A Reckless Dream

Everything went by in a blur. Mr. Greene rushed her like a tornado, giving her no time to go through the ten-page agreement between the Escapades and her. “It’s a standard employment contract for a year. Please sign it, Ms. Hansley. You have an hour to clean the suite before he returns from his meeting.” “Can I take it home to go through?” She looked at the manager hopefully. Why did she have to sign a contract with Escapades when the man was hiring her as his personal maid? There were so many questions erupting in her mind, but the man looked unapproachable and nervous. “No, in that case, we’ll choose another who can sign along the dotted line and start right away.” He waited patiently, handing her a pen. Iris sighed, unable to decide. She needed a job badly. Wasn’t it a standard employment contract for a year? How bad could it get? At least she would have a reliable source of income for a year. It would help her tide her over the twins’ final year at school. They wouldn’t have to

Maddox Laurier’s sleek white Rolls-Royce entered the enormous gates of a sprawling estate in Beverly Hills. It stopped in front of a mansion that looked like a French chateau. Paul Reed alighted and held the door open for her. “We’ve reached, Ms. Hansley. Please come this way.” Iris walked out of the car in a dazed state. The sprawling estate and the mansion were a sight to behold. Did her mom work here? Would they recognize her? A feeling of dread clutched at her heart. She shouldn’t have come here, to the enemy territory. A million questions erupted in her mind, but she couldn’t utter a single word. A strange fear gripped her tongue as well. Paul Reed led her up the marble steps towards an ornate teakwood door. He unlocked it and led her inside the luxurious foyer. Expansive paintings adorned the walls, but Iris’s eyes searched for the members of the Laurier family. She knew how they would react at the sight of her. After all, Iris bore a striking resemblance to her mother. Even a

The next morning, Iris’s eyes widened at the sight of the familiar Rolls-Royce parked opposite her humble home. It was actually a misfit in the dirty, dingy alley, and everyone gaped at the luxury car like it was a chariot to heaven.“Whose car is that? It’s so cool!” gasped Ivan, opening the window to gaze at it. “That’s for Iris. Can you imagine?” Isaac rolled his eyes. But Ivan gave his sister a look of concern. “I want you to leave the job, Iris. This looks suspicious.” Iris groaned, not having the time for an explanation. “I can’t. The pay is too good to resist. Relax. I’m just a housekeeper to a rich man. That’s it.” The boys frowned at their older sibling. “Are you sure? These rich brats don’t think twice before exploiting the poor. You must be careful.” Iris nodded at Ivan. “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself.” She rushed through the morning chores before heading to her ride. Robert Moore opened the door for her. “Good morning, Ms. Hansley. You’re five minutes late.

Iris stood at the back of the school auditorium with her siblings, feeling helpless and lost. “I can’t afford your college education. Please let’s go home.” The twins looked shattered, too. Even with a good GPA, they couldn’t pursue their dream of studying computer science engineering. “We can seek the scholarship programs offered by California State University, Iris. Please let’s talk to the academic counselor.” “Yes, a scholarship is all we need, but what about the preparatory courses? Without the courses, we won’t be eligible.” Ivan looked apprehensive, and so did the others. After spending all they had earned in treating their aunt, they hadn’t been able to pay the college preparatory course fees.Iris looked at her two siblings, her heart breaking for them. She felt guilty for destroying their bright future. If only she had stuck to the job instead of fleeing. Once she had reached home, she saw how devastated the twins were. There was a career counseling event at their school,

“Why is he helping us, Iris? Does he know who we are?” Ivan gave his sister a clueless look. Iris looked as clueless as he did. After Maddox’s announcement about their moving in, he had disappeared, leaving her alone to wrap up her work. In the evening, Paul appeared and escorted her to a car. Soon she found herself back in her humble home with an hour at hand to pack and return with her siblings. “I don’t know. He wants me there, but I can’t live there without you. So, he wants you to move in as well.” Isaac smirked and glanced at his twin. “Maybe he’s crushing on you. Why else will he want you to move in?” Iris looked horrified. “Not at all. He’s a billionaire. Why would he fall for a maid like me?” Ivan frowned, remembering their mother’s last words. “Why have you joined this work, Iris? Mom wanted us to clear her name, to give her justice. Will you collect evidence against his family now from his house?” Iris frowned too. She hadn’t forgotten her promise to her mom. But she