WHO ARE YOU?

I barely slept that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I found myself thinking about the phone call with Mr. Wilberg, the job, the mansion, the money, and the possibility of finally helping my mother.

By the time sunlight filtered through my curtains the next morning, I was already awake.

I sprang out of bed before my alarm could even ring. A grin stretched across my face as I pulled open my closet.

Today was the day. For the first time in a very long time, I felt hopeful.

I carefully packed a small suitcase with enough clothes to last two weeks.

It was nothing fancy, just the few decent outfits I owned.

The sound of footsteps in the hallway made me quickly zip the suitcase shut. A moment later, my mother appeared at my bedroom door.

She looked just as exhausted as she had the previous night. The sight made my heart ache.

“Why are you smiling like that?” she asked suspiciously.

I immediately wiped the grin off my face.

“What smile?”

“The one currently on your face.”

I laughed nervously. “Maybe I’m just having a good day.”

She raised an eyebrow. “At seven in the morning?”

“Miracles happen.”

Mom narrowed her eyes. I could tell she wasn’t buying it, not even a little.

She stepped into the room and folded her arms. “Clare.”

“Yes?” I answered nervously.

“Don’t do anything stupid today.”

I froze. For a second, I thought she somehow knew about the job.

Then she sighed. “I’m serious.”

“I know.”

“Promise me.”

I forced a smile. “I promise.”

Technically, I wasn’t lying. Getting a job wasn’t stupid, at least not in my opinion.

Mom studied me for another moment before finally shaking her head.

“I have to go.”

“Already?” I asked.

“Overtime. I’m working overtime .”

The word hit me like a punch. She was working overtime again. I hated that word.

She smiled and kissed my forehead.

“Behave yourself.”

“You too.” I smiled.

A laugh escaped her, then she left.

The second the front door closed behind her, I rushed to the window and watched until she disappeared down the street. Only then did I grab my suitcase.

My adventure was about to begin.

***********

Forty minutes later, I stood outside the Wilberg Estate. My mouth literally fell open.

The place was unbelievable.

The massive iron gates alone probably cost more than our apartment building. Beyond them stood a mansion so beautiful that it barely looked real.

Perfect gardens stretched across the property. Tall fountains sparkled beneath the morning sun.

Luxury cars sat parked neatly in a driveway large enough to fit ten more.

I suddenly felt very underdressed, poor, and very ordinary.

“Wow,” I whispered.

The gates slowly opened, and I swallowed hard. There was no turning back now.

Dragging my suitcase behind me, I stepped onto the property.

Every few seconds, my eyes landed on something even more expensive than the last thing I’d seen.

I was so distracted that I almost walked into a man approaching me.

“Miss Dawson?”

I jumped. The man smiled politely. He looked to be in his late forties, neatly dressed, professional and friendly.

“Yes?”

“My name is Jeffery.” He extended his hand. “I’m the estate assistant.”

I quickly shook it. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

He picked up my suitcase before I could stop him.

“Oh, I can carry that.”

“Nonsense.” He smirked.

I immediately liked him.

Jeffery gestured toward the mansion.“Please follow me.”

As we walked inside, I found myself staring at everything. The crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and paintings larger than my bedroom wall.

I had never seen so much luxury in one place.

Jeffery chuckled. “First time here is it?”

“Is it that obvious?” I said embarrassed.

“A little.”

My cheeks burned. He led me into a magnificent living room.

Two people stood waiting. Mr. and Mrs. Wilberg. Even in person, they looked powerful, elegant, and confident.

The type of people who could walk into any room and instantly command attention.

I straightened my shoulders. “Good morning.”

Mrs. Wilberg smiled warmly. “You must be Clare.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She exchanged a glance with her husband. They both looked pleased.

Immediately, some of my nervousness disappeared.

“Welcome to our home,” Mr. Wilberg said.

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

“We’re glad you came.”

Before the conversation could continue, Mrs. Wilberg glanced at her watch.

“Oh dear.”

“What?” Mr. Wilberg asked.

“Our flight.”

His eyes widened. “Right.”

The couple exchanged an amused look.

Mrs. Wilberg turned toward me. “We should show you your room before we leave.”

My room? The words alone sounded strange. I nodded and followed her upstairs.

The bedroom she opened nearly stole the air from my lungs.

It was bigger than our entire apartment. The bed looked like something from a luxury hotel.

A private bathroom sat behind another door, and fresh flowers decorated the room.

I couldn’t believe it.

Mrs. Wilberg laughed softly. “You like it?”

“Like it?” I stared around. “It’s incredible.”

“I’m glad.” She smiled, then a bark interrupted us.

A second later, a golden retriever came charging into the room.

“Max!” Mrs. Wilberg laughed.

