I made the greatest mistake when I admitted Grace into my home. I never liked the idea of having a maid. Not that it is wrong to have a maid; however, I prefer to do without to avoid stories that touch the heart. My reservation about having a maid was well justified because I have heard and read of the quandary that maids subjected their employers to, and I can’t withstand a quarter of what I read about.
Unfortunately, something happened that made me succumb to my husband’s persuasion for a maid; I broke my leg one day while I was deep-cleaning my home. Victor; my husband rushed me to the hospital and I had a minor procedure; the doctor warned against putting weight on my leg for at least six weeks, which meant I wouldn’t be able to function, especially domestically.
Thankfully, I work remotely, so the accident wouldn’t necessarily affect my work. My Husband, an investment banker, worked crazy hours; combining household management with his hectic work is tantamount to sending him to the gallows. We need someone to help care for the twins while I take time off my feet.
I contacted an agency that could help me get a good one without drama; I had to pay more, but I didn’t mind as long as she was good and there was no chaos trailing her.
Grace entered my house on the first day, and I liked her. She was a young woman in her early twenties, neat and beautiful, attributes that would worry some women, but I had no qualms since I trusted my husband completely.
Victor was a man of honor who valued social and professional integrity. This attribute won him many hearts, awards, and promotions. I felt so blessed to have him as my husband.
The twins took to Grace almost immediately, which made me content because they rarely warm up to strangers. Grace must be a good person, given that my children were so comfortable around her so soon. As for my husband, he was his usual civil and kind self. Let’s say I was the last person to let my guard down around Grace, and truth be told; she never gave me a reason to have my hackles up.
Everything was going smoothly, and I wondered why I hadn’t hired Grace sooner. She was aware of her responsibilities and did it well and at the expected time. I was so impressed that I considered paying her more from my purse besides her salary from the agency.
Despite her adeptness at her job, Grace was humble and not overly confident. She took instructions well and seamlessly flowed into our home’s structure.
When I went for my appointment at the end of four weeks, the doctor said I had healed well, but I should still ensure I kept to our six-week initial plan.
I shared the news with everyone, and they all seemed genuinely happy, including Grace.
I couldn’t wait to use my feet again. The thought of staying in bed for another two weeks almost drove me insane, especially when I began to feel like my usual self, I hardly felt any pain.
Surprisingly, a few days after my appointment, I started feeling queasy, although my leg was healing well. My stomach and body started feeling funny. I became lethargic and unmotivated to do the slightest thing. I sometimes hyper-ventilated for no reason
I first thought I needed more rest, but the more I rested, the more tired I felt. I didn’t think much of it initially, but I summed it up to my several weeks of being bundled up in bed. My uncharacteristic inactivity was beginning to get to me.
I had no choice but to extend Grace’s stay. She was excited and thanked me for extending her stay, saying she would miss my babies if she left as earlier planned.
Everything went to normal except my deteriorating strength. I started sleeping more because of unexplained tiredness. I couldn’t be there for my Husband when he needed me, and gradually, Grace began to fill in the space. Grace cared for everything else in the house, and I conserved my strength for my job. I was grateful for the Gift of Grace.
My Husband gradually became cranky as my weakness took a toll on our quality time. He became distant and summed up my lethargy to inactivity, laziness, and indifference after experiencing how comfortable having a house help could be. I didn’t know how to explain my feelings, but knew I wasn’t feeling good. Before he came back from work, I was mostly asleep. Grace would serve him his food, take his suitcase, and run him a bath with relaxing oils. Those were the things I did for him before Grace. This routine went on in our house for almost two months.
One evening, my Husband stormed into my room, throwing caution to the wind, and assertively demanded that Grace leave the house!
“I married you, not Grace.” He yelled. I was shocked because my Husband had never yelled at me before. But that was before beautiful Grace stepped foot in my house, and everything was rosy in our little paradise.
“But you know how tired I get these days?”
