Chapter 2

Ava walked alone to the bus station, looking around as she took a seat. The surroundings were still and dark, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy about staying so late in that mansion. Boredom got the best of her, and she decided to take a peek at the rule book she had been given. Pulling it out, she stared at it intently.

"He sure does value accuracy, doesn't he? It's almost like going to school, but instead, it's a cleaning school. Quite the interesting job," Ava mused to herself.

Opening the book, she began to read the first rule. "Always arrive at six, or else two hundred thousand dollars will be deducted from your seven hundred dollar salary." Ava's eyes widened, shock evident on her face.

"I'll be getting paid seven hundred dollars just to clean his house? This is incredible! In three months, I'll have a total of two point one million dollars, more than enough for my schooling and my brother's as well."

Ava smiled at the thought. "Who knows? Maybe I'll work here for a whole year!" She put the rule book back in her bag and stood up, ready to go home and share the good news with her mother. However, just as she was about to complete her sentence, the man she had seen earlier suddenly appeared right in front of her.

Out of fear, Ava remained still, her body frozen in place. It was a problem she had - whenever she felt scared, she found it difficult to move, even if she wanted to. The man in front of her mumbled the name, Lara, as his red eyes studied her carefully, as if he couldn't believe his own eyes. Swallowing hard, Ava watched as he reached out and touched her face.

"It's you…" he whispered, leaning closer and even licking her cheek. Ava's eyes widened in shock, and that was all it took for her to finally find the strength to react. She lifted her knee and swiftly hit him where it hurt before taking off in a run.

What was he planning to do? Was he trying to harm her in some way?

He had mentioned a different name, but Ava knew her name wasn't Lara, and she certainly didn't know him. As she stopped to catch her breath, she glanced back and breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the train approaching, knowing she could make her escape once it arrived.

She was about to enter when she saw him standing right in front of her.

"What do you want from me, and how did you get here so fast?" Ava yelled at him, her voice filled with a mix of fear and frustration.

"I just want to talk," the man replied, his voice calm and collected.

"I don't know you, so please leave me alone," Ava mumbled, her voice filled with a mix of hesitation and frustration. However, the man before her only smiled, and Ava couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. She couldn't deny that his red eyes seemed to suit him.

"Sometimes it only takes a day to get to know someone, right?" he calmly replied, attempting to strike up a conversation.

Ava sighed, realizing she didn't have much time to waste on a stranger. "I suppose," she answered, warily eyeing him. "But what do you want to talk about? I'm afraid I don't have time to spare for strangers."

As he took a step closer, urging her not to move, Ava furrowed her brows and instinctively moved backward. Her mind raced with thoughts of this man potentially being a serial killer or someone dangerous. In that moment of hesitation, he seized the opportunity to hold her hand, causing fear to widen her eyes. "I wouldn't harm the woman I love," he said, tilting his head to the left. "You have nothing to fear."

"I am not Lara, and I have no idea who she is. You've got the wrong person," Ava tried to explain, her voice trembling slightly.

"You are here, you just don't remember," he said with a smile. "So, what's your name now?"

Though unsure why she was even responding to him, Ava found herself compelled to answer. "My name is Ava."

As the bus engine started, Ava suddenly realized that if she didn't board now, she would have to make the long trek home. "I have to—" she began saying when he abruptly cut her off.

"I'll take you home," he said reassuringly, trying to offer a solution.

"I'm not interested in walking alongside you," Ava quickly replied, attempting to distance herself further.

"I have a car," he suggested, hoping to change her mind.

Ava hesitated, considering her options. Finally, she stated, "I still don't feel like…" Her thoughts trailed off as she pulled her hand out of his grasp, clearly indicating her reluctance.

"I have to go, Alex," Ava declared, turning around and beginning to run towards the approaching bus.

"You know my name?" he called out, sounding excited at the discovery. Ava scoffed at his reaction. To her, knowing his name seemed trivial, not something to get worked up about.

"Of course, yes! I overheard someone calling you that earlier," Ava yelled back, her voice muffled by the distance between them. She swiftly stepped onto the bus, making her way to the very end and choosing a seat near the window. From there, she could observe this Alex person who claimed to love her and behaved strangely ancient.

How absurd, Ava thought to herself. Maybe he lost the woman he claims to love and is now mistaking me for her. Poor guy... she couldn't help but feel a tinge of sympathy for him.

Today had been a hectic and exhausting day, and all Ava wanted was to embrace her bed and unwind. Meeting two handsome men in one day, one with red eyes professing his love, and the other with dark eyes, her boss who would be paying her a handsome sum of seven hundred dollars, it had been quite eventful.

