Emma's POV
I woke before my alarm. I wanted to wake up early so I could iron my clothes and look extra sharp. I looked through my suitcase underneath the tiny bed. I pulled out a black skirt that dropped below my knees, along with a white shirt with black buttons down the middle. I placed them on the bed and hurried downstairs to the laundry mart to borrow the iron since I didn't own one. Mrs. Lee, who worked in the laundry rooms, always lent it to me whenever I asked her.
I ironed my clothes carefully then hung it up above the bed. I combed out my thick, curly black hair that dropped right at my shoulder, which I always dreaded. I had broken countless combs and brushes due to this uncontrollable hair of mine.
When I was finished, I opened a tin of sausage and a packet of bread rolls and made myself a cup of tea. Once I was through eating the alarm on my phone went off. I smiled at myself, knowing that time was in my favor today. It was 6:45 a.m. when I left the apartment. I took the seven o' clock bus, which carried me for an hour-and-a-half further down New York.
I was finally standing in front of Hollen Tower when I got off the bus. The building was a huge skyscraper with an exterior of gold glass. I entered through the main entrance and walked up to the front desk receptionist. She was a slim, blonde woman with flawless makeup who was dressed sharply in a formal, women's business suit. She wore a warm smile on her face as I approached.
"Good morning ma'am. I'm Emma Cole. I'm here for an interview," I said in the best manner I possibly could.
"Good morning, Miss Cole. Interviews are being held on the fifteenth floor. This way to the elevator."
I had never been in one before nor did I wanted to be in one by myself. I panicked as the doors slide open. I walked in and thank her with a nod, too scared to speak up. The elevator started beeping and I almost jumped out of my skin when the door opened again and another woman came in. She wore a badge that read:
Linda Steele
Chief Operating OfficerHollen Tower"Good morning," I greeted and she gave a warm smile, similar to the receptionist.
"Good morning, what floor are you going to?"
"Fifteenth."
She pressed the digits that were lit, there was a swoosh movement, and I knew we were going up. I felt dizzy. I held onto the bar as I concentrated on not screaming to get out and take the stairs instead.
"We're here," she said, snapping me out of my regrets.
"Thank you," I managed to reply as we stepped out together.
There was another receptionist as I stepped onto the floor. "May I help you?" she greeted.
Ms. Steele had already gone in another direction.
"Yes, I'm Emma Cole. I'm here for an interview for the personal assistant position."
She looked at me from head-to-toe.
Oh no, I thought, she's already doing what everyone else has done!
I became so uncomfortable from her impolite stare. Her look made me look at myself too. I wanted to ask if there was something on me.
"Um, please have a seat over there. We'll call you when the boss is ready."
"Thank you."
I went to the waiting area and almost broke into tears when I saw six beautiful women also waiting. I assumed they were here for the same reason I was, and I was a ragamuffin compared to these perfectly groomed, well-dressed ladies; even though what I was wearing were the best professional pieces I owned.
"Miss. Lorly," the receptionist called.
One of the ladies got up and followed her through as huge glass door.
I was the last to be called. I looked at my phone; it was 11:00. I had been waiting for two hours. Nevertheless, I followed her through the same glass door when she finally called my name. She knocked, opened the door, ushered me inside and left.
I stood in a huge office with a welcoming scent and feel to it. The walls were painted in different shades of brown and there was a huge leather couch on the side. There were plants in large pots which added a forest-like green vibe to the room. The cool air calmed my nerves as I took it all in. I inhaled with satisfaction. Everything was amazing. It was so better than my apartment.
I could live here. I just need a bed, I thought to myself.
"When you're finish admiring my office, and wasting our time, you may have a seat," a voice said firmly, erasing my pondering on making this my home.
"Good morning sir, I'm Emm.... "
"Have a seat Miss. Cole." His voice was like ice-- cold but clear.
I sat down and looked at him. He was very handsome with grey, almond eyes, a pointed nose, perfectly structured face, and small lips. His hair was pitch black and styled neatly on his head. His shoulders curved from his sharp suit, and his stubble beard was neatly trimmed on his face. He was the definition of 'perfectly handsome'.
"Miss. Cole, are you hard of hearing?"
"Huh?"
"I asked you for your resume twice already."
What is wrong with me? I was so lost in his looks that I didn't even hear him asking for my resume.
I handed it to him with trembling fingers.
He yanked it away and read through it.
"You've only worked at a cafe?" he asked shortly after.
"Yes, sir." I lowered my head; I had already failed.
"You had impressively good grades in high school, how is it that you only went to community college?"