“I think your tiredness has nothing to do with your health, but the complacency that you now have a housemaid to do all the work for you, while you lounge all day.”
“That’s so unfair, Victor.”
As I was explaining to my Husband, one of the twins ran into my room and cried that he had a nightmare.
Immediately, my Husband saw one of our boys come in; he assumed his doting father aura and sat beside us on the bed as we tried to placate our son.
“I had a dream,” the boy started “Mum was very sick and died, and Aunty Grace became our new mummy and she was not nice to us.”
Our eyes locked as the realization of what the boy said hit us.
We joined hands and prayed together, decreeing that I would not die but live to declare the works of God.
My Husband took our son back to his room while I continued praying against death.
“We should visit the clinic immediately. We may have taken your weaknesses too lightly; there is more to it than meets the eye. We should go for an all-around medical examination. I will take you to the hospital myself tomorrow.”
Victor sat with me on the bed; I apologize for yelling at you. I feel you neglect me too often, and I’m not used to that. And I’m sorry for making light of your health and assuming the worse of you. You are still my sweet angel.”
My Husband was immediately all over me, and we spent time together as a couple for the first time in a long time. We talked late into the night and laughed a lot. While still laughing and rekindling the friendship we have both missed for over two months, Grace came in to ask if everything was alright. My Husband dismissed her to go to bed. He was having a pleasant time with his wife, and everything was good.
Grace reluctantly left and even left the door ajar till my Husband called her back to close the door behind her.
I didn’t think anything of all her acts till much later.
We got to the hospital, and the doctor ran a series of tests only to discover that my blood had traces of cannabis.
I was shocked when the doctor told me about it. My Husband requested that the doctor check his blood; he did, but my Husband was okay.
The doctor asked us all sorts of questions; the answers pointed at what I consume at home since I have not been out of the house to eat since the accident. And the only person who cooks and serves my meal is Grace!
My mind immediately went to my children, and I asked the doctor if we could bring the children for the test; we scheduled an appointment for the next day.
Why would Grace add stuff to my meals and not my Husband’s? Why would Grace want me out of the way?
Suddenly, I began to make sense of everything. The way she sometimes dressed when my Husband was around. She sometimes looked at my Husband when she thought I wasn’t looking.
I just thought he was mesmerized by his kindness, and truth be told, My Victor is a fine man. Since I trusted him and knew he was a devout child of God, I had no qualms about how my housemaid chose to look at my Husband. Besides, I can’t tell her to stop looking at him. It doesn’t make any sense. Besides I knew Grace was staying just a couple of months more and I needed her with house chores.
Well, now I know she has an agenda. I only hope that no harm comes to my children.
“What are you going to do?” The doctor’s voice brought me back from my reverie.
“For one, she is leaving the house!” My Husband retorted. But first, she must confess to what she’s been doing and why.
I looked at Victor, “Why else do you think she would want to send me out? You! of course! Don’t you look in the mirror? Can’t you see how handsome you look? Also kind and so giving. The deranged girl has some fantasies about you, and I’m the only thing on her way.” I announced with humor dancing in my tired eyes.
“I see this is funny to you.” My Husband said with furrowed brows.
“Sorry, I found this humorous. However, what are we going to do? At least what she was adding to my food couldn’t kill instantly. And I’m grateful to God for that.”
“Yes, what are you guys going to do? Are you going to involve the authorities?” Our family doctor interrupted our exchange.
“Not at all! I don’t want unnecessary attention. And you know how Nigerian police are?”
“Alright, let me excuse you guys. I have patients waiting for me. Be careful so you won’t ingest more of that stuff. Its effect will wear off with time.” And don’t forget your prescription. The doctor said as he left us alone in his office.
“Alright, doctor, thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure. Good luck with your maid.”
Victor was in a pensive mood, strategizing what to do.
“I can bet every dollar in my account that you are her only target, and the twins are safe. She couldn’t feed them that stuff without us seeing its effects on them.”