While the encounter with Alex was embarrassing, she scolded herself for even sneaking glances at his lips. It had truly startled her, and the aura he emitted was undeniably unsettling. Ava had conflicting feelings of wanting to stay far away from him, yet also feeling compelled to get to know him better.

Yes, he was undeniably handsome. But there was a part of him that scared Ava, making her hesitant to dwell on such thoughts. "Oh gosh," she whispered to herself, determined to stop thinking about him for now.

Arriving home, Ava pushed the door open, and her little brother, Luke, ran into her arms. "Big sis, you're home!" He yelled, and she lifted him while he giggled.

"Did you miss me?" Ava asked, planting a kiss on his forehead.

"Of course, I missed you so much!" Luke kissed her cheek, making her chuckle.

"Good evening, Mother," Ava greeted, closing the door. She watched as her mother set the table for them. Putting Luke down, she threw her bag onto the couch before rushing to the dining area and taking a seat. Her hunger was undeniable.

"How did everything go over there?" Her mother asked, hope visible in her eyes.

"I got the job!" Ava exclaimed, and everyone cheered while she giggled.

"And guess what, guys? I'll be getting paid seven hundred dollars a month. Isn't that amazing, Mother?"

"Oh my God!" Her mother covered her mouth, while Luke went around closing the windows and locking the door, giving Ava a puzzled look. She shrugged, not fully understanding his actions.

"Robbers could hear," Luke said in his adorable voice.

"Aw, my baby brother is so smart," Ava said, smiling and shaking her head. Sometimes she found it hard to believe he was just six years old, as he acted much more mature for his age.

"Mother, say something," Ava requested, noticing her silence.

"It's a significant amount of money. I don't know what to say..." Tears rolled down her mother's cheeks, and Ava quickly moved to her side, hugging her tightly.

"I haven't even gotten paid yet, and you're already crying? Imagine when you see the money," Ava said, trying to lighten the mood, and her mother chuckled.

"I can't screw this up. I will do anything not to get fired if it will make Mother this happy. I just have to make this work for all of us," Ava thought determinedly.

The next morning, Ava woke up late, realizing she should have been there at six exactly. She rushed out of her small room, not even having time to eat breakfast. She kissed her brother on the cheek, waved goodbye to her mom, and bolted out the door. Right now, she felt like the Flash.

Arriving successfully at the Andersons' residence, Ava moved to the changing room and quickly grabbed my uniform from the changing room, I took off my clothes. Putting on the black short-sleeved blouse, I buttoned it up, but when I put on the skirt, I realized it was too short. My behind wasn't as small as the other girls, and it was causing a problem. "Really? Just great, my skirt."

Sometimes I curse the heavens for giving me such proportions. I mean, I'm not fat, so why does my rear have to be on the larger side?

Looking at myself in the mirror, I tied my hair up in a high ponytail. Then, I adjusted my skirt, and thankfully, it stopped at my thigh. In a hurry to get to the meeting, I let out a sigh of relief.

Lady Martha did mention that the master liked holding these meetings at the meeting hall to see who was late or early. To think that two hundred thousand dollars could be deducted from my salary...

Arriving in the hall, I watched as the other maids stood in line, and the master glanced over them. The room was quiet, except for the sound of my shoes. Oh God, I am so done for.

"Stop," he mumbled calmly, and I closed my eyes, preparing for what was to come.

"Move forward," he ordered. Turning around, I walked in his direction.

He was frowning, which wasn't a good sign. Oh God, he rarely smiled anyway, but today his expression looked dreadful.

Stopping three inches away from him, I swallowed nervously and looked down.

"You're late," he stated, and when I lifted my head to speak, he furrowed his brows, causing me to go silent. "You're wearing heels instead of sneakers. Wasn't the uniform provided for you?" I nodded. "Your skirt is extremely short."

"I'm sorry…" I started, but he cut me off.

"Didn't you read the rules, Lara?"

"When did my name become Lara? I thought—"

"Don't talk when I didn't ask you to and do not cut me off. This isn't a club where you can dress as you wish," he reprimanded, his gaze lowering to my thigh and then back up to my face.

"This is your first time here, so I will pardon this mistake. But if this happens again, you will be punished," he growled. "Do you understand?" I nodded, still looking down. "The meeting is dismissed." After he said that, the other maids quickly left the hall to begin their work.

His gaze remained on me, making me feel incredibly uncomfortable. "Go to Lady Martha and have her find a skirt that fits you perfectly."

"Yes... Y-yes, Master," I stuttered, feeling extremely embarrassed. I had never been so ashamed in my life. I was sure the other girls would now view me as some sort of slut trying to seduce their boss.

"Don't cry, Ava. You're strong," I assured myself, and with that, I walked towards Lady Martha's room, one word ringing in my mind.

This man is indeed scary.