chapter 8

The next dayAmaira's steps were slow as she walked toward the kitchen booth. It was a routine, one that had become all too familiar. Her eyes felt heavy, the exhaustion from the week lingering like a shadow.Since Scar Boss dismissed the servants, the entire responsibility for the house had fallen on her. From cleaning to cooking to washing, Amaira had been juggling it all. She had made a few mistakes along the way, breaking an expensive vase, misplacing an important book, but somehow, she always managed to avoid punishment. Scar Boss would scold her, but there were no punishments. She was clever enough to cover her mistakes or work herself into the ground to make sure everything was done on time.Yesterday had been a particular challenge. She had prepared an exclusive dinner for Scar Boss in under an hour. Then, when the snow began to fall, Scar Boss had ordered her to clear the entire front lane. After hours of work, just as she was about to collapse into bed, it started snowing again. Amaira barely managed an hour of sleep before her alarm rang, reminding her to prepare breakfast. It had been an endless cycle of exhaustion.Today, however, Mandy wasn't around to help. She had gone home to take care of her sick mother, leaving Amaira alone with the housework.Amaira stood in the kitchen, staring at the massive sink full of dirty dishes. The sight was overwhelming."When did that happen?" she whispered, wide-eyed.She muttered under her breath, "Urg! That Devil."Before she could finish her thought, the low, cold voice of Scar Boss echoed through the kitchen, making her heart skip a beat."So I’m a Devil?"Amaira froze, her body tensing as she slowly turned around to face him. His cold, calculating eyes met hers, and she couldn't suppress the fear that rose in her chest."N-no. Y-you…" Amaira stammered, mentally cursing herself for the slip-up. Why had she called him that? Why did she always get so scared around him?"I don't have the whole day, maid. Just say what you want to," Scar Boss said, his frustration clear in his tone."N-nothing, sir. What brings you here? How may I help you?" Amaira asked, trying to sound as professional as possible, though her heart raced in her chest."I came here because I want some more work done. Deal with those dishes. Then clean the entire house until it shines. Organize the library alphabetically by author and genre. Iron and fold all my clothes in the laundry room. And feed and groom the Dobermans."Amaira's eyes widened. That list was overwhelming, even for an entire staff. She felt a pit form in her stomach as she looked at the dogs on the list. Amaira hated dogs, and the thought of grooming them sent a wave of anxiety over her."Sir, I don't think I will be able to feed the dogs," she tried, her voice barely above a whisper."Why? Are you going to speak back to your master now?" Scar Boss’s voice was sharp, cutting through the air with cold authority."I… I just…" Amaira began, but Scar Boss cut her off."I don't want to hear anything. Get the work done before nightfall. And let me be clear, if you make even a single mistake, you'll see my wrath. Do you understand?"Amaira stood still, her mind spinning. His gaze was like ice, and she felt trapped under his commanding presence."Yes, Boss," she murmured, her voice barely audible.She quickly turned back to the kitchen, trying to ignore the weight of his commands pressing down on her. The tasks before her were impossible, but she had no choice. She moved swiftly, chopping vegetables, marinating meats, and preparing breakfast, hoping she could finish everything on time.After serving breakfast to Scar Boss, Amaira rushed to start the next set of tasks. The house was next. Cleaning the entire mansion seemed like an insurmountable task, but she didn't hesitate. She worked tirelessly, washing the dishes and scrubbing the floors. She moved quickly, trying to stay ahead of time.But the library was a challenge. The shelves were filled with books, and the thought of organizing them all made her head spin. She fumbled with the books, trying to follow Scar Boss's instructions, but her mind was too clouded with stress. She could feel the hours slipping away as she struggled to get everything done.The laundry room was no easier. Amaira worked as fast as she could, but the pressure was suffocating. She ironed and folded the clothes, her hands shaking as she moved from one task to the next. And in her haste, she burned one of Scar Boss’s shirts. She gasped, the mark on the shirt glaring at her like a warning.The Dobermans were her final obstacle. They were restless, sensing her anxiety as she tried to groom them in the dim light. One of the dogs jerked suddenly, causing her to drop the grooming tools. Amaira cursed under her breath, hoping Scar Boss wouldn’t return to find her in such a mess.But just as she finished, she heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. Scar Boss had returned.Amaira stood, exhausted and defeated, as he walked into the room. His cold eyes scanned her work, and she felt her heart race with dread.The house was clean, the dishes washed, but the books—he had noticed the mistake. He scowled as he inspected the shelves."Is this the way I told you to arrange the books? Why is this one in the third shelf instead of the fourth?" His voice was sharp, his displeasure clear.Amaira’s heart sank as he looked at the burnt shirt. "What is this?" he snapped. The anger in his voice was palpable, and Amaira flinched.Scar Boss turned to the Dobermans and then to the spilled paint and grooming tools. "This is unacceptable," he said, his voice cold and void of any sympathy.Amaira stood in silence, the tears threatening to fall. "I'm sorry, Boss. I tried my best," she whispered, her voice filled with desperation.Scar Boss’s gaze softened for a brief moment, but it quickly hardened again. He stepped closer, towering over her. "Trying isn’t enough. You need to do better. Now bring me my dinner in 15 minutes and then clean your mess. As for my shirt, it's expensive. You’ll pay me back."Amaira nodded, too drained to argue. As he turned away, she stood there, feeling like a failure. But somewhere deep inside, she swore that no matter how impossible the tasks were, she would prove herself. Even if it meant enduring his cold wrath, she would find a way to make him see her worth.But as she left the room, something lingered in the air—a strange feeling she couldn’t shake. Scar Boss had been colder than usual, but there was something different today, something beneath the surface that she couldn’t quite understand.She pushed the thought away. For now, there was only one thing on her mind—getting the work done. No matter the cost.