Unrequited Love

"Mr. Johnson?" Dawn called out to the empty mansion receiving no reply. She made her way down the hallway carrying her suitcase with the only five outfits she had to her name. Today was to be her first day as a live-in maid and she caught herself daydreaming of how life was going to get better for her. "Mrs. Johnson?" She called out again. This time, to her surprise, she was met by a man. She had never met him before, but recognized him immediately as the Johnson's son, Luther. "Can I help you with something Miss?" He shouted down the hall. "I am the new maid. I was hoping to figure out which room was mine, so that I could get to work," she replied sheepishly. He stared at her intensely as if trying to read her mind. "It's just down this hall to the left, follow me", he barked with an authoritative voice. Dawn could feel herself squirm in his presence. There was something different about this man. He was 6ft, chiseled, tanned, and had piercing green eyes that almost glowed. She could feel herself getting lost in his eyes alone. "May I ask where you are from?" She snapped back to reality realizing he was speaking to her. "I'm from a small town in West Virginia", she responded, trying not to gaze at him to long. He looked at her with such inquiry. She wondered why he was interested at all. A few awkward moments pass before he says, "How rude of me! I forgot to introduce myself. I am Luther Johnson, but my friends call me LJ. That is if I had any friends." She smiles at the joke and shakes his hand, "Dawn, Dawn Mooney." Dawn was a relatively thick girl. She was 5"5, 180 pounds, curved in all the right places, with long, midnight black hair, and hazel eyes. She had never been so nervous about starting anything else in her life, but this job could be her big break. "Well, I will leave you to it. I am just down the hall if you need anything else", Luther offered a smile that seemed slightly intimidating. "I really appreciate it LJ", she bit her lip as his name left her mouth. He gave her a wink and went on his way. Dawn decided to get to work immediately and figure out the floor plan while she worked. The mansion had a total of ten rooms, two offices, two living and dining areas, a massive kitchen, and five bathrooms. She couldn't help but notice how empty it all felt. There was a strong feeling of loneliness that lingered throughout this massive paradise. Dawn began to become uneasy with the thought of how deserted the place was. Where has everyone gone? It was not like this when she had interviewed for the position. The place was lively and had kitchen staff, butlers, and the Johnson's. She found herself wondering where they had gone. Probably on some luxurious vacation no doubt. They had ample money too. There was a vagueness in the way they answered her when she asked how it is they made their fortune. She contemplated what would require such secrecy. Maybe they were spies or government agents, she found herself spiraling into chaotic thoughts. "I should not let my imagination get the best of me", she said out loud. "Talking to yourself?" She heard a strange voice say from behind her. It startled her so much she found herself clenching her shirt after jumping back. "I didn't mean to frighten you", the woman said. "I'm Callie," she stretched out her hand to shake Dawn's. "I'm Dawn", shaking her hand she found herself laughing. "I'm not usually that easy to frighten, but this place is so big and seemingly empty. I guess that put me on edge a bit." "It will be like that your first few days, but you'll get used to it", Callie responded. "At least that is what I am told. I wouldn't know, because I have lived here my whole life." Dawn's eyes grew wide. "Really? I couldn't imagine living here my whole life." "It is definitely a privileged life," Callie muttered with her head hanging low. "I don't pretend to not know that I am one of the few in this world. I just wish I could spread my wealth around. Mom and dad would never allow that though." "Mom and Dad? You mean the Johnson's are your parents?" Dawn was surprised by this, because she had been told they had only one child. "Yes, they don't mention me , because I am their greatest disappointment," Callie says shrugging nonchalantly. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry. I hope I didn't sour your mood Miss Callie," Dawn says scrambling to find the right words. "Not at all, it's something I have grown quite accustomed to. It is getting late though, so we should probably retire to our rooms," Callie prompted. Dawn had been so lost in thought she hadn't realized the sun had gone down a while ago. "Yes ma'am", she said as she turned to head for her room. "Again, I am so sorry." Dawn struggled to have any restful sleep. The excitement of the new job was almost too much to handle. Accompanied with the awkward encounter with Callie was enough to keep her tossing all night. She replayed the scenario in her head over and over. What kind of parents would deliberately not acknowledge one of their own children. From what she could tell Callie was a sweet girl. Her remark about wanting to spread her wealth seemed genuine. Maybe they thought her unremarkable. She was a mousey girl at only five feet tall, ash blonde hair, and dark brown eyes. Callie definitely did not look like anyone else in the Johnson family. A few hours passed like this and Dawn finally told herself to let it go and stay professional. She would need sleep to be ready for the morning to come.