Page 46 of The Maid's Secret

“…and I, Thomas Beagle, appraise your long-lost works of art, taking the mystery out of history!”

“We’re thrilled to have you here today for this rare live auction show, where we will change the life of one very special person. After last week’s episode, you’ve come to know her well and to love her, too. She’s trending, she’s an It Girl, she’s the woman of the week and maybe even the woman of the year! She’s entrusted us today with the sale of something almost as precious as she is—her priceless Fabergé egg. She’s Molly the Maid, but I know she’s so much more than that to all of you. Come on out here, Molly, and lap up the love!”

I push through the greenroom door and take the stairs to the stage. The lights blind me, and the tearoom audience is whooping so loudly it takes all my willpower not to stop my ears with my hands. Beagle guides me to my throne. I perch shakily on the edge.

“Give the audience a wave, Molly,” Beagle instructs, and I do.

“She waves just like a queen,” says Brown as the audience laughs.

“Molly, we’re thrilled to have you here today, and even more thrilled to be selling your egg on live TV!” Beagle says.

“In one week, as a result ofHidden Treasures,wouldn’t you say your life has completely changed?”

“If you mean it’s been turned upside down, absolutely,” I reply.

“Have you splurged? Have you gone out and bought something amazing to celebrate?” asks Brown.

“Some fancy tea towels. Very absorbent.”

The crowd laughs and laughs.

“Now before you ask, I’ll tell you plainly, Molly, that the whole wide world is laughingwithyou not at you. Over the past week, you’ve become a media darling, the world’s favorite girl next door…”

“So beyond buying tea towels,” says Beagle, “what else will you do when you get your millions?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” I say. “I’m still thinking it through.”

“Surely there’s something exciting you’ll spend the money on. After all, wedding bells are in your future.”

“Yes,” I say. “Juan Manuel and I are getting married in just a few weeks.”

The camera cuts to Juan in his chef whites, grinning and waving in the front row, but his smile looks forced and strange. I’m reminded of how Gran once taught me that a smile does not always mean someone is happy. Juan’s face is living proof.

“We hear you’ve been making preparations for your special day. TheHidden Treasuresfilm crew has been following you all week. What do you think, folks—would you like to see a day in the life of Molly the Maid?”

The crowd hoots and hollers as a screen drops behind us, and suddenly, the reel begins to sizzle. There I am, in a guest’s room at the hotel, vacuuming the carpet into Zen-garden lines. When I turn off the machine, someone off camera asks if I’d ever run for office. “I’m just a maid,” I reply. The live audience laughs and claps.

Next, I’m at home on the sofa squished between Juan and my gran-dad as we watch TV. The crowd giggles as we pass a bowl of popcorn between us. Cut to the bridal shop with Angela, where I’m emerging from the change room in a beautiful wedding gown. Women are suddenly jumping all around me, and while I know they’re strangers, everyone watching thinks they’re my bridesmaids.

Cut to Angela sitting on a white satin bench, tears in her eyes. “You’re beautiful,” Angela mouths. “You’re more than a maid!”

What? I can’t believe what I’m watching. Those aren’t the words Angela said at all. And the tears she shed at that moment had nothing to do with joy.

The reel ends and silence descends upon the room. The audience is sniffing and sniveling. The Bees have removed their pocket squares from their jackets and are making a big show of dabbing their eyes.

“Does everyone in this room need a tissue for their issue?” I ask.

More laughter.

“We love you, Molly!” someone calls out from the crowd.

“I don’t know why,” I reply. “I’m not sure what you all see in me.”

“We see that you’re adorable,” Brown says as he crosses his long legs.

“Molly, how does it feel to watch your life on the big screen?” Beagle asks.

“Things didn’t happen quite like that,” I say. “In reality, it was different.”

---