Episode 5
1862 Words
Stella's POV.
“Omg! Stella! Do you recognize that man?” Celine burst into my room just after we got home from work.
“Oh no please Celine, I have to sleep. I'm meeting my employer for the second job at 5 pm. I just got the message on my phone. Please let me sleep” I murmured, throwing the blanket over my head.
I still remembered how I had fainted last night, in front of that familiar stranger. I wanted to kick up my legs and scream out loud.
It was so embarrassing. He rejected me since that was strange, then I felt my heart almost jumping out of my chest.
I hated that feeling! And I had no plan of ever reliving it or seeing that stranger.
Then why do I feel tears surfacing?
She pulled the blanket off my face and said “Oh wait, what do you mean your employer? You got the job without meeting them first? That is wonderful! No formal interview and you get the job.”
“Yes. Now please let me sleep”. I covered my face again, satisfied that she was happily distracted.
“No Stella, Listen. I have to tell you about that man last night. If that's the man of your dreams, then I tell you, you are the luckiest woman alive” She squeaked.
The luckiest woman alive or the most unfortunate, “That man wants absolutely nothing to do with me” I said, surrendering.
I have tried to suppress my anger since he said I should never show my face in front of him again and called me a weakling. Never have I met someone so outright rude and still unbelievably tasteful.
“He told me to never show my face to him again, Celine. Who tells a girl they are meeting for the first time?”
“Wait! I thought you said he saved you from those bastards. I would be grateful if I were you” she said, playing with a strand of her hair.
“Yes, he did. But he also humiliated me. And just as he wanted, I am never going to see him again, even if it means I will do my research for whatever place I go to. I wonder where he is from. No one taught him how to be a gentleman, I am sure.”
“Maybe, but he sure knows how to handle you in bed!” Celine interjected.
“Celine! That was a dream”. I sat up, clearly annoyed now.
“No Stella, you mean to say a lot of steamy dreams! You would not be all red with my statement if you don't think I'm telling the truth” she mocked with a huge grin plastered across her face. She was enjoying herself.
“Get out!” I screamed and pushed her off my bed. The last thing I wanted was for her to remind me of my dreams with the man.
I want to forget all about him and get my s**t together. Although, I don't see how that can happen when Celine is clearly obsessed with the man.
“Okay. Okay, I will. I will let you sleep” She said, standing up from the floor, but she was still laughing.
“Thank you. PLEASE close the surrounding door” I pleaded, emphasizing please.
“You don't have to beg me, my chicken nugget. But I tell you, the man does not know you yet. He will love you!” she said, as she walked with her back to the door, still facing me.
I laughed at that.
“I hope he comes to your dreams again” She spat before heading out.
Sleep was unreachable for the first hour. I tossed and tossed until I was finally able to give in to sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I woke up right on time, so I could catch the bus and not miss my appointment. It would be stupid of me to throw this opportunity in the bin. And no, my dream man didn't show up in my dreams.
I looked into Celine’s room, and she was sleeping perfectly.
I got to the mansion’s gate only about five minutes to five, and I couldn't be more fulfilled. Getting the bus was really tiring.
A man walked up to me to ask questions and to know if I had any appointments.
“My name is Stella Braghima. I am here as a care assistant for Mrs. Callum on a five o'clock appointment”
“Yes, she is expecting you. Please come with me”
Before that, I got a diploma certificate in health and social care. Even though that is the least of my goals, I feel greatly satisfied that I am able to show love and care for people in need of it. And the sweet part is that they are offering to pay about five times more than the average amount for me.
Never knew my parents, I wondered who they were for a long time before finally concluding to work as a care worker. And when I have earned enough money from all my jobs, I will be able to go into nursing officially as a Geriatric nurse.
“Hi, darling. I have been expecting to talk to you”. A beautiful elderly woman came up to meet me with a big grin on her face. She held my hand and just stood there. She could not be less than seventy, but she looked well nourished and strong.
I looked at her, unsure about what was happening. I thought I was there to care for an elderly person who could not move by themselves. The woman in front of me looked like she could lift a 50kg bag of rice on her shoulder and still wouldn't break any sweat.
“I'm sorry ma’am. I am here for an interview”, I said, with a smile. I could not be offended by her closeness even if I tried.
“Oh nonsense. There is no need for an interview. You are hired.” She swung her hand in the air as if sending my worries away.
“I am grateful for the opportunity you are giving me. If you just let me meet my client, and then you can state the conditions around my duties that you would want me to know, ma’am”
“Please call me Grandma. I prefer that” she said again.
“Okay, but I don't think that's professional” I argued.
“Well, I am your employer and your client. I can tell you what's professional and what's not. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. And by the way, you work for yourself, don't you?” she asked,
This is new to me. What's going on?
“Yes. But what do you need me for if you are not fragile and unable, Grandma?” I asked, calling her Grandma doesn't sound bad at all.
“Well, I am bored most of the time in this big place and I thought it would just be amazing to find you, so you could keep me company and cook all those amazing foods you were talking about on your profile”
My profile! Yes, but that was not one of my job requirements.
“Your job requirements? Are those what you are worried about?” She asked as if reading my mind.
“Yes, Grandma”
“Don't worry, I will tell my grandson to add a raise to our original agreement.” That is it! The reason why she needs a companion in the first place is because of a grandson who is a workaholic, who does not care about his grandma but only thinks about work. A grandson who has no sympathy for the elderly.
“No, that's not what I am talking about” I Interjected, she was obviously misunderstanding me.
“You don't want to work with me?” She asked, sadness written all over her face.
“Of course, I want to work with you. I just thought we should clear things up so that there won't be any misunderstandings” I said truthfully.
“Good. Now come, let me show you around.”
Only when she turned away from facing me was I able to fully take in the beauty of the mansion. It was endowed with wealth, and you would know, at first glance, that everything was a luxury. From the doors and furniture made of rare and expensive African blackwood to the curtains, linens and paintings on the wall. I could live here forever and feel content.
“You will occupy one of these rooms here whenever you need to be here for more than a day. And that day starts tomorrow. You will stay for a couple of days so that I can get used to you.” That is reasonable. A careless person will have one day to live. Another reasonable thing is the client asking for days to get used to the employee. I would explain to Celine and then get someone to replace me at the club. It will be easy to pay them for what they want to help me.
“Okay”
“You care for tea? And some cookies? I was trying my skills earlier. Would you care to rate me?” she led me to the big and filled kitchen, something I had never experienced before. I cannot wait to tell Celine all about this!
The woman is sweet, too sweet! A type of work environment I would die to have.
“Yes please” She handed. The cookies first and it was terrible. Has she ever even been in a kitchen before in her life?
“Delicious,” I said anyway. I emptied the tea into my mouth and let the sweetness revive my tongue.
“You don't have to say that if it's not true. I can see your expression darling”
“I am sorry,” I said
“No, you don't have to be. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two.”
Before I could answer, I heard the door open and someone come in.
“That must be my grandson. Can you go meet him while I clear up this place? He will make a big fuss about bringing the maids back when he clearly does not like them around.”
“Okay, I will”
I walked away from her toward the kitchen door. Without looking, I slammed my head against a hard body. I lifted my hand to soothe my forehead as I looked up at the face and offered my apology for not looking straight, causing the mishap.
“What the f**k are you doing here?” His voice filled with venom.
I blinked twice, wondering if this was a sick joke. Standing before me was my rude stranger.
- Writer
