So what exactly is your intention here?", Tasha asked in a low raspy growl as she moved towards Valerie. Startled, Valerie's grip on the knife loosened and it cluttered on the counter.
"Good morning, Tasha. God! You startled me to death", she breathed, her cheerful tone a mocking contrast to the tension in Tasha's voice.
Tasha's eyes narrowed. "Are you going to pretend you did not hear my question?", Tasha asked, her temper rising.
"No, of course not…well my intention right now…is to make a sandwich for my breakfast", she replied. "And of course, my long term intentions are cooking, washing, cleaning", she answered, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She continued working on her breakfast preparation.
Tasha rolled her eyes. "Well, I don't believe that. You are not really a typical housekeeper so l do not think so", she said as she munched on a carrot, her gaze fixed on Valerie.
Valerie chuckled and asked, "So what else do you think is my intention?.
"I think that you, Valerie…", Tasha said pointing at Valerie, "I think that you want to take Chris", she continued.
Valerie gasped in surprise and said "Ha! Like l need to take anyone anywhere? Tasha, what are you insinuating? Spit it out already", she said getting irritated.
"Oh cut the bullshit act Valerie, l saw the way you were gushing over him yesterday", Tasha accused
"You call playing a game together, gushing?", Valerie replied as her smile faltered .
"Liar!", Tasha declared. Tasha usually did not mind Chris' helpers at all but now, she couldn't handle the thought of Chris being alone in a mansion with Valerie and not be swept away or seduced by her attractiveness. In terms of beauty, Valerie was just over, exceptionally stunning and Tasha felt she had every reason to be threatened. Valerie sighed deeply and placed aside the cutting board and knife she had been using.
"Chris is not some sort of treasure", she spoke.
"Yes. He is even better", Tasha boasted.
"Good for you. So now…", she said as she dried her hands and threw the napkin away, "Just take your little man and live happily ever after. Sail off the sunset for all l care", she spat, carrying her breakfast to the dining table. That did it! Little man? Tasha hurried out of kitchen and followed Valerie. "So now l'm the fool? Don't act as if you're any better", Tasha spat with a red face.
"Well at least l'm not pinning some pregnancy on a billionaire", Valerie spoke.
Tasha's eyes widened in shock as she attempted to deny the accusation. "What the hell are you talking about", she said as her knees weakened, her voice merely a whisper.
That same morning, after Chris had left for work, Valerie had been cleaning his master bedroom's en-suite. As she scoured away Tasha's bright red lipstick plastered all over the sink basin, Tasha was unaware of Valerie's proximity. She had comfortably spoke on the phone. Valerie caught snippets of Tasha's phone conversation.
"I had to do it. That was the only way he would marry me, he is so desperate to protect his reputation", she laughed. Her ears perked up as she realized Tasha was discussing how she had pinned a pregnancy on Chris, but in real fact the pregnancy was not his. Valerie's eyes widened, and she froze, holding her breath as she listened to the rest of the conversation. Afterwards, Tasha left the bedroom without realizing Valerie's presence.
"How did…when did…?", Tasha whispered, her body shaking. Valerie laughed as Tasha's face fell with intense shock. "You don't want Chris to find out do you? Or maybe l should just go and tell him about your little dirty secret", Valerie said sourly.
"No!", Tasha exclaimed strongly. "Please don't", she warned with the last bit of energy that was left in her. Valerie was finding all of this very interesting. She wasn't going to preach out Tasha's secret to Chris, but she just wanted her to stop breathing down her neck.
"Just like l thought. Very well then. I won't tell him…for now", she smiled. "Only if you stay away from me and my business, just chill. Now, that's like a good girl", Valerie said. When Tasha was at the door, she turned again and looked at Valerie.
"Deal! But if you dare utter a word to Chris about this I will kill you, and l don't lie", Tasha said with a straight face.
"Wow! I'm so scared, I'm shaking in my boots", she said in sarcasm. She continued working on her breakfast as Tasha walked out. Valerie thought she had talked too much. She thought she shouldn't have let Tasha know that she knew about her secret because now that she felt threatened, she was a unsure of what she would do.
Tasha went out, her eyes narrowing as she thought of Valerie as a threat. She knew she had to act fast, and get Valerie out of her way, permanently. She began to plot, her mind racing with ideas.
As the day went on, Chris and Valerie's playful banter continued, much to Tasha's dismay. They teased each other good-naturedly, laughing and joking around. Tasha watched them with growing unease, her mind racing with suspicions. She couldn't shake the feeling that Chris and Valerie were getting too close, that their innocent playfulness was a facade for something more.
That same evening as they were having dinner, Tasha made her announcement. She planned a trip with Chris to the Greek Islands.
"A trip?", Chris said, his fork slipping off his fingers. "Tasha l am really busy with work right now", he blurted showing complete dismay.
"Oh, come on Chris! You need a break. And I've already made all the arrangements. We're leaving next Saturday", she replied.
"Next Saturday?", Chris exclaimed, Tasha, I really don't think this is a good time…"
"Chris, don't be ridiculous. We're going, and that's final", she snapped. Chris sighed, giving up on the conversation.
"Uh, excuse me…if I may ask, where are you two going specifically…Crete…Red beach…?", Valerie asked.
"And how is that any of your goddamn business, Valerie?", Tasha blasted. "You're just the help, after all. Why is she even here at the table with us?", she shrieked, her question directed to Chris.
"Tasha, stop!", Chris thundered, his fist hitting the dining table. His reaction surprised both Tasha and Valerie. Valerie sensed the tension and quietly excused herself feeling the sting of Tasha's words, leaving the couple to their argument. As days went by, the tension between Tasha and Valerie simmered just below the surface, Chris remained blissfully unaware of the drama unfolding around him. He continued to enjoy Valerie's company, teasing her and making her laugh. Tasha's behaviour became increasingly erratic. She snapped at Valerie for no reason, her eyes flashing with anger.
Valerie, sensing the tension, began to feel uneasy around Tasha. She didn't know what was wrong, but she knew she didn't like it. As the atmosphere in the mansion grew more and more strained, it seemed inevitable that something would eventually snap.