Claire's POV
The taxi came to a stop in front of a tall iron gate. I peered through the window and felt my eyes widen. The gates were open, but on the other side was the biggest, most intimidating mansion I'd ever seen.
The house was huge. It was about 3-4 stories high, and I was sure that it had a lot more floors. It was also the longest house I'd ever seen. Even from a distance, it seemed like it could go on forever.
I could see a fountain in the front yard, and lots of flowers and well-trimmed grass. As far as the eye could see, the grounds were neatly maintained. It was obvious that whoever owned this place was extremely rich. He must be a multi billionaire and had some old, wealthy family behind him.
I took a deep breath. My nerves were getting the better of me. This was my first job interview, and the thought that I might not get the job scared me to death. I really needed the job, and this mansion was definitely out of my league.
My mother was sick and needed an operation. According to the doctors, she had cancer and needed to start her treatment immediately. She couldn't work anymore, so the responsibility fell to me.
If I didn't raise the money for her operation, she wouldn't make it. Her health was declining fast and she was becoming weaker by the day. She could barely eat and was losing weight rapidly.
My dad had left us years ago. Mom didn't want to tell me, but I'd found out by accident that he had run off with his secretary.
My life was practically a mess but all I cared about was my mom. She was my world. If I didn't get the job here, then I didn't know where else I could look for work.
This was the only job available as a maid for an extremely rich man. I needed the job. According to the advertisement on the website, I would live in the house and get a room. That means, I wouldn't have to pay rent or find a place to stay. I could just concentrate on saving the money for my mom's operation.
I didn't mind working as a maid. I was a very hard worker, and if I had to scrub the floor on my hands and knees, then I would. I would do anