Page 89 of The Housemaid
“I’m not going to do that.”
“Well, that’s unfortunate. Because you’re not getting out of this room until you do what I tell you to do.”
“Fine. I’m probably going to pee my pants then.”
“There’s a bucket in the closet if you need to relieve yourself.
When I first moved in here, I noticed that blue bucket in the corner of the closet. I just left it there, never giving it a second thought. I look over at the closet and it’s still sitting there. My bladder spasms and I cross my legs.
“Andrew, I mean it. I really have to go to the bathroom.”
“I just told you what you can do.”
He isn’t giving in. I don’t understand what’s going on here.Ninawas always the crazy one. Andrew was the one who wasreasonable, who saved me when Nina was accusing me of stealing her clothes.
Are they both crazy? Are they both in on this?
“Fine.” Let’s just get this over with. I sit down on the ground and pick up one of the books so he can hear it. “All right, I’ve got the books on top of me. Can you let me out now?”
“You don’t have the books on top of you.”
“Yes, I do. “
“Don’t lie.”
I let out a huff of exasperation. “How do you know whether I’m lying or not?”
“Because I can see you.”
My spine turns to liquid. He canseeme? My gaze darts from wall to wall, searching for a camera. How long has he been watching me? Has he been spying on me the entire time I’ve been here?
“You’re not going to find it,” he says. “It’s well hidden. And don’t worry, I haven’t been watching you all along. Only since a few weeks ago.”
I scramble to my feet. “What the hell is your problem? You need to let me outright now.”
“Here’s the thing,” Andrew says calmly. “I don’t think you’re in any position to be making demands.”
I lunge at the door. I pound my fists against the wood, hard enough to make my hands red and sore. “I swear to God, you better let me out of here! This isn’t funny!”
“Hey.Hey.” Andrew’s calm voice interrupts my pounding. “Settle down. Look, I’m going to let you out. I promise.”
I let my arms drop to my sides. My fists are throbbing. “Thankyou.”
“Just notyet.”
Heat rises in my cheeks. “Andrew…”
“I told you what you need to do to get out,” he says. “This is an extremely fair punishment for what you did.”
I press my lips together, too angry to even respond.
“Why don’t I give you a little while to think about it, Millie? I’ll come back later.”
I swear to God, I still believe he’s got to be joking until his footsteps disappear down the hallway.
FIFTY-TWO
MILLIE
