"Okay, we'll see you tomorrow," she said at last. Without another glance, Rose turned, leading the other ladies as they walked off. Lilian glanced back at me, waved, and offered a kind smile.
I swallowed hard, watching them go. As much as I wanted Rose to leave, it felt too soon to be left alone in this enormous, silent place. I waved back at Lilian, hoping we'd grow closer tomorrow—she and the other, soft-voiced woman. I already had so many questions. They closed the door behind them, and as I stood there, it suddenly felt like the end of a workday, everyone leaving… except me.
A pang of loneliness tugged at me as I watched a few more people, men this time, walk over to Lilian and the other woman. They exchanged a few words with Rose before parting ways, disappearing down the hallway and out of sight.
I hadn't expected to feel this alone. Maybe I'd been blinded by the pay when I first heard about this job. I didn't think too hard about what being here would actually feel like. I took another look around the kitchen—still spotless—before I headed toward the door to the living room.
The space was state-of-the-art, adorned with two grand chandeliers casting a soft, cozy glow over the room. Despite its vastness, the living room felt surprisingly inviting. An asymmetrical white couches that looked custom-made sprawled across the center, and I found myself studying every detail: the soft lighting, the two-way staircase leading to the second floor, the enormous TV, and the plush chairs and tables that added to the cozy yet luxurious vibe. It made me long for a movie night, complete with snacks and a skincare routine.
The sound of cars in the distance snapped me out of my daydream. I pulled the curtain aside slightly and saw Rose's SUV pulling away down the drive, with a few other cars following, including Lilian's sleek black luxury car. I couldn't help but feel a surge of motivation. Working here was a rare opportunity, and everyone seemed to be securing the bag. I wasn't here to complain—I was here for a better life.
As the daylight outside began to fade, I closed the curtain, took a final look around the room, and then headed toward the staircase. My eyes drifted over to the stairs that Rose had specifically warned me about, and after a moment's hesitation, I found myself daring to go up. At the base of the stairs, I glanced around, checking for any hidden cameras. Then, with a rush of excitement, I skipped up a couple of steps, only to freeze dead in my tracks as the main door downstairs swung open.
"Yeah, caught red-handed," I muttered, ducking down low on the stairs. I glanced up, debating whether to crawl the rest of the way up.
Just then, voices drifted closer, and I was paralyzed with a mix of fear and regret. I'd only just gotten this job!
"We discussed the NDA earlier, and you agreed to it," a deep male voice said, calm but firm. It didn't sound like Aiden. A jolt of panic coursed through me—wasn't Aiden supposed to be the only one living here? Were we being invaded?
"Yeah, yeah, I know," replied a woman, her voice dismissive. "But I spoke to him, and he didn't seem to think it was necessary. Once he arrives, we'll talk it over again—that's between us."
"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave. Mr. Aiden won't see you unless you sign the NDA," the young man's voice was firm, his hand steady as he held out a pen.
The woman scoffed, her tone dripping with irritation. "You don't even understand the kind of bond we have."
This was getting stranger by the second. My pulse quickened as I crouched lower on the staircase, inching my way up.
The young man kept his professional mask on, i could tell from his voice. "I'm just doing my job. If you won't sign, I'll have to escort you out."
She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms with a stubborn lift of her chin. "You're being ridiculous. Aiden and I actually get along—unlike the others."
I reached the top step, carefully leaned over the railing, and peeked down. The woman, all bleach-blonde waves and high cheekbones, stood like she owned the place. She looked expensive too—her Hermès bag alone probably cost more than a month's rent at my house. My eyes followed as she grabbed the NDA without a second glance and scribbled her signature across the pages the assistant had handed her.
What on earth was this about? Why was she signing an NDA just to see Aiden? And why wasn't she like "the others"? I squinted, the gears turning. Was she his girlfriend? Or one of those…arrangements? My gasp escaped my mouth too loud. The woman's head snapped up, her eyes sharp, and I froze, ducking instinctively.
"Who's there?" the young guy who seemed like Aiden's assistant called out.
My heart raced, I scrambled back toward my room, hoping to make it out of sight before they caught me eavesdropping. My footsteps echoed through the hall, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being followed. Just then, a deeper, familiar voice cut through the air.
I kept going, slowing only once I reached the boundary I'd been told to stick to. With a deep breath, I smoothed my clothes, shook off the nerves, and turned back, pretending I'd just arrived.
As I descended the stairs, Aiden's assistant appeared at the base, his brows furrowed as he scanned me up and down.
"Who are you?"
I caught sight of Aiden standing just behind him, his face unreadable but watching. Forcing a smile, I addressed him. "Hi. I just started today… I'm the new housekeeper."
Aiden nodded slightly, though his attention drifted as the blonde woman stepped forward, possessively reaching for his lapel. She looked up at him as if expecting some warm greeting, but he barely acknowledged her touch, brushing past her as he turned to climb the stairs.
"Then go resume your duties," he muttered coolly.
As he ascended, I glanced back at the assistant, who had turned his focus on me now, his gaze softened slightly.
"So you're the new housekeeper," he said, offering a polite smile. "I'm Jack. Aiden's assistant."
I nodded, "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. Now, if you don't mind giving us some privacy," Jack said, gesturing between himself and the blonde, who was now glaring at me with a look that could shatter glass. Her eyes raked over me, calculating, as though deciding whether to demand my immediate removal. I offered her a small, polite smile, careful not to show any hint of the unease prickling at the back of my neck. Whoever she was, antagonizing her might seem like a fast track to losing this job.
"Of course," I replied, turning back to the stairs.
Before I'd even taken two steps, her voice cut through the air, sharp and accusing. "What is that girl doing here as a housekeeper? Send her out! She's up to no good."
I paused, her words echoing as heat rose to my cheeks. My hands clenched for a moment, but I bit back a retort, keeping my head down as I continued up the stairs.
"Witch," I muttered under my breath.