Secretly Living With My Boss

Chapter 8

Hestia looked at the gate of the subdivision they passed by. She also admired the surroundings of the subdivision while inside the taxi, as the houses in this subdivision were truly beautiful. The houses were big and magnificent. They were not just houses, but mansions, with spacious gardens.

"I'm shocked by Sir Raven. I thought he just needed his unit cleaned. But it seems like I'll be encountering a mansion as his residence here," she said, and the taxi driver glanced at her.

"Is your boss rich, miss?" he asked, and she nodded. "This subdivision is exclusive, that's why we were asked for a pass. I've also dropped off passengers here before, but not often since the rich don't usually ride taxis. So, I'm sure your boss is wealthy."

Hestia nodded, smiling. "Kind of," she softly replied, but she also wondered if she should answer his question.

‘This person probably won't kidnap me, right? And then demand ransom from Boss Raven? Because I'm sure he won't pay for that.’

She shook her head to get rid of the thought, even though she was already nervous. Finally, she saw the signboard indicating the street where Raven's house was located. "Sir, turn left here," she said, and the driver followed. Before long, she saw the address number and got off there. "Sir, here's the payment, thank you." After paying, she disembarked carrying some of the cleaning materials she bought. And when she finally stood by the gate of Raven's house, she was once again amazed by what she saw.

This house was very big. A modern style two-story house with a spacious garden. The house was made of glass, but the interior wasn't visible.

"Wow, unbelievable! So wealthy!" she exclaimed, inserting the card into the gate, causing it to open.

Her eyes sparkled as she continued to look around. She had only seen houses like this in magazines and on television. Since she arrived in New York, all she had seen were buildings and apartment complexes. She didn't even know that such a subdivision existed in New York. This well-prepared place was in the heart of the city, surrounded by high-rise buildings. It seemed like a paradise in the chaotic surroundings.

She entered and was immediately greeted by Raven's sports cars. "Wow! Amazing!" she said, especially since she had never seen such beautiful cars before. She then entered the living room. "Oh, wow!" she exclaimed as the lights suddenly turned on. She didn't expect them to be automatic, so she was amazed. But as she looked around, she realized that if the exterior was beautiful, the interior was even more stunning. The furnishings looked expensive as if everything inside was intentionally arranged. There was a huge TV in front, almost like a theater. But if she marveled at Raven's house, nothing compared to the massive aquarium in the middle of the house.

"Is it an aquarium or a terrarium?" It didn't have any water, but the landscape inside was beautiful. It looked like a forest inside the house. There were rock formations and various plants. There was also mist coming from the side, making it look like there was fog inside. It was delightful to look at, relaxing.

"Wow, the rich are truly different. They can bring the jungle book into their own house—oh! A snake!" she screamed when she saw a snake inside the aquarium. It wasn't that big, but it was a different kind of snake compared to the ones she saw in the countryside.

She held her chest and tried to calm herself from the shock. "It won't be able to get out, right?" she asked, looking at the aquarium, and there was nowhere for it to escape.

"Meow."

She heard the sound of a cat brushing against her leg. She was also surprised because she thought it was a snake, especially since its color was unusual. The design of its fur resembled a snake's coat. But she had seen cats like this on social media, so she didn't panic too much.

"Hi! You're so cute," she said.

"Meow... meow..." the cat meowed, so she kneeled to pet it.

"Are you hungry? Let's eat," she said, standing up to go to the kitchen. But before she could find its food, she saw it already. There was an automatic feeder, so she didn't need to put food in it.

"Oh, you already have food," she said to the cat, stroking it. Then it left and went to a tree on the side of the living room to play.

"Sir Raven's house is beautiful. No wonder it always looks fresh when he enters. His house is beautiful and comfortable. I wish I had it all. Alright, let's start cleaning." She once again looked around the room. "There doesn't seem to be anything to clean, the house is already tidy," she said and decided to go upstairs. Upon arriving upstairs, she saw that there was almost nothing left to fix, the house was well-maintained, but his boss was particularly meticulous about its surroundings, so she thoroughly inspected the house. He noticed the dust on the sides. Dirt underneath the appliances and rugs that didn't seem to have been cleaned by the hired cleaning service before.

"So that's why he asked for it to be cleaned again. Maybe I should start here on the top floor and work my way down to make it easier."

She started cleaning the second floor. The receiving area outside, his reading room that doubles as a home office, and his gym on the second floor. The room that contained his boss' untouched belongings on the second floor was where she went. She opened the room and upon opening it, she was greeted by the scent of his boss, Raven.

She smiled, there’s a mixture of baby powder and expensive perfume.

She scanned the room, it wasn't too messy but needed tidying. Perhaps when his boss packed for his trip, he didn't have time to put away some of the scattered clothes.

She picked them up one by one until something caught his attention.

It was pink lace and seemed like lace underwear. She picked it up using his two fingers, feeling disgusted.

‘What if he uses this later?’

She furrowed her brows, "Wait? Is this his girlfriend's?" she asked but immediately smiled when she remembered. "Or is it Boss'?" Her smile widened as she picked up a pink lace bra from the floor. "Wow, Sir Raven is fierce! He has panties and a bra like this? Mine is just from Soen," she added, folding it.

While she continued to organize the scattered clothes, she couldn't help but smile and imagine his boss, Raven, wearing such clothes. She saw in her mind that he was dressed like a woman. But even so, she was happy for his boss. He wondered when he would come out.

