The Housekeeper and The Billionaire

Chapter2

“How dare you?" She screamed like she was going mental. She laughed.

“Just who do you think you are?"

She yelled as I still held my cheek because I was still hurt from the slap I had just received. She laughed again and stared back at her friends.

“Girls, the mistake I made was telling Scarlett to send her an invite to this party,” Ivey said and my gaze shifted to Scarlett who used her hands to cover her mouth, staring at me with pleading eyes.

“Diane, you can't even walk on the ground I walk on. You're just some f*****g leech who doesn't know when to stay away. Your father should have trained you well enough in that…”

I interrupted her statement with a resounding slap that made everyone gasp. Oh! You didn't think I was going to let that go, did you? She needed to get a piece of me and this was the perfect time to do so.

“And who do you think you are Ivey? You said I can't walk on the ground you walk on, so I'm asking, who do you think you are?" I asked as she stared at me like she was about to pounce on me.

“Everyone knows who I am, Diane," She said with a chuckle.

“My father is…”

"I didn't ask for who your father is. Who the f**k are you Ivey?” I half yelled. Feeling the rage almost bursting out of me.

“Do you think you're way up there? Look around you Ivey, these are people wealthier and classier than you'd ever be, so just get off your high horse." I said and faced Freya who stared at me in disdain with arms crossed.

“You say I still feel high and mighty? You always feel that way around me because your shitty personality makes you a low life. I guess I still hit a nerve whenever you see me."

I looked at Scarlett and bowed my head sadly.

“So you used me to make yourself look good," I said as she gave me the usual pleading eyes. Ivey pushed me by the shoulders and closed the gap between us.

“Hey, you think you can come here to embarrass me?" She screamed and I burst out laughing while I clapped my hands.

“Wow! Typical Ivey. Always pushing blame on others." I said amidst the laughter as I stopped clapping.

" You're right Ivey. I'm Diane Gray and being someone that was once up there, I'm well aware of the trouble you're in. As the daughter of a pretend well-mannered billionaire, you should be someone of character and class. But you let your mask fall in front of everyone, Ivey.” I said and we both looked at everyone. I noticed rude Alec Miguez whose eyes never left me. Aside from him, everyone's eyes were on Ivey who brought it upon herself, and some were taking videos. I faced Ivey who looked like she should run away from everyone.

“You still feel powerful by putting other people down, but guess what, Ivey, you're the lowest of the low, and you've just revealed your true colors," I said and started walking out with all eyes on me. I should have felt bad but I felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. I kept my usual brave face until I left the hall.

I cursed under my breath as I realized I wasn't able to meet just one person there. Instead, they all saw me as some girl who just fought with popular Ivey.

I got a call from my little sister. I picked it up and put the phone on my ear.

“Hey sis, you're all over the Internet,” Gabby yelled and I pulled the phone away from my ears.

“What time will you be home?” I asked. Her school had just vacated and mom and I have been expecting her.

“Are you George Gray's Daughter?" I turned around and saw a middle-aged woman staring at me with a wide smile. I nodded and greeted her as I returned the smile.

“I'm Zelda Daniels. You can address me as Aunt Zelda. I'm a close friend of your Dad. You look all grown up already Diane.” She said and I smiled as I tucked my hair behind my ears. She reached for her handbag and brought out a card.

“Here." I took the card and looked at it.

“Come by my house tomorrow. Call the number on the card before coming.”

A man in a suit and glasses walked into our midst, stopped and we exchanged pleasantries.

“My boss asked me to take you home ma'am." He said as I stole a glance at Mrs Zelda Daniels who had a wide grin plastered on her face.

“Looks like you took all the attention today." She said and waved me goodbye, got into her car, and drove off. I faced the nerdy-looking man who just smiled at me.

"Please tell your boss I'll find my way back,” I said and walked out on him.

I got down from the taxi and walked down to my house. It was a two-bedroom flat which we managed to get immediately when my father's company went bankrupt. But we are far behind on rent payments as no one has a source of income.

