THE FOLLOWING morning, I feel refreshed. I am champing at the bit, and I go to work with a light heart. The minute I step into the villa, Lilly tells me the princess wants to see me.
I knock softly and make sure I have a smile on my face as I greet her. She does not return my greeting. “You need to punish Sunny!” she says harshly. I wait for her to continue. “How dare she inconvenience me?!” she rants. “A month ago, Lilly asked me if she could send her boxes home. This morning, Sunny comes and asks me. How dare she?!”
I don’t see where the princess is going with this. The shipping company had been called to collect Lilly’s boxes that afternoon anyway; what difference would it make to collect four boxes instead of two? The girls pay to send the boxes home themselves and it is not as if the princess has to pack them.
I stand there with a blank look on my face. Mona has warned me that the princess hates it when she cannot read your facial expressions. I have found that this is true.
“You will go downstairs and shout at Sunny so loud, I want to hear you from up here.” She says this with a smug smile as if she is chuffed with the punishment she has come up with.
“Your Highness, I have never had to raise my voice at any of my staff. Please will you trust me to handle this?” I ask her. “You will follow orders!” she screams at me. I back out with a “Yes, Your Highness” and go downstairs where Sunny and Lilly are polishing the wooden banister on the first floor. They heard the orders and with a nod of my head, I beckon them into the basement. They follow soundlessly on their stockinged feet.
Sunny stands in front of me, eyes rimmed red from crying. Lilly looks downwards. I understand Sunny’s distress; the boxes take six weeks to reach their destination and it is not clear when the princess will give her permission to send more home.
“You heard the princess, Sunny. I have a problem with this as I don’t believe you deserve it,” I say gently. Lilly looks up and whispers, “Just do it madam.” I look at Sunny. She nods and repeats, “You have to do it, Madam.”
I take an exaggerated breath and start. “Sunny!” I shout. The girls start giggling as they see me struggle to find the right words. “What were you thinking, inconveniencing the princess like this?” The girls are now doubled over and I hear chortling coming from the kitchen where Maria and Mami are trying hard to mind their own business. I can’t help smiling as I continue just a little longer. The princess would want her money’s worth. “What would you do differently next time?” I shout.
I hate myself for this; it feels stupid and primitive. Sobering up, Sunny mutters that she would ask the princess’s permission a month before the time. I still don’t get what the fuss is about as the transport company collects at an hour’s notice, anywhere in Riyadh.
So much for thinking things would improve after the agreement the day before.