Chapter 2; My tiny string of hope

MAYA’s POV

“I still can’t believe you’re doing this,” Sophia said, amusement dancing in her tiny voice.

As she sat on my bed, bouncing her legs on the floor, like she’s the one nervous for an interview, watching me dig through my closet for something presentable.

“Believe me, neither can I,” I muttered, holding up a plain blouse and frowning at the wrinkles. “A housekeeping job, Soph. Me. Housekeeping. I spent four years in college just to—”

“You spent four years in college so you can survive moments like this,” she cut me off gently, then smiled. “And so you can pay rent.”

I groaned but couldn’t help laughing a little. “You’re right. The pay is really good. Like… suspiciously good. Who pays this much for a housekeeper?”

Sophia giggled, tucking a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. “Maybe it’s a celebrity’s house. Or a rich CEO. Or someone who’s secretly building an evil lair.”

I shot her a look and shook my head. “You’re not helping.”

“You should at least tell Camila to come with you,” she said.

“The almighty busy Cam? Moreover, she doesn’t even know where the place is,” I replied, pulling the blouse over my head. “She just sent me the job listing. I had to call them myself and get the address.”

Sophia tilted her head, like she was thinking. “Just keep your location on, you know…Just in case. This sounds like the beginning of one of those documentaries where the girl never comes back.”

I laughed despite myself. “Girlll You’re so dramatic.”

She grinned. “I’m serious! Who does interviews for housekeepers? They should just give you a mop and see how you do.”

That earned a full laugh from me, my stomach was hurting already. “Stop! You’re going to make me back out.”

“Don’t back out,” she laughed quietly. “It might actually be good for you, May. A fresh start. Even if it’s just temporary.”

Her words landed in my chest and stayed there. I nodded, even though the nervous flutter in my stomach didn’t go away.

                        *              *              *               *

By the time I reached the mansion, my palms were sweating.

I had taken the bus most of the way and then walked up the long, winding street lined with houses so big they looked like I was in a  movie sets. When I finally found the right gate, my heart was beating so loud against my chest.

The house was huge. Not just big—huge. The kind of place you saw in magazines, with perfectly trimmed hedges and walls so tall you couldn’t see the backyard.

“Okay,” I whispered to myself as I stood there, taking a long deep breath. “You’re just here for an interview, and it’s not the first you’ve been in. You need the money. You can do this.”

I looked into the camera by the gate and pressed the bell.

A woman’s voice came through the speaker, warm but professional. “Come in, please.”

The gates automatically opened slowly, without making a sound. I slowly peeped in before I stepped in.

My heels crunched against the smooth driveway as I walked up to the entrance. The closer I got, the more I noticed little details—the flowers lining the pathway, the way the front door gleamed like it had just been polished.

I adjusted my blouse and tried not to wipe my sweaty palms on my pants.

Inside, the house smelled faintly of expensive candles. I almost forgot to breathe as I took it all in—the high ceiling, the grand staircase, the soft light streaming through tall windows. I saw a picture frame, curiosity made me take a step closer to it, I figured it was a picture of a boy and an older woman as I was about to take a better look at their faces…

“Ms. Torres?”

I turned quickly and found a woman standing by the doorway, smiling politely. She was dressed in a neat skirt suit, her brown hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail.

“Yes,” I said, my voice softer than I meant it to be.

“I’m Nora,” she said, extending her hand. “One of Ms. Harrington’s employee. Please follow me.”

I shook her hand, trying to steady my nerves, and followed her.

Ms Harrington? Is her family away? or what’s with the quiet house.

Nora led me through a hallway and into a small sitting room. It was cozy but still elegant, with cream and brown chairs and a low glass table.

“Please, sit,” she said, motioning to one of the chairs.

I sat carefully, as if I might break something by accident, and placed my bag on my lap. My palms were sweating again.

Nora took a seat across from me, crossed one leg over the other, and opened a small sized notebook.

Hmm this is serious. I took another quick glance around.

“This is a private position,” she began. “So before we discuss anything else, I’ll need to ask you a few questions.”

My stomach tightened. An interview for a housekeeping job. Sophia was right, this is so weird.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said quietly.

“Please call me Nora. Firstly,” she said, glancing at her notes. “Do you have any formal education?”

“Yes. I’m a graduate.” My voice was steadier than I felt.

Her brows lifted slightly, but she just nodded and wrote something down.

“Good. Are you comfortable working around elderly people?”

Shit. I don’t even know what my grandparents look like. But as far as I remember, Sophia’s grandfather is the sweetest soul I’ve known.

“Yes,” I said again, with more confidence this time.

“Any experience with household management or cleaning?”

I hesitated. “Not professionally. But I can clean. I’m very organized.”

She gave a small smile and made another note.

“Are you married? Any children?”

That question unexpectedly gave me a weird feeling in my chest. “No,” I said, forcing a little smile. “Just me.”

“Understood,” Nora replied, professional and calm. “Will you live-in? You’ll have a room in the staff wing. Or come from home.” 

My mind is racing. Live-in? Camila didn’t say anything about that. Can I even do this?

“I will come from home.” 

“Alright then, there will be rules—privacy, respect for the family, and no outside guests allowed without permission.”

“Okay, Nora. Understood.”

“Finally,” Nora said, closing the notebook. “If you are chosen, you’ll have to sign a confidentiality agreement. Nothing about this house, the family, or their personal matters leaves these walls. Is that something you can agree to?”

My throat felt dry. I swallowed and nodded. “Yes.”

Nora gave me a faint smile. “Good.” Now, I was finally getting relaxed.

“You’ll be responsible for light housekeeping,” Nora continued, her tone was calming. “Mostly personal areas. We have a full staff for the rest of the house, but—”

I heard footsteps behind me.

Nora glanced past my shoulder, then stood up immediately.

I turned my head and met a familiar face, I furrowed my eyebrows trying to place the face and just then my eyebrows shut up in recognition…heart nearly stopped.

I froze where I sat, staring at him, my mouth going dry.

What the actual f…