I pushed the door open only to see my sister seated on the couch. She didn't seem happy to see me. She looked up at me, her eyes bloodshot. She picked up the paper that lay on the table that stood at the center of the sitting room and walked over to me.

“It's from Mom." She sniffed, handing the note to me as I took it from her, opened it, and read.

“My babies. I write this apologetically, knowing that I've not been the mother you both deserve. I've always had it in mind that I made things harder for you Diane, but I overlooked it and felt you both needed me the most now that your Dad is gone. You proved me wrong today Diane, that's why I'm making this hard decision to make it easier for you both. I'm leaving the country. I'll do well to reach out. Stay safe. Mommy loves you both.”

I squeezed the paper between my hands and walked briskly into Mom's room. I searched the wardrobe to confirm that she wasn't playing tricks on us. Mom was gone. She left us both, with no one to cater for us. What kind of mom does that?

I quietly walked out of her bedroom and sighed, trying to fight back the tears pricking my eyes.

“It's all right to cry, sister." My little sister said. I looked up at her only to see her already in tears. That made me break down too.

“Did she think leaving was going to solve anything?” I asked amidst tears.

"I promise I'll look for a job. No. I'll look for two jobs, multiple jobs, so I can help you out.” Gabby said as she wiped her tears. I didn't want her to do that.

" No. I've got that figured out.” I assured her. The responsibility of taking care of myself and my sister officially rests in my hands. I didn't want to tell her about meeting Aunt Zelda, Dad's close friend until I was sure something would come out of our meeting tomorrow.

Gabby attempted to say something but she refrained and sighed.

MRS ZELDA'S RESIDENCE

I called the number on the card I was given last night and Mrs Zelda instructed me to come with my necessary documents for a job

I walked into Mrs Zelda's compound and met someone who I never thought I'd see. He was about to get into his car but on seeing me, he began to walk towards me. It was Ivey's Dad. What was he doing here? I greeted immediately and he stopped in front of me.

“I didn't think we were going to meet like this Diane." He said with a wide grin.

“Can you guess as to why I'm here?” He asked, trying to withhold his laughter as I stared at him, trying to understand what game he was playing this time.

“You literally called me a pretend well-mannered billionaire, and ridiculed my daughter, and now it's everywhere.” He said and I gulped clutching my bag as it just dawned on me that I really might not get this job, or any job for that matter.

“Knowing me too well, you should know that I'm here to make sure you don't get a job through the Minister of Justice, or anyone at all.” He said with a light chuckle and walked to where his car was parked.

I stood in front of Mrs Zelda Daniels with arms crossed behind me as she glanced at the certificates and other necessary documents I had brought with me. She smiled and dropped the documents on the table in front of her.

“Impressive Diane." She said, stood up, walked towards her counter, and poured herself a drink.

“But there's a problem Diane." She said and I began to put together the documents I had brought so I could keep them in my bag.

“I understand Aunt Zelda." She turned to me immediately. I think because of how I addressed her.

“I met Ivey's Dad on my way here and he made it clear that he was going to make sure I don't get a job anywhere because of the conflict between his daughter and I."

I sniffed and carefully put my documents into my bag.

“Thank you for your time, Aunt Zelda," I said and started walking towards her door.

“What if I could give you something else?" She said as I halted and faced her.

“Become my Housekeeper." She started.

“As it is, no one in Los Angeles would be willing to give you a job. I would have regardless of what he says, but I have a contract with him, which I don't want to jeopardize now. I hope you understand?” She explained and I nodded. I didn't have a choice. I had to accept it. And besides, being a Housekeeper to the Minister of Justice should be a big deal.

“You can start tomorrow morning. Your pay would be worth it.” She said and I smiled gratefully.

Dad always says.

“Forget what you see on camera. 90% of people get to the top by getting their hands dirty. There are more dangerous people up there than the ones you see on the streets. Be careful not to get on their bad side.”

I was in a taxi, on my way home when I noticed I was being followed by a really expensive car. This was the fourth turn

that the car followed my taxi to. My mind drifted to Ivey's Dad and I got scared. I have already gotten on his bad side.