Chapter 5: A Second Glimpse

LILY

I entered the shiny building of Hauss Enterprise while donning my cleaner's uniform. Despite my less-than-ideal position, my heart gushed with excitement. I was ready to meet my co-workers and eager to learn the ins and outs of a mega-media industry like the Hauss. Besides, cleaning wasn't new to me since that was what I'd been doing with the Whites for eight years living with them.

As soon as I entered the HR department, the assistant accompanied me to the cleaning room and incited me with the rules and regulations of the company. She introduced me to my partner, Jack Rodriguez, an attendant who had been with the company for ten years.

Jack quickly showed me the ropes in the building and the room for our cleaning equipment. When we reached the lobby, he patted my back and asked, "Ready to start, Lily?"

"I suppose so. Let's get it done so we can go home early," I replied, smiling small but sincere.

"Alright. Let's start with the ground floor's bathroom since employees usually use the most common room."

With that, Jack led me through the maze of hallways. His energy was so infectious that our work had become a breeze. He assigned me a set of tasks, mundane and far from the world of scripts and dialogues. My cleaning job took most of my time to every corner of the company, from the shiny boardrooms to the cubicles filled with busy employees.

From time to time, I couldn't help but notice Lindsay's gloating face. She would flash me a glare as her words echoed in my ears. "Well, it looks like Mia is right. You're nothing more than a housemaid. Bet that's the highest you'll ever achieve!"

Everywhere I went, I saw the shining successes of Hauss Enterprise, a stark reminder of the life I could never have.

Lindsay's words lingered in my mind as I cleaned the plush offices and well-equipped boardrooms. "Pathetic! Always picking up after others. You're nothing but a lowly servant!"

 I couldn't help but feel resentment toward Lindsay and her condescending remarks. She was right, I thought. Here I was, a cleaner in a towering beacon of success and power, living the reality Lindsay had once joked about.

When I was on my end shift, Jack directed me to clean the private office of the company's enigmatic CEO. I hadn't met him yet, but he was stern and strict as he described him.

Surrounded by the emblems of his success, I couldn't help but feel the cavernous gap between our worlds. His chair was more expensive than anything I'd ever owned. His view of the city was breathtaking, a symbol of his elevated status.

Right then, a wave of despair washed over me, the harsh reality of my situation sinking its claws deeper. I realized that I was just a tiny cog in the grand machinery of the CEO's empire, and my lowly position seemed even more insignificant in comparison.

Realizing it, I stared at my tired and disheveled reflection. My eyes lingered on the company logo stitched on my uniform. I couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness. My existence seemed reduced to this uniform, the broom I wielded, and the trash I hauled away.

'You're nothing but a useless scum!' Lindsay's malicious words, though intended to degrade me, had become a chilling prophecy.

"Is this all that I am?" I whispered into the echoing silence of the locker room. "Is this all that I will ever be?"

"Who's there? I told you only to clean when I'm already out!" A commanding voice snapped me out of my reverie. "Get out!"

Startled, I turned around to find a man sitting in the lounge area of the office. My heart pounded as I recognized him.

It was Alexander Maverick Hauss—the man who had saved me.

I didn't have time to look at him closely in the hospital. But with his face beholding me at the moment, I couldn't deny the striking features on his face. He was tall and tan-skinned, his tousled brown hair giving him a slightly approachable touch despite his intimidating aura. He looked deep in thought, his sharp blue eyes focused on some documents in his hand.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that all I could say was a stammer, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize anyone was still here, sir."

Looking at his disarrayed documents on the sofa, I waited for him to turn to me. However, all I got from him was silence. It was disconcerting.

He sternly replied, "Finish what you're doing. Don't make any sound or noise."

'Has he forgotten me already?' His response made me ponder internally. 'Does he not recognize me?'

Well, who would, anyway? 'I'm just a nobody.'

Feeling embarrassed and sad, I returned to work, acutely aware of his presence in the room. As I cleaned, I couldn't help but steal glances at him. I didn't know why, but I couldn't help but be drawn to him to understand the man behind the commanding presence.

He seemed so mysterious, like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Every movement he made, every expression that crossed his face, only deepened my curiosity. There seemed to be more to him than met the eye, and I couldn't shake that impression.

And God, here I was, looking pathetic! I hadn't expected to meet him again and wasn't even hoping to run into him in my current state.

Mia and Lindsay would probably laugh at me, seeing me like this. They would tease and jab me about my audacity in even being attracted to Alexander Maverick Hauss. But I couldn't help it. Something about him drew me in—something mysterious and captivating.

As I finished cleaning, I mustered up the courage to speak up. "Sir Maverick, is there anything else you need?" I asked hesitantly.

Without looking at me, he said, "Nothing. Leave my office once you're done."

Just before I left, I took a quick look at Maverick. He continued to focus on his work despite my longing gaze.

This was our second encounter, but I had a feeling it wouldn't be the last.