CAUGHT BETWEEN THE MIKEALSONS

CHAPTER ELEVEN

LIYAH’S POV

The gate opened slowly, and I stepped inside.

I had seen expensive houses before, but never anything like this.

The mansion was huge. It had tall windows, a wide entrance, and a garden that looked bigger than the street I grew up on.

I suddenly became very aware of my clothes.

I adjusted my jacket and walked towards the entrance.

A woman was waiting for me.

“You’re Liyah?”

“Yes.”

“I’m the house manager. Come with me.”

I followed her inside.

The first thing I noticed was how quiet it was.

There was a large staircase in the entrance, with a sitting room on one side and a dining room further down the hallway.

She showed me around while explaining my duties.

“You’ll mainly be responsible for keeping the house clean and organized. Bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry and the common areas.”

I nodded.

“And don’t worry about cooking. We have a chef.”

I felt a little relieved.

“What about transportation?”

“The driver handles that.”

I nodded again.

Everything seemed very organized.

She asked me a few questions about my experience.

“Have you worked as a housekeeper before?”

“Not professionally.”

She looked at me.

“But I’ve always helped my mother at home. I know how to clean, do laundry and keep things organized.”

“Are you comfortable working in a large house?”

I looked around.

“I’ll try my best.”

She smiled.

“That’s all I need.”

She explained the working hours and the house rules. I listened carefully, especially when she told me that the family’s private rooms were not to be entered unless I was asked to clean them.

“Understood.”

She looked at me for a moment.

“Good.”

Then she said something I wasn’t expecting.

“You can start today.”

I almost smiled.

“Today?”

“Yes.”

I thanked her.

She reminded me of the salary.

€2,200 a month, with accommodation included.

My heart lifted.

I immediately thought about my mother.

If I could save properly, I could send money home every month.

Maybe I could help with the debt.

Maybe I could eventually pay enough for my mother to keep the house.

I knew it wouldn’t happen overnight.

But at least I finally had a plan.

The house manager picked up my bag.

“I’ll show you your room.”

We went upstairs.

She stopped before the hallway that led to the family’s private bedrooms.

“This side is for the family. Your room is further down.”

We continued through another quieter hallway.

She opened a door.

“This is yours.”

I stepped inside.

It was small, but clean.

There was a single bed, a wardrobe, a small table, a mirror and a window overlooking the garden.

I placed my bag on the floor.

After spending the previous night in a station, I couldn’t believe I had a bed again.

“Thank you.”

“You’ll share the bathroom with the other female staff.”

I nodded.

She left me to settle in.

I sat on the bed and looked around.

This wasn’t home.

But it was safe.

And right now, that was enough.

I unpacked a few things before getting ready for work.

My first task was to clean one of the guest rooms.

It took me longer than I expected because everything in the room looked so delicate and expensive.

I was terrified of breaking something.

After that, I moved on to the hallway and then the laundry.

There was a lot to learn.

The chef passed through the kitchen while I was collecting some things.

“You’re the new housekeeper?”

“Yes.”

He smiled.

“Welcome.”

“Thank you.”

The driver also introduced himself later when he passed by.

Everyone seemed friendly enough.

By evening, my feet were hurting.

I returned to my room and sat on the bed.

I picked up my phone.

There were several missed calls from my mother.

My heart sank.

Then I saw Daniel’s message.

Please call me. I’m worried about you.

I stared at it.

I wanted to call him.

I wanted to tell him where I was.

But I couldn’t.

Not yet.

I put my phone down.

I had come to Paris to escape one life.

For now, I needed to focus on building another one.

I looked around my small room again.

Tomorrow, I would wake up, do my job and start saving.

Maybe one day, I would have enough money to pay off my family’s debt.

Maybe one day, I could return home without fear.

I lay down and pulled the blanket over myself.

I closed my eyes.

I had no idea what this house held behind its closed doors.

And I definitely didn’t know that the people living inside it were about to become a very important part of my life.