Chapter 1
Nadia's pov
“Get out.” My employer snapped. “You poor brats are always thieves. I’ve always known but I couldn't do anything until I catch you red handed. Now get out before I call the cops on you.”
“But ma… I didn't take anything.” I protested. “I was only trying to clean the figurines. Please.” I pleaded.
She looked at me like I was something disgusting then sighed and called the security.
Her gold jewelries dangled as she cat walked back into her luxurious home while I was thrown out of her estate like a criminal.
The streets of Queens were cold, wet and empty as I stepped down from the bus. My last contract as a house keeper had just ended and the client was rich but the pay was nothing enough to scrap by.
It didn't do much except to buy a few groceries that wouldn't last the week and set aside a little for rent.
I was about to open the door to my apartment when something caught my eyes. It was a mail.
When I picked it up and read it, i groaned in frustration.
Not again.
How could I forget the electricity bill? It has been due for three weeks. Three whole weeks and any more delay my light would be totally disconnected.
I unlocked my door, kicked off my sandals and threw myself on the worn out couch sitting at the center of the room.
Life have been so unfair to me since I was a child. First my parents died, leaving me with nothing but my first name and a silver locket that wouldn't open no matter how hard I tried.
Since I got kicked out of the orphanage I've tried fending for myself by working for a maid to rich people but now look how that was turning out.
My phone buzzed, sudden and unexpected. I scrambled for the phone inside my big bag filled with two carton of milk, veggies and fast food, then I finally found it.
It was the staffing agency i worked with. I picked it up with enthusiasm.
“Nadia, it's me Clara. A new position just opened.”
My eyes widened. “Really? Where is it? What is it? When can I start?”
She chuckled. “Calm down, all your excitement can come afterwards. It's a live in placement at Midtown Manhattan. You have to start immediately."
My jaw dropped, live in was good, but... "How immediate?" I asked.
"They said to start thursday."
I stared at the electricity bill in my hand. "That’s only two days from now."
"Yes it is. That is why I am calling you first." She paused. "The pay would blow your mind, seriously."
I rolled my eyes, not expecting anything mind-blowing. “How much is it?”
She laughed, then called the amount making me gasp. I blinked twice. “Say it again.”
She did and it sounded insane.
"What happened to the last housekeeper?" I asked.
She paused for a minute. "She left without notice."
"Clara, people do not leave positions like that without a reason. Why are they all leaving?"
She sighed wearily.
"Mr Ashford is a demanding employer," she said carefully. "But he is fair, and his household is managed well. The last coordinator left because of a personal situation. It's not related to the role, I promised."
My brain worked. Something had to be wrong somewhere, nobody in their right senses would leave a job with that kind of pay. But even when my brain screamed bad idea, the electricity bill in my hand was also speaking to me softly. I knew I had to take that job or survival would become very difficult.
"Send the address. I'll take it," I said.
I could imagine her smiling. “I knew you would say that.” She said and hung up.
The penthouse was located at the top two floors of a sixty story building in Midtown Manhattan but it was nothing like any private residence I had ever worked in before.
This apparent was luxury personified. It screamed money with it's delicate achitechture and intricate designs, but that wasn't what striked me about this place. It wasn't the space, or the gold center pieces that cost more than I had ever earned in a lifetime.
It was the people. The atmosphere. Everything about this place just felt… different.
The staffs nod when I was being introduced, then returned back to their duties with a professionalism that goes way past the normal training we were given making me wonder if we were working for a very important personality or if the boss just had enough money to train his staff specially.
I watched as they spoke to each other without quite moving their mouths and how they seemed to know was coming inside the room without turning.
Another time, they all turned to look outside the window at the same time as if they were being summoned by something loud and clear but I was paying attention and the house had been as quiet as a pin drop interrupted only by the silent sound of them working.
I found all these strange, but I couldn't leave. Not when I had to just work for one whole month and then I'll be able to afford a new life with the money they were going to be paying me monthly.
The next morning, I entered into the massive living room to join them in cleaning and they all stop talking immediately I entered.
“Am… I interrupting something?” I asked, totally confused but they remained quiet, carrying with their act like I wasn't a living thing. It frustrated me, but I said nothing. I just focused on myself and my duties waiting till I finally get to see the boss.
***
Petra the head of home affairs found me in the east sitting room on my second afternoon, going through the linen inventory.
"How are you settling in?" she asked, which surprised me because she didn't strike me as someone who made that kind of check.
"Fine," I said. "The way things work over here are clear. It should not take me long to get used to the routine."
She studied me for a moment. "You're always quiet. Don't you have any questions?"
I looked at her. "I only ask the ones I need the answers to."
The corner of her mouth moved like she wanted to smile, but then she didn't. "The last three coordinators asked considerably more than that in their first week."
"And what happened to them?" I asked.
She straightened the cuff of her sleeve. "They were not suited to the role."
It was the same type of Clara had given me, dressed in different clothing. I didn't push
"Mr Ashford works early," Petra continued. "He is often in the kitchen before six-thirty and likes to take his coffee black. He does not want to be disturbed before seven unless it is a household emergency." She paused. "He will want to see you briefly tomorrow morning. Five minutes, introductory. Do not offer more conversation than he asks for."
"Does he usually ask for much?" I said.
"No," she said, and left.
***
The next morning came faster than I would have loved it to. Petra walked into my room, unannounced and without warning.
“The boss is back.” She said briskly. “He wants to see you.”
I nodded, standing up from my bed all dressed and ready for the days work.
“I am ready to meet him. We can go now if you don't mind.”
She eyed me, probably wondering why I was so enthusiastic. “You'll meet him when he’s ready.” she said and turned. “I'm just giving you a heads up.”
I went downstairs to the kitchen, never expecting to see the boss or anything. But in-between the swirling coffee machine and me scrubbing the kitchen counter, someone walks in.
I didn't need to turn to know it was my new boss. The kitchen immediately became stuffed and occupied. Like there was something suffocating and intimidating inside the kitchen. Something… or rather someone that was way bigger than me. Way more powerful.
I turned, and my world stopped.
