There wasn't a single scrap left on the table. I felt ridiculously proud of myself—a true domestic goddess.
Once the meal was over, the head of the household gathered all the staff in the living room. "Everyone already knows my wife. From now on, she's in charge of everything inside this house. You will respect and obey her just as you do me. Khun Tim will handle your monthly salaries. If anything is missing or you need something, go to her. Any problems?"
Everyone shook their heads. As if anyone would dare—not with the way he was glaring daggers at them. "If that's all, you're dismissed." He turned to me. "You—come upstairs. We need to talk."
"Wait a second," I called out, stopping everyone in their tracks. "What now?" he asked flatly. I'm your wife, you know. Would it kill you to use a nicer tone?
"So… where exactly am I supposed to sweep, mop, and clean, dear husband?" "The entire upper floor is yours." What?! That's huge! "And if I catch anyone helping you, I'll fire the lot of them."
"You're doing this on purpose! I'm your wife, not your maid!" I was supposed to be the lady of the house, remember?
"Exactly. Because you're my wife, you do it. Everyone else, dismissed. And you—stop talking and follow me. Now. Before I get even angrier."
"Yes, sir," I replied sweetly, though I was seething inside. So full of himself—no one beats him at that. Even at home, he's still playing the stern Minister.
"Khun Tim," Uncle Kaew called out. P'Pin, P'Paeng, Tongjai, and the maids were still hovering. "Yes, Uncle Kaew? Did you need something?"
"I just wanted to say—that spicy stir-fried rat and the lizard larb you made were absolutely incredible."
The moment Uncle Kaew said that, the three guys headed for the stairs froze in their tracks. Their heads snapped around so fast I thought they'd get whiplash. Careful now—don't strain your necks. I was trying to let that slide quietly, Uncle Kaew.
"I'll make it for you again next time, okay?" Everyone gave me a thumbs-up before heading off to the staff quarters. At least he was kind enough to build decent housing for them. I'd asked P'Paeng about the pay—she said it wasn't much, but life here was better than elsewhere. No one looked down on them here.
"Don't tell me you—" the minister jerk started to piece it together.
"I'm just a very generous lady of the house. Of course, I shared the food with them. No need to praise me—beautiful people are naturally kind-hearted. Your grandmother really had excellent judgment choosing me as her granddaughter-in-law."
The three of them looked at each other. Then, their faces turned pale as if they were about to lose their dinner, and they scrambled off to their rooms.
"What's wrong with them? They didn't complain while they were eating. What a waste of good food."