The Billionaire’s Hundred-Day Bargain

INTERVIEW

HILDA

It’s been five days now and no reply from the email I sent my CV to, and I was already losing hope, Grandma’s medication is almost gone, she is down to her last bottle now, a reminder to repurchase soon. Denis has been unreachable since.

“Hilda?” Grandma came in with the support of her stick since I couldn’t afford a wheelchair for her.

“Yes Grandma, why didn’t you call me? You know you can’t walk for long.” I scolded her while helping her sit on the bed and massaging her legs.

“Oh shush child, I am not that old that I need to be babied.” Rolling her eyes, she dip a hand in her old bra and came out with a chunk of money handing it to me.

“What this for?” I asked, wondering where she got such amount of money.

“It’s the money you have been given me. I had no use for it so I saved it and you need it the more now that’s why I am giving them to you.” She explained with smile.

Tears pooled in the corner of my eyes as I stare at her in admiration. I threw my hands around her neck hugging her. “Thank you, Grandma but I can’t take it. I’ll work something out, just keep it for your medication.” There’s no point in lying to her this time, “I already applied for jobs and just waiting for interview.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Grandma.”

She hugged me, leaving a kiss on my forehead before I help her back to the leaving so I could prepare dinner.

***

Getting ready for bed, I put on my laptop to check for any email. I braze myself for any disappointment as I refreshed and scrolled through.

A notification pop in, and the content reads.

INVITATION TO INTERVIEW FOR THE DOMESTIC STAFF POSITION

I couldn’t contain the excitement and the scream that tore out of my throat as I start jumping around my room. A crash halted me from my excitement. Fear gripped me and my legs flew to the living room to see her on the floor trying so hard to get up.

She was panting and bruises already formed on her ankle, “oh my god, what are you doing? I am so sorry Grandma. I thought you slept already.” I help her up.

“I was until I heard your scream. Afraid something happened to you, I came rushing and fell. But you seem okay.” She said checking me over.

“Yes I am fine Grandma, I got called for interview. That’s why I was screaming.”

“Wow, that’s good news then. When is the interview?” she asked and it dawned on me that I didn’t even checked.

“uhh, I didn’t check. Let’s get you back to your room and then I will check.” I escorted her to her room.

***

“Hilda, time is going. Can you be fast?” Grandma’s voice echoing in the house reminding me of the time.

“I am almost done,” i applied my mascara and couldn’t find my watch where I left it.

“Grandma, have you seen my watch?”

“Grandma!” I rushed to her side, my heart racing. She was on the floor, her eyes closed, and her face pale. I shook her gently, calling her name again. But she didn’t respond.

I panicked, my mind racing with worst case scenarios as I grabbed my phone and dialed 091-591111, trying to keep my voice steady as I explained the situation to the operator.

As I waited for the paramedic to arrive, I held Grandmas hand feeling her weak pulse. “Grandma, you’ll be fine. You can’t leave me too. You are my only hope.” I talked to her, trying to keep her with me, but she didn’t stir.

A knock sounded on the door drawing my attention but I didn’t want to leave Grandmas side.

“Who is it?” I asked

“It’s me.”

“Denis? Ohh my god.” I rushed to the door, unlocked it and letting him in before I give him an earful. He met my fist first as it lands on his chest.

“ouch, what was that for?” he wince, rubbing the place.

My words caught in my throat as I broke down, “where have you been, I have been trying to reach you all this while. Grandma… Grandma… Grandma is dying.” I choked out.

“What?” he exclaimed before rushing to go to her room until his eyes caught on the floor.

“What happened to her?”

“I… I don’t know, we we…” I wipe my tears before explaining, “We were just talking and everything went quite, I was coming to ask if she had seen my watch when I met her like that.”

“f**k!” he got a pillow and rested her head on it before coming back to my side. “She will be fine, have you call for help?”

“Yes I have, they will hare in twenty minutes, they said.” I explained.

“Alright, and where are headed to, dress like that?” he motion to the worn out suit.

“I was supposed to go for an interview before this happened, now I am late.” I remark, checking the time.

