Chapter 2

SIENNA'S POV

I cursed as I saw the drainage leaking. The faucet was broken and that made it worse . “ What to do ?” I asked no one in particular. I pressed a white tape on the pipe but water burst through …great ! It didn't work .

I sighed and slumped onto the wooden chair , a slight creak erupting from the pressure .

The apartment was old with only the simple chandelier and kitchen ware serving as modern equipment. Although I had a better house, I wouldn't bring a stranger to my house ,would I ?

My eyes landed on the name written on the wall adjacent to me “ best friends forever” it read , Claire had been the one to write it . My eyes bit with betrayal as I fought back the urge to scratch the wall down !

My eyes burned, stinging hard , tears threatening to burst out..but, I had long overcome the feeling or so I thought .

The carving on the war was like a tear in my heart , the same feeling I had when I saw those pictures on the internet and the dawning realization that follows . The scent of dried cement and sand wafted through the hair , the memories so evergreen .

“ You see, best friends should always look out for each other” she had said , her smile addictive like fine wine.

With each smile, she drew me into her trap, caging me badly, ready to rip me apart.

A knock came in, hesitant but snappy . I stood up from the chair and walked towards the door , pulling it open .

My breath hitched, my eyes widening for a few seconds. There he stood with an imposing height, his eyes were black. He wore a black cotton top with long silver trousers. His dark hair was combed neatly with a few strands straying to his eyes. His jaw lines were sharp, with his shoulders broad and imposing .

A little too much for an ordinary maid, Isn't it?…

A bright smile was latched on his face like he had been practicing it the whole time before reaching here…a product of fine mastery .

“ You don't look like a maid” I said , scanning him. He looked simple but I would be a fool not to notice the strange aura emanating from him .

He brought out a flower …lavender?! It was Claire's favourite. My left eye trembled slightly, the scent stinging hard. I scrunched my nose, a slight pang biting down on me .

“ Good morning ma'am, I plucked this on my way here , I wish to thank you for accepting me as your maid” he said …flatly , a smile that didn't seem to reach his eyes pestered on his face .

Who are you ?!

I opened the door wide-open, enough for him to enter too. I merely glared at the lavender in his hands and strolled back into the house .

I picked up a piece of document which sat on the table and handed it to him , “ this is your job description” I said and slumped back into the chair,the creak louder than before, legs crossed .

He took the paper , slowly dropping the lavender on the wooden table near the door. He seemed to be suppressing something …anger or perhaps embarrassment .

That's- new for a maid ..!

I watched as his expression slowly darkened as he read the job descriptions, his eyes darting from the words on the paper the signature below . A smile crept to my face …as expected !

“ What ? Is there a problem?” I asked , my lashes fluttering with innocence .

He looked up, his eyes darting from me to the piece of paper in his hands. “ I will have to accompany you in your office too ? Isn't…that a little too much for a live-in maid ?” He asked , bluntly , his gaze tearing through me .

For a split second , I sat lost in the calmness and richness of his vocals. He was a maid ! Or so he said…. A mere maid!

“ Hmm…do you know who I am ?” I asked , taking off my hat. My hair fell like water cascading down a rock. Rich black hair , well defined cheekbone and milky coloured skin . I snapped off my artificial eyebrows myself , slowly revealing my well carved eyebrow . I dipped my wet hand into my eyes slowly and took off my contacts , revealing my hazel-coloured eyes.

His expression slowly faltered , he slid back a bit , his hands pressing hard on the light paper in his hands .

“ Now do you know me ?” I asked again , picking on my nails, gaze fixed on him .

I saw him gulp, his eyes looking everywhere else but me , “ you look like an influencer…ma'am but I'm not a fan of the internet”

I lifted one of my eyebrows , ridiculous!

“ Tell me Mr….”

“ Joe ma'am” he said , bowing a bit , his body stiff , “ Joe Hilton” he added .

“ Tell me Mr Joe Hilton, if you are not into the digital world , what have you been doing ?”

“ Learning” he casually replied .

“ What ? Be more specific” i dropped, fully attentive as I stopped picking on nails , my hands clutching the chair handle.

Tense , expectant

“ Life saving skills , how to survive, stop bleeding and …disappear” he said, so casually like he was ordering for pizza

My brows furrowed, the air ..heavy “I want a maid not a bodyguard! You are not what I ordered” I said waving my hands as I picked up my remote, turning on the television in front of me .

Which maid learns such skills ? That was …scary .

“ordered ? I'm what you need” he deadpanned .

My head snapped to his direction instantly, eyebrows raised, “ how so ?”

He adjusted a bit , trying to move his legs for more comfort . He has been standing for a long time ! His gaze lingered on me for a while…taunting .

“ Guess I have served people who only got into trouble” he said, pressing a smile..

“ I accept my job description ma'am, I would do all of this” he added

I arched my eyebrow, my eyes darting around in confusion . I merely sighed, a little too eager for a maid ! And dangerous too ….

The television flickered on, shutter sounds stormed my eardrums. Light flickering as cameras rolled . A woman wearing a satin-blue dress walked towards the paparazzi, her shoulders held high.

My eyes widened as I read the caption , “Claire Jackson , the future of entertainment”

She was being accompanied by …by my previous manager , Maxwell Brookes.

My expression faltered , my hands clutching on the chair's armrest …trembling . It was like someone punched my guts. I swallowed hard , my throat too parched and clenched to feel moisture. My eyes burned with pain , the feeling of betrayal sipping into my tongue , the taste …bitter .

Claire an actress ? Is that what she has been doing over the years ?

I pressed a bitter smile , betrayal really felt… good !

I glanced at Joe whose gaze was fixed on me, expressionless.

“Welcome to my world Joe”