Chapter four

"Seems like you two have already met," Mr Blake chuckled. "You can read the contract carefully before signing. Give it your best." He tapped my shoulder and was about to leave, but the angry voice of Damien made him turn.

"Father, explain what the hell is going on."

"Figure that out yourself." His father gave a smile before going out.

I walked out immediately and followed the housekeeper, ignoring the fury burning inside Damien.

This is a bit harder than I thought. Knowing that he has no idea I'm supposed to be his personal maid only makes it more awkward. His father was an interesting menace for keeping that little detail to himself.

I chuckled, but the sound quickly died when I caught myself comparing him to my abusive, useless father. Damien was lucky to have an active father in his life.

What could I do other than try my best?

I stared down at the blue paper file, my eyes scanning the list of impossible tasks I was expected to make him participate in.

This had to be a joke.

"Your duties are to ensure the main living area, kitchen, and his personal study are kept immaculate. Do your work while he is out, and do not make noise." She handed me a key. "You've been given permission to have access to all his rooms, including his rented house not far from here."

I nodded, taking the keys. "Understood."

Her lips curved into a smile. "You seem like the best suited for him. The way you walked out on him mid-conversation made me believe you are the best fitted to handle him."

"I don't think I will last a day, but I will see how this works out." I stared at the contract. I didn't want to sign it yet, so I placed it in my bag.

The interior of the house was just as sterile as the outside. Everything was black, white, and gray. I set to work immediately, using the cleaning supplies left for me in the utility closet, just hoping I would not come across Damien. I wiped down the marble countertops in the kitchen and organized the immaculate living room, which was already clean. It felt like I was doing a job that was already done, so I just moved toward the private study at the back of the house.

The study was large, lined with bookshelves. On the massive desk sat a silver laptop and a neat stack of papers.

As I dusted the edge of the desk, my elbow brushed against a leather folder, sending it sliding to the floor. The contents spilled across the dark hardwood.

"Great, on my first day," I muttered, dropping to my knees to gather the papers.

I froze as I heard footsteps approaching.

I turned to look and saw it was Damien.

"I told you to stay out of my way, Elena," he hissed. "Did you think I was joking? Did you think you could use my father to worm your way into my life?"

"I don't care about your life, Damien," I said, refusing to back down, though my heart was hammering. "I need a job, and this position pays well. I am here to work, nothing more. If you have an issue with it, take it up with your father."

"You think you're smart," he said, stepping even closer. I could feel the heat radiating from him. "You think because we knew each other as kids, you have some kind of hold over me? You mean nothing to me."

"Then treat me like nothing," I countered, lifting my head. "Ignore me. Let me do my job, and we won't have an issue."

Damien stared down at me, his gaze scanning my face as if searching for a crack in my armor.

"Get out of my study," he said quietly.

I didn't say another word. I gathered my cleaning cloth and walked past him without breaking eye contact. When I was about to leave the room, he shut the door. He rested against it with folded arms.