Chapter 75 Wrong Face.
I had lost track of time again.
The numbers on my computer screen blurred together, lines of reports and projections stacking on top of each other until they all felt the same. My office was quiet because everyone else has gone home and the building itself seems to exhale. The lights outside my glass walls were mostly off now, the city beyond the windows glowing faintly as dusk slid into night.
Rita my secretary had hovered by my desk earlier, clutching her tablet like a shield, hesitation written all over her face. She always did that when she wanted to say something personal.
“Sir,” she had said carefully, “do you want me to stay and help you wrap this up?”
I didn’t even have to look at her to know she was tired. Rita worked hard, too hard sometimes and I wasn’t about to turn her into a mirror of myself.
“No,” I had replied instantly. “Go home. You’ve done enough for today.”
She had looked relieved, though she tried to hide it behind professionalism. I watched her gather her things, wished her a good evening, and then I was alone again. Just me, my desk lamp, and the familiar ache settling between my shoulders.
I liked working late. There was no distractions and no expectations. Just work. It was easier than going home to my lonely and dirty apartment that make me depressed.
My phone buzzed against the desk, snapping me out of my thoughts. I picked it up only to see that my friend Adrian has just sent me a message.
I sighed before opening the message.
Have you hired a maid yet or are you still living like a raccoon in a suit?
I stared at the screen longer than necessary, my brows knitting together. Maid.
Oh Damn!
It had been three days since Adrian had shown up at my apartment unannounced, like he always did and suggested that I hire a maid to clean up my dirty apartment. I did contact a woman called Ashely Adams, but I was yet to get back to her. But somehow, I had completely forgotten to get back to her.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and leaned back in my chair. It always happens like this. I get so invested in my job that sometimes, I forget important things.
I scrolled through my call history until I found the number. Ashley Adams. I remember she's middle age woman and she told me that she had a two years experience in being a housekeeper which means she's exactly the kind of person I am looking for.
I tapped the call button and she picked up on the first ring. "Hello Mr Malcom. I was expecting your call” Her voice was calm, polite, and elderly. It made me feel weird that she was calling me sir.
“Hi, we spoke a few days ago about the housekeeping position.”
“Yes sir.” she replied.
I checked the time. It was already late, but I felt that if we don't meet today, then a meeting won't be possible because I'm always busy at work until late hours into the night. So I asked her. “I wanted to ask if you’re available to meet this evening.”
There was a brief pause on the line, just long enough to make me think she’d say no. But then she answered quickly. "Yes I am. I really need the job, so I can be there.”
Her urgency surprised me. “Alright,” I said. “I’ll send you my address. And—” I hesitated, then added, “please come prepared. You might have to start today.”
“Thank you so much,” she said, warmth flooding her tone. “I’ll be there.”
I ended the call and sent her my address. The idea of someone finally fixing my apartment gave me a strange sense of relief. But honestly, I just wanted Adrian to shut up about it.
I decided to leave work now in order not to miss her when she arrives at my apartment. It would be rude to keep her waiting.
When I left the office, the sky was fully dark, the city alive with headlights and neon signs. By the time I pulled into my apartment complex and unlocked my door, I already knew what I’d find.
“Josh!” Adrian’s voice greeted me before I even stepped fully inside.
I sighed deeply. What the hell is he doing here unannounced? I guess it's my fault for telling him the password to unlock the door.
He was sprawled on my couch like he owned the place, a bag of chips balanced on his chest, cartoon characters yelling from the TV. He's really having the time of his life.
I dropped my briefcase by the door. “What are you doing here Adrian? You didn't even tell me you were coming.”
He didn’t even look guilty. “I was bored and so I came by.”
I frowned at his answer. "You were bored? How is my apartment a hospital for curing boredom?”
“Ypur apartment may be horrible but at least, it has that home feel to it,” he replied lazily. “Also, your place makes me feel better about my life choices.”
I loosened my tie and rolled my eyes. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re disgusting,” he shot back cheerfully. “Seriously, you should be thanking me for willingly sitting on this disgusting couch.”
I collapsed beside him, exhaustion and hunger finally catching up to me. The only thing I had today was the coffee Rita got me that morning. “Did you cook anything?” I asked Adrian. My friend might be lazy and pampered, but he's a good cook.
He turned to glare at me. “Do I look like your maid?” I took that answer as a yes. “Speaking of maids, did you even look for one? I sent you a message earlier to remind you”
“Yes I did,” I said.
His eyes widened. “You did?” He seem so shocked. Probably because he didn't expect me to get a maid.
“Yes.”
“Wow. I’m proud of you.” He patted my shoulder smiling widely. “So where is she?”
I checked my watch. She should be here already. As if summoned by my thought, the doorbell rang.
“That must be her,” I said, standing up. I walked to the door, unlocked it, and pulled it open and then everything stopped.
My brain stalled. My lungs forgot how to function. For a solid ten seconds, I just stared at the woman standing right in front of me.
The woman in front of me looks unreal. She was young, far younger than I’d expected. Her pale skin was smooth, and her blue eyes are so beautiful. I could see that she was a bit taller than me, and her posture was confident but polite, her gaze was steady without being challenging. She was beautiful in a way that almost made me believe I was staring at a goddess.
I swallowed hard, suddenly aware that I was just standing there like an idiot. I should say something. Say something Josh! Use that useless mouth of yours. "H-hello,” I stammered. “Can I… help you?”
The words came out as a stutter and its embarrassing. As a business, I never stutter. In fact, I have seen a lot of very beautiful women in my lifetime, but I have no idea why this woman made me feel like I'm melting under her gaze.
She smiled, a smile so dazzling that I forgot how to breath for a second.
“Good evening, someone sent me this address for a job."
It took a moment for her words to register. "Hold on a minute, you’re… Ashley Adams?” I blurted out.
She nodded rapidly with a wide smile. “Yeah, that’s me.”
My mind raced. There must be some kind of mistake. This face in front of me doesn't match the profile photo I saw. The woman in the picture online is a middle aged woman. The age and even the voice. None of it matched. This was not the voice I talked to on the phone.
What the hell is going on?