Chapter Four - In The Enemy's Lair

Iris pushed the bedroom door open to peer inside. There were no signs of him in the room. She tiptoed inside to check the en-suite. No, he wasn’t there either. Then where was he? 

Whirling around, Iris found herself alone in the enemy’s lair. Her gaze fell on the king-size bed before her. It was the enemy’s bed, and it looked like he had just thrown the covers aside when he got out in the morning. Should she make the bed for him?

The moment she touched the satin bedspread, a wave of heat coursed through her body. How could the sight of his bed make her soaking wet? A strange force pulled her towards the place where he had slept. It confused her a lot. Was it even normal to feel this way about your employer? 

An ornate dresser sat by his bed, adorned with photo frames and his expensive accessories. Why couldn’t he arrange his accessories in the drawers? A platinum bracelet, diamond cuff links, and a limited-edition chunky designer smartwatch lay like trash. 

Iris felt guilty for snooping around in his absence. No, she should run from here. 

His soiled clothes lay on the couch in the corner. Her glance fell on the overflowing laundry basket, and she sighed. Maddox Laurier really needed a maid. Why didn’t he have a fleet of maids when he could afford them? 

With a sigh, she picked up the laundry basket and whirled around to leave. Her eyes widened to see the enemy leaning against the doorframe and watching her silently. When did he come in? How could someone tread so silently, like a panther on the prowl for prey? Here, she was his prey! 

“Oh, umm, I was looking for you, Mr. Laurier.” She licked her parched lips nervously. What if he jumped to the wrong conclusions and accused her of theft? That’s what his family had done to her mom. “I’m sorry if I intruded on your private space.” She hung her head in shame, but he just smirked! 

“That’s alright, Iris. You’re free to go anywhere in this house.” He eased off the door and walked towards her. 

Iris stood tongue-tied at his unexpected reaction. Why was he nice to her? How would she decline him and leave the job? “Oh, I’ll clean your room now.” 

He held out his hand to stop her. “No need. I have cleaners coming in three days a week. All you have to do is look after my needs. You can make my meals and keep the house neatly arranged.” 

She nodded, her heart skipping a beat at what he had just admitted. Would his needs stop there? What if he wanted more? “Oh, now?” It was already late, and she was desperate to go home. He had mentioned her duty hours were until 8 pm. Then why wasn’t he releasing her for the day? 

“No, tomorrow.” He stopped right in front of her, his gaze sweeping over her shabby attire. “But these clothes won’t do. Strip out of them!” 

Iris fumbled, stepping backwards with apprehension. “What? No, I won’t strip in front of you.” Despite declining him, her body was acutely aware of his nearness. His scent seeped into her system, making her throb deep down. What was happening to her? How could someone’s gaze have such an effect on her? 

“I know you want to. But we’ll get there someday. Right now, pick that box up and follow me.” He gestured towards the box lying on his desk at the far end. 

“Yes, Mr. Laurier.” She took baby steps towards the desk. What was inside the box?

She picked up the box with wide eyes and turned to face him. What did he expect her to do now? Where would she follow him? Iris was too confused to voice her disapproval and quit. Her mind prodded her to run for the hills and escape the enemy, but something in her heart held her back. “Now?” 

He rolled his eyes at her. “Open it and see.” 

She fumbled with the packaging and finally opened the box. Out spilled three French maid costumes, all identical. She gaped at the short black dresses with white lace-trimmed pleated skirts, round necklines, and cap sleeves. The dresses were more decent than she had expected. There were white matching aprons and black new pumps to go with the outfits. 

“You can change into these outfits every day once you arrive here. Come along, I’ll show you the room you can use here.” He walked away, and Iris followed in a dazed state, carrying the box of goodies with her.

Why was he being so generous to her? 

“These are so expensive, Mr. Laurier..”

He grunted impatiently. “That’s not your lookout. You will wear them every day, and that’s an order.” He led her to the far end of the corridor, on the same floor. Why was her room on the same floor as his? Shouldn’t she occupy the staff quarters outside? 

He opened a door and turned to stare at her. “This is your room. You can keep your belongings here.” 

Iris looked around the luxurious room, tastefully done up in lavender and white. Whose room was this? It didn’t look like a maid’s room at all. “My room? Are you sure, Mr. Laurier? I can stay in your staff quarters. What if I break something here?”

“You won’t. The kitchen has more expensive items than here. So have you made dinner for four?” 

Iris placed the box and turned to focus on him. “Yes, Mr. Laurier. When are your guests arriving? It’s 9 o’clock.” 

He frowned and shook his head. “I have invited no guests tonight.” 

She gaped at her weird employer. Did he intend to eat so much food all by himself? Maybe he ate like an ogre! Or maybe he was afraid she would leave the job. So he asked her to make extra food to last him a couple of days.

“Oh, is there anything else you want me to do now?” She gave him a wide-eyed look, hoping he would release her. 

He nodded. “Yes, but you aren’t ready for it. So you can just serve our dinner.”  

Iris was even more perplexed by his orders. Our dinner? “I’ll serve your dinner, Mr. Laurier.” She walked out of her room only to freeze at his next order. 

“You heard me wrong, Iris. I want you to join me for dinner.” His voice was loud and clear with no hesitation whatsoever. 

Shocked, Iris turned to gape at him. “I’m sorry, I can’t,” she mumbled awkwardly. It was impossible for her to understand the man. What ulterior motive could he have for being so nice to her? Was this all an act to charm his way into her pants? 

She doubted it. He was a notorious billionaire with no dearth of women ready to warm his bed. He didn’t need her. Then what could it be? 

He covered the distance and reached her in two strides. Iris’ breath hitched, but not a word came out of her mouth. He stopped inches away from her and glared at her. He didn’t hide his annoyance this time. “Why not? Do I look like a demon?” 

She stuttered and stepped backwards until her back hit a wall. He waited for her reply, stepping forward with her. 

“I.. the twins will wait for their dinner. I can’t eat without them.” She hung her head in shame. What would he think of her? She wasn’t disobeying him on purpose. 

The twins spend all day at school, attending classes, working at the school cafeteria, to earn some extra bucks. They helped on the school administrative team, volunteering for different jobs alongside their studies. With Isaak writing his professor’s thesis papers, he had been earning well, too. It took care of their rent and food for two months. Now with the thesis paper over, this work meant everything to Iris. 

“They’re what, seventeen or eighteen? Can’t they grab something after school?” He gave her an incredulous look. 

Iris looked agitated. “We don’t have the money to splurge, Mr. Laurier.” Unable to disclose their condition, she felt tears prick at her eyes. She couldn’t eat without them. Going to the dining room, she set the table for her employer.

“Pack enough food for the three of you before you leave. I won’t have an employee of mine starve because of overwork.” 

Iris stilled and gaped at him. “I can manage, sir. It’ll take me a few minutes to make dinner at home.” 

He raised his hand to stop her. “Save the energy, Iris. You’ll need it tomorrow. So, will you pack your food, or do you want me to do it for you?” 

Iris’ eyes widened. “No, I’ll do it. Thank you, Mr. Laurier.” 

He mumbled something under his breath. “My chauffeur, Robert Moore, will drop you home. I’ll see you tomorrow at 8 o’clock. Don’t be late.”

Iris left with the packed food in a sleek Rolls-Royce like a queen. Wasn’t she his maid? She was more confused than ever before!