5. Karma is a bitch

Delilah

"Thank you for trusting us with your garments, Sir," I said to the elderly man as I passed him a bag containing his clothes.

"You always deliver. See you next time," he waved and took off. I watched as he slid inside his car and drove away. I heaved out a sharp breath, glancing around the neighborhood of Roseville. The area where my father's laundry shop was located was always quiet. I closed the door and walked back inside, crashing on the one-seater sofa that had been at the shop for as long as I could remember.

"Damn! My head is throbbing," I said aloud, rubbing my temples with my fingers. The scent of freshly brewed coffee beat through my eardrums as my father passed me a cup. I wasted no time in collecting it and taking a sip.

"Father, I think adding another business idea will boost our source of income," I said, taking more sips. I almost drank all the content. Father occupied the stool next to me.

"What business idea again? I'm sure you have not forgotten we almost got caught."

"But we didn't, right?" I retorted, dropping the empty cup on the side table and also fixing my eyes on my father.

Let me fill you in on what happened after we had successfully scammed the visitor. What was his name... Liam. Yes, the tenant Father and I managed to rip a reasonable amount of money from. I don't know how he managed to find out so fast.

It was five days ago; Father had left me to help him with some of his laundry. Thank god for the garbage I had taken outside, I wouldn't have seen him advancing his way towards our laundry shop. I immediately locked the glass door from inside and ran inside to hide. And also texted my father not to show up. That was how we managed to dodge being caught. Nevertheless, we didn't open up the laundry shop for three days straight. Until today when Father dragged me out, thinking Liam might not recognize me since I was wearing a face mask.

This was actually the first time we had gotten a big tip and also encountered such a challenge of getting caught.

"What if they show up again?" Father broke me out of my trance. I literally jolted up.

"They might not recognize me as you said, but they will definitely recognize you. I'm not prepared for any police interrogation," I said matter-of-factly.

Father scoffed. "You shouldn't worry yourself about all this. We're in this together, right? Trust your father. And it's not like we didn't pay for the rent. I deposited it."

I nodded my head, not having the strength to talk about the matter anymore. "Let's pray we won't be caught anytime soon," I muttered, enough for him to hear while relaxing back on the sofa.

"Let me go check up on what I'm doing," he said and sauntered off.

Chills ran down my spine at the thought of me and my father getting dragged to the police station for a scam scheme. I shook my head. "Nothing will happen," I mentally assured myself, then slid back down and fished out my phone.

A message immediately came in. From Mayor Frank. That was how I saved Roseville's Mayor. But why exactly was he messaging me? I clicked on the content, and a laugh almost escaped me as I read it. "He can't seriously be kidding me," I muffled out. I was about to dial his number when his call came in.

"Hey Delilah, hope you have gotten my message?" came the man's deep voice that almost made me roll my eyes, which I eventually did.

"Yes, I did. But I don't quite get what you mean," I said.

"Everything I wrote there is in English. I know you don't have any job currently. It might not be your potion. You're the only one I could think of who is jobless, and the pay is good."

A scoff found its way out of me. Is the man mocking me? "I don't think being a housekeeper is a good job."

"But the pay is good," he reiterated. Why does he keep on repeating that the pay is good? Did he think I'm desperate for money?

"The person needed a housekeeper for just a month. It's not a big deal."

Just a month? How much will the pay be then?

I cleared my voice before speaking. "How much is the pay?"

"$3,000 a month."

"You're kidding."

"No, I'm not. I know that $3,000 will help you fix one or two things. You shouldn't leave all the burden on Ben." I rolled my eyes at his last statement. As if my father complains.

"Anyways, think about it. I will send you the address. Don't take too much time before someone takes up the spot." And the line went dead silent. I stared at the piece of machine.

"Like I care?"

"Care about what?" Father's voice resonated in my eardrums. He looked at me with curiosity in his eyes.

"It was Mayor Frank. He sent me a job offer. Someone needs a housekeeper and I'm the only one he could think of that is fit for the job," I explained.

"Oh really? It's not bad then. At least you won't be bored at home."

A chuckle escaped me. "You want me to be a housekeeper?" I asked. "Your favorite daughter."

"Being a housekeeper doesn't mean you're selling yourself. And besides, it will help you solve some things for yourself. How much is the pay?"

"$3,000. For a month."

"Not bad. Just take up the job, Delilah."

I didn't say anything and instead rolled my eyes. Okay, maybe I'm in need of money, but working as a housekeeper isn't part of my plans. A hand that was placed on my shoulder brought me back to reality. "Listen Delilah, you know your father isn't that strong. I take care of myself and also you. Your mother isn't here to watch out for you. I know you have a lot of things you want for yourself and couldn't. I'm also not happy with the fact that I can't afford the money. But this pay will help you buy some of the things you want."

If I say his words didn't go deep inside me, I would be lying. At some point, he was right. There are a lot of things I want to get for myself but can't afford. And I don't want to burden my father with everything. "I wish you the best of luck," he patted my shoulder.

"Thank you, Father. I will give it a try. But if it gets frustrating, I won't hesitate to quit." It's better I tell him my plans beforehand.

"It won't. Have faith."

***

I checked my phone to confirm the address Mayor Frank sent me to be sure I was at the right place. Because I found myself heading towards Liam's house. Or was he the one that needed the housekeeper? A voice in my head said, which I discarded immediately, and continued on my journey.

I had to collect my thoughts as I ended up standing in front of the entrance that led to Liam's apartment. What the hell!

I took a step forward and then reversed back. "What if he recognizes you, Delilah?" I muttered. I took another step forward and then backward, my father's words of encouragement ringing in my head, topped with the fear of getting caught by Liam.

A hiss left my lips when I reached the entrance and stepped back again. "Damn! I can't do this," I muttered under my breath.

I turned my back around and raked my hand through my hair in frustration. "Excuse me," a voice said behind me, making me turn around abruptly. Shivers ran down my spine as I recognized the man I saw together with Liam the other day. He could be his secretary.

The man's suspicious eyes fixates on me. "Are you looking for someone?" he asked. Part of me was relieved, while another part was still afraid. But then again, he wasn't there when it all happened.

"Um... Yes... I'm here for the housekeeping job," I said, hoping my voice wouldn't reveal how nervous I was.

"Oh... follow me, please," he said, gesturing inside. With my heart thumping in its ribcage, I followed him inside, different thoughts and scenes running through my head. If I get caught, that will be the end of me.

We reached the door, and for the life of me, I wanted to turn around and leave. But the man had already fixed his eyes on me. As I heard the sound of the door opening and saw Liam's face surface, my eyes almost watered when we met each other's gaze.

Bile rose in my throat, and uneasiness settled at the pit of my stomach. "She's here for the housekeeping job," the other guy said. Liam's eyes didn't waver from me, which made matters worse for me. Indeed, karma is a bitch.

"Oh, so you're the one," he said and my legs almost gave up their strength. "Come in. We have a lot to catch up on." The words settled in my head as fast as my heart was thumping inside. I was sure going to be in big trouble.