Secrets at Rosalie Manor

      I was sitting there minding my own wonderful business when the doorbell rang. Walter went to answer the door; of course he took his God forsaken time about it. Why we continued to employ him I will never know. He opened the door and this woman, and I use the term lightly, was standing there. She looked completely ridiculous standing there, soaking wet from the dreary storm that had just passed. I was supposed to go out that day, but nooo, the weather insisted on doing whatever it wanted, despite my constant commands to do otherwise.
         
      Anyway, this woman was just standing there, looking a complete mess. She didn’t even have the common sense to wear something over her clothes. I swear her kind does not have any sort of sophistication. Walter stared at her as if he had seen a ghost. I had to call to him to snap him out of whatever silly trance he seemed to be in. He moved to the side and she walked into the entryway, getting my floor soaked and filthy…God the nerve of that woman! Walter closed the door and led her into the house. I stayed seated and waited to be introduced but they walked right passed me. I called after him, reminding him of my presence but he didn’t stop or even acknowledge my existence. The dirty ragamuffin didn’t even look my way. Who did they think they were? He led her to our grand staircase, escorted her upstairs and knocked on Oliver’s bedroom door. My Oliver?! What was the meaning of this? Surely my dear Oliver had nothing to do with this horrid person. I slowly walked up the stairs and, for the first time in my life, did not want to be seen.
         
      The door opened and the woman went inside and shut the door behind her. I hid in the hallway to avoid being seen as Walter made his way back downstairs. Hopefully he had gone to prepare my lunch like he’s supposed to. I sat there a moment, making sure no one else came along. While I was waiting I went ahead and smoothed my hair, no reason why I should look any less magnificent than I am, even if I am currently by myself. When I was sure the coast was clear I slid closer to the door to listen. I heard voices. The lovely deep voice of my Oliver and the slightly high pitched tone of what I’m assuming was the intruder. It sounded like they were arguing. O, don’t you dare upset him you no good filthy urchin! I got right up next to the doorjamb and was able to hear them more clearly.
         
      “Why now? So much time has passed! What do you want, more money? I can give you money. How much?” Oliver was nearly shouting now. Who was this woman and why was she upsetting him so? Just wait till I get my…
         
      “I don’t want money, Oliver. I want you to come home, to your family. You do remember that you have a family, right? Stephanie is getting married and she’s done nothing but ask about you. She wants you to be there to give her away, although I don’t know why. You certainly seem to have already done that!” The woman was sounding hysterical. Stephanie? Family? What was this nonsense? I would not allow a disruption in this home!
         
      “Jordan, you knew that I wasn’t ready for a family. That was something YOU wanted, not me. You forced me into it, remember? You begged and pleaded and cried until you broke me down enough to have your way. Well, you got your child! Your precious family! I got what I wanted too, I got out. I sent you money so don’t act like I completely abandoned you. Tell Stephanie I’m sorry, I really am, but I can’t be apart of her wedding. I’m busy.” I heard footsteps, like he was heading towards the door. I started to back away but then that troublemaking woman started yelling, again. God, what a drama-queen.
         
        “Busy? Busy?! How can you be so cruel? So unfeeling? To think I ever loved you!” she shrieked.
         
        Oliver chuckled, “Yeah? Well you were no picnic either, doll. Now please leave. This discussion is over.” I heard him grab the doorknob and ran around the nearest corner. He emerged from the room, a battlefield, the victor and with his usual grace walked down the stairs and out of sight. I hoped he was going to see Walter. That man needs a good talking to, someone needs to remind him of his place.
         
        When the woman didn’t come out as well I got curious. I know the saying, no need to tell me. It’s silly, I’ve always thought. Cats are way too smart to be killed by something as so common and lowly as Curiosity. I tiptoed back to the door and poked my head into the room. The woman stood in front of the window staring down at the street below. The slump on her shoulders had a rather defeated look. Serves you right, barging in here and throwing around all sorts of demands, shoving that Stephanie tramp into my innocent Oliver’s face. I would definitely have to ask him later about this whole ordeal and whether or not it will cause a scandal for the family.
         
          I walked in and announced myself, intending to have a few words of my own with this unruly woman, but the vile woman never even turned around! How dare she?! Of course I opened my mouth and gave her such a strict lecture in the haughtiest tone I could muster, that I’m sure my mother would have been proud. She did turn around then, but she wouldn’t even look at me! I’m certain she’d never been so humiliated and I waited patiently for a profuse apology. Instead she took out what appeared to be a cell phone and made a call. I was a little confused but would not let the likes of her know she had ruffled my feathers, so I sat and waited and smoothed my hair again. I was afraid my severe scolding had sent her into a state of shock. I let the woman regain her composure. Sometimes I admit I am entirely too compassionate.
         
