The bright Dallas sun poured through the large frosted window of the master bathroom. Brenda stood in front of the massive double vanity in her silk robe, her blue eyes sharp and cold as she stared into the mirror. Beside her stood eight-year-old Maya, trembling in her small pink pajamas. Maya was trying her best to keep still, but tears were already spilling down her pale cheeks. Brenda held a high-heat flat iron in her right hand, the red digital display glowing at four hundred degrees. The iron was so hot that small waves of heat radiated off the ceramic plates, making the air around them shimmer.
Brenda: I told you to keep your head completely still, Maya.
Maya: It hurts, Stepmother. It is burning my head.
Brenda: Stop whining this instant! You will look perfect for the party today or you will stay locked in your room!
Brenda clamped the hot iron down tight near the root of Maya's soft hair. A thick trail of grey smoke curled upward immediately into the air, carrying the sharp scent of singed hair. Maya let out a loud, painful scream that echoed off the white marble tiles. Brenda did not loosen her grip at all. Instead, she tightened her fingers around the handle, pressing the iron closer against the girl's delicate scalp. She smiled slightly, enjoying the control she had over her wealthy husband's only daughter. Maya's hands clawed at the edge of the granite counter as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Standing near the open doorway, Maria, the house maid, stopped dead in her tracks. Maria was wearing her standard grey linen uniform, holding a stack of clean white bath towels. When she heard Maya's scream and smelled the burning hair, her heart slammed against her ribs. Maria dropped the towels directly onto the floor and bolted into the bathroom. Her dark shoes slapped loudly against the polished floor. She did not hesitate for a single second. Maria threw her body forward, grabbing Maya around her waist and pulling the child forcefully away from Brenda.
Maria: Get away from her right now!
Brenda: What do you think you are doing, you stupid servant?
The sudden pull threw Brenda completely off balance. She stumbled backward over the raised edge of the deep porcelain bathtub behind her. Brenda dropped the smoking flat iron onto the rug as her feet left the ground. With a massive, loud splash, Brenda crashed down backward into the deep water filled with lavender bath salts. Water flew high into the air, soaking the custom white tiles and the framed American flag hanging on the main wall. Brenda popped up out of the water, gasping for breath, her expensive blonde hair plastered flat across her wet face.
Brenda: You crazy woman! You just destroyed my hair and my robe!
Maria: You were burning that baby! I am not going to let you hurt her anymore!
Maya wrapped her small arms tightly around Maria's waist, burying her wet face into the grey uniform. Maria held the young girl close, stroking her back gently to calm her shaking shoulders. She stepped backward toward the vanity, keeping her eyes fixed on the wet woman sitting inside the tub. Brenda struggled to lift herself up out of the slick tub, her silk robe heavy and clinging to her arms. Her face was twisted with absolute rage as she pointed a trembling finger toward Maria.
Brenda: You are fired! I am going to make sure you rot in a cell for putting your hands on me!
Maria: Call the police then, Brenda. Let them see what you did to this child's hair!
Brenda reached for her phone on the edge of the tub, but her wet hands slipped, knocking the device onto the wet floor tiles. Before anyone could move again, heavy, rapid footsteps echoed down the long hallway outside the master bedroom suite.