Hired As His Maid

Chapter 7 — Finally, A Little Luck

For the first time in what felt like forever, Aveline woke up without immediately feeling like the world was waiting to disappoint her.

She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before remembering the job advertisement she had found the previous afternoon.

JANITORIAL STAFF NEEDED — IMMEDIATE HIRING

It wasn't glamorous.It wasn't the kind of job she had once imagined having.But it was a job.And right now, that was more than enough.

Aveline quickly got out of bed and changed into her cleanest blouse and a pair of dark pants. She tied her hair neatly behind her head, checked herself in the small cracked mirror, and tried to make herself look more confident than she actually felt.

"Okay," she whispered to her reflection. "Today, you're going to get hired."She paused."And please don't embarrass yourself."Her reflection obviously gave her no answer."That's fair."

Her mother smiled when Aveline entered the kitchen. "You're leaving early.""I have an interview.""Another one?""Yes."

Her mother reached for her hand. "I hope this one works out."Aveline smiled."So do I."She didn't tell her mother how badly she needed it.

She didn't have to.They both knew.The company was enormous.

Aveline stopped outside the tall glass building and looked up until she almost got dizzy.

Several floors disappeared into the morning sky, and employees in neat clothes walked through the main entrance carrying laptops and coffee cups.

Aveline looked down at herself.She suddenly felt very small."Okay," she whispered. "Don't be intimidated."She walked inside.

After filling out several forms and answering a few questions, she was finally called into a small office.

The supervisor looked through her application."You've had several temporary jobs recently."Aveline nodded.

"Yes.""Why did you leave them?"Aveline hesitated.How could she explain that she hadn't exactly left them?

They had left her."I was looking for something more stable."The supervisor studied her for a moment before nodding.

"Do you have experience with cleaning and maintenance?"

"I've cleaned houses, shops, and almost every corner of our home."A small smile appeared on the supervisor's face.

"That's not exactly professional experience.""I know."Aveline sat a little straighter."But I'm hardworking. And I learn quickly."The supervisor closed the folder."We're short-staffed. You can start today."

Aveline blinked."Today?""Yes."Her eyes widened."I got the job?"

"You got the job."For a moment, Aveline simply stared.Then a huge smile spread across her face."Thank you!"The supervisor chuckled.

"Report to the maintenance department."Aveline stood up so quickly that her chair almost moved backward."Yes, sir!"

She caught herself before she could embarrass herself again."Thank you."

When she stepped outside the office, she quietly clenched both fists."I got a job."She almost wanted to dance.Almost.

Then she remembered she was inside a professional building.So she simply walked down the hallway with the biggest smile on her face.

For once...she had been lucky.At least, that's what she thought.Her first few hours went surprisingly well.

Aveline was assigned to the cleaning team responsible for several floors of the building. She learned where the supplies were kept, which areas needed cleaning first, and which offices required special attention.

She worked quickly and quietly.Whenever someone thanked her, she smiled.

By lunchtime, her feet already hurt, but she didn't care.She had a job.A real one.

She immediately sent a message to her mother.

Aveline: Mom! I got hired!

Her mother's reply came almost immediately.

Mom: Really? Thank God! I'm so happy for you.

Aveline smiled at the screen.

Aveline: I'll get paid soon. We can finally catch up with the bills.

She stared at the message for a moment.Then she added:

Aveline: Don't worry anymore. I'll handle it.

She put her phone away and returned to work.She didn't notice the woman standing a few meters away.

One of the older janitors.The woman looked Aveline up and down before whispering to another worker.

"She's the new one?""Apparently.""She won't last long."The other woman laughed.Aveline heard them but pretended she didn't.She continued wiping the glass doors.She had learned something over the past few weeks.

Not everyone would like her.And that was okay.She just needed to work.Unfortunately, some people weren't planning to make that easy.

During the afternoon, Aveline was told to clean one of the conference rooms.When she arrived, another janitorial worker was already there.

Her name was Mara.Mara glanced at Aveline and frowned."You're new.""Yes."

"Then don't touch anything on this side."Aveline looked at the room."Why?""Because that's my area.""Oh."Aveline nodded.

"Okay."She moved to the other side.A few minutes later, Mara deliberately placed several dirty cups near Aveline's cleaning cart.

Aveline looked at them."Are these yours?""No.""Then why are they here?"Mara shrugged."You clean this area, don't you?"

Aveline stared at her.She understood.

Still, she quietly picked up the cups."Fine."Mara smirked.

"You'll learn."Aveline said nothing.Later, someone blamed her for leaving a wet floor without a warning sign.

Aveline knew she had placed one.She tried to explain, but nobody seemed interested.

Then someone hid her cleaning supplies.When she finally found them, they were inside another storage room.

By the end of the day, Aveline understood exactly what was happening.They were testing her.Or maybe they simply didn't like her.

Either way, she refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

She went into the restroom, locked herself inside a stall, and took a deep breath.

"Don't cry."Her eyes burned."Don't."

She wiped her face."You need this job."

After a few seconds, she looked at herself in the mirror.Her eyes were slightly red.

She smiled at her reflection."You're okay."She grabbed her cleaning cart again."And you're definitely not quitting."Just as she was about to leave for the day, she heard someone calling her.

"Aveline?"She turned.A young woman wearing the same janitorial uniform stood near the hallway.

She had a gentle expression and was holding two bottles of water.

"Are you okay?"Aveline hesitated."Yes."The woman smiled."You don't look okay."Aveline laughed softly.

"Is it that obvious?""A little."She handed her one of the bottles."I'm Lena."

"Aveline.""I know. You're the new girl."Aveline smiled."Apparently everyone knows that."Lena laughed.

"I saw what happened earlier."Aveline's smile faded."You did?""Yes."Lena glanced around before lowering her voice.

"Don't worry. Mara does that to almost every new employee."Aveline looked surprised."Really?""Really.""So I'm not special?"

Lena laughed."Unfortunately, no."Aveline finally laughed too.For the first time that day, she felt a little lighter.

Lena leaned against the wall."If you ever need help, just ask me."Aveline looked at her."You'd do that?"

"Of course.""Why?"Lena shrugged."Because I was new once too."Aveline smiled warmly."Thank you."

Lena smiled back."Come on. Let's go home before they find another floor for us to clean."

They walked down the hallway together, talking about ordinary things.Aveline didn't know it yet, but she had just found the first person in the company who would genuinely stand beside her.

And for the first time in a long while, the heavy feeling in her chest became a little lighter.

She had a job.She had someone she could trust.Maybe...just maybe...her life was finally beginning to change.

But Aveline still had no idea that the company she had just joined was far more complicated than it appeared.

And the people inside it were carrying secrets of their own.

For now, though, she was simply happy to have somewhere to work.She had no idea how long that happiness would last.