"Sir, please don't be mad at me. I decided without informing you, but of course you still have the say on this matter. There is an emergency back home and I had to call Miss Madeline to substitute me for three months because I have to go home. I hope that I get your approval." Miss Celestine's voice was shaking, but I know that she was used to the boss already, so she already knows how to speak with him in a convincing manner.
"Even if you had to go home, who gave you the permission to choose on my behalf? I don't even know this woman."
Sir in front of us was a little bit frozen when he turned his gaze towards me. Our eyes met. I was frightened, so I quickly withdrew my eyes at him and stared at the floor, bowing my head. I am praying in my heart that he will agree for me to stay here. Miss Celestine has already taken the sacrifice for volunteering to leave for me. Although she has an important matter at home, I didn't expect her to lie about the emergency that she has to attend to. I felt so guilty about it.
"Sir, have you forgotten Miss Madeline? She is the part time cleaner who used to come to substitute me during summer. She was not able to make it last time, maybe you forgot about her, but she has been here for three consecutive summers already."
I was observing Miss Celestine and Sir while praying that he would agree. But it took a few more seconds before our employer answered.
"You follow me at my study, we will discuss this first." He said with a blank expression, without looking at me, then pressed his wheelchair towards the study room. I was left sweating while standing in the living room. Why do it seem that I felt worse right at this moment compared to the time when I was pushed inside a room for the big boss who bought me?
It was too much to tell, but I almost peed my pants out of fear!
Once they were last at site, I slumped on the couch. My knees were shaking, honestly.
I waited for almost 5 minutes before Miss Celestine came out of the study room smiling. She has a bright face which gave me relief. I have suspicions of the results of their conversation, but I waited for her to speak before I confirm what I have in mind.
"Yes! Sir agreed, and he even gave me five months paid leave!" My eyes were wide open in surprise when I heard Miss Celestine's news. How could that happen when just minutes ago our employer was so mad at us… He doesn't even seem to agree about my substitution, so why did he, out of nowhere, offer me Celestine to have five months paid leave?... Is he nuts?
"Are you kidding me, Miss Celestine?" I confirm because I couldn't believe it.
"It is true. He asked me your complete name and when I told him about it, he nodded and after a few seconds he offered me that I can fly back home anytime and will be paid for five months leave. However, he told me to convince you to work for him for five months. Not as a maid in this mansion, but to be his caregiver." A while ago I was happy to hear that I can substitute for her, but not when I heard that I will be the employer's caregiver. I might not have this kind of emotion if I haven't heard from Miss Celine that he has a mood swing.
"But why did he suddenly want me to be his caregiver when he said that I am a stranger to him? You said that he is a picky person when it comes to choosing people to stay around him?" I wasn't convinced yet.
"Don't ask a lot of questions, Madeline. You should be thankful for that offer. You see. You can have enough time to decide what you will do next. Alongside that, you can save enough money to start if you ever really decide to get away from this country."
Miss Madeline was right. But wait, enough money. What does she mean? How much will I be compensated anyway?
"Miss Celestine…" I just called her name. I have no words to say anymore.
"I was a bit jealous when I heard his offer for you, by the way. It is triple my regular salary in this mansion!"
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" I was even surprised.
"You will be paid 15 grand a month. That is very awesome. Even if you work as a manager in a restaurant or something like that, you will not get that kind of compensation!"
My eyes were wide open, as so with my mouth. I couldn't believe it. I thought that Miss Celestine was joking.
"15 grand for one month just by taking good care of an adult person. Who would pay that huge?" I exclaimed. I didn't mind if someone would hear me. Who wouldn't be surprised with that kind of offer right?
"It is true. I am not kidding. Why would I want to know your situation, Madeline? Now tell me we agree to that?" Miss Celestine pulled me and whispered in my ears to add. "Besides, we have no choice. I lied already. If we tell Sir the truth, then what do you think will happen to me? I have already told you how hard it is for us Filipinos to get visas in this country. The United States is a very hard country to step in and if I lose my integrity in front of our employer then I am done."
I was stiffened by Miss Celestine's words. She is correct and I couldn't refute that, so I nodded as an agreement. Besides, I was the one who put this in this situation.
"Good, that's good. Now you prepare yourself and go to study, because you will have to sign an agreement with him. I heard him call his lawyer to send an agreement for you. It is a contract if I am not mistaken."
I didn't imagine that things would work this fast, so it is beyond my expectation. Half of my mind wanted this opportunity, but half of it disagreed. I have doubts and I have fears. What if even if I am in this countryside, I will be found by my parents or the big boss who bought me? What if I will bring harm to our employer's name?
"I am going in now Miss Celestine." I forced a smile and stood up to walk to the study room where my new reality is waiting.
"Good luck!" She tapped me on the shoulder as I walked away.
When I was on the doorstep of the study, I knocked lightly three times.
"Come in." I heard his voice, and I was startled again. I could have explained my feelings, but every time I hear his voice, I feel scared?! What is in him?
"Good evening, Sir." I greeted in a low tone.
"Have you spoken with Celestine already?" He asked, disregarding my greetings to him.
"Yes, Sir."
"Have you heard my condition from her?"
"Perfectly, Sir."
"Now, if everything is clear to you and you agree to it, sign this document. This means that you cannot run away if you decide to. You are bound in this contract for five straight months, No turning back."
I quickly took the document and signed it without even reading the content out of freight. I only want to end this meeting and leave as soon as possible.
His face narrowed when I handed him the document after signing it without reading the content.
"You could sell yourself." He murmured.
I understood what he meant but what else can I do; my fear is killing me. If he only knows how bare I am holding on!
"We are done, you can go to Celestine, she will show you the way to your new bedroom. You have to be accommodated near my room because I will need you anytime."
He ordered with a blank expression again. He is really arrogant! He couldn't even smile.
"Thank you, sir." I said then was about to leave when I heard him say.
"You also need to learn your fashions, blend with the trends because most of the time you need to come with me to meetings here and abroad."
Fuck you belittle my fashion when you couldn't even wear your polo shirt properly!