The dog immediately stopped in front of me. His tail wagged so hard that his entire body moved with it.

I crouched. “Hi there.”

Max instantly licked my face that I burst out laughing.

Mrs. Wilberg looked delighted. “Well, that’s settled.”

“What is?”

“He likes you.”

Apparently, that was all the approval I needed. Within minutes, Max had become my shadow.

Everywhere I moved, he followed.

When the Wilbergs finally prepared to leave, Max barely paid attention. His entire focus remained on me.

“I think he’ll be fine,” Mr. Wilberg said.

Mrs. Wilberg smiled. “Take care of him.”

“I will.”

Minutes later, their car disappeared through the gates, and suddenly, I was alone inside one of the wealthiest homes in the city.

Well… Almost alone.

Max barked beside me and I laughed.

“Guess it’s just us then.” I laughed and he wagged his tail.

**********

The first thing I did was to call Hilda, and she answered immediately.

“Tell me everything.”

I grinned. “I got the job.”

Her scream nearly destroyed my eardrum.

“Ouch.” I moaned.

“Sorry! How is it?”

I glanced around. “Hilda, this place is magnificent.”

“Told you.”

“The bathroom alone is bigger than our living room.”

“No way.” She gasped.

“Yes Way.”

For the next several minutes, I described everything. The mansion, gardens, my room, and the luxury.

By the time we ended the call, I was smiling from ear to ear.

Then I decided to explore carefully because one broken vase might cost more than my future.

Hours passed, and the mansion seemed endless.

Every hallway led somewhere new, and every room looked more expensive than the last.

Meanwhile, Max followed me faithfully.

The dog was surprisingly calm, gentle, and friendly. By midday, we’d become inseparable.

Eventually, I found myself standing inside the kitchen and immediately froze.

My jaw dropped.

The refrigerator looked like something from a celebrity cooking show.

There was everything. From fresh fruits, juices, chocolates, desserts, and expensive cheeses. There were many prepared meals enough food to feed my neighborhood.

I stared in disbelief as my eyes landed on a cake.

A very large cake. A very delicious-looking cake.

Five minutes later, I was eating a giant slice.

“Don’t judge me,” I told Max.

He wagged his tail, and I took that as approval.

By evening, I had become completely absorbed in my new surroundings so much so that I nearly forgot about my mother until my phone rang.

It was my Mom.

Panic instantly filled me as I stared at the screen, then I answered.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Where are you?” She asked.

My stomach dropped and I hesitated. For a moment, I considered lying but I couldn’t.

Especially not to her.

Taking a deep breath, I told her everything about the job, the mansion ,the dog, and the salary.

The silence on the other end was terrifying. Finally, she spoke.

“You did what?”

I winced. “Mom…”

“Clare, come home immediately.”

“No.” I said.

The word escaped before I could stop it.

“Excuse me?”

“I can’t.” I sighed.

“You can.”

“This money could help us.”

“I don’t care.”

I knew she was upset, hurt, and maybe even disappointed. But I also knew why I was doing this.

It was for her.

After nearly an hour of talking, pleading, and explaining, she finally sighed.

“I still don’t like it.”

“I know.”

“Be careful.”

Relief washed through me. “I will.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

When the call ended, I finally relaxed. The hardest part was over, or so I thought.

After taking a long shower, I changed into comfortable clothes.

The room felt like a dream. It had soft lighting, luxury furniture, and the most comfortable bed I’d ever seen.

Sitting before the beautiful golden-framed mirror, I slowly brushed my hair. For the first time all day, everything felt peaceful.

Then I heard a noise and I paused, then sound disappeared.

I thought it was probably Max, and I continued brushing.

A few minutes later, thirst hit me. Immediately, I remembered the bottle of orange juice I’d seen earlier.

Perfect.

I soon headed downstairs. The mansion seemed unusually quiet.

As I walked through the living room, a realization suddenly hit me.

I hadn’t seen Max in several minutes.

“Max?”

There was nothing. A strange feeling settled in my stomach.

Then I heard movement. The noise was coming from the kitchen. Relieved, I headed toward it.

“Max?”

The first thing I saw was his wagging tail. Thank goodness.

I stepped further inside, then froze.

A man stood in front of the refrigerator. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and ridiculously handsome.

The only thing he wore was a pair of grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips.

A line of sweat covered his skin as though he’d just finished exercising.

For several seconds, I simply stared speechless.

The man slowly turned. He had sharp features, dark hair, and piercing eyes.

He was the most breathtaking man I’d ever seen.

His gaze soon landed on me, and Immediately, his expression hardened.

Confusion flickered across his face, then suspicion.

The room suddenly felt very small and very quiet.

His eyes swept over me once, then he spoke.

“Who are you?”

And just like that, every word disappeared from my mouth.