Clara did another fast read on the tablet’s screen. Time was of the essence.

Her critical eye scanned the lists. The tabbed through inventory, schedules, and personnel.

With the ease of experience, she leaned back in her chair and began to prepare for the evening. First item up, maids all are working on the rooms that had the highest priority. Then fan out to the other rooms.

Next up, she had to verify the meal plans that the chefs had submitted. This included paper forms on the table before her.

This set of forms were already set aside for them to request goods from the city below. This was to allow them anonymity instead shopping in person.

Clara wasn’t sure how much they would be using the forms. One had to consider that the entire nation was still suffering. Venezuela had shortages in almost all sectors.

Food was more painful to experience. It was another small fact that endeared her to the Supreme Leader. He had starved with them all.

Still, she filled out the forms. If the city could not fulfill it, she knew that they could bring the goods in from the homeland.

Clara checked the time. It was getting dark, and the master would need to rest soon. Dinner should have already started prepping as well.

She got up and made her way over to the master bedroom. The maids should have checked over everything, but she needed to see it with her own eyes.

She also wanted to double check the kitchen. It looked dated, and was could be lacking some modern conveniences.

Didn’t the chef mention it had only wood fed stoves?

Clara found it relaxing as she walked through the halls. The decor spoke to her. A older, simpler times that was common in Val Verde when she was young.

Her childhood home was much like this. Faded wallpaper and older hand me down furniture that came from another era of time.

Her mind wandered back to her youth as she stared at the worn walls. The age of the faded walls reminded her of home. Of her parents, and the house she had grown up in.

She had been born into a simple family. Her mother and father or simple hard-working people. They had run a small restaurant that had them working from dawn to dusk.

It was simple, honest, and hard work. Her only fear was that one day, her parents would grow old. She had no wishes to inherit the restaurant. She wanted something that paid better.

It was for her parents and herself that she had applied to be a maid in the Long House. She knew it was because of her youth and looks, rather then her cooking skills, that she got selected.

The previous Supreme Leader, Richard, was a man who like to have company during the night. Which meant a large staff of maids.

Luckily by the time she got hired and trained, much of the man’s attention had shifted to classy escort girls.

This would be vice he kept for the rest of his life. A life that would end decade later he would get assassinated by explosives. A fitting end to a selfish man.

So when the new Supreme Leader took power, she was nervous. She had worked her way up to become the head maid. A powerful position in the Long House.

More power meant that she had more responsibilities then ever. She was now the mother hen in charge of so many little chickadees.

She had grown older and her looks had faded, yet her skills only sharpened. She served faithfully to the greater good, and it seems her faith got rewarded.

She desired to excel now more then ever. Rather then supporting her own family, she wanted to help the lord of the Long House.

It was a new feeling.

Clara smiled as she checked over the master bedroom. Everything looked prim and proper.

The Supreme Leader, Johnny, was a man she enjoyed serving. Even during their hardest days, he remained cheerful. As their supplies dwindled, he searched for help.

During those final days, when there was so little food. When the only options was MREs, he thanked her as though she had served him a feast.

One did not need meta-abilites to be powerful. One did not need a high IQ to be smart. Yet she would always answer the same. Johnny Rico was strong.

Often times he acted like a child. Willing to be petty, or allow others to be such. She had seen his lowest points, when he reduced to tears by frustration and powerlessness.

Clara had seen many things in her life. The poverty of the people. The cruelty of power. The selfishness of leaders. The heartlessness present any human heart.

Yet he remained in control. No tantrums that left broken things, and never cursing at the staff. Even that onetime that a maid had spilled wine onto his clothes, he smiled and waived it away.

Johnny Rico was a man who cared for the people. A true supreme leader who did not flaunt his power or wealth. A man that Val Verde needed.

He was also a man who also required constant care. He neglected his own well-being and she found herself at a impasse. He annoyed her, but she was never happier to vexed.

Luckily he had surrounded himself with good people.

General Candice was a wonderful woman. She had a proper head on her shoulders and never let things like royal titles stop her from scolding him.

Princess Kori was a very lively woman. Full of zest that only the youthful possessed. She was a power that could ensure his safety.

Miss Kara was a mirror of Kori. Less rambunctious, but more curious and had a cold intelligence. She heard that it was because of Kori that Doctor Akagi was even with them now.

While she didn't have duties of a soldier, which involved armor or weapons. She also had her own battles to fight.

Cleaning, cooking, washing. These were her battlefields.

Together they would protect the supreme leader from the front and back.

It was with a critical eye she looked over any furniture, or surface. These maids were hand picked for this trip because they were the best in the Long House.

Clara frowned as she turned the corner. Three maids gawk at her presence and then immediately begin working. As they ran away, her frown turned into into a smile.

These girls were her golden chickadees, trained by her for years. They worked hard, but now they seemed to hardly work. They all now preferred to talk and laugh, rather then focus on the tasks at hand.

They look prim and proper. Yet she had to remind them about their tasks. It was a glaring differences between the new leader, and the old one.

One was childish, and the other arrogant. Cheerful maids, and somber ones.

Clara knew which one she preferred.

Now it was their turn to work. They were going to turn this mansion into something fitting for the leader of their country.

The master bedroom was already checked and double checked. The soldiers, and the scientists had already combed through the building. Then maids had come in to ensured everything was ready.

Clara eyed the bed, and ran a hand over the pillow. Soft, and smooth. She tugged at the blankets and peeked underneath. Her Supreme Leader enjoyed loose blankets over tucked in ones.

She then ran a finger over the tables, and window sills. All clean.

Clara nodded to herself as she rubbed her finger over her apron. Her eyes took in the sight. Vast vistas and a bustling city below.

She recalled the city name and remembered a small tidbit. She needed to correct the Supreme Leader when she talked to him next.

Mapache meant raccoon not thief. Though it was often used as a slang for thief.

Really, Raccoon City sounded so much better than Thief City.

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Chapter 28: Home Maid