More Than A Maid

Monica on the other hand,

Speaking of Monica, haven sobbed and sobbed over her broken family, she decided to start a new and better life.

She started with apologising to the people she has offended, most especially Mrs Benson. Not only does she wanna apologise, she also wanna stay alone in her own lane. She doesn’t wanna associate with anyone thereafter.

She took a deep breathe in, let them all out before summoning up the courage to knock on the door.

Since she didn’t get a response at the first knock, she hesitated to knock again. She wanted to leave, she thought they’ll resent her but Bella opened the door just when she turned to leave.

“Ah… Hi” She stammered nervously, remembering that she owes Bella an apology too.

“Hi” Bella responded sheepishly.

“Err.. is everyone at home?” Monica asked as she walked in slowly. She was so scared of meeting The Bensons, she thought of what they might think about her.

“I’ll go announce to everyone that Mr Withney’s daughter is here” Bella said. Seeing the culprit’s daughter right in front of her disgust her somehow even though Monica has totally nothing to do with her father’s death.

Monica didn’t argue. She nodded slowly like a mild lamb.

Bella left her in the living room as she went to call out on everyone.

“Are you sure it’s Monica?” Mrs Benson asked again while she and family walked to the living room. She was wondering what brought Monica’s presence in her house after what happened to her family and after the insultive drama, she displayed the last time she came here.

“Err..” Monica trembled as she sighted everyone. Mr and Mrs Benson, Peter and Bella. The nervousness increases and she wished that the ground could open up that moment and swallow her.

“Monica. What a surprise visit!” Mrs Benson said with a beaming smile.

“Don’t tell me you are for me” Peter smirked.

“No.. no… I.. I’m here to… apologise .. to everyone” Monica began to stutter.

Mr Benson didn’t have time for this sad and emotional aura, he wanted to return to his room but Monica continued.

“Mr Benson, I’m sorry that my mother framed you for what you didn’t do” She said.

“Hmmn. After all, what I didn’t do set me free” Peter’s father said and with that he left.

Monica looked at her feet as she continued apologising..

“Mrs Benson, I’m very sorry for what I said earlier. I didn’t mean it, I was unreasonably mad” Monica said.

“Oh that, it’s fine really. Infact few minutes after you left, I was fine” Mrs Benson told her.

“What’s that? So Monica offended you too? I thought you two became buddy and you ditched me for her”

Peter said.

“I said, it’s fine! You don’t have to know!” His mom raised her voice and Peter smugged.

“Come here Monica” Instead Peter’s Mom walked towards her and gave her a hug. “You need to be fine okay? Regardlessly”

Tears began to roll down her Monica’s eyes. Bella and even adamant Peter began to pity her.

“Peter” She called his name after she has disengaged from his mom’s arm.

“Urh..” He uttered, feeling awkward.

“I’m so sorry for everything” She said and he only nodded, avoiding to look at her eyes ‘cos teary eyes gets to him by making his eyes red.

“I can’t mention it all. I’ve done alot of annoying things. I wish for you to forgive me” Monica said.

“I forgive you Monica. It’s .. fine.. just like mom has said” Peter replied, he summoned up courage to look at her. He indeed felt so sad for her. Memories of how both of them used to be intimate when they were little came rushing to him. He missed that playful and good little girl before she changed.

He moved towards her, wiped her teary eyes and hugged her, he swept his hand on her head while doing so.

Bella was there. She was very jealous. Peter has refused to speak to her but here he is now, hugging another girl comfortably. She rolled her eyes and bit her lips. Little did she know that Mrs Benson was looking at her.

“Everything will be fine. You know, whenever I say that everything eventually gets fine” Peter said to her after they’ve disengaged. She nodded and smiled a little.

“I’m not mad at you anymore. Oh now I see you as my cute little childhood friend” He added, pinching her cheeks softly and she chuckled in the midst of her sadness.

“Now I’m a changed person. I mean.. in a good way” She remarked.

“Obviously, I can see that” Peter replied, patting her head like she were a baby.

Mrs Benson smiled at those two childhood friends.

“Alright guys. Let me give you some space” She said then exited.

“Er.. me too, some space” Bella stuttered and turned to leave.

“Hold on Bella!” Monica called her back.

“What?” She mumbled.

“I owe you an apology too” Monica resumed but Bella didn’t say anything. “I’m sorry about how I treated you in school and back then, I have never been nice to you. I’m sorry” She apologised.

“Uhm, Okay. It’s all back then. Well, I.. I.. conquered and forgot about what you did to me. I’m no longer mad that you were so unfair to me” Bella told her.

“Are you sure?” Monica asked.

“It’s okay” Was all she said. She had expected her to apologise about her father’s death stuff but it looked like she doesn’t really know.

“Late Mr Daves was Bella’s father” Peter told her.

“Huh?” Monica exclaimed.

“It was your father, my father…” She was short of words. “I’m sorry” She repeated. Then took Bella’s both hands. “Bella, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for everything. I’m sorry my father murdered.. your…” “I’m very sorry”

“Okay. Stop apologising several times like it’s your fault” Bella told her. Actually, she got over her father’s death for some time now. Talking about it now is just like peeling off an healing wound which she doesn’t want to happen. “Okay” Was all she said.

“I.. I need to leave now. I only came to fix things here. I have a meeting with a therapist in the next thirty minutes” Monica told them.

“Are you okay Monica?” Peter asked.

“No, I’m not. I’m broken, my family is broken. But i’ll hold on to your keywords. Everything will be fine” Monica said as she began to walk to the door.

“Bye guys, once again. I’m damn sorry for everything. I do not deserve to be forgiven but I’m glad you guys forgave me. Thank you” With that, she walked out of the house.

“I really hope all will be well with her” Peter said to himself after she left.

I was still right there, staring at him, hoping that he’ll look back but he didn’t. Instead, he turned to leave.

“Peter” I called his name after he has taken some steps away. He stopped walking but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t even turn to look at me.

I didn’t know where to begin, so I kept mute.

He wanted to leave again, so I began to spew out my heart.

“Peter I’m sorry. Stop avoiding me and talk to me!” I said and began to cry.

* * * * *

To Be Continued