Chapter 37

Elyana's POV I had to cover my chest while I let Felicity clean my wounds. He was slowly removing the peeled, soft skin using a Q-tip in a downward direction. While he does, my mind doesn't want me to rest with so many thoughts and questions that I was frightened to let out, especially when he was around, but as minutes passed by, I couldn't take it anymore, and curiosity won. "Can I ask something?" "Go on," he answered without a second thought. "D-do you feel awkward right now with what you're doing?" I let out. "No," he responded quickly. "And how about that time you helped me?" "W-what do you mean? The time I pulled out of the tub?" "Y-yes." I stammered. "I-I'm just wondering—you saw me fully naked at that time, and now you're helping me clean my wounds without knowing when I'm almost naked," I cleared out. He stopped poking my skin with a Q-tip and answered. "Why, if you were in the same situation, would you still think about what the person was wearing? Would you still think if the situation was disgusting or not? It was a matter of life and death, girl, and I find your question nonsense." The way he emphasized his words put me in a deep state of realization. 'He's right. What am I thinking?' I was put in silence after that brief question and answer, even though I didn't give answers to his questions. "We're done," he uttered when he finished sticking tape on the gauze he put behind my back. I carefully lifted the bathrobe and stood. "Thank you," I whispered, but just enough for him to hear it. "Get dressed and let's eat lunch before I leave. You still have medicines to drink, girl," he said without a pause like it was an order that I shouldn't disobey, but I tried to shake that off in my mind. "O-okay," I answered, and I went to the walk-in closet to get something comfy to wear. While eating, Felicity kept putting food on my plate. I didn't have the appetite to eat because I was still full. At that time, I just couldn't tell him because I was afraid to get scolded. "How about both of you? Not going to eat lunch?" Felicity asked the two maids standing not far from the dining table and waiting for any orders coming from us. I was a little surprised that they hadn't eaten since it was already past one in the afternoon. Why haven't you both eaten yet?" I asked worriedly, but the two looked away from me as if they were afraid of what I might tell them after that. I just kept my mouth shut, and instead of ordering or saying anything else, I stood up after putting down my spoon and fork. I felt stares following me as I walked into the kitchen. Those maids there suddenly stepped aside, like somebody scary had arrived. "Where are the plates?" I asked one of them, and she hurriedly opened the china cabinet to show me where the plates were. I took plates for all the maids, but because those were in large sizes and each one was heavy, I needed to ask their help even if they didn't know what I would be doing with them. "Please get some placemats," I ordered another maid I caught looking at us, and she quickly obeyed and followed us into the dining hall. "Arrange those plates and placemats, please. Get some spoons and forks too," I requested. They were all staring at me with wonder and looking at me with their big eyes when I asked them to take their seats and call the other maids. When everyone had already been seated. I looked at them and told them to eat, but no one moved. They were looking at each other, and some were bowing their heads. "Sit down now too, Ellie," Felicity uttered, and the maids' eyes went to him like they were asking for help. I sat and rested my back. I looked at them with sad eyes and asked, "Am I that scary?" No one wanted to answer, but I remember one of their groups being talkative. I searched for her and saw her right away, sitting on the left side. I didn't know his name, so I waited for her to turn her head in my direction, and when our eyes met, I repeated my question. "N-no, Miss. You are not scary," she answered with respect. "But why?" I continued. "W-we're just ashamed of you, Miss Elyana," she replied. "It seems to be the same." I looked away. I honestly felt hurt by the answer I received. "I'm sorry, Miss Elyana. We're ashamed of you because there were so many restrictions on our previous bosses, and we don't want to act too comfortable around you." I stared back at her when I heard this. She made me realize something, and for that, I need to talk to my mother regarding our house policies. After our late lunch, I called all the maids to the garden. I told them to leave their work for later because we had something important to talk about, and they obeyed. When I began discussing with them what policies they meant about when we were in the dining area, it broke my heart to hear how inhumane policies they were following with their old bosses. I noticed a gradual change in their reactions as we continued until the awkwardness and fear in their eyes completely disappeared. I want them to feel comfortable with me and my parents in a way that won't lose respect. I didn't want them to feel like they were inside a cage or in a suffocating place. Most of all, I want to make them feel like I'm their friend too, just like they see Felicity. As a starter, I asked them to tell me more about themselves. To share stories about the kind of life they have and about their family. I let them feel comfortable, and every time they share something funny, I laugh along with them. Laughter filled the garden, and my heart felt lighter around them. While I looked at them teasing each other, I remembered what day it was. It was December, and Christmas was right around the corner. What made me frown was to see no Christmas decorations around the mansion. "By the way, Christmas is near. Let's put up the Christmas decorations already." All their eyes landed on me, and they exchanged glances before showing their big smiles. "Do we have any in the storage room?" I asked, and one of them answered. "I cleaned the storage once before, Ms. Elyana, but I didn't see any Christmas decorations." "We have to go shopping then. Let's fill the house to the brim. I also missed spending Christmas here in the Philippines, especially some foods. I can't remember one of those I like the most during this season, —bingbingka? I guess not. What is that one they were putting inside a bamboo tube and they will steam it?" "Puto-bumbong!" The maids answered almost simultaneously. "Yes! That's one!" I agreed "I know how to make some, Miss Elyana. My mother and I used to sell outside during simbang-gabi," one of the maids boastfully uttered. "Very good then! I will assigned to make puto-bumbong this Christmas," I couldn't control the laughter that I let out when I saw her reaction. She lost her cool and ended up scratching her head, but it didn't stop the fun they were having, and we hardly noticed the passing of time. It would not have stopped if no guest had arrived. "How are you? I'm quite surprised that your wounds dried up so quickly?" Quintin asked. "I'm good. I was only lucky my burns were not that serious. It is still fresh and needs medical attention. I can go to the derma in two days maybe for laser treatment, so it won't become a scar," I answered with a smile. "Good to know; do it again for fun. In Bulalo style. Add pepper and onion to the rub and some seasonings," Quintin joked as he laughed at what he implied. "Nice joke, mister!" "Thank you!" he sarcastically responded. I grinned and gave him a look to force him to stop bullying me, but he didn't want to. "It's better to burn under the sun than to soak in hot water. Haven't you thought about that? If only I knew you wanted it that way, I should have taken you to the beach and watched you walk in a bikini." "Tsk! Is it not obvious why I didn't tell you? I knew that's the only thing you would love to see. You will only use me to go to the beach and watch sexy ladies." Quintin laughed so hard at my statement. I was sure the loudness reached the kitchen, where most of the maids were busy doing chores and preparing what they could serve for dinner. I asked him to stay and join me for dinner. Quintin had so many stories to share, and I couldn't stop laughing because most of those were fruits of his naughty nature. Felicity arrived around quarter to five. He greeted Quintin when he saw him. "Good thing you didn't get lost, Quintin," Felicity commented. "No, Elyana's house is not that difficult to find," Quintin answered. "Good! I'll leave you both for a while, and I still need to settle my things," Felicity excused himself. I got confused about what he meant by settling his things. Even Quintin looked puzzled at me, but not until he returned from going back outside while pulling two suitcases.