Free This Time by Ingrid Monique Page B

him.
    â€œI didn’t mean it like that.” She pursed her lips. He had a playful smile on his face.
    â€œDid yu’ use a decorator?”
    â€œNo,” he told her.
    â€œYu’ have good taste,” she complimented him.
    â€œThanks.” He smiled. “Let me go shower and change. Feel free to look around.”
    â€œOK,” she said, excited about seeing what he had done to the rest of the house.
    Kelee explored the rest of the downstairs. There was a sitting/TV room that housed a huge TV, plush couches, and a bar. There was also a small library, with a computer set up in one corner. She loved his spacious kitchen. The dining room sat just off the kitchen. The one thing she noted was how spotless his house was; he definitely had a housekeeper. She turned to leave the kitchen and gasped when she saw a very serious-looking middle-aged woman, arms crossed, glaring at her.
    â€œHi,” she greeted the woman with a smile. The woman glared even harder at her. Kelee suddenly wondered if she should make a run for it. The woman was blocking the doorway, so that exit was out.
    â€œWho yu’?” the woman asked in a gentle voice. Kelee relaxed a bit.
    â€œKelee, a friend of Sean’s,” she told her. The woman’s face relaxed a bit and she nodded. Kelee felt a little better. The woman was truly intimidating, with her hard leathery face and mean scowl. “Oh. Where is he?”
    â€œShowering. He told me I could look around.”
    â€œYu’ want some’ting to drink?” the woman offered, moving to a cupboard and opening the door, pulling out a glass.
    â€œThank yu’. What’s yu’ name, if I may ask?” Kelee asked carefully, wondering who she was.
    The woman paused and studied her for a moment before responding. “May Brown, housekeeper.”
    Kelee smiled and moved towards her with her hand out. “Nice to meet yu’,” Kelee told her. May simply looked at her hand. Kelee dropped her hand.
    â€œWha’ yu’ want to drink?”
    â€œJuice is good.” Kelee watched her. Apparently May wasn’t all that friendly, but she was nice enough to offer her a drink. So, she couldn’t be all that bad.
    Kelee watched her as she poured her some juice from a jug. She offered it to Kelee, who took it, thanking her with a smile and taking a sip. The juice was different, but delicious.
    â€œMmmm, this is good, what is it?” Kelee smiled at her.
    â€œPassion fruit, pineapple and ginger, Sean’s favorite,” May said with a slight smile.
    Kelee drank some more. “Delicious. Thank yu’.”
    â€œWhich island yu’ from?”
    Kelee stopped drinking and told her, “Jamaica.”
    â€œKnew a Jamaican man once,” May mused with a reflective look in her eyes. “Nice man.” She shrugged. Kelee couldn’t help but smile. She found May’s subtle expressions amusing.
    â€œHow long have yu’ worked for Sean?”
    â€œFive years,” May told her.
    â€œWhat’s he like as a boss? He doesn’t overwork yu’, does he?” Kelee smiled at her with curiosity. May smiled, flashing perfect white dentures. Her smile lessened the harshness in her face.
    â€œHe’s a good boss.” May regarded her with a curious expression. “Yu’ mus’ be special.”
    Kelee was surprised by May’s words.
    â€œWhy do yu’ say that?” Kelee was curious about the meaning behind her statement.
    â€œHe never brings anyone home.”
    May’s answer stunned Kelee; for a moment she wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or cautious.
    She was about to press May for more information when she heard footsteps. She turned to see Sean entering the kitchen. He was dressed in jeans and a cream polo shirt. His hair was still wet but he looked so good, Kelee couldn’t help but stare at him. He smiled at them.
    â€œTalkin’ ’bout