Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 8

Emma's POV

Who would do something like this? He could have fired me!

Agnes entered the kitchen. It was already after 12:00 noon. All she had scheduled was to prepare dinner for Mr. Hollen. She was in a jolly mood, humming to herself. 

I, on the other hand, was left with a mystery to solve, and it all pointed to one person. Haley. She got the groceries yesterday so she could have easily spiked a bottle of milk with salt. From here on, I would have to taste his coffee before I delivered it, just in case.

I left the kitchen and found Halley in the storeroom where the cleaning supplies were kept. I closed the door loudly behind me, making her jump.

"What the hell, Emma! What are you doing here?"

"When it comes to my job, I don't play around. Mr. Hollen hired me to make his coffee and assist with the cleaning, so what's your damn problem?"

"What are you talking about? Are you drunk?"

"Admit it, you put salt in the milk I use to make his coffee!"

She let out a loud laugh while clutching her stomach. "You're unbelievable Emma; I can't believe you're accusing me for your own mistakes. Where did Mr. Hollen fine you at the circus? Because you're funny." She brushed passed me and left.

I knocked over two buckets in anger but put them back in place after I realized that I shouldn't take my anger out on Mr. Hollen's innocent buckets.

______

I told Agnes about the incident with the coffee. She was in-charge of the kitchen, and the milk was in the kitchen.

"Oh, you poor dear, I'm so sorry to hear that."

"I just don't understand why Halley would do something like that."

"I guess she's just jealous of you."

"Mr. Hollen should know about this."

"He would fire her."

"He could've fired me. I served him a salty coffee!"

"Please, calm down. Why didn't you taste the coffee first?"

"Because I know what I'm doing. I've been making coffee for a long time at a cafe. I didn't need to taste it to know it was perfect."

"I understand, but I believe he'll call a meeting with us when he gets home. I just hope no one loses their job."

_________

He came home in a rage. He slammed the door behind him, and we heard his footsteps when he went upstairs. We panicked. The phone rang. He wanted me upstairs immediately. With fear raging through my entire body, I turned on my heels and made my way upstairs. 

He was in his bedroom cursing under his breath and tossing pieces of his clothes all over the floor. "Have the sheets been changed?"

"Yes, sir."

"Was the room cleaned?"

"Yes, sir."

"Who did it?"

"I did, sir."

"Get my coffee."

"Yes, sir."