“No work today.”
Ma gasped. “No work, sir? Please don’t sack me with enjoyment.”
He almost smiled. “I’m not sacking you.”
“Then why no work?”
“Because I said so.”
She narrowed her eyes slightly. “This is how rich people behave.”
Mama Grace stood in the kitchen holding a tray.
The maids gathered around.
“We will take it to him.”
“No.”
Mama Grace’s voice was firm. “I will take it.”
One maid frowned. “Why?”
Mama Grace looked at her sharply. “Because I said so.”
They all went quiet.
Something told them.
Today was not a normal day.
Mama Grace entered the room quietly, placed the tray down, looked at both of them, smiled knowingly, then left.
Ma stood awkwardly. “I’m sorry Mama Grace saw me like this.”
Anthony shrugged slightly. “She’s not blind.”
Ma covered her face again. “I cannot face her in this life.”
Anthony gestured. “Sit.”
Ma hesitated. “Again?”
“Yes.”
She sat slowly—still shy, still confused, still processing her life.
They started eating—quiet at first.
Then Ma spoke softly.
“Sir.”
“Yes?”
“This thing that is happening…”
She struggled for words.
“Is it normal?”
Anthony looked at her honestly. “No.”
She nodded slowly. “I knew it.”
Then she added, “But I don’t hate it.”
He held her gaze. “Neither do I.”
Silence again.
Then Anthony spoke.
“I think about you.”
Ma froze.
“I wait for you.”
Her heart raced.
“I feel different when you’re around.”
She swallowed hard.
“Ma.”
She looked at him.
And then he said it.
“I love you.”
Ma blinked once.
Twice.
Then she stood up suddenly.
“Sir, wait.”
She started pacing.
“This is serious. This is very serious.”
Anthony watched her, amused.
She pointed at him. “You are a billionaire.”
“Yes.”
She pointed at herself. “I am a maid.”
“Yes.”
She clutched her head. “This equation is not balancing.”
Anthony laughed softly. “It will.”
She stopped, looked at him, heart beating fast.
“Are you sure?”
He stood up slowly and walked closer.
Very close.
“I have never been more sure of anything.”
Ma looked at him.
Really looked at him.
Not as her boss.
Not as a billionaire.
But as a man.
A man who could not sleep until she came.
Her voice softened. “You are serious.”
“Yes.”
She smiled slowly—small, shy. “But I will still talk too much.”
He smiled back. “I know.”