"Because I couldn't afford a prestige college, sir. I've been on my own since I was eighteen, right after high school. I still wanted a college education, so a teacher made a contact for me to get into a college I could afford."
"Where were your parents?"
"I don't know of them."
"So you grew up in a foster home?"
"Yes, sir. Foster homes," I corrected.
He rubbed his temple. "Miss Cole, I feel your pain, but I wouldn't waste my time and yours. The position had already been filled."
My heart fell to my toes. I wanted to beg for anything else available so I began to but he cut me off and told me he was sorry.
"Sir, please. I don't care if I have to clean the toilets or the floors or the windows. Please, I need a job so badly. I don't have any money to support myself. I will get evicted soon if I don't pay my rent. Is there anything you can do for me? I'm desperate."
I was in tears but he just handed me back my documents and, in the process of taking it back, I accidentally spilled his cup of coffee all over his desk.
"What the fu--!" he hollered as he flew from his seat and ran his hands down his crotch.
"Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry," I let out as I walked over to him, not thinking twice.
"Get away from me!" He was furious.
I froze. I saw the cup laying on the floor and a coffee maker in the corner. "I'll make you another cup," I said quickly.
I rushed over to the coffee machine as he took tissues from a cupboard and attempted to clean himself up. I wiped down his desk from the ugly spill and placed a refill cup of cappuccino in front of him.
"Why are you still here? Get out of my office!" he yelled at me again. "You clumsy imbecile."
I held back the tears of shame and embarrassment. I held my bag close to me and turned on my heels. When I opened the door I heard him take a sip of the coffee I made, then another and another. As I was shutting his door, he called out, "Miss Cole, please, wait."
Standing against the door I barely reentered the office for fear of going near him.
"Miss Cole, this coffee taste so good. You have gifted hands. I apologize for my outburst. It was an accident, and I shouldn't have snapped like that."
"That's okay, I'm used to it."
His eyes twinkled a bit, but they seemed to have some sadness in them. "The job you applied for has already been filled, but I have a proposition for you. How would you like to be my maid and my coffee maker? The payment would be generous and you can live with me."
I was puzzled. "I don't understand... Live with you? In your house?"
"My mansion."
My brain was bouncing off the walls in my head. My heart felt like butterflies. Ethan Hollen, CEO and manager of Hollen Tower, wanted me, simple little plain me, to live in his mansion?
"Of course you wouldn't be alone; I do have other household staff, and they all live with me. There's a place for them, and you, if you accept this offer."
I smiled my biggest smile and thanked him for the new offer. I was going to live on his property-- for free? "Do I have to pay rent?" I asked as the thought crossed my mind.
"No. How soon can you start?"
"First thing tomorrow morning."
"Good, six a.m. it is. I like having my coffee early."
Six, I groaned, mentally.
Emma's POVSix o'clock my ass! I had to be at his place at six, which basically meant that I would have to leave home at 5:00 a.m., which basically meant I would have to be awake by 4:00 a.m. or earlier. So I rested for the remainder of the afternoon. Moving away from this place wouldn't be difficult; I owned a small amount of clothing and supplies. I set the alarm on my phone before I forgot, then began reading a romance novel.My phone rang and I looked at the number. It was unknown but I answered anyway."Miss Cole, I need you."I couldn't believed what I was hearing. "Mr. Hollen?" I asked to make certain this wasn't a joke."Yes.""But I told you I will start in the morning.""Do you want the job Miss Cole or not? Because if you're no longer interested I can easily find a replacement with a snap of my fingers.""I'll be there," I blurted. I leaped out of bed and headed for the shower. "I cannot afford to lose th
Emma's POVWhy were the other maids in the staff house, and I would be in the guest room? It was what I wanted to ask him but didn't. I took the coffee cup and headed back to the kitchen where I found Halley mopping the floor where flour had spilled."Um, Halley," I began. She made me uncomfortable, like a tiger ready to pounce and attack at any minute.She looked over to me, mop still in hand. "What?""Mr. Hollen instructed that we should prepare a guest room downstairs.""He's having visitors again, Aggie?" she asked her, turning from me."Not that I know of.""Actually, it's for me," I let out.Both women looked at me with awe."Mr. Hollen is having you sleep in a guest room?" Halley asked, dropping the mop.I nodded.She looked up at Agnes before Mr. Hollen appeared in the kitchen."Halley, what's the hold up?" he demanded."Nothing," she replied quickly and took my hand in hers, lead
Emma's POVI woke up at 5:30 the next morning. I brushed my teeth then combed my thick hair before heading to the kitchen to make his highness's coffee.The clock struck 6:00 and the telephone rang. He instructed me to bring the coffee up to his bedroom on the top floor. I walked, carefully, with the coffee on a tray so it wouldn't spill over from the exhausting journey I had to take up the stairs. His bedroom door was slightly open.I pushed through and called for him. "Mr. Hollen, I brought your coffee!"Silence."Mr. Hollen?" I called again.He appeared from the area I assumed was the bathroom with a red bath towel wrapped around his waist, and another drying his wet hair. His chest screamed come lick me. The lush V-line carved out his six pack perfectly. I couldn't help admiring him. Everything moved in a slow motion then the stupid coffee just had to fall over onto the floor."What the actual fuck, Emma!""I'm...
