The Lonely One

Chapter Two

    Helena offered me some lunch after I had received the job as a maid of the penthouse. I have yet to meet the owner of this opulent penthouse. As Helena served us both some zucchini pasta, the smell wafted into the air and up my nostrils. The smell was so wonderful that I didn't notice I was drooling until Helena told me to wipe the drool off my mouth. During our meal, Helena and I got to know each other better. I had learned that she was 55 years old and widowed. Her husband died due to a tragic shooting at the petroleum factory he worked at. Above the shooting, the factory was also caught on fire at the moment. I also learned that she had a son named Jackson who was 30 years old along with a daughter in law who is 28 years old. She visits her son and daughter in law, Lilly, occasionally as she lives in the penthouse. Helena then started talking about the owner of the penthouse. She practically raised the billionaire who owned the penthouse. This didn't come as much of a surprise as this penthouse was magnificent. I would expect nothing less from a bachelor billionaire. Helena had told me so many funny stories of the billionaire that I was struggling to breathe. Out of nowhere, Helena asks, “Can I call you Patti?”

    I was shocked. I had never received a nickname from anyone, not even myself. So I accepted with glee, “Of course! I love it!!” Just as we finished our zucchini pasta, which I had 2 servings of, Helena offered me a house tour. The house tour lasted all afternoon. During our tour, I learned a lot about the bachelor billionaire. Helena refers to him as Addie, but his real name is Aaron Hall. The real reason why Helena calls Aaron, Addie was because he was mischievous and always added random ingredients into the food that Helena was making. I busted out laughing. As the tour went on, I learned that the penthouse was 5 stories high. The penthouse costed around $98 million. It also had its own private roof deck. It was located in midtown Manhattan, 172 Madison Avenue. It also happened to be a block away from the Empire State Building. She also mentioned that this penthouse was the most expensive home in all of New York City!

    Soon enough, it was 5 o’clock in the afternoon. I guess Helena didn’t know that I was homeless because she said, “Dear, I think it’s time you start heading home. I will see you tomorrow on Monday. Do not be late.” Turns out, today was Sunday. I couldn't even keep track of the days anymore, not since I escaped from the orphanage. I sigh and say, “Actually Helena, I am homeless. I don't know who my parents are, and I don't have a home.”

    “Don’t worry, dear. I’ll find a place for you. Wait a minute, what if you lived here? This penthouse is so spacious, and we have so many empty guest bedrooms.”

    “I-” I was speechless. No one has ever shown me such kindness. Everyone just judges me based on my appearance, and the fact that I'm homeless. “Thank you for your hospitality. I will definitely not be late tomorrow.” And with that, Helena chuckles and shows me my room. As Helena led me to my new room, I wondered,” Who was this Addie that I have yet to meet?” When I got to my room, I gasped in awe. The room was so beautiful. I can't believe I would ever have the opportunity to live in a room such as this one! Helena giggles and left me to pack, while she went to go visit her son and daughter-in-law. Her daughter-in-law is actually expecting, so she is going over to see how they are. Before she left, she informed me that my first task at my new job was to cook for Addie who was coming home from work.

    Once I was settled in, I went to make Addie his dinner. I decided to go with something simple, as Helena didn't mention Addie’s tastes. I was going to grill some chicken breast with a side of sautéed mushrooms and steamed green beans. What was ironic was that Addie actually hates green beans and is allergic to mushrooms. Obviously I wouldn't know because Helena didn't tell me. Soon enough, the front door opened, but I was so engrossed into making dinner that I didn't notice at all. Addie walks in and notices an unfamiliar pair of shoes by the door. Helena was also gone. He wandered into the kitchen, after smelling my cooking. He becomes suspicious of who’s in his house.