Chapter 6

~HUNTER~

My brows furrowed as I set my eyes on the familiar feminine figure standing in front of me.

“What are you doing here?” I questioned my hands fixated in my pockets.

Celine fidgeted but my eyes remained fixed on her, I watched her every move. She pulled her son closer as she repeatedly opened her mouth with no words coming out.

I was getting irritated by the eerie silence considering the fact that I just asked a question.

“Are you going to talk or you want to use the door?” I further questioned and she finally stood frozen, as if she had finally picked up on what to say.

“No-no sir. I-I am here for the job. The-job-i mean the position of maid.” She stuttered through her reply, her voice sounding somewhat shaky but firm.

I lifted a brow in curiosity as my eyes landed on the child in front of her. Everytime I stared at the child, it seemed like there was a connection between us but that would be too illogical to think.

After all, whatever idea webbed that thought was probably from the fact that the little boy had blue eyes.

My eyes shifted back to Celine’s face and even though I hadn't uttered a word, she understood my gaze.

“Sir, I know you got me fired for working at the hotel while having my son play around. But sir, ever since I got fired, I have barely been able to live. My child's life and mine depended on that job and it was taken away from me so I-”

“Are you trying to put the blame on me?” I cut Celine off mid sentence with my interrogation.

Celine shook her head in the negative as she bit her lips nervously, “No no sir. I was just- I was just trying to explain the situation because I know you'd most likely not give me this job because of my son.”

“Did the hotel have rules or not?” I questioned, totally ignoring her explanation.

She nodded in the positive.

“Great. Now just like the hotel's employee protocols, this job of a maid also has protocols and I certainly can't employ you if you got a kid around.” My tone was clear and sharp.

As I finished, I watched whatever ray of hope Celine had wash away from her face as desperation crawled up on her temples.

She stared at me with brown eyes that sparkled with pleas but her lips were snapped.

I took a look at my wristwatch and I realized I had little time to meet up the meeting I had in the next fifteen minutes, “Please leave.” I ordered her.

But for some reason, Celine stood rooted to the ground, unwilling to leave.

“I said lea-”

“-Please sir, hear me out at least!” She pleaded with folded hands.

A small sigh escaped my lips as I lifted my weight off the shelf, “You have five minutes to say all you have to before leaving.”

Upon my declaration, Celine stepped forward. Her brown hair was tightly styled into a bun, making the veins on her temple more visible, an evidence of how nervous she felt I presumed.

“Sir. My child is literally my only family. I have no one else to cater for him in my absence. This is why I have to take him a long everywhere I go, Including to work.”

“Isn't that what daycares are for? Don't they take care of kids while their parents are busy with work or did they run out of business recently?” I fired back, leaving Celine speechless.

Celine lowered her head while rubbing her palms together, “I can't afford it.”

I was just about responding to her when the voice of the little kid interrupted me.

“Mom, I'm tired of standing! I want to sit down!”

Celine ruffled his head as she scolded him, “Ceaser please be quiet. I'm at an interview! Just a few more minutes my dear.”

Irritation surged through my veins, “This is why we don't allow kids anywhere. It's highly unprofessional. Suppose I give you this job by chance, how do you plan to attend to your duties when you got a three year old following you everywhere?!”

Celine smiled softly, “Sir, I'll honestly manage. I'll ensure he's on his best behavior really. Sir, this job is my last hope and I can't afford to leave this place without being hired. If I do, I won't have a place to lay my head as my rent is due.”

I hummed as I stared at her, considering the chances of hiring a single mother who was clearly not ready to work without her child. Would I be able to handle this?

Nah. I don't think so.

“I'm sorry but I can't hire you.” I declared in a firm but icy tone.

Celine's eyes glistened with tears, “Please sir. I really need this job. Please reconsider, I promise you'll not regret it. I'll work to the best of my abilities. Please just give me a chance.”

But I couldn't imagine doing that. I knew how kids were like. One minute, they're all cheerful and happy and the next minute, they're wailing for hours.

I doubt I'd be able to handle any of that shenanigans and when I get angry about it in the future, Celine would still come up with an excuse for me to keep enduring that.

I made up my mind on this and there was no going back. I stared at Celine again, she was doing really well to fight the tears back as she waited for me to speak.

But I uttered nothing. I just circled her body and left the room. I presumed she would be smart enough to understand that I wasn't going to hire her regardless of whatever she said, or did.

But Celine was quite the persistent woman. She tagged along behind me, pleading for the job. This time, the tears had come falling down and Christ knows how much tears irritate me.

When I couldn't hold it in any longer, I turned back, “Will you stop crying?” Celine wiped her face immediately.

“Don't you get it? I don't want you to work for me! What's so hard to understand?”

Celine's face broke into a frustrated frown as she stared at me, “Sir, you don't understand. If I don't get this job, I'll basically be on the streets with nowhere to go and without money to feed my child. Please hire me, I'll forever be grateful.”

Frustrated by her persistence, I came up with a solution.

“I'll hire you on one condition.”