I Signed for Housework, Not His Retirement

"You're not going to say no, are you? Do you really want me to spill your business to everyone?" Paul Miller, my part-time helper, asked tentatively.When I stayed silent, he went on, insisting I see things his way, "Why are you taking so long over something so trivial? Sure, I'm just a part-time housekeeper, but I've been working for you for seven years. "I may not have done anything impressive, but I've worked hard. All I'm asking for is your house. I even gave you two options. Why can't you make a decision? Is it really that hard? I've treated you like family all these years. Don't go and break my heart now."I froze, stunned by the audacity in Paul's tone. Moments later, I finally spoke. "Paul, you can't just expect both retirement funds and a house. That's too much. There's no way I'd agree to either. If you want to make a fuss, go ahead. Let everyone judge what's fair."At my words, Paul went rigid. But he quickly recovered, his expression darkening with irritation. Igno

"What about me?" Paul asked quickly. I let out a scoff. "We agreed from the start that lunch wasn't included. What you eat is none of my business. But you bought the lobsters with my money, and they cost 40 dollars each. That's a fifth of what you make in a day. If you want to eat it, I'm taking it out of your pay."At that, Paul fell silent. He turned back to the counter and began working on the lobster, slamming the knife against the cutting board. It was as if he were venting his anger. He scowled as he finished preparing the meal, then marched to the fridge and started rummaging around. "Elijah, you've still got some seafood in here," said Paul. "Since you're leaving in a couple of days, you won't finish it. Why don't you just give them to me? I'll take them home for my wife."You've got plenty of good liquor in your cabinet too. If you can't take them with you, give me a few bottles."He practically wore his greed on his face, and just looking at the food on the table mad

Perhaps I had been staring too intently. The moment the man opened his eyes and saw me, all traces of sleep vanished from his face. He scrambled off the couch, shock written all over his face. "M-Mr. Moore? What are you doing here?"I looked at him with a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "Shouldn't I be the one asking that? What are you doing in my house?"Something flickered in his eyes as he let out a startled sound. Yet, he made no attempt to answer me. Instead, he clumsily stepped into my slippers and headed straight for the door, his guilt plainly visible. "Wait. You don't get to walk out of my house without an explanation," I said in a low voice. "How did you get in here?"My front door had a keypad, and the only people who knew the code were Paul and me. My suspicion immediately fell on him.Moreover, the man before me was my assistant, Andrew Brooks. If he had shown up here, the only connection I could think of was Paul. "Do you know Paul Miller? Did he give you

As soon as I finished speaking, I shut the door. Almost immediately, someone started kicking at the door, and Lauren's furious shouting rang out from the hallway. "I was doing you a favor by letting my nephew come and help! And now you're acting like you're too good for us? You're really pushing it!"Seeing Paul standing in my apartment, I felt a familiar wave of frustration. To be fair, he was a good cook. If it hadn't been for everything that had happened recently, he might have been tolerable. After thinking it over for a while, I finally gave in. "Alright. We'll keep things the same as before."Paul broke into a smile the moment he heard that and hurried into the kitchen to start cooking. "Okay! I promise I'll do a proper job this time."…Paul behaved himself for an entire week, and I gradually let my guard down. I had installed security cameras at home, after all. There was no way he'd dare to do anything.That day, just as I picked up my cutlery, Paul approached me ca

Back then, Paul, Andrew, and the woman had seemed like complete strangers. But at that moment, they looked like a family. The image of Andrew fleeing that day resurfaced in my mind. He hadn't looked frightened so much as guilty. And since the woman was a police officer, I hadn't questioned what they told me. Now, it was clear that things weren't that simple. Moreover, Andrew and Paul had asked about my house, one after the other. How interesting. I didn't avoid them and strode over. Before I even got close, I could already hear them talking. "Andy, I already asked Elijah about the house, but he wouldn't budge," said Paul. "There's nothing more I can do. I still hope you'll marry Felicia. As for the house, do you think your family could reconsider that?"The moment Andrew heard that, he let go of the woman's hand, his face hardening with displeasure. "Mr. Miller, my family made it clear that we have to have a house. Besides, I've stayed there for a few days, and I really li