The Burnt Jacket.

I made some cupcakes at home and brought some for the servants in the mansion. Most of them gathered around the kitchen island, chatting and making jokes of each other as they ate the cupcakes.

Sheila took another cupcake from the box and moaned sweetly.

"Mmm, this is very delicious!" Sheila threw the empty wrap into a trash bin and took another one. "It makes me want to stop dieting," She said

Luke looked at Sheila and chuckled. He was in charge of the mechanical work in the mansion. "You should stop dieting, you are losing too much weight," he joked.

Luke and Sheila kind of have the hots for each other. I suspected they were dating, but as always, She denied it.

Everyone laughed.

Tonia reached out to take the cupcake from Sheila's hand. "You heard yourself, you need to diet more so that's enough cupcakes." There was only one box of cupcakes remaining so I knew Tonia actually tried to stop Sheila from eating it because she wanted more for herself.

Sheila jerked it out of Tonia's reach. "I don't care." She gave Luke a hard stare before smiling at everyone. "Don't listen to Luke," she waved her hand along her lean body, "Come on, look at me. I'm still a little fat."

Tonia pursed her lips and observed Sheila.

Then, she shook her head. "Nah. Sheila, you are actually slim."

Sheila dropped her shoulder, defeated. "Seriously?"

Everyone glanced at her and chorused. "Yes."

Luke covered his mouth laughing. Sheila hissed and threw him a punch which he dodged and hugged her instead. Everyone in the kitchen cheered Luke on and even started teasing Sheila.

"Don't worry Sheila. I like thin girls, they are my spec." Luke flirted openly.

Tonia nudged my shoulder. "Oh my gosh, look at them!" She pouted and hugged herself in a dramatic manner. "They make me feel very single!" she whined playfully, kicking her legs around.

Sheila hit his shoulder and moved away from him. She brushed her hair backward, her cheeks reddened.

She snorted. "Oh shut up!"

Everyone in the room awed and Sheila's cheek reddened even more. "Come on, stop it. We are not dating."

"I'm starting to think you two are actually dating," Tonia said and everybody seconded it, nodding their heads.

Sheila rolled her eyes and stoned Tonia with a cupcake.

Tonia caught the cupcake in her hand and pouted. "Hey, don't you dare damage those pretty cupcakes!"

"I don't care. I will stone you with my shoe if you keep saying that."

I laughed at their sily drama and pointed at the other box of cupcakes. "Luke, can you please pass me a cupcake?"

Luke nodded and passed a cupcake. He also gave one to Sheila. Aw, that was so sweet of him.

"Hey, don't let her ruin that cupcake too," Tonia protested.

I smiled silently and ate the cupcakes.

Mrs Colleen entered the kitchen and crossed her hands. "What are you people doing?!" She asked us. She was the head of the servants.

Sheila smiled at her and approached her with another cupcake in her hand. "Mrs Collen, you need to have some of these cupcakes. It's freaking delicious." Sheila stretched it out to her.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I brought it out and picked the call.

"Annie, come to my room now." Mr Lawson said and hung up.

I pocketed the phone and walked out of the kitchen.

Sheila looked up and called after me. "Annie won't you have more cupcakes?"

I shook my head. "Don't worry, I've eaten enough."

Luke grabbed the last box of cupcakes and beamed at me. "Thanks Annie!"

Sheila snatched the box from Luke and smacked his shoulder. "Drop it down."

I laughed once more and left.

***

I opened the door quietly and entered inside. Mr Lawson sat on the couch, observing some set of suits. He wore a simple sweater and cotton trousers. He raised his head and looked at me.

I closed his door and approached him.

"You called me."

He nodded and dropped the suit on the round table before him. "Yea, I did."

"Why?"

He exhaled deeply, my eyes followed his Adam's apple as it moved up and down. He pointed at the set of suits on the table.

"Hmm, I don't know which suits to wear so just help me to iron anyone you think will suit me." He said, "I want to wear it to a meeting."

I blinked twice. "You want me to pick the suit you will wear to a meeting?"

He frowned at me. "I don't think I stuttered when I said that."

Oops, he was in a bad mood. I moved my lips up into a small smile and nodded. I walked closer to the table and picked up the least finest suit.

"Okay, I'm going to iron it now."

I took it to the laundry room and started ironing it. I was about to iron the jacket when my phone rang. I took it out of my back pocket and put it close to my ear, securing it with my shoulder.

"Hello, Mum."

"Annie," My mum said, worried.

I straightened up, alarmed. "What happened mum?" My throat went dry as I waited for her answer.

"This afternoon, I dropped Zoe at home after picking her from school. I went back to the grocery store to get something, But Zoe… "

My heart throbbed, I knew my mom would say something I didn't want to hear.

"But Zoe had fainted when I got back home."

I bit my lips and gripped my hair. My heart thumped within my chest. "Where is she now? Have you taken her to the hospital?"

"Yes, we are in the hospital."

I uttered a sign of relief and held my chest. "That's good. So how is she feeling? What's wrong with her?"

I turned around looking for my bag, I needed to go and check up on her.

"Annie, don't worry. You don't have to come. She has woken up. You can check on her after work."

I paused and rested my head on the door. "Mom, can I talk to her?"

"Sure."

I heard some movement and the sound of someone moving on the bed. Then, I heard her little angelic voice.

"Hello Mom."

I closed my eyes and smiled, hearing her voice was a relief.

"Hello princess."

"Mum, don't worry. I'm okay. The doctor said it was because of stress and lack of sleep."

"How are you feeling dear? Are you feeling pain in any part of your body? Make sure you let the doctor know the exact way you are feeling, okay?"

"Don't worry, Mom. I was feeling tired and weak, but I'm fine now. I'm a strong girl, remember?"

I laughed and nodded. "Of course, you are. You are very strong."

"Mum, I'm feeling better now, okay? The doctor said I just need to sleep and take my drugs then I will be back on my feet."

"Sweetheart, you know it is hard not to worry about you. I love you so much so when something happens to you, I can't help but be worried."

"I know, Mom. Don't worry." She added sweetly, "I love you."

I smiled and moved back to the ironing table. "I love you too." I said and hung up the call.

I kept my phone in my bag. An acrid smell wafted through the air. I scrunched up my nose and looked around, confused. I looked down and widened my eyes when I saw the mess I had created on the ironing table. Gosh, I haven't switched off the socket. I picked up the iron and a part of the jacket laid on the table went off with it. It left a huge burnt mark on the jacket.

I covered my mouth and raised the burnt jacket up. How will I tell Mr Lawson that I had burnt his clothes?

Gosh, I was so careless and I didn't need anyone to tell me so. Maybe I should replace it before he finds out.

I sighed. Who was I kidding?

The jacket was very expensive and I don't have that amount of money, not when I haven't even paid Zoe's hospital bill.

"Annie!"

The clothes dropped from my hands as I saw Mr Lawson entering the laundry room.

The saying is very correct, think of the devil, and he will truly appear.