Prologue – His Personal Maid

“Iris, what will we do now? I’ll leave school and join a café or something,” said seventeen-year-old Isaac Hansley.

“Yes, all of us will earn. We won’t be a burden to you,” said Isaac’s twin, Ivan.

Iris, their older sibling, sighed heavily. “Please don’t drop out of school. This is your final year. Don’t worry, I’ll manage.” She forced a smile to comfort them, although she had no idea how to tide them over the situation. Their aunt, Claudia Bennett, had died a week ago, leaving them devastated. Yet Iris was ready to fight it out. At twenty, she knew what it meant to drop out of school in the final year. She had been forced to quit her school four years ago when her mom, Lydia Hansley, died.

Iris blinked those upsetting thoughts away. She had a mission at hand - to look for a reliable job and ensure her brothers fulfilled her mom's dream.

The door opened, and Roselyn Ford walked into their humble one-bedroom apartment in Pico Union, Los Angeles - their home for the last four years. “Hey, guess what? I’ve got some good news!”

Isaac and Ivan groaned and walked out of the apartment, leaving the two friends alone.

Iris glanced at her best friend, not sharing her enthusiasm. “What good news, Rose? I currently need a well-paying job to support the twins’ education. I can’t have them drop out of school as well. Mom would have been so disappointed in me if she were alive.” Tears stung in her eyes, but she refused to break down.

Roselyn sat down on the shabby sofa with her. “It might not be the type of work you’re looking for, but it’s a well-paying job, Iris. Have you heard of the elite club, Escapades, in downtown LA?”

Iris’ eyes widened with apprehension. She could never have imagined herself in such a luxurious place. With her tainted reputation, why would such an upscale place hire her? “Please, Rose, I don’t have the qualifications. My stint at the Federal Café doesn’t count at such high-end places.”

“Relax, Iris. They’re expanding. Right now, they’re in dire need of workers. I know it’s not your dream chef job, but the pay’s decent.”

Iris stared at her friend. “What’s the job profile? What do I need to do?” She knew what Escapades stood for – an elite membership club for notorious billionaires frequenting the place for a good time. She would never stoop so low for money.

“It’s not what you’re thinking. You’ll be part of the housekeeping team, keeping the place clean. No one knows you and Aunt Lydia there. So relax!”

Iris considered her suggestion. She was right. Her mom had worked as a housekeeper at a private mansion, amongst rich, snobbish people who had wronged her, leading to her death. If only she had the money to sue the family her mom worked for.

What was the name?

Laurier.

Yes, Eric and Evangeline Laurier. How could she forget them?

“Fine. I’ll go there tomorrow morning.”

The next morning, Iris reached Flower Street and gazed at the club complex on the other side of the street. Even at this hour, the place bustled with luxury cars and their patrons coming and going. It's no wonder they were short-staffed. She had no idea how to get a job there. Her resume wasn’t impressive at all, nor did she have proper work experience in this field.

It was a distant dream. But she had no other option than to take the challenge.

Mustering all her courage, she fixed her worn-out black pencil skirt and full-sleeve pale blue blouse and walked into the lobby. It was huge, much bigger than she had expected, with a dramatic arrangement of exotic purple flowers filling a circular mahogany table. Three receptionists in black suits stood behind the dark, built-in desks to the left.

Iris walked up to one of them. “Excuse me, I’m Iris Hansley. Are you accepting job applications for a housekeeper here?”

The woman smiled and pointed to her right. “Yes. Go straight down the corridor to the housekeeping office. The interview is on.”

Iris thanked her and rushed ahead. She couldn’t believe her luck. It might not be her dream job, but something was better than nothing. Maybe this was what she would have to do all her life. Without completing her schooling, she could never train to be a chef.

At the housekeeping office, the queue was never-ending, and she waited patiently for her turn. With so many applications, it would take all day. She glanced at the other candidates and then at herself. It seemed she was the most ordinary one – an ugly duckling amidst them. With the others almost dressed ‌to kill, she hardly stood a chance.

Strangely, most of the women snickered as they emerged from the manager’s office. Iris chewed her lip nervously. If they didn’t get through, how would she?

