Emma's POV
Why 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, leading me out of the kitchen.
We walked straight ahead passed the living room, dinning room, a room with a huge pool table and colorful curtains, and another room that was all white. We arrived at four doors.
"Pick one," she said softly.
I chose the last one.
We entered and started dusting and tidying up. We made the bed and changed the pillow cases. She left then returned with a broom, mop, a bucket of water, and cleaning products. We cleaned the floors and reachable spots. When we had completed everything, I helped her carry the supplies back to the storage room.
"How long have you been screwing him?" she asked when we were back inside the guest room, making sure everything was perfect.
"What are you talking about?" Was she crazy? I was a virgin in every way. I'd never even had a hug from a guy.
"Mr. Hollen never lets the help sleep in the mansion, unless she's screwing him like the previous maid."
"I'm not screwing him, Halley. I don't know why he's allowing me to sleep here."
"And you didn't ask?"
"No, I didn't."
She shook her head and glared at me with a smirk. I had had it with her and her attitude.
It was only my first day and she was acting as if we had been enemies since preschool. As if I had broken her favorite doll's neck, so she grew up hating me for it.
"Thanks for the help," I said, but she just turned on her heels and left.
I picked up the remote to the air conditioning unit and pressed the red button-- its always the red button. Cool air circulated the room. I was enjoying it when a knock came at the door. I opened it and Mr. Hollen walked in. He looked around like a health inspector. I was nervous just watching him.
"Have Agnes tell you what you need to do tomorrow. Have my coffee ready at 6:00 a.m, and no later than that. Also, write down your previous address." He handed me a notepad and a pen.
I wrote it down and handed it back to him.
He left.
The guest room was much better than my entire apartment and much bigger too. My own luxury bathroom and toilet were adjoined, a queen-sized bed, a dressing table, walk-in closet, chandelier and air conditioning unit. I looked around in admiration. Everything appeared to be new and clean until I looked down at myself. I was still in a rag.

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"There just has to be more to it," I heard Halley say as I entered the kitchen. She was at the sink washing dishes.
Agnes had her face turned toward the oven.
"Can I help with anything?" I asked.
"Emma, go enjoy your room," Halley teased.
"Halley!" Agnes scolded.
The red buzzer went off.
Halley dried her hands and picked up the receiver. "Yes, Mr. Hollen? Yes."
"Agnes, Mr. Hollen has a company coming over, so he wants dinner to be ready in less than an hour," she said as she put the receiver back on the hook.
Agnes seemed to have gotten busier instantly. She moved like a jet, cutting and dicing, seasoning and tasting, here and there. I wanted to help but she insisted she'd do it on her own. I just looked on, picking up on a few things she was doing.
Halley looked at her watch. "Agnes, you have less than ten minutes."
"Okay girls, help me put these on two plates."
We followed instruction.
The door burst open. Mr. Hollen walked in dressed in a fresh suit. His hair still wet from his shower, causing it to shine more. He looked so yummy.
"Agnes, where's the food?"
"Right here, sir."
"Serve it in the wing, my fiancee had already arrived."
He is engaged?! I hollered inside then sighed. Of course. Who wouldn't want to marry him?
"Yes, sir." She put the plates on a tray and disappeared through the door; he followed after her.
Halley studied my face. "Oh, you didn't know he was getting married?" she asked with a laugh.
I felt something hurting inside, but I didn't show it. I couldn't show it. I just smiled at Halley.
There was a board in the kitchen that acted like a time keeper. It told what time we could finish work. You didn't dare leave or finish until it said so. After a bit of time the board read: "Dismissed". At the signal, Halley dashed out toward the servants' quarters and I walked back to the guest room, still hurt.
Why am I feeling like this? What's going on with me? I chastised.
I gathered myself as I fell into one of the softest beds I had ever had in my life, yet the feeling was so uncomfortable.
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
Emma's POVWhen I saw him in the kitchen preparing breakfast I wanted to tell him. I had to tell him what I heard last night, but when he told me about the paycheck, my mind state changed. I was so looking forward to buying some new stuff, from underwear to clothes to getting a new hair-do; so I let it be.And Sharon was sort of scary with her judging eyes, sharp mouth and long nails. She would slap me back to Africa if I had told him about her conversation. Besides, it wasn't my business. Mr. Hollen was capable of taking care of himself and his relationship was above my pay grade.The next day I looked at my paycheck. I wanted to cash it out so badly. One thousand dollars in just one week was indeed generous. I didn't make that at Carl's Cafe in a month.I found Halley in the backyard watering the plants."Um, Halley," I began. I was still mindful of how I approached her. "I really want go to the bank and cash this so I'm taking my half day
Emma's POVShe had to be out of her mind to even think about stealing one of Mr. Hollen's watches. I didn't want either of us getting in trouble with him so I pulled her aside."Halley, are you crazy? Please tell me that wasn't Mr. Hollen's Rolex. He would skin you alive!""Emma, would you relax. How crazy do you think I am? I wouldn't steal from him.""Well, where did you get the Rolex?""It's a knock-off I purchased in Chinatown. Matt thinks it's real, but how the hell am I supposed to afford that? Now can we just enjoy the party?"I'd never danced before so I just watched at Halley and her boyfriend.A guy walked up to me and said hi. He was very handsome and looked around my age, maybe one or two years older. He had a Mohawk haircut, which complimented his handsome face. He was lighter than I was in complexion with light brown eyes and thick eyebrows."Hi," I replied, tucking my hair behind my left ear."I've neve