“Alright how about…” The sirens and urgent voices halted what he is about to say as the paramedic ran in.

The next few minute were a blur of flashing lights and nervous looks between them as they get to work, I watched in a daze as they lifted her onto a stretcher and rushed her out the door.

Denis got in the ambulance and I was about to follow suit when his hand prevent to. “go to your interview, promise me, you will ace it and meet me at the hospital. We cant afford for you to be late.” He kissed my lips as I nodded before they zoom off leaving dust.

Hailing a cab, I hand him the address, he is taking me too.

The ride was silent and I appreciate him for not trying to make any conversation. My eyes were fixated on the window as I watched all the tall rich building past us in a frenzy.

I didn’t how much time pass until I heard his voice. “We are here, ma’am.”

I checked to confirm the house address before paying. I didn’t get time to ogle at the environment as I approached the securities, wanting to get the interview done with and meet Grandma at the hospital.

“Hello, my name is Hilda and I am here for the interview.” They were staring somewhat disgusting at, the forehead marred and nose scrunch. I mean who wouldn’t? I would stare at myself if I am in this kind of neighborhood.

Except I don’t have time for that, “hello? Is the interview close? Sorry I am late but I had a very bad emergency.”

They look between themselves before the oldest one, I assumed, nudge one of them and he walk to a telephone and speak into it before coming to their crew. He nods at the oldest and the gate opened wide.

“Please go in. someone will direct you inside.”

“Alright, thank you.” I walked in, and was star struck by the beauty of the exterior.

The house was huge and beautiful, it had big palm trees and stone columns at the entrance. The walls were made of light brown stone with pretty carvings and balconies that shone like gold.

A straight through driveway led to the entrance, with neat hedges and colorful flowers on both sides. A fancy fountain shot water high into the air. I hear the gentle sound of water and birds chirping. Imagining Grandma, I, Denis and our future kids in this kind of luxury made me smile.

I was so immersed in dreamland that I didn’t notice someone approaching till the snap of their fingers on my face broke me from my trance.

I came face to face with a sharp jaw, my eyes trailed to meet a piercing brown grey orbs staring down at me with a big smile as he munch on snacks. My cheek heat up from being caught.

“Hello, if you are done looking around. Can we proceed?” he asked.

“Yes, please.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ears and followed as he leading the way

“Langston,” he said out of nowhere.

“What?” my face scrunch in confusion

“My name.”

“Ohh, nice to meet you Langston, mine is Hilda. Although you already know.”

He busted out laughing, “You are a funny one.”

We stopped walking when we reached the waiting area. He instructed that I sit.

“Babe, she is here. Can you come down with Thane.” He yelled

“Alright, give me a few minute,” a voice I think belong to his wife called out from upstairs.

Maybe Thane is their son and he is the one I will be looking after.

Swinging my legs one after the other, I take note of the waiting area that leads to a breathtaking patio, facing the pool. The whole waiting area is bigger than my whole house. Making me wonder just how much money this people have and how much they will be willing to pay. I just hope they are generous.

A woman in her mid to late thirties wheeled a grown ass man to the waiting area. He was fussing around waiting to turn but she didn’t let.

If they have this grown child, I wonder how old they are. But they don’t look the part. It must be their gene.

“Hello, I am Luvinia, nice to meet you.” She stretched her hand to shake mine.

“My pleasure. Luvinia.” Tasting the name and making sure I get it correct because this rich people get angry over the smallest thing.

“So Hilda Myer, right?” she asked, opening a file. “Your profile is impressive.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” With this positivity, I am sure I will get the job.

“Please call me Luvinia.” She sighed, her eyes roving over my face with sympathy before she added, “You are just the person we are looking for. Is there anything more we should know?”

My brows raised, “things like?”

“Ohh, do you have a mother, a son, or any family member.” She stated.

This rich people and wanting to poke at everything, it’s clearly written there that I am single so how can I be a mother.

“No, my mother died long time ago, I have no one but my nana and boyfriend, Denis.”

“Hilda, I would go straight to the point.” She started, “you are not actually here for the maid job! But something better. Something that would help you and us.” She confirmed.