LOVE IN BLACK AND WHITE

A Fresh Start

LEIA'S POV

“Hi, Good evening. Who is this?” I quickly called the number back. Not wanting to take my chances.

“The guy you met at the club,” said a groggy voice.

“I don’t recall exchanging numbers with anyone.” It couldn’t be Alexander. That would be wishful thinking.

“Go ahead. Think again and take a guess.”

“I’m losing my patience. Either you tell me who you are or just end the call.”

The voice sounded familiar but my patience was running thin. Whoever they were, they were definitely not my potential new employer. So, much for getting my hopes up.

“You’re such a bore, Kitten.”

Fucking Carter!

“Carter? How on earth did you get my number?” I asked angrily.

Part of me, the wishful thinker, had wanted it to be Alexander but instead, I was stuck with this nuisance i***t who decided to play me.

“It’s me, Kitten. I know you missed hearing that name.”

“I have told you countless times not to call me that.”

“Com’on, I miss you at work. My mum was so foolish to have fired you.”

“Yeah, says the sleazebag who snitched on me.”

“I was jealous when I saw you leaving with that guy.”

“Bye! Carter.” I said as I ended the call.

The next day I woke up with the fresh zeal to continue my job hunting. I took my laptop and started searching for jobs.

It was so hard to find one because I had no college education or qualifications.

I decided to get a newspaper, hoping that I would finally find a job. I had bills to pay like my house rent, utility, and basic needs.

I sat on my bed, marking all prospective jobs in the classified art section with my highlighter.

I finally found a job, they needed a housekeeper for their home and the pay was four times what I was paid at the cafe. Oh my God! Do people have such money to waste?

Who pays this much just for housekeeping? I applied for the job without thinking twice.

After an hour and about 10 sent job applications later, I went into the kitchen to make something to eat.

I was so busy searching for a job that I forgot to eat. I kept checking my phone for an email but I didn’t receive any.

I heard a knock at my door and made a quick guess, most likely my next-door neighbor Diana.

As always she needs one thing or the other.

“I was in the middle of making homemade bread and then realized I had run out of cinnamon. Can you believe it?” No, I can not believe it.

I rolled my eyes. She had obviously made it a routine to ask for something.

"You really need to go grocery shopping Diana," I told her as I walked back to the kitchen.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just haven't found the time" She replied in a patronizing voice

I got the cinnamon and handed it to her. "You can keep the rest since you need it more,” I added not hiding the sarcasm in my voice.

“Oh, thank you, sweetie. I will make sure to bring some bread for you once It’s done.” I wish.

"There's no need for that" I replied.

But there was something about her and the way she frequented our apartment. Something I'm still yet to figure out. You're just being paranoid. She's probably going through a phase. I tried to stay positive.

Later in the day, Scarlet came home from work in a bad mood and she didn’t want to talk about it either. I decided to give her some space till she calmed down.

“Babe, talk to me. What happened at work today?” I asked about 40 minutes later.

I had watched her brood since she got home.

“It’s not work, it’s the new guy I’m dating. You won’t believe that he is married with two kids. He deceived me, Leia, and here I was condemning Angela for sleeping with a married man, not knowing it would happen to me" Scarlet lamented before breaking down in tears.

“Oh my God! Wait hold on. He's married??? How did you find out?” I asked at once as I hugged her tightly

“Apparently his wife found out and came to my workplace and caused a scene, telling me to leave her husband alone.

She didn’t even let me explain and slapped me in front of my colleagues. I was so embarrassed,” she said shakily tears streaming down her face.

“Scarlet, I’m sorry this happened to you. How I wish I had been there to defend you. The woman was wrong to cause a scene at your workplace. That was uncalled for.”

“I don't even blame her. I blame myself for not being sensitive enough and I hate the fact that everyone at work thinks I'm the devil and a homewrecker.”

“Please don’t call yourself that. You know it's not your fault. How were you supposed to know he was married if he didn't tell you?" I tried to console her and make her feel better.

“My boss was kind enough to let me take a break from work for two days. She’s so nice and understanding. She told everyone not to ever talk about what happened or even use it as joke on me.”

“That’s good. Please don’t let this get to you.”

“Thank you, Leia. I am going to my room.”

“I made some creamy paste with some barbecue chicken.”

“I’m not hungry but thanks.”

“Hey! You need to eat or I’m going to spoon-feed you.”

