CHAPTER 3

'Sir, please. I don't care if I have to clean the toilets or the floors or the windows. Please, I need a job so badly. I don't have any money to support myself. I will get evicted soon if I don't pay my rent. Is there anything you can do for me? I'm desperate.' I was in tears but he just handed me back my documents and, in the process of taking it back, I accidentally spilled his cup of coffee all over his desk. 'What the fu--!' he hollered as he flew from his seat and ran his hands down his crotch. 'Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry,' I let out as I walked over to him, not thinking twice. 'Get away from me!' He was furious. I froze. I saw the cup laying on the floor and a coffee maker in the corner. 'I'll make you another cup,' I said quickly. I rushed over to the coffee machine as he took tissues from a cupboard and attempted to clean himself up. I wiped down his desk from the ugly spill and placed a refill cup of cappuccino in front of him. 'Why are you still here? Get out of my office!' he yelled at me again. 'You clumsy imbecile.' I held back the tears of shame and embarrassment. I held my bag close to me and turned on my heels. When I opened the door I heard him take a sip of the coffee I made, then another and another. As I was shutting his door, he called out, 'Miss Cole, please, wait.' Standing against the door I barely reentered the office for fear of going near him. 'Miss Cole, this coffee taste so good. You have gifted hands. I apologize for my outburst. It was an accident, and I shouldn't have snapped like that.' 'That's okay, I'm used to it.' His eyes twinkled a bit, but they seemed to have some sadness in them. 'The job you applied for has already been filled, but I have a proposition for you. How would you like to be my maid and my coffee maker? The payment would be generous and you can live with me.' I was puzzled. 'I don't understand... Live with you? In your house?' 'My mansion.' My brain was bouncing off the walls in my head. My heart felt like butterflies. Ethan Hollen, CEO and manager of Hollen Tower, wanted me, simple little plain me, to live in his mansion? 'Of course you wouldn't be alone; I do have other household staff, and they all live with me. There's a place for them, and you, if you accept this offer.' I smiled my biggest smile and thanked him for the new offer. I was going to live on his property-- for free? 'Do I have to pay rent?' I asked as the thought crossed my mind. 'No. How soon can you start?' 'First thing tomorrow morning.' 'Good, six a.m. it is. I like having my coffee early.' Six, I groaned, mentally. Emma's POV Six o'clock my ass! I had to be at his place at six, which basically meant that I would have to leave home at 5:00 a.m., which basically meant I would have to be awake by 4:00 a.m. or earlier. So I rested for the remainder of the afternoon. Moving away from this place wouldn't be difficult; I owned a small amount of clothing and supplies. I set the alarm on my phone before I forgot, then began reading a romance novel. My phone rang and I looked at the number. It was unknown but I answered anyway. 'Miss Cole, I need you.' I couldn't believed what I was hearing. 'Mr. Hollen?' I asked to make certain this wasn't a joke. 'Yes.' 'But I told you I will start in the morning.' 'Do you want the job Miss Cole or not? Because if you're no longer interested I can easily find a replacement with a snap of my fingers.' 'I'll be there,' I blurted. I leaped out of bed and headed for the shower. 'I cannot afford to lose this job before I even start,' I told myself as the water washed over me. I was out of my apartment by 6:30 p.m. He had instructed me to meet him at his office, and he'd take me to the mansion since I had no idea how to find it on my own.  I met him in the private parking lot outside of the building and followed him to a black Lamborghini. 'You drive your own car?' I asked as I got in the passenger side. 'I'm capable,' he answered shortly. I kept my mouth shut for the remainder of the ride, and he was quiet and attentive to the road. We arrived at a pair of golden gates that opened automatically and revealed the most beautiful mansion my eyes had ever seen. My mouth opened wide with awe and amazement. He parked the car and I slowly opened the door and got out. I followed him through the entrance and into the living room. I had to stop to take it all in. I wasn't expecting all this beauty. There was a huge chandelier in the middle of the foyer, and I wondered, if a light went out, how tall of a ladder one would need to fix it. Luxury furniture, rugs, and paintings decorated the rooms I could see. Mr. Hollen had expensive taste, yet the homey scent was so soothing. 'Halley!' he called as he left through another door. Who's Halley? I wondered. Is he married? Does he have kids?' I knew nothing about his personal life, but here I was, already crushing on him. You need to stop it , you pent up virgin! I commanded myself. A young woman around my age appeared with him. 'This is Emma Cole. She's a new maid and my personal coffee maker,' he introduced then left. She looked at him wide-eyed as he went on his way, as if she couldn't wrap her head around what he had just said, then looked at me and glared as if I had taken something away from her.