Chapter 17


    The maid my mother- in –


    w hired started work the next morning . Her name was Vitoria Zacarias , who was a woman of short s


    tature , round face and fair skin . Although her eyes were n’t big , they looked shrewd . Neverit was my


    habit to observe anyone , but I  became more suspicious of people after being betrayed by Joana and t


    he Morais .


    Vitoria arrived early in the morning to prepare breakfast . _ _ True to what my mother-in-


    Carlos praised Vitoria a lot when he looked at the hearty breakfast on the table before telling her : “ I re


    member that Linda likes pasta with ground beef , so prepare some for her from time to time ” . _ _ _


    A hint of jealousy flitted through Joana ‘s eyes as he spoke , but I could only respond with a smile . Onl


    y God knows the bitterness I felt , because I never liked pasta with ground beef . I only ate when I was


    with Carlos at the time, because that poor guy could only afford that cheap noodle . While I tried to


    be considerate and also help him save some money , I never expected him to stick


    to such an  assumption .


    As soon as Carlos said that , Vitoria looked at me while asking : “ I


    can make some if you want . ” She was respectful to me as she


    spoke , all the while looking at my mother-inw , as if she had some concerns about


    certain subjects .


    “ You don’t have to do this .” I shook my head . “ By


    the way , you don’t have to be so polite around me . You ‘re older than me , so you should  call me Lind


    a !


    “ Will it be fitting for you ? ” Vitoria did n’t seem to believe


    it , which further confirmed my suspicions that my mother-in –


    w had spoken badly about me in front of Vitoria .


    “ Why not ? _ After all , that ‘s what names are for . As


    I ate the porridge with mixed vegetables , I found it tasted great , so I looked at Vitoria with a smile . “ T


    he porridge was great . I like it a lot ” .


    “ d it ‘s to your liking . _ ” Vitoria seemed to be feeling more relieved as she examined the dishes on


    the table . Realizing how careful she was with me , I  scanned the tes on the table before I realized


    what was happening . _


    None of them were the dishes I liked . The porridge was obviously for Joana , while the egg rolls and s


    weet potato pancakes were what the older ones and Carlos liked . _ _ _ _ _ As


    for the ham sandwich , they were for Pam .and Bianca . I could only smile bitterly as I


    watched the hearty meal .


    After breakfast , I went into the room with Carlos to get my things . _ Judging by


    thement , he seemed to like Vitoria a lot . “ Linda , are you satisfied with the maid my mother hired


    ? _ ”


    “ She ‘s very good , ” I replied .


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    “ I think so


    too . Judging by our breakfast , she must have spent a good deal of time working out the menu . Let ‘s


    start having decent meals from now on . _ ”


    “ Yes , we definitely will . Mom is not getting any younger , so it will be tiring for her


    to always visit the market to buy food . I would like to suggest that we let Vitoria take care of


    the shopping . As she is responsible for the kitchen , shewill


    know what to buy . What do you think about it ? I looked at Carlos with a smile ,


    all the while hiding the fact that he was trying to undermine my mother-in-w ‘s position in the house .


    Carlos didn’t realize what I was nning , as he agreed with my suggestion . “ That ‘s what I was thinki


    ng too . We  should give her the money for groceriester . _ _ _


    “ Okay , but I’m running out of money , honey . ” I looked at him a bit awkwardly . “ I’ve been


    low on cashtely . I still have n’t bought Pam the watch she wants , while her mother liked another


    ne , which I ‘mnning to buy ..


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