“Fine! I will but not now,” she said as she walked to her room.

I checked my email later on and to my delight, I had received an email from the last job I had applied for. The maid job. They wanted me to come for an interview tomorrow by 8 am.

The address was clearly stated in the email. The person I will be working for is unknown but I know that he owns an art gallery here in New York, it was written in the ad.

That fact, was one of the bonus points for me when I applied for the job.

I practiced everything I was going to say and I wondered if my employer was a strict person or very nice. Either way, I needed the money so badly so I needed to make a good first impression.

The next morning, I prepared for my interview. I wore the clothes I picked yesterday, put on some minimum make-up and I felt confident as I stepped out. I took a bus to my destination.

The mansion was located in a neighborhood with large, elegant houses. As I approached the address, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. The gate opened automatically as I approached, and I made my way up the long driveway.

The mansion itself was a sight to behold. It was grand and imposing, with beautifully manicured gardens surrounding it. I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

A butler answered the door and led me into a spacious foyer adorned with exquisite artworks and luxurious furniture. He informed me that Mr Black, the owner of the house, would be with me shortly.

I waited patiently, taking in the opulence of my surroundings. I heard footsteps behind me, and when I looked back I got the shock of my life.

Right in front of me was someone I never thought I would ever see again.

It was Alexander, live and direct, impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal gray suit that hugged his athletic gorgeous frame.

His deep blue eyes stared at me with no emotions while I fidgeted as I stood. His face was emotionless like we hadn’t seen before.

He didn’t seem to recognize me and I felt offended. I guess he has more bitches than an electricity switchboard.

He motioned me into his office.

“Have a seat,” he said in a cold tone.

He sat down across from me, his gaze fixed on his laptop.

“Do you have your CV with you?” He inquired.

“Yes, sir.”

“Let me see if you meet the qualifications,” he stated.

I retrieved the envelope from my bag and then handed my CV to him.

There was a brief silence, and then he proceeded to ask another question.

“Can you tell me a bit about yourself, Miss Summers?”

I took a deep breath, feeling so uneasy. I felt so nervous and confused as to why he couldn’t recognize me.

“My name is Leia Summers. I’m 22 years old. I was born in New Jersey and I relocated to the South Bronx three years

ago after I lost my parents and brother in a car accident.”

“Tell me about your education and work experience.”

“I graduated from high school in New Jersey, Ridgeway High School. When my parents died, I lost everything including the savings for my tuition fees.

“I had planned to pursue a visual art course but circumstances prevented me from doing so. I moved to the South Bronx with my best friend, and found a job at a coffee shop, where I worked for two years.”

“What makes you believe you’re qualified for this job?” he asked

It's just a maid’s job, Bro. No need to go all Steve Jobs on me.

In a professional collected voice, I replied “I excel at maintaining cleanliness and ensuring that everything is in order. I am capable of running errands and being available when needed. Additionally, I can prepare a killer coffee if required Sir.”

He maintained about 6 minutes of silence as he stared at me and I swear I could feel my breaths hanging on for his next words.

“You’re hired. Be here promptly by 7 am tomorrow. I have zero tolerance for tardiness. You may leave.” He stated finally, dismissing without a glance.

Well thanks, douchebag… sorry Boss.

I was surprised he still didn’t recognize me or maybe he was pretending not to. What was I expecting from someone as rich as he is?

I politely said thank you as I left his office.

When I got home, my front door was open. The lock had been shattered, but as I tried to enter, a peculiar sound caught my attention.

A soft rustle came from the dimly lit hallway and my heart skipped a bit as a chill ran down my spine. Who could be lurking in the shadows?

I pushed the door open cautiously and glanced inside from the doorway.

What I saw sent shockwaves through my entire being. The apartment was in disarray. Our items of furniture were overturned, and belongings were scattered.

Oh my God! Someone had broken into our apartment.

Fear gripped me when I remembered that Scarlet was at home taking a break from work. I immediately rushed into the house throwing caution to the wind.

“Scarlet! Scarlet!” I yelled her name but got no answer.

I heard a faint cry coming from Scarlet's room and I immediately ran to her room.

Her door was shattered, and so was mine.

“Scarlet! Oh, my God!”

I found her sitting on the floor with bruises all over her body. She was bleeding on her face too. I couldn’t even recognize my best friend.

“Who did this to you?” I asked angrily and shakily. I watched as she sobbed with a thousand and one things going through my head.