"Don't you have a boyfriend?" Pete asked curiously. Usually when ladies passed through such distressing situations the first person they called was usually their boyfriend, yet he noticed she had made no attempt to do that.
"Of course I do." Kathleen lied without thinking. Old habits really died hard. She really didn't want him to give her that pitiful look people often gave ladies of her age when they say they're single, and she also didn't want him to pick any sort of interest in her because she is single.
"Really? So why haven't you called him? And why aren't you going over to stay at his place?" Pete asked curiously.
Kathleen being a good liar didn't think to think twice about it. The lie came naturally to her as though it hadn't been years since she stopped telling lies, "It's a long distance relationship, and he works on weekends. I'll tell him about it when we talk at night." Kathleen said. Lord have mercy on me for lying, she prayed silently.
"Oh! I see. You could stay over at my place if he doesn't mind. The boys quarter is empty." Pete offered when he saw the distress on her face. "It works for everyone... you especially. You could go to work with me in the morning, no need paying transport. And for me, it makes me worry less about having to pick you up Everytime I want you to watch after Amanda. It's a win-win." Pete added with a shrug when he saw the hesitation on her face. He could tell she wanted it but was too proud to take it so easily or admit it.
"I can't stay there for free..."
"I wasn't asking you to stay there for free. I noticed you're a good cook. Teach me how to cook, or help around the house in exchange." Pete said, flashing her a smile.
"I'd rather pay for it with money instead of such services." Kathleen said with a shake of her head. She didn't want to get entangled with him, especially not after he had showed her how much of an immoral jerk he could be.
"Money?" Pete asked with a chuckle, "No offense, judging by the state of where you lived before now, I doubt you can afford to pay me for my boys quarter, so I'll suggest you swallow your pride and accept my offer while I'm still being nice."
"You can't just show up in my house and interfer with my service hours. I don't like missing church." Kathleen said.
"I can, and I will. You work for me, and it's part of our agreement. The agreement you signed." He reminded her, "I'll suggest you start getting used to streaming the services online. Besides, my house is far from your church, I can't have you leaving the house late in the evening or returning late. I'm very security conscious." Pete added.
"Unless it has to do with clubbing or immorality, I suppose?" Kathleen asked, unable to stop herself. This one was devil's first son obviously.
"You're quite unforgiving and judgemental for a Christian, don't you think?" Pete asked, sounding more amused than angry.
"Daddy? What is immorality?" Amanda asked from the backseat, reminding them that they weren't alone.
"I suppose your caretaker would prefer to explain that to you." Pete said with a chuckle, "Go on, tell her what it means." Pete urged making Kathleen swallow nervously as she turned to look at Amanda with a smile.
"It means when people do things they aren't supposed to do." Kathleen said with a small smile.
"Things like what?" Amanda asked, making Pete laugh out loud, "Things like what? Please tell us, Aunty Kat." He asked in a tiny voice making Kathleen glare at him.
"Don't worry darling, you'll understand as you grow older." Kathleen said with a sigh. Was this going to be the pattern of her life now? When she had asked God for change, this definitely wasn't what she had in mind.