CAUGHT BETWEEN THE MIKEALSONS

CHAPTER TEN

LIYAH’S POV

I kept staring at the job advertisement on my phone.

LIVE-IN HOUSEKEEPER WANTED.

There was an address and a phone number underneath it.

I didn’t know anything about the family, but the words live-in were enough to make me interested.

At least I wouldn’t have to worry about where I would sleep.

I called the number.

A woman answered.

“Bonjour?”

“Bonjour. I’m calling about the housekeeping job.”

There was a short pause.

“Are you still interested?”

“Yes.”

“Have you worked as a housekeeper before?”

I hesitated.

“Not professionally, but I’ve helped take care of my home for years.”

She was quiet for a moment.

“Can you come for an interview tomorrow morning?”

“Yes.”

She gave me the address and told me to arrive at nine.

Before ending the call, I asked the question that had been worrying me.

“Excuse me, can I ask how much the salary is?”

She told me.

I almost thought I had heard her wrong.

“Sorry, how much?”

She repeated the amount.

It was €2,200 a month, with accommodation included.

I quickly did the calculation in my head.

€2,200.

A place to stay.

Food would be one less thing to worry about if the job included meals, and I could save most of what I earned.

I thanked her and ended the call.

I sat quietly.

For the first time since I left home, I felt hopeful.

It wasn’t millions.

But it was money.

Real money.

I started thinking about my mother.

The debt.

The house.

Everything she had been struggling with.

If I could save enough every month, maybe I could help her.

Maybe I could send money home.

Maybe, eventually, I could pay off the debt.

I knew it wouldn’t happen immediately.

But I didn’t need it to.

I just needed to start.

I imagined sending my first payment home.

My mother would probably cry.

Maybe she would finally be able to breathe.

Maybe I could go back home one day without being forced into that marriage.

I smiled to myself.

For the first time, running away didn’t feel like the biggest mistake of my life.

It felt like I had found another way.

I looked at the address again.

I had no idea what kind of house I was going to.

But if they were willing to pay me that much and give me somewhere to stay, I was ready.

The next morning, I dressed as neatly as I could.

I didn’t have many clothes with me, so I chose the simplest outfit I had.

I checked my reflection.

I looked nervous.

“You’re going to be fine,” I whispered.

I picked up my bag and left.

As I made my way to the address, I noticed the streets becoming quieter and the houses looking bigger.

I slowed down.

The place I was going to work didn’t look like any ordinary home.

I checked the address again.

It was correct.

I stood outside the large gates, staring at the huge house behind them.

My heart started beating faster.

I had expected a wealthy family.

I hadn’t expected this.

I took a deep breath and pressed the intercom.

A voice answered.

“Oui?”

I swallowed.

“Bonjour. I’m here for the housekeeping interview.”

There was a pause.

Then the gate began to open.

I stepped forward.

I had no idea that the moment I walked through those gates, my life was about to change completely.