Victor stood from his reclining position, ” From now on, we feed from the same plate. and that would be my plate.” He rubbed on his stubble, thinking of how to resolve Grace’s issue.”We will make sure to pretend we have not discovered her stunt.”
“Alright, then what next?”
“Thankfully, she didn’t know we came to the hospital. She would keep serving your meals in bed as usual, and you would pretend you ate the food but flush half of it down the toilet in our room.”
“Okay,”
“I will contact the security company we use in our office to install a security camera in the house.”
“You are going all out, I smiled. “You remind me of all the detectives in the CSI movies on DSTV.”
“Maybe I’m going overboard with this, but no one messes with my family and goes free. Also, I want to have evidence.”
Victor sat back down, “You know what? Tomorrow morning you will send her on an errand that would take half the day. You might even tell her to go shopping for herself and that you appreciate her help in the house. Then, the security company could set up the hidden cameras strategically. They are one of the best in the country so I can guarantee their professionalism and competence.”
Alright, dear. But I shiver knowing Grace has been feeding me all that rubbish.”
“Yeah, one can only trust a few people in this life.” Victor stood once again, moved closer to me, and pulled me into a tight embrace.
“Speaking of trust, I should have trusted that you were genuinely feeling unwell instead of barraging for indulgence and laziness. I’m sorry, and I promise to make it up.”
“I love you, Victor Ajide.”
“I love you too, Tofunmi, my darling wife.”
“My Husband and I successfully carried out our plan. Also, we took the twins for the test, and they were clear, Oh! What a relief that was. So, our guesses were correct. Grace wanted my Husband. Somewhere in her twisted mind, she envisioned herself in my place. She desired a family I took years to build, and I’m still building.
As for my Husband, she became more dotting of me, however cold and indifferent with Grace. We unknowingly to Grace ate from the same plate, and I gradually felt better.
It took every effort, nonetheless, we pretended for a week, and we got all the evidence we needed through the camera. It was time to confront Grace.
Grace served my food as usual. My Husband asked if she had eaten.
“No, sir!” Grace responded in a sultry voice she reserved for my Husband alone.
“Great!” my Husband answered in his usual kind voice. I wonder how he maintained composure when he was raging inside.
After all this is over, I encourage Victor to consider acting.
Then, with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, He invited Grace to sit with him at the table.
Really? She smiled and quickly sat. I was in the room watching the whole scene from my laptop.
“Where is Madam’s food?”
Grace pointed to it. “Here.”
“Alright!” My Husband took a spoonful from my plate of coconut rice and asked Grace to open her mouth.
A triumphant smile appeared on her face, but an anxious look immediately replaced it.
“Hmm… I have my food in the kitchen. I will bring it, so you can feed that to me instead.”
“No! I want you to have a taste of this,” Victor insisted.
No, I can’t, Sir.
“Are you rejecting the food I offered to you?”
“No sir, if you offered me from your plate I will take sir, but not this one.”
“What’s wrong with this one?”
“it is Madam’s food. I can’t eat out of Madam’s food, sir.” She pushed her chair away from the table and jumped to her feet.
“Would I be wrong to insinuate that you added something to this food?”
“Yes sir!, No! I mean I didn’t add anything to the food.”
“Then eat the food.” Victor insisted.
She fell to her knees and started crying.
I came out of the room and began to project the footage on our screen so she could see with her eyes that we knew all about her ploy.
She began to cry and plead that it was a mistake.
My Husband asked why she was adding stuff to only my food.
She responded by saying that she liked Oga and the boys too much to harm them.
I could see my husband used every fiber of restraint to hold back from hitting her.
When he spoke again, his voice was only a hiss. “Take your pitiful self out of my house and never return. I don’t want to ever set my eyes on you, or you will regret ever being born.”
I have never been more proud of my Husband. A lesser man would have taken advantage of the situation, but not my Victor.
He is a man, a real man, through and through, and that’s the reason I love him to the moon.
The maid fell into her trap instead.