Chapter 2 Humiliation

"Hey, wake up. Don't you know it's time for you to start working?" Mrs Cambridge entered Jerome's room and hit him with a stick.

"Mum," Jerome said in his sleepy voice.

"How many times have I warned you not to call me that? Do you think you are fit to call me that?" Mrs. Cambridge spat.

" I am sorry, but it is three o'clock am, why must I wake up now?" He was perplexed.

"We will be receiving visitors today, you must prepare to make sure everything is alright before they arrive."

"But who are they? Because I didn't hear anyone talking about them, besides what exactly must I do at this hour?" Jerome said with a sleepy voice.

"That's not your business. Just do what you are asked to do." She said and left him.

Jerome was tired, it was not even three hours before he went to sleep. He was still feeling pain in his legs, what was there to prepare? He got up to see what he could do. He heard some noise in the kitchen. He knew it was Eleanor. He walked to the kitchen and saw her busy preparing for breakfast. There are dozens of servants in the house, but he and Eleanor are the ones who are being treated unfairly.

"Sir, you are not feeling well, why are you here?" Eleanor quickly walked to him and helped him. She was the only servant who respected him. She is the only person who cares about his well-being. If he was being punished and was not given any food, she would be the one to bring him food. Her deeds were carved in Jerome's heart.

"You know I have no say in this marriage." He said with a sad tone.

"But sir, why are you still here? We all know madam doesn't love you."

"I know she doesn't love me, but I have nowhere to go. I wouldn't be able to survive without them. Don't worry about me, I will be fine. Let's start cooking before the old lady barks at us like a mad dog." He said with a slight smile.

Eleanor chuckled. Jerome has a sharp tongue. She has always wondered why her young mistress is not interested in such a kind, hardworking, and handsome man.

They started the food and even though Jerome was still limping, he didn't utter any words. Since there was nothing he could do and he had already been woken up, he should help Eleanor prepare the food.

When they were done, he set the table and served the food, it was only left with the dessert. Shortly after the food was served, he saw two old women and one handsome gentleman. He didn't think much and went on with what he was doing. It was half past eight.

After he was done with the dessert, he went to the dining room but what he saw almost made him drop the food.

How could Mia sit on a stranger's lap, especially a man? He boldly walked to them, put the food on the table, and stared at them trying to figure out what was happening.

"Your servant looks handsome. Why not train him to be a model or an actor." Mrs. Jackson complimented.

"Oh really, but he is good for nothing and all he can do is house chores." Mrs. Cambridge sneered.

"Oh, too bad. He would have made a lot of money. Such a wasted talent." Mr. Jackson shook his head in disappointment.

Jerome stood with his mouth wide open. He couldn't believe his mother-in-law degraded him in front of strangers. "Who are these people? He mumbled in a low voice that only he could hear.

"How can you serve us this tasteless soup as an appetizer?" The hotness of the soup brought him back to his senses.

"But, mother.." Jerome wanted to say something but nothing came out of his mouth. The soup was very hot.

"Oh, all you can do is shed crocodile tears. When will you for once act like a man?" Mia's tone was full of disgust.

"Such a useless man. You want them to misunderstand us. Do you want them to think we are treating you unfairly?" Mrs Cambridge chimed in.

"Why are you standing here? I don't wanna see your pitiful face. Your site disgusts me." Mia spat.

Jerome was surprised. Even though his wife and mother-in-law never treated him well, they have never been this harsh in front of so many people. Anytime he offends them in public, they never scold him but order him not to get closer to them But why are they treating him like trash and something that was not of value? He really couldn't understand what was going on today.

"I am sorry, it will never happen again. Let me prepare another one." Jerome bowed his head and mumbled.

"Prepare another one? Do you think we have time for you? Get out of our sight" Mrs Cambridge waved her hands impatiently. If she had known this would have happened, she would have locked him and wouldn't have bothered to wake him up.

When Jerome got to the kitchen, he saw Eleanor staring pitifully at him. "Sigh… sir, why would you allow yourself to be humiliated? Sometimes you need to speak for yourself, you can't let them look down on you. You are a man for Christ's sake." Eleanor's tone was full of worries.

"You don't understand my dear. At least you have a loving mother who still loves and cares for you. I have no one and nowhere to go. Do you think I have the right to stand up for myself? I don't like the situation I am in, but the choice is not for me to decide. We never choose life dear, life chooses us…

"Jerome," he heard his wife's voice. He quickly stopped talking and went to her.

"Our visitor said his leg is numb and he needs a massage. You are good at that, so just do it for him." Mia walked to the kitchen and said.

"What? You want me to massage my fellow man's feet. What do you take me for?" Jerome was astonished and disappointed. How could his wife ask him to do such a thing?

"What do I take you for? Of course, in front of strangers, you are just a servant who follows my orders. No, you are just like a dog who has to obey its owner.

"I am not your servant, I am your husband." Jerome gritted his teeth.

"Husband? How many times have I warned you not to repeat that word? Oh, you wouldn't do it?" She lifted her head and said in a provocative tone.

Jerome kept mute, who was he to disobey her order? If he goes against her, then he will spend three nights outside. The rain has been falling every day and he can't take such a risk. " I will do it." He said with a tinge of sadness in his voice.

"Better, you should always know your place. You depend on me and have to follow my orders. Understood?"

"Yes," Jerome nodded and went to the place where they were dining...

"Come, I need a massage," Elidad said and pointed to his legs.

Even though he wasn't willing, he had no choice but to do it.

"Honey, your servant is good at massaging, can we bring him along after the wedding." Elidad, who was enjoying the massage suggested.

"Wait, honey, did that man just call my wife honey? Or I heard it wrongly."

"Of course, that wouldn't be a problem, you can do whatever you want with him," Mia replied. She didn't care about Jerome's surprised look.

"I can't wait to see my grandson. Mia, you know you are only three weeks pregnant, please take care of your health." Mrs Jackson said in a doting tone.

"What!!" Jerome stood up and exclaimed in shock.