Chapter 6 - Yellow Roses on White Tiles
Nathan stepped over the spilled wine.
His leather shoe left a faint, dry footprint on the white tile.
He didn't look down at Evelyn as he walked past her slumped form.
He walked directly toward the island.
The maid was still kneeling in the grey and red water, her hands covering her face.
The green uniform was completely soaked through.
Nathan stopped in front of her.
The fabric of his expensive brown suit rustled.
He bent his right knee.
He lowered his tall frame directly down onto the wet, messy floor, heedless of the dirty water soaking into his trousers.
The maid flinched, curling tighter into a ball.
Nathan reached out slowly.
He placed the massive bouquet of yellow roses onto her lap, resting them gently over her stained white apron.
The bright, vibrant yellow cut violently through the dreary mess of grey and red.
The maid slowly lowered her hands.
Her brown eyes were wide, brimming with hot tears, staring at the blooming flowers.
Nathan reached his hand forward.
He didn't grab her arm.
He gently pressed his index and middle fingers under her chin.
He applied just enough pressure to lift her gaze.
She looked up, terrified, searching his face for anger.
She found none.
"Nobody."
His voice was a soft, steady hum.
"Is going to look down on you from now on."
A single tear broke free from her eyelash, carving a clean line down her cheek.
May you like
She gripped the stems of the yellow roses.
Behind them, Evelyn sat paralyzed on the cold floor, completely blurred into the background of a house that was no longer hers.
