Chapter 5

“Ma’am, we’ve arrived.”

The voice of the taxi driver snapped me back to my senses. I blinked in surprise when I realized that I had been staring at the scenery outside the car without even looking properly at it for the last several minutes.

I turned my head to look out the window.

For just a second, I stood there.

Reaching into my purse, I took my phone from it to verify the address again. I went from the screen of the device to the building ahead.

It was the correct place. 

But something didn’t seem quite right about it.

Swallowing thickly, I opened my wallet, taking some money from it to give the driver. “Thank you,” I murmured softly.

He gave a nod and accepted the payment. In mere seconds, the taxi was gone, dropping me off on the pavement.

Completely on my own now, I turned to look at the entrance.

This is how it should be called, an entrance.

And elegant in the most deliberate of ways. Behind that entrance… was a palace.

Not even a house.

As I grabbed the handle of my suitcase, walking a bit further, examining everything in front of me.

Here’s where I will be working? I said aloud.

Slowly advancing, reaching the gate, I stopped right there, just looking.

And then I lifted my hand, knocking at the gate softly.

“Hello?”

“Must be you, Aubrey?”

Looking up to find a gate keeper emerging from behind the gate.

“Yes.” 

He glanced at me for some time and then opened the gate. Please, come in.

The gate swung smoothly, and I found myself stepping into it, pulling my luggage behind me.

Not even a few steps later, I met her.

A dignified looking old lady with measured strides.

There was something powerful about her posture, an aura that spoke volumes without a single word.

“Miss Aubrey,” she greeted me gracefully, offering me a friendly smile. “Welcome to the Valois residence. We have been waiting for your arrival.”

“Thank you,” I answered automatically.

“I am Evelyn.”

With that, she turned and beckoned me to follow her. “Follow me.”

The first step I took inside, and I couldn’t breathe.

Everything about the place… was too much.

It looked beautiful, elegant, everything planned to perfection. From the sofas arranged perfectly in one line, to the dim lights creating shadows on the surfaces around.

It wasn’t a home anymore.

It was something magical.

Or a different world altogether.

Only now did I realize I’d stopped walking.

Evelyn looked at me, seeing my reaction.

“You will get used to it, she told me calmly.

I giggled softly. No way am I getting used to it.

And I wasn’t.

How can anyone get used to something like this?

“This mansion is… stunning.” I said, gazing all around me.

It belongs to Mr. Valois, Evelyn said, with a small smile on her face.

So, that was his name, Mr. Valois.

Mr. Valois is not here at the moment, she explained. He left for his work. Later tonight, you’ll meet him.”

And then we started the tour.

It lasted a long time.

I have never seen anything like this before.

Well, not at all. And when it was over, I could say I was both astonished… and tired.

“Let me show you your room,” Evelyn said.

As we headed towards the stairs, I kept following her, dragging my bags behind me. They were squeaking softly from the wheels.

That sounded way too noisy in such a silent environment.

This is Mr. Valois’s room, she told me as we walked past an enormous door.

I stole a glance at it, wondering for a second.

You will be cleaning it when I leave.

I'm sorry? I asked, stopping in the middle of my walk.

Yes, she said, nodding. “In two weeks, I’ll be going. I want to make sure you learn everything during those two weeks.”

Two weeks. It really wasn’t much time.

She turned and headed towards another door, opening it.

“Here’s your room.”

I entered the room. It wasn’t as fancy as the other rooms but it suited me well.

What about you? I asked, turning around and looking at her.

I stay downstairs, I’m old and tired to go up and down stairs every day.

I smiled at that. That makes sense.

Once she was out of the room, I began unpacking my stuff and tried to organize the place.

Before long, I ended up back in the kitchen with Evelyn.

The act of cooking seemed to relieve some of the pressure inside of me.

Do you cook this much every day? I asked, taking notice of the number of dishes that we were preparing.

Yes, she answered. Sometimes even more, when Mr. Valois is hosting guests.

What about his kids? I continued, speaking nonchalantly. Don’t they get here from school yet

There was a brief silence.

Mr. Valois isn’t married.

“He isn’t married?”

For a wealthy man like him, to live such a luxurious life and yet, unmarried?

It sounded illogical. But I didn’t say anything more.

I’ll go take a shower now. She then said after a while, putting a lid on one of the pans. Arrange the dining room just as I showed you before. I will serve the food once he comes back.

I understand.

Evelyn then left a moment later, and I began concentrating on what I needed to do. Plates, Silverware, Arrangement,

All of it had to be done right. Just as I finished. Doorbell rang.

Mr. Valois was at the door. I wiped my hands briskly, feeling my heart race from the weird combination of apprehension and excitement.

I breathed deeply.

And made my way to the door.