The woman beside her rolled her eyes. “That’s the twentieth rejection of the day! I thought they needed staff urgently.”

The woman sitting on the other side of Iris agreed. “Are they interviewing for the manager’s position or what? What’s taking them so long?”

“They’re choosing an exclusive team to clean and cater to the VIP section upstairs. It includes the owner’s suite as well.”

“I wish they’d choose me. I already have a crush on ML.” The woman winked and rose to go inside. “Wish me luck!” No one did.

Iris chewed her lip nervously. Who was ML? Now she was certain they wouldn’t choose her. Surely the VIP section needed experienced staff, not a novice like her.

The manager’s door opened, and the woman emerged, looking pale and shattered. She couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes and left in haste.

“They haven’t selected her, I guess. Are you next?” said the one next to her.

The manager’s PA ushered her into the posh office with an enormous mahogany desk at the far end. A man clad in a navy suit sat with his back towards the door. “Sir, Iris Hansley.”

No answer. Was the manager deaf? The PA left, closing the door after her. Iris stood awkwardly waiting for the man to interview her.

“Why are you here, Ms. Hansley?” His deep baritone voice sent a shiver down her spine. And then he turned to face her, and the wind got knocked out of her system. She stared at the sculpted man before her, mesmerized by his olive eyes that held her captive. With his unruly and slightly long brownish-black hair, he looked dangerously gorgeous.

“I’m here for the housekeeping job, sir.” Her voice trembled, knowing what was coming her way.

“We’ve already appointed almost thirty staff today. So, what else can you do?” His gaze burned into hers, and she stammered nervously.

“Umm..here’s my resume, sir. I don’t possess enough work experience, but I’m a fast learner.” She looked up to meet his heated gaze. How could someone be so insanely gorgeous?

He was clearly older and ten times hotter than all men on earth. His jawline was so sharp, Iris swore she could shave zucchini on it. Then there was his designer stubble that looked more photoshopped than real.

“Fast learner, eh?” He smirked, but Iris was too naïve to get his implication. “I want you then, Iris Hansley.”

Her eyes widened with confusion. “You w-want me, sir? But you said there’s no vacancy on the housekeeping team.” She gave him a flustered look. Did he want her for the job or for something else?

“When can you start?” His eyes sparkled while hers widened more with apprehension.

“Start what, sir?” she whispered, ready to run for the hills. She was now sure the manager at Escapades was a creep. Didn’t the owner know?

“Start working for me. What else? I’ve decided to hire you. Can you make meals, do laundry, and clean?” He rose, and Iris gulped at the immense power he exuded. He had a physique that belonged on a magazine cover.

“Yes, I can. Will you induct me into the kitchen here? It’s been my dream to be a chef someday.” She couldn’t believe her luck.

He stopped right in front of her, his eyes still holding her confused gaze. “No, not here. I want you to work as my personal maid, Iris.”

Iris stood dumbfounded before him, her body responding to the warmth emanating from every cell in his body. Did he offer this position to all the others? Was that why they had left? “Excuse me? Why would I want to be your personal maid?”

He regarded her intently. “Because I’ll pay you four times your salary here.”

Her jaw dropped at his offer. “I don’t want you to waste all your salary on me, Mr. Manager.” She hadn’t expected him to offer her so much. Everything was so damn confusing. What was wrong with the manager? Why was he interviewing a personal maid for himself in his workplace?

The owner should surely know. But where was the owner?

Just then, the door opened, and a flustered young man entered. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, sir. I’ve shortlisted the candidates you wanted.”

Mr. Gorgeous smiled, and her heart skipped a beat. “No need, Terence. I’ve hired her. Meet Iris Hansley, my new housekeeper.”

The man looked relieved. “At last! I was about to give up hope, sir.” He turned towards a wide-eyed Iris. “Hello, Ms. Hansley! I’m Terence Greene, the manager of the housekeeping team here.”

Iris was too shocked to reply. If he were the manager, then who was her interviewer? Who would she work for? 

“That’s enough, Terence. Get Ms. Hansley to sign the agreement and send her upstairs to my suite.” The man walked out of the office as if he owned the place!