Chapter 3

Annabel was a bit nervous to go see the madam, she really hopes the madam doesn’t get suspicious with them and find out that she isn’t married.

“I am a bit nervous,” Annabel whispers to Juliet.

“You don’t have to be nervous, she will ask you a few questions and you have to answer the questions without showing that you are nervous”Juliet whispers back to Annabel “and no matter what happens, she mustn’t find out that you are single” she added.

“I will try my best not to be nervous,”Annabel mutters with a low tone.

“No more talking, we are almost close to the living room, we don’t want her to get to know about our lies”Juliet ushers for her to be quiet, Annabel nods lightly.

They both finally reached their destination but they were both confused because they couldn’t see any trace of the madam.

“I think she has finally caught up to our lies” Annabel bickers pacing around.

“I think she stepped out for a moment,” Juliet declares, trying to convince herself that the madam was going to come back.

Juliet and Annabel were worried especially Annabel.She was scared as questions flooded her mind.

Where is the madam?

Did she find out I’m not married?

What if she doesn’t give me the job?

These were the questions in Annabel's head which she got no response too.She was about to complain to Juliet when a tall slender woman who was clearing looks in her fifties approaching their direction.

The relief on Juliet's face was evident, she couldn’t hide her happiness as soon as she saw the madam.

“You must be..”The woman started but was cut off.

“Anna.. Annabel”Annabel eagerly answers, trying her best not to stammer.

“Oh! Annabel, that’s a lovely name”The woman compliments before sitting on the couch.

“You both can have your seat”She tells them pointing at the couch opposite hers.

“Thank you!” They replied simultaneously.

“ I am guessing Juliet has told you a little bit of what the job is about,”The woman firmly stated with a gentle smile on her face.

“Y..yes.. she did”She stutters. 

Juliet held her hands signaling her that everything will be okay.The madam saw Juliet’s gesture and a gentle smile embraced her lips.

“You don’t have to be scared of anything, you just need to calm down a little bit”The woman assures her with a smile on her face.

“She gets shy,” Juliet giggles a bit as she takes a quick glimpse at Annabel.

“I just want to be sure of one thing, are you indeed married?” She suddenly asks, making Annabel jaw drop a bit.

There was a bit of silence for a few minutes, Annabel’s heart was about to numb out of her chest, she didn't know if she wanted to lie or just tell the truth about her current status.

“She is asking you a question, you need to answer” Juliet tells Annabel with a nervous smile.

Annabel took a deep breath and finally said “I am married”Annabel managed to force out.

“Is your husband keen on the idea of you working here as a housekeeper?” She suspiciously asked.

“yes!” Annabel answered without hesitation.

“Juliet did mention to me how much you needed this job. The job is yours and you can start tomorrow”The woman declares feeling pity for Annabel.

“Thank you so much ma’am”They both thanked her simultaneously with excitement in your tone.

“Please call me Mrs Torres”The woman stated.“There are rules you have to abide by in this house”The woman coldly stated“Seeing as you are married, you won’t have any problems with my sons”The woman sighs with disappointment in her eyes on mentioning her sons.

“You don’t have to worry about that, Annabel will never pass her boundaries” Juliet assures her as she stares at Annabel.

“The head housekeeper will tell you all you need to get started here, you will have your own room. You will be given a uniform to get started.”Mrs Torres explains to her.“And one more thing, don’t ever go to my son's room when they are around, you will only go clean when they are both at their workplace,”Mrs Torres added.

“You have nothing to worry about Mrs Torres' ' Annabel assures her with a smile.

“Then we are done here”Mrs Torres announced before taking her leave.

“I don’t think I want to take this job” Annabel tells Juliet as soon as the madam leaves.

The smile on Juliet's face immediately dropped as soon as Annabel uttered those words.

“What did you just say? You must be joking”Juliet frowned at her choice of words.

“I don’t know Juliet, I am just a little bit scared”Annabel mutters.

“What are you scared about?”Juliet impatiently asked.

“I am scared of everything, what happens when she finds out about my lie,She looks scary”Annabel looks frightened by Mrs Torres.

“Are you kidding me, she is one of the nicest women I know. I think you are just paranoid because we started all this with a lie, but you don’t have to worry about anything. Just do as you are told and you will be fine”Juliet assures her trying to convince her.

“ I mean I do need the job and this is the only way I can start a new life. I wasn’t thinking straight, I definitely need this job”Annabel finally came back to reality.

“Now you are talking, let’s go home now and plan on how your stay here will be”Juliet tells her. They both stood up to leave the house and went back to Juliet’s apartment.

***

Back at Juliet’s house, Annabel was packing her belongings to get ready for her new job tomorrow. Juliet’s house isn’t your average person’s home, it could barely contain one person not to talk of two people living in the small congested house.

“I am also happy you got the job”Juliet tells her with a smile “I hope you remembered the plan. You do your job and mind your business at all cost”She reminded her.

“I got it, I will mind my business”Annabel surrendered with her hands in the air.

“You remember what she said about her sons right!”Juliet warns.

“Hmm”Annabel hummed.

“What do you mean by hmm ,you mustn’t have anything to do with them, they are bad news”Juliet sternly warns her.

“How do you know so much about them?”Annabel's curiosity kicks in.

“Who doesn’t know about the Torres brothers, they are the two most eligible bachelors. They are womanisers and they definitely have no respect for women”Juliet tells her with a disgusted look.

“Are you sure about what you are saying?”Annabel doubtfully asked.

“I am so sure about what I am saying.They are the reason a lot of young ladies lost their jobs”Juliet frowns.“I also heard some girls had to abort the child they had for them because they weren’t fit to give them a heir”She added.

“That’s so messed up” Annabel says with a shocking tone.

“That’s why you need to stay away from them, Mrs Torres is a very nice woman but she can be a beast when it comes to her sons”Juliet sighs.