A new day in the Jameson household, Cheri wakes to a sun-filled room. Sitting up she realizes her body is feeling much better until she brushes her hair and her scalp stings from the hair-pulling. She washes up, dabs on some makeup, pulls on a pair of loose fitting clothes and quietly goes out of her room. The smell of pancakes and her hunger lead her downstairs to look for something to eat. The marble floor feels cold on her bare feet as she looks around to see if anyone is there.
Again the library doors are closed and she hears voices coming from inside. Looking around and finding no one she gets closer to the doors to eaves drops on what is going on inside. She hears Maston's voice, but it is muffled and then she hears something hit the floor. Before she could make anything else out the familiar sound of Franklin's footsteps resound in the nearby hallway making her scurry into the kitchen and nearly runs into Julio who washing the breakfast dishes. He simply looks at her with a smile and says,
"Wait in the dining room, I will make you breakfast." unaware of what is going on outside the kitchen.
"Um, Okay."
Afraid of doing something wrong she just does what she is told, even if it is from the cook. Taking the end seat at a table for ten she feels so lonely. This is her first time eating in the massive dining room with its vaulted ceiling and stunning crystal chandelier hanging above her. The table is polished Cherry wood and there are three huge bouquets of fresh flowers for centerpieces.
Franklin walks in and sets a plain white place-mat in front of her with utensils wrapped in a crisp white napkin. Cheri feels like a guest and that makes things seem even stranger. Julio comes out with a plate of three large pancakes, a cup of coffee and all the condiments she could ask for on a tray. He starts to serve her and she shoos him away as being served with formality all the time is making her uncomfortable.
Her coffee tastes so good with the fresh cream that she can't help but lick the spoon. A few bites into her syrup covered pancakes Maston walks in with a cup of coffee,
"Mind if I join you?" he asks politely even though her answer would mean nothing.
She is startled at first, swallows what is in her mouth, her eyes watching his every move, feeling like a mouse when the cat shows up. Sitting at the other end of the table Maston sets down his coffee and several papers he has in his hand. There's an awkward silence between them.
He attempts to break it,
"So, how are you feeling today my dear?" he asks formally, like NOTHING ever happened between them, ever.
Wiping her mouth nervously with her napkin, she answers,
"Oh, I'm fine, I guess."
Stopping mid-sip he questions, "I guess?? Why, what is wrong Cheri?"
She is very baffled now. It's like he is a stranger, like nothing happened, no sex, no beating, not even the intimate dinner a few nights earlier. He is so different.
"I don't know what to say Maston...you,"
He quickly interrupts her,
"Mr. Jameson, not Maston. I am your employer, you, the employee. Please, continue."
Hesitating to process the situation she tries to pick up her train of thought,
"Yes, Mr. Jameson. What I mean to say is I don't know who you are anymore."
"I just told you dear, I am your employer."
He says with a bogus smile.
"I know, but wait, what was all that yesterday? You BEAT me. Then you come in my room to make it all BETTER?? I don't get it!"
"Listen..." he replies while pointing his spoon at her like he did before on the patio,
"You broke a rule. You needed to be taught a lesson."
"What RULE?"
"My rules my dear, nothing is done here without my permission, entering my domain especially." "You're WHAT? I'm sorry Mas...MMMISTER Jameson, but I didn't know."
"Well now you do." He says with a calm coolness about him.
Confused she loses her temper along with her appetite and starts to walk away.
"CHERI!"
"Yes?" spinning around to face him, her face all flushed from frustration.