Chapter 44: Afternoon Without Men

Trista’s POV

“What?” I asked, pushing Hazel to the side. She was still staring at Gladice, frowning.

“It’s nothing,” she said, her voice in a whisper. “I just didn’t know that you’d already hired someone.”

“You don’t like her?” I asked.

We both looked casually at Gladice. By now, she’d moved on from the basket. She was looking through my fridge.

“I don’t know her,” Hazel shrugged. “I guess I just thought…well….your old omega maid really misses you. She heard you were back. She said she’d love to work for you again.”

Gladice took out a bottle of something (salad dressing) and sniffed it. She shook her head and put it back. Then she grabbed three apples and crammed them into the basket.

“Oh,” I said. I missed Emi too. She had been lovely. So kind and attentive. And I’d always felt like her little pups, well, like they’d been my extended family.

“Knives?” Gladice asked.

I pointed to the drawer.

“What does she need knives for?” Hazel whispered.

“I dunno. They’re going on a picnic. To cu