          She proceeded to make a phone call. When she began speaking though, her entire demeanor changed and I will say I did not like it one bit. She started saying horrible things about my Oliver. She had the audacity to call him a dead-beat! What nerve! She continued on, getting more heated by the second. She paused for a moment, I’m assuming to let the other person get a word in edgewise, and then flew even more into a rage, if that were possible. This whole time, of course, I had not relinquished my composure. I sat listening, waiting, wishing I could just tear her eyes out and be done with it.
         
        She didn’t seem to view me as a threat, because she then said something that I was not too enthusiastic about hearing; and if she knew me at all, she would not have said such a thing in my presence. She calmed down a bit, drew a deep breath and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll make him pay. I still have the numbers of all his important and revered friends and acquaintances. I’ll make sure they all know what he’s done to us. When I’m through, he’ll wish he stayed with us and he’ll beg me to take him back!”
         
          Well, when I heard that she wished to harm our family, our way of life and our comfortable and cherished home the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Did she honestly think she could get away with such a thing? I would not let her disrupt the life I worked so hard to build! She had no idea what I went through to get where I was! The patience, the primping, prancing around making sure I was the only thing he saw. I completely deserved the life I had and she was trying to ruin it! She walked out of the room and started for the staircase. I couldn’t very well allow her to tarnish the reputation of my beloved Oliver and this house. Over my dead body! I had to act fast. Thinking back, it was rather quick thinking. I pride myself on my quick reflexes. I am always ready to move on a moment’s notice and she had no idea what was coming. When she got to the top of the stairs I reached around and tripped her legs. She went flying down the marble steps, making a delightful crunch with each unsuccessful battle with gravity. As I watched her wheel down the staircase like a rag doll trying out for ballet, I realized that I take care of Oliver a good deal more than he takes care of me. I mean sure he gives me a place to stay and buys me nice things, but I protect what is really important, his image. Nothing is more important, I’m sure he understands.
         
          When she reached the bottom I went down to be sure the job was done. She wasn’t moving so I jabbed her in the side of the head; still no movement. Just as I was congratulating myself on a job well done, Walter and Oliver came running down the corridor. I’m sure they heard the awful commotion she made. Lord was this woman never courteous?
         
          For a moment they just stood there gawking at her. I stood beside the body and waited for their reaction. I wanted to be available when they realized what lengths I went to uphold our family name. Finally Oliver looked at me and I gazed back coyly. I didn’t want to seem too eager of course. That would never do. I never, ever let people know how much I want their affection. If they knew they would lord it over me and use their power to make me their slave, like some sort of common house pet. I’ve seen it happen to others, it’s disgusting.
         
        Walter began speaking, but I was so caught up in Oliver’s eyes that I barely noticed. Oliver was the first to look away. I glared at Walter. Couldn’t he see that we were having a private moment?

         “…the police. We shouldn’t try to hide this. After all, it was an unfortunate accident. They don’t have to know why she was really here, of course. We can say she was informing you of your daughter’s wedding.”
         
        Oliver glanced back at the body before answering. “Yes, of course. You’re right, absolutely. Call them immediately.” Then we went into the sitting room without another look at me. The next chance I got I was going to lay down some serious ground rules for Walter. He was getting too full of himself and forgetting his place.
         
        I sauntered into the sitting room and tried to take Oliver’s mind off the events at hand, but he wasn’t having any of it. What was with people ignoring me today? This never happens and I must say, I am not fond of it. About half an hour later the doorbell rang again. The policemen came in and immediately saw the body. Oliver wisely listened to me when I told him not to touch it. They took his statement and spoke briefly to Walter. I went over to offer my sympathy, but secretly wanted them to hurry and be done with whatever it was they were doing. I wanted her out of my house immediately, she was starting to smell. They all politely smiled when they saw me but otherwise left me alone. No doubt they could see how significant I was and could not obviously be bothered with something as inconsequential as death.
         
        After the police left, Walter poured Oliver a drink and then one for himself and they both sat on the couch in the sitting room. I was not too fond of Walter’s behavior, acting as if he were an equal to my Oliver, but decided to hold my tongue and let them celebrate their great stroke of luck: me.
I went over and sat beside Oliver and Walter cleared his throat, “You know, Mr. Stephens, this was a close call. Do you think Stephanie will be a problem when she finds out? She knew her mother was here.”
         
          Oliver looked slightly pained, “I don’t think so. God, I hope not. The coroner’s report will show that Jordan had an accident. Her body won’t show any signs of a struggle. It was a great accident, but still just an accident. Stephanie will have no evidence that we had anything to do with her mother’s death.” Then he had a brief moment of real grief, although I prefer to call it weakness. “I’m just sorry this had to happen before her wedding. It really is tragic.”
         
          Tired of this ridiculous wallowing, I decided to change the subject. There was no reason to dote on this topic any longer. I did what had to be done and I would do it again. Suddenly realizing how ravenously hungry I was, I hopped into Oliver’s lap and began to inform him it was time to eat. He picked me up and stroked my back in his loving way. I purred. “Hello, Rosalie. Aren’t you a good kitty?”