‘I am happy and accepting of Boss Raven's sexuality. Wherever he finds happiness, I will support him.’

***

Raven looked at his phone when he saw a notification from his house that someone was there. It had been there since earlier, but he only noticed now. Because he was often not at home, he installed cameras inside and outside his house to monitor it, especially his pet cat, Peach. He remembered he asked Hestia to hire a cleaning lady to clean his house again. But that's not what he saw on the camera inside his house.

Because what he sees now is Hestia sweeping the floor. Not using a mop but a cloth.

"What is this woman doing?" he said and tried calling her. But there was no answer. Perhaps she didn't hear his call, so he hung up and checked the cameras inside his house to find Hestia. He could call the camera in his house and she would hear him immediately.

He saw her in the living room, but she was already asleep as if exhausted from cleaning. She even had Peach beside her, which made him furrow his brows even more as his cat was usually distant from other people.

He smiled and put down his phone. He would talk to her later when he got home.

***

Hestia was no longer in his house when he arrived, maybe she had left a while ago. He should have been coming home tomorrow but he was not comfortable at the hotel they went to with Glen, especially since there were mostly women there, so he decided to go home now.

He looked around his house. He inspected the parts that were usually overlooked by his hired cleaner. And he admitted he was impressed because every corner of the house was clean. Even the bottom of the carpet was cleaned. Even Peach, his cat, was freshly groomed.

He picked up Peach and went upstairs and found his room in order. The scattered clothes on the floor that Glen had spread were gone. But what caught his attention was the pink piece of clothing on top of the sofa. He looked at it and threw it away when he realized what it was. "Damn it! Whose is this?" he said, remembering the pair of underwear that Glen threw from his bag, which could belong to one of the women. "That damn man!"

***

"Here's the payment. Thank you," she said and handed the payment to the taxi driver. She noticed that people around her seemed to be in chaos.

She was immediately curious about what was happening and saw everyone hurrying. She thought maybe there was a street fight happening near the place she rented. She walked towards the alley that led to the apartment building where she lived, but it was closed, and police officers blocked the way.

"Sir, can't I go inside? I live there," she said to a police officer.

He shook his head. "No, Miss. Until the fire is put out, we can't let anyone in, even residents."

Upon hearing this, her heart raced. She covered her mouth and looked towards the area where thick smoke was emerging. She gasped, realizing that her very own apartment was on fire.

"No! It can't be!" she exclaimed and tried to enter the alley, but as expected, the policemen stopped her.

Everyone there tried to save whatever belongings they could. Luckily, some were able to save something. Meanwhile, she didn't save anything besides what she had with her at that moment since all her belongings were in the apartment.

She slumped down and covered her face, unable to hold back her tears because she didn't know what to do. She didn't know where to go. Some of her money was in the apartment, money she was going to send to her family.

"Hestia!" she heard Danica's voice, so she looked up at her.

Danica hurried towards her, worry evident on her face.

"Danica... our apartment is on fire," she said.

Danica nodded. "I tried to call you, but you didn't answer. The fire started in the adjacent room. There was an explosion, then the next thing we knew, we were all evacuated. We saw the whole room engulfed in flames. We panicked and quickly got out."

Hestia covered her face again, not knowing what to do. She also didn't immediately read Danica's messages because her phone was low on battery. "My belongings, all my belongings are gone."

"I know, I didn't bring anything either. I just carried my work bag and left the rest. Maybe I'll stay with my boyfriend for now. But you? Where will you stay now? Wait, do you want me to ask—"

Hestia shook her head. "I'm fine. I can manage on my own. I have a place to go. I'll be okay."

***

She cried until there were almost no more tears left. She didn't know what to do. It was late at night, yet she still didn't know where to go tonight. But that's not what occupied her mind; it was her belongings and the remaining money. She didn't have any clothes to wear tomorrow. The only clothes she had were the ones she was wearing. Could she wear them again tomorrow?

She had the money for the rent. It wasn't much if she thought about it, and she needed to save it, especially since payday was far away and her salary would be reduced due to her cash advance. She could stay at a motel tonight, but she knew that it would also deduct a large portion of her money. She also needed to buy new clothes. If she were to rent a new apartment, she would need money for the advance payment and deposit. She needed to borrow, and she knew her mother wouldn't lend her again, especially since her mother relied on the remittances she sent.

"Maybe I shouldn't stay in a motel? It would be a waste of money," she said and looked at the road.

‘I won't sleep. I can stay awake until tomorrow. I can bathe at the office. I'll think about everything tomorrow.’

She said that to herself to calm down. But even though she was thinking that everything would be fine, she knew it wouldn't be that easy.

Her phone rang. Fortunately, it was charged from a nearby store. Her phone rang again, and she checked who it was, seeing that it was a call from her mother. She didn't answer because she knew what her mother would say. After a short while, she received a text message, and she was right because her mother was asking for money.

She covered her face again and couldn't hold back her tears. She didn't know what to do. She felt alone. She felt like she had no one to turn to in times of dire need.

Her phone rang again, and she answered without looking at who was calling because she knew it was her mother.

At that moment, she couldn't help but sob as she answered, "Mom... Mom, please not now... Can I not send money for now? It's really difficult right now... my apartment burned down, Mom... all my belongings are there. I don't have anything to wear... I don't have a place to stay tonight... I have no one to turn to—"

"Where are you?"

She stopped because it wasn't her mother's voice. She quickly wiped away her tears.

"Boss Raven?"