A sweet voice broke the silence. "Hello, darling."
A strong yet pleasant fragrance swept through the hall, overtaking the lingering vanilla scent. Though startled, I felt an unexpected sense of calm.
"Good morning, madam," I responded, rising to take the hand of Madam Pamela, the woman who had chosen to support my struggling family and me while I worked in her mansion. She had described it as simple and small, but standing there, I knew that wealth had a different meaning in their eyes. She had offered me this opportunity after seeing me at the burial of my late uncle.
In a soft, low tone, she gestured toward the chair. "Take your seat."
As I sat, I couldn't help but admire her outfit-a short, long-sleeved dress in striking shades of purple and black. The top buttons were undone, revealing a hint of her cleavage, and the hemline barely covered her thighs. She carried herself with effortless elegance.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long," she said. Though it had only been thirty minutes, she spoke as if it had been hours. She explained that she had woken up just a short while ago. It was already quarter to noon, so I assumed she had risen around eleven.
I simply offered a polite smile as she began explaining everything I needed to know. She described my responsibilities, informing me that Comfort, the chief maid, would be in charge. I was to follow instructions from her children, her husband, her mother-in-law, and even some of her children's close friends, whom she had taken in as her own. However, orders from anyone else required her approval first.
One particular expectation surprised me. I was to wake up at four in the morning, the same hour she usually began cooking, despite the household employing a professional chef. I admired her dedication; despite being a highly successful businesswoman, she still actively participated in running her home. Even with all her wealth and status, she carried herself with remarkable humility, treating those around her with warmth and kindness.
She added with a warm smile, "You can call me 'Mummy' if you're comfortable with it. Everyone in the house does."
I nodded respectfully, acknowledging each instruction as she spoke. Once she finished, she dismissed me, instructing me to meet Priscilla, one of the maids, who would show me to my room on the other side of the house.
As I followed Priscilla through the grand corridors, I noticed a distinct pattern among the maids-they were all dressed in black and white. I assumed it was their uniform; a reflection of the discipline and order expected in this house.