Page 77 of A Thin Line

But we didn’t have to worry about that because the dining room was already clear. We saw everyone filing into the beverage nook, Sinclair at the rear, and I averted my eyes in case he turned around to look at us.

Soon, we had the dining room completely cleared, and the older woman went to the beverage nook to see if Edna needed any help. After we had all the dishes scraped and stacked beside the sink and the chef and his assistant had everything ready to cart off, Edna reappeared. She looked exhausted. “Normally, I’d stay and wash the dishes but I’ll come back in the morning to get them done.”

“It’s Saturday. You shouldn’t have to do that.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll do them for you. Don’t come in tomorrow. I’ll get up early so Mr. W. doesn’t even know.”

For a few seconds, her eyes questioned me—but then she put her hands on my shoulders. “You have such a kind heart. I knew there was a reason I liked you so much.”

Smiling, I gave her a big hug. “The feeling’s mutual.”

After Edna left, I had to hold back tears, because she was beginning to feel like the mother I’d lost.

I turned to the chef. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“No. We’re just about done—and we can see ourselves out.”

With Edna gone—and the catering crew right behind her—my duties for the evening were also done. Before going to sleep, I’d set an alarm on my phone to get up early so I could clean the dishes and whatever was left over in the beverage nook. If Sinclair had other plans for me, too bad. This had been a long day and I was ready for bed.

And I couldn’t wait to get out of that stupid outfit.

The chef and his crew wheeled out another cart and Rodrigo and the two women said goodbye to me. Knowing that this was a quarterly occurrence, I hoped I’d see at least one of them again…and it was the strangest feeling. I felt like if I’d had to work with them every day, I definitely would have considered them friends.

As they turned down the main hallway, I crossed it, the sounds of laughter and raucous conversation wafting out from the beverage nook. The classical music was turned off, replaced by something with a dance beat that I didn’t recognize. Edna and Sinclair had said something about this being a planning meeting, but it instead sounded like nothing more than a party. I’d heard a little business talk during dinner, but nothing that felt like it was earth shattering.

But maybe that had been the point.

Tired, emotionally exhausted, and feeling defeated, I began taking the stairs slowly, eager to take the heels off once I was in the comfort of my own room. Because of my state of mind and the sounds of the guests making the mansion far louder than usual, I didn’t notice him behind me on the steps.

The creep.

It wasn’t until I was at the top of the stairs that he put a hand on my elbow—and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“Lisa, baby,” he said, getting close. “You off work now? Ready to earn some of that extra cash I talked about?”

Instinctively, I pulled away, trying to walk backward toward my door. “I’m going to bed. It’s been a long day.”

“It won’t take long, baby.” Grabbing my wrist, he pulled me close before pinning me against the wall. His breath smelled like a fetid sweetness, turning my stomach, but worse, he was grabbing my breasts before he began licking my neck. “This fuckin’ outfit.”

Although I squirmed against him, I was no match. Again, I cursed this museum of a home, so big that something like this could happen without anyone knowing. Still, I had to try resisting as hard as I could. “Get your hands off me!”

“Yeah, fight. I like that. The boss already told me about your indentured servitude. This is part of the package, baby.”

Had Sinclair actually told him he could have his way with me? And, if that were the case, what good would fighting do?

Still, I didn’t plan to lose my virginity to a rich drunken jerk if I could help it. I continued trying to wrench myself free, but he was stronger and pushing me against the wall to pin me down.

Then, suddenly, my body was free. And Sinclair was pulling the guy off me. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked.

“Just taking a little taste of the goods.”

“Get out now.”

“What? No way. I’m gonna give her what she wants. She’s a whore. Look at how she’s dressed.”

Sinclair punched him then, so hard that the man fell to the ground. “Get out now.”

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