Ethan Hollen's POVWho puts salt in coffee? Should I regret ever hiring Miss Cole?My heart had felt her pain when she came to my office for the interview. For a young woman she had already experienced a very difficult life. My grandmother had taught me when someone is down in life it is not wise to throw more bricks at them, but, instead, it would be wise to help them up. Growing up, I rarely saw both of my parents. They were usually busy traveling on business deals, vacations, and having holiday celebrations without me. I'd been forlorn, but my grandmother took me under her wing and grew me up as the man she felt I ought to be.I had been looking at Emma in the kitchen while she made my coffee. She was very slim and all she wore were big clothes that looked like rags. Her face was always the same, no makeup or lipstick to pop her facial features. Yesterday she'd spilled the coffee all over the floor in my bedroom. I noticed she had remade it, but I wa
Emma's POVWho would do something like this? He could have fired me!Agnes entered the kitchen. It was already after 12:00 noon. All she had scheduled was to prepare dinner for Mr. Hollen. She was in a jolly mood, humming to herself.I, on the other hand, was left with a mystery to solve, and it all pointed to one person. Haley. She got the groceries yesterday so she could have easily spiked a bottle of milk with salt. From here on, I would have to taste his coffee before I delivered it, just in case.I left the kitchen and found Halley in the storeroom where the cleaning supplies were kept. I closed the door loudly behind me, making her jump."What the hell, Emma! What are you doing here?""When it comes to my job, I don't play around. Mr. Hollen hired me to make his coffee and assist with the cleaning, so what's your damn problem?""What are you talking about? Are you drunk?""Admit it, you put salt in the milk I us
Ethan's POVI've already had a shitty ass morning at home and a terrible day in the office. I lost a very important deal that I was looking forward to for six months. Lunch was a drag-- I didn't enjoy it-- and Sharon wouldn't shut up about the Bahamas. I told her I would take her, that was before she got bitten by a mosquito. I lost my cool at the damn restaurant and yelled at her; one could only imagine what I had said to her. To my surprise, she didn't respond. She just got up and kissed my cheek and told me she'd be at the house when I calmed down.Arriving home, I remembered the conversation I had with Agnes before hiring Emma.I had Emma prepare another cup of coffee and met her in the kitchen for it where the others were assemble as well.I'd let go Agnes. Why? Because she was getting up there in age had spoken to me about her retirement plan. She knew the drill. I had already placed a large sum of money in her account for the years she had
Emma's POVThough I was supposed to be off on the weekends, I did minor cleaning here and there just to keep myself occupied and ahead while Halley rested.My mind kept on reminiscing back to what happened last night. Mr. Hollen kissed me! He actually put his priceless lips on mine. I didn't know how to kiss him back, I had no experience and was caught off guard. What if I had drooled on him or bit his lips? I'd just stood there, afraid to react._________It was the beginning of a new week. I was in the living room cleaning the coverings on the chairs when Sharon appeared with a bundle of bags. She tossed them onto the chairs I was supposed to clean."Put these in the closet for me. Don't ruin a thing with your filthy hands." She went upstairs, heels hitting the polished marble as she walked.That woman is so...There wasn't a word to describe her. She was going upstairs to where the closet was, why couldn't she just
Ethan's POVI woke up wrapped in the arms of my beautiful fiancee. I looked at her as she was fast asleep. Tonight we would be going to the Bahamas for our week long vacation. I had promised her that. I didn't break my promises. I rolled her aside, gently kissed her forehead lightly, and got out of the bed.I whipped up a fluffy batch of pancakes with eggs and bacon. I poured two large glasses of orange juice just as the kitchen door was pushed open."Good morning, sir.""Hi Emma."She stood there, staring blankly at me like she had something she wanted to say."What is it Emma?" I asked impatiently."Sir, there's something I have to tell you.""Oh yeah, I'll have your paycheck ready before I leave. After all, I wouldn't be here for the week and the month's end would approach by then.""That's not... Um, okay.""There're some left over pancakes and eggs. Help yourself. Halley can have some too."&nb