcase neatly against my bed. I grabbed my larger suitcase from underneath my bed and began packing the rest of my clothes and personal belongings.

"Excuse me, young lady," she questioned as she stood at the threshold of my door with her hands on her wide hips.

"Gina, let me talk to her please," I heard Aimee beg the older woman.

"Fine, Folashadé, come and see me in my office before you leave," Gina said as she left Aimee and me alone. Aimee stepped into my room and closed the door behind her.

"How? How did he find out of all the people on this planet Folashadé? How," she questioned with fear laced in her voice.

"I caught the flu on Christmas Eve and Vincent left his Protection Guard in Windsor, without telling me. And the guard called him to let him know that I was sick. So, instead of allowing his guard to take care of me while he was away, Vincent decided that it was best for him to drive from Sandringham to Slough and do it himself. Don't ask me why because I don't know. But because he did... His Majesty came looking for him and sent out a National warrant for his arrest. I don't know what happened once he took him away. As soon as I came back here, Vincent's guard and I were brought to His Majesty for some petty interrogation," I recounted what I knew, my voice filled with disdain.

"What do you think happened for him to find out," Aimee questioned.

"Honestly, so many things. His Majesty is a horrible man and I'm not afraid to say that shit. He could've bribed Vincent to tell him, he could have threatened him with that stupid ass line of succession shit, he could've done anything for Vincent to confess to him," I snapped, finally allowing my anger to expel. I needed to calm myself down.

Remember, keep your blood pressure low.

"Was His Royal Highness at the interrogation?"

"He was. He got upset at the things I said and needed to be removed but I wasn't going to say what the man thought. It would have been a different story. Besides, it's not that serious," I waved off dismissively.

"What did he ask you?"

"If I'm in love with him and if he's in love with me," I replied, recalling the King's inquiries.

"Are you? In love with him," she pressed on.

"See, that's the thing. If you ask me if I'm in love with him and if you ask me do I love him, I'm going to give you two different answers. I am not in love with Vincent. How I feel about him is not powered by some kind of intense emotion or driven by some serious passion. I don't get those goosebumps or butterflies that women talk about just because he's simply in the same room as me. My heart might race because I'm nervous but that's it. Aimee, I've accepted for a long time that Vincent and I will never be able to really be with each other the way he wants. And that's okay."