THE MAID

hired

Chapter 3

The sound of Margret ’s phone buzzing, slicing through the heavy silence in her dimly lit room, couldn't stop, until she stopped staring at the screen and answering the call with a weary sigh.

“Hello.” Her voice was flat.

“Hi, it’s Alex.” The voice on the other end was cautious.

Her brows furrowed in disbelief. “From the office?” she asked, surprised.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry—”

Margret scoffed before he could finish. “I already know. I got fired. Before I even stepped foot in the office, the report was filed, right? I get it. It’s not your fault—he’s your boss, after all.” There was a bitter edge to her voice.

“Yeah, but…” Alex hesitated. “I wasn’t the one who submitted the report. I think he sent it in before you even got home.” He sighed. “But listen, if I come across an opportunity, I won’t hesitate to call you.”

Margret ’s grip tightened on the phone. “It’s fine. All thanks to your heartless boss.” Her words were venomous, and before Alex could respond, she ended the call with a sharp tap.

Her mother’s voice came from behind. “Who was that?”

Margret turned, disappointment written all over her.

“The personal assistant to the ingrate who got me fired.”

Her mother gave her a long, disapproving look, before a loud sigh “Well… you’ll have to go back to the coffee shop.” The tired looking lady let out.

With a bitter chuckle, Margret shook her head in disapproval.

“Not a chance mother.” Her mother frowned. “Why on earth should I go back to that coffee shop? I’d probably end up paying for more broken glass than I’d earn. Besides, they don’t want me anymore.” She continued, crossed her legs and flicked on the TV.

Her voice turned dramatic. “I’d rather spend an eternity glued to the TV than step foot in that place again.”

Exhausted, the old lady gave her a weird look.

“For a single lady, you know you do have lots of attitude that could keep you in your parents house, for long?”

Confused, with the sudden change of topic, Margret raised her brows.

“What do you mean mother?”

“You have a low patience count. You act too rash for a lady and I'm afraid of still seeing you here in my 80's”

“Why would you say such, mum?! I just lost my job, do you think this is what I need right now? You really do think every dude is like Dad?! C'mon mum, I owe these people no patience or apology”. With her eyes glued on her mum, she turned away with a displeasing hiss.

“You will be fine Mag, just focus on getting a better job and working on your attitude, this isn't rocket science girl. I'm off to the dining area, are you coming?” her mum said, but she shook her head pissed.

“Men aren't as difficult as you think, a drop of pride, a reaching out, an apology… can work the magic”.

Margret watched as her mother left the room after her last statement.

“That's a lie. Men are difficult”. She muttered in defense, grabbing her phone from the bed.

««««««««««««

Back to Julian's mansion, everyone had returned from work, including Alex.

His stomach rumbled like a thunderstorm, he waited for hours at the dining room, but nothing was presented. He clenched his fists, seething with rage as he stormed through the mansion.

“Alex!!!” His voice thundered through the grand halls, making the chandeliers tremble slightly.

Alex appeared instantly, his posture tense and filled with confusion.

“Why isn’t my food ready?” Julian let out calmly, but his glare could have cut through steel.

Alex swallowed hard before stepping forward. “Sir, I’m terribly sorry. You fired the chef this morning, and we haven’t been able to—”

“Just shut up!” Julian cut in, his voice was sharp as a blade.

Alex instantly fell silent, his heartbeat hammering in his ears. The atmosphere intensified with great fear, as Julian took a menacing step closer.

“What did you just say?” He whispered coldly.

Alex’s throat tightened, he tried to gaze away

“You… you fired your chef, sir.” Alex eventually stuttered, taking a step backwards.

Julian’s expression darkened. “And who asked for your input?”

“I’m sorry, Si—”

“Shut up!” Julian barked. His voice was like a gunshot in the silent room. He paused for a while, staring dangerously at Alex.

“Before noon, I want a new chef in this house. Get lost.” He mentioned, and stormed off with annoyance, leaving Alex standing frozen, with his pulse erratic.

“Not even my mother has ever scolded me like this” Alex thought grimly, as he gazed at the goosebumps that has covered his body. “If not for the ridiculous paycheck, I would have quit this job ages ago”. He lamented, eventually getting his grip.

“Where does he expect me to find a new chef before noon? He’s already burned through every candidate the agency sent!“

Alex raked a hand through his hair, frustration boiling over. Then, an idea struck him—Margret . She just got fired. She needed a job.

Without a second thought, he pulled out his phone and dialed her number.

“Hey, buddy!” Alex said with forced enthusiasm as Margret picked up.

There was hesitation on the other end.

“H—i.”

“Cheer up! I’ve got some good news for you.” Margret let out a small gasp before bursting into excited screams. “I knew it! I knew they’d miss me! Thank you so much! Thank you, thank you! I love you!”

She ended the call, leaving Alex in shock.

Minutes later, his phone rang. It was Margret.

The excitement in her voice was gone. Instead, it was replaced with cold fury.

“How dare you?! You dare mess with me?!” Her voice was razor-sharp. “Who the hell do you think you are? Do you think I’m desperate enough for you to taunt me?”

Alex groaned. “Just calm down, okay?”

“Don’t you dare tell me to calm down! Do you know what you made me do?! I just called my boss and thanked him for nothing! Really?! Does that sound funny?”

Alex sighed, trying to calm himself. “I found you a new job.” He let out calmly, But Margret wasn’t listening. She continued her furious rant.

“What stupid job could possibly be better than the one I just lost? Do you even know how much I was making?”

“Fifty thousand USD a month.” Alex’s voice was flat, exhausted.

There was a sudden silence, before Margret ’s breath hitched. “What?” Her voice was suddenly calm.

“Yeah. Fifty thousand. Monthly.” Alex continued, sounding more exhausted.

“W—ow. That’s huge.” She exclaimed, shocked. “What job is that?”

“Chef. We need a new chef immediately. Say yes, and I’ll come pick you up.”

Margret inhaled sharply. “Fifty thousand dollars? That was a fortune. But cooking? What if I break their dishes? Would they deduct it from my salary? Will I—”

“Hello? Are you still there?” Alex’s voice cut through her thoughts.

“Umm… yeah. I mean, yes, I’m here. Can you, um, give me a second? I’ll call you back.” She said, clearing her throat.

“No problem. Just don’t say no. I’ll even negotiate a raise for you if needed, just please don’t reject it.” Alex’s desperation was obvious.

After hanging up, Margret dashed to her mother. Even before she got to where her mother was, she already told her everything.

“Fifty thousand?!” Her mother’s eyes widened. “We’re going to be rich! Why didn’t you accept immediately? What if he changes his mind? Call him back, now!” The mother said with excitement, as Margret nodded and quickly dialed Alex.

“It’s a yes, right?!” Alex said as he picked up.

She hesitated before exhaling. “I suppose so”

Alex whooped with excitement. “Send me your location! I’ll be there immediately.”

Margret barely had time to pack. She grabbed a few essentials and rushed to the door, where her mother waited.

She hugged her tightly. “I promise to call every day.”

Her mother kissed her forehead. “I’ll miss you, sweetheart.”

A sharp knock on the door made them both jump.

Margret swallowed. “I guess he’s here.”

Her mother nodded, and together, they opened the door.

Alex stood there, dressed sharply, a professional yet welcoming smile on his face. “Good day, ma’am.” he said, extending his hands to Margret's mum, before giving Margret a warm smile.

They exchanged greetings before he quickly explained the details of the job. Moments later, Margret was in the car, heading toward the unknown—a house where power, mystery, and danger waited behind closed doors.

And she had no idea what she was walking into.

“What is the house like?”. She said as Alex looked at her and smiled.

“Cool, strange, amaz—”

“Strange?!” Margret interrupted, confused.

“Yeah. But, not something you can't handle. There is a Secret room you should avoid, if you can do that, then you are good to go”. He explained leaving Margret worried.