Chapter 2

2: 2

2

“I'm sorry, Miss. I really had no choice. He's so impressive that if I hadn't said it, I was afraid I'd never be good enough for him!”

As she spoke, Gloria actually kowtowed to me a few more times.

“Miss, please, just put up with it for a few days. The moment we make things official, I'll move out with him and stop bothering you!”

I frowned, catching what she was asking.

“Put up with it for a few days? And these few days, what am I supposed to be in this house?”

Gloria bit down hard on her lip, wrestling with herself for a long time before she finally forced it out.

“Maybe, maybe you could pose as the maid?”

2

Her words almost made me laugh.

Have me play the maid for her. It really was the boldness of someone who had no idea what she was dealing with, and I couldn't understand where she found the nerve to say it.

When she got no answer from me, Gloria kept crying and kowtowing, until it started to soften me a little.

“Miss, I've never asked you for anything these past few years. Just this once, call it repaying what you owe me, all right?”

Hearing that, I could only agree.

Three years ago the house caught fire, and that night I'd had too much to drink at a work function.

It was Gloria who rushed in through the rain of flames and dragged me out of the room.

You could say Gloria had saved my life.

“Fine. From now on, you're Miss Walker.”

I put on the apron, telling myself it was only a few days of acting, as long as the man didn't take it too far.

Gloria hurried over and started rubbing my back, coaxing me.

“Thank you, Miss, this is so much to ask. I've got dinner all ready. In a bit you'll just need to dish it out. If my boyfriend isn't around, I'll come help you.”

Just then, the sound of a door opening came from upstairs.

“Babe, is that useless housekeeper of yours still not back? If she won't show, just tell her to get lost. You've spoiled her rotten!”

“Even I have to put in overtime, and she just dusts off her backside and walks out. Where in the world does anyone get a deal that good?”

Looking at the bleary-eyed man, I froze.

I turned to Gloria in shock and anger, and demanded in a voice only the two of us could hear.

“You slept in my room?”

Gloria's eyes were full of apology, but out loud she answered the man.

“It's the holidays, let her rest a bit. Chloe's actually very hardworking, don't go scaring her.”

As she spoke the man had already come downstairs, and he stopped in front of me, looking me up and down.

“Pretty enough, and dressed this well too. Looks like the pay for a maid isn't bad at all.”

The man sat down on the sofa, and seeing me stand there without moving, said irritably.

“What are you standing there like an idiot for? Don't you know to pour water? What are your eyes even for!”

Gloria chimed in too.

“I've taught her all of this. She's probably just nervous around a stranger and forgot.”

“Chloe, hurry up and pour some water for my boyfriend.”

I drew a deep breath, walked over and poured the man a glass of water, then turned and went straight into the kitchen.

Maybe he could tell my attitude wasn't good, because the man started muttering curses out in the living room.

“I say you're just too soft-hearted. A maid, and she dares give you attitude. When I've got the time I'll straighten her out for you. I hate people who take a mile the second you give an inch!”

“It's not like three-legged toads are hard to find. There are plenty of two-legged maids out there. If she won't do, just kick her out!”

I'd assumed Gloria would speak up for me, but to my surprise she said,

“She really does need straightening out. No sense of her place when she talks or acts, doesn't know her own station at all. Even pouring water has to be taught to her.”

“Babe, don't lower yourself to her level. Tonight I made the barbecue ribs you love, wait and see how good my cooking is.”

The man wouldn't let it go.