maid chapter 20

Ellie looked him up and down. Now that she’d said it, it actually seemed like a good idea. With newfound conviction, she continued, “My wages, I mean. Actually, no. Would you mind holding onto my entire purse?” Her eyes shone with hope. Daniel responded with incredulity. 

“What makes you think you can trust me?” 

“Uh… uh…?” Ellie was speechless. They’d only met a few days ago. All she knew was his name. She had no idea where he came from or what his life had been like.

Yet, strangely, she felt she could trust him. Unlike her, he seemed decisive and not at all materialistic. Perhaps it was his inherently refined appearance. He certainly didn’t look like someone in need of money.

Daniel scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. Just put it away somewhere safe. Somewhere I won’t know about.” 

Ellie pouted. Sharing a tiny room, where could such a place possibly be? No matter what anyone said, Ellie was convinced Daniel wouldn’t touch her money. He’d recoiled at the mere sight of her discarded undergarments; how could he possibly bring himself to rummage through her belongings?

Still, there was a thief about, so she needed to be careful. She had to hide her money where no one could find it. Ellie clenched her fists with determination.

***

Late at night, Daniel, once again, found sleep elusive. He knew he had no reason to be wary of Ellie Brewer, yet he couldn’t shake a sense of unease. The indefinite nature of his departure date was the biggest problem. After tossing and turning countless times, he sat up abruptly. Lying in bed wasn’t helping; he might as well get up and move around.

Daniel glanced at the opposite bed. Ellie, who had been rustling around, presumably writing a letter, had fallen asleep. She was always like this – starting things and never finishing them.

He reached over and gently pulled the letter from beneath her cheek. The crumpled, tear-stained, coarse paper bore a message painstakingly written in pencil. An unfinished sentence caught his eye, “I’m doing well. The food is delicious, and everyone is so kind…”

Daniel snorted at the predictable lie. It wasn’t just this letter. Judging by her correspondence, the Stoner estate was a veritable utopia of dreams and hope.

Daniel placed the pencil and letter on the windowsill. He glanced towards the annex. The light in Ian’s room, tucked away in the furthest corner, was already out. They used to exchange coded messages almost every night, but sharing a room with Ellie had made that nearly impossible.

He lay down on the floor, propping himself up on one arm, the other resting on his lower back. By now, he knew Ellie rarely woke up easily. Daniel bent and straightened his arm, counting repetitions. Ten repetitions, then switch arms. He had to maintain his physical condition; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to endure this life. The restraints and the wig were problematic enough, but the constant vigilance, the inability to truly relax, to sleep or eat properly, was taking its toll.

As he lowered himself again, his gaze fell naturally beneath Ellie’s bed. Next to the still-unpacked luggage lay a neatly folded garment – a conspicuously out-of-place sight.

Having finished his exercises, Daniel reached out and picked up the clothing. Thump—the wage envelope fell out. It was so predictable; he couldn’t even muster a laugh. What was she going to do if she actually lost it?

Just then, Ellie stirred, turning over in her sleep. A smudge of graphite marked her pale cheek. Daniel reached out and gently wiped it away with his thumb. She frowned in her sleep, muttering, “Mmm…”

He carefully refolded her clothes, placing the envelope back inside. There was no need to worry too much. He already knew the truth about the robberies, and who the culprit was.

It had been Daniel and Ian. They hadn’t actually stolen anything; they’d merely been checking to see if anyone was carrying out secret errands. They hadn’t found anything, but for some reason, victims had emerged. As soon as news of the robbery spread, everyone seemed to fabricate elaborate lies, hoping for a sympathetic bonus from their employer.

Daniel suddenly recalled Ellie’s expression when she’d offered him her money – the unquestioning trust in her eyes. Was she naive, or just foolish? She’d have a hard time surviving in this harsh world. Daniel shook his head and climbed back into bed.