CHAPTER 2 THE NEW JOB

SABRINA'S POV I ran my fingers through my hair nervously as I faced my new boss.   "My name is Sabrina, and I..."   "The butler would show you around,"  he said coldly, and he walked out of the house.   I had wanted to make up for my rudeness the last time by talking politely. Also, courtesy actually demands that I introduce myself properly to the person I will be working for. At least he was supposed to know my name, but it seemed like my new boss had a completely different opinion. He probably didn't think I was worth his attention. After all, I was sure that he was a very busy man.   I breathed deeply as I picked up my handbag from the chair where I sat before following the butler. The old man led me to the different rooms in the house where I would be cleaning. Each of them was as large as a whole house in itself. I was actually excited about this job. The house looked so beautiful with elegant wooden furniture that gave it a cool, natural atmosphere. What was annoying was that we had to stop at five-minute intervals because of the old man's arthritis. I wish I could just walk around the house without him.   "What about upstairs?" I asked as we finally finished touring the second floor.   "No, no one reaches the third floor. Your work ends here," the old man replied and left.   I got to work immediately, changing into my work clothes and moving into the reading room with my tools. This new job was definitely better than all the ones I had in the past, where I had to clean the dirty clubs where all sorts of people had done all sorts of things. I turned away from the bookshelf, only to find my boss staring at me from the door. All the books in my hand dropped with a loud thud, which made me shudder. I bent slowly to pick up the books and arrange them back on the shelf, but it all got worse as other books started falling, as if they were not all placed there initially. He seemed to notice my clumsiness because he just left as quietly as he had come without saying a word.   I looked around the reading room, accessing the cleaning I had done. I wondered what the boss thought of me. What if he took my clumsiness for unprofessionalism? I wondered to myself. I just hoped that he would not ask that I be replaced because I couldn't even bear the thought of going back to work at those local clubs. Clenching my fists, I picked up my tools and made my way to the next room. I had to make sure that my job was perfect in order to correct any negative impression that my new boss might have of me.   "No, it's the other way,"  a sonorous, high-pitched voice said behind me as I was arranging the cushions on the living room sofa.   I straightened my dress and turned around to find a tall lady standing at the door. She was blonde and wore a bright red lipstick. She was a maid, judging from how she was dressed, with very large eyes that seemed to capture every angle of the room at once.   "What?" I asked, confused about what she had said.   "Turn the cushion around. Don't you see that the pattern is dull from that angle?"   I stared at her for a moment and gave her a sham smile before turning to do just as she had said. I wanted to ask her what her business was with my job and how jobless she must be. But it was my first day, and I really wanted to keep this job, so I just had to be quiet.   "You're the cleaner, right?" she asked me. "My name is Alero, and I work for Mr. Jared. Make sure you face the work that you're here to do," she continued without waiting for me to reply. She walked across the room majestically, like she owned the place. I didn't need anyone to tell me what kind of person Alero was. She already introduced herself, and that was enough. But I didn't plan on getting into any trouble here. Although I would definitely not put myself in a position to be intimidated or insulted by anyone, Not even this, Alero.   I smiled happily as I breathed in the fresh fragrance that came from the flowers by the roadside. It was the end of my first day at the mansion, and I was walking down the beautiful estate where the mansion was located. It was so airy and cool. Not like the busy, noisy street where I lived.   My heart skipped a beat when my phone rang. It was Madam K. My new boss must have complained that he was not satisfied with my job, and she was calling to tell me that I wouldn't be working there anymore. After all, the job seemed too good to be true. It was probably not for the likes of me.   "Hello Sabrina,"  came her reverberating voice from the other end as I received the call.   "We are short of cleaners at the Elixir club. Can you make it there this evening?"   I paused. "The Elixir Club? Of course, yes, I can."  I stammered as what I was hearing was completely different from what I expected.   "Alright. Make sure you're there before 9 p.m." she cut the call.   I was surprised. So my new boss didn't complain about me, and now I had a side job to do. The Elixir Club. It was not like those clubs where I used to work. This one was for the elite men—men like my new boss. With this new development, my income at the end of the month will definitely be tripled. I wasn't sure if it was just for that day or if I had to keep going every day. I will get to know when I reach there.   Finally, luck was shining on me. I would now be able to start saving for my college education. I had always dreamed of becoming a celebrity actress. Rich and influential enough to help other hustling teenagers like me. I laughed heartily as I realized that my plans were eventually falling into place. I got into my apartment and arranged for something to eat, dancing playfully to pop music that played from my phone. I needed to be well fed before resuming my second job in the evening. I wondered if my new boss would be there or if he ever went to any club at all. He didn't seem like a social person, though, but who knows?   As I laid down for a nap after eating, I daydreamed about me in a TV interview, dressed in a gorgeous fluffy gown, and talking about how I had come from grass to grace and also how I would always be willing to lend a helping hand to ambitious young people like me, who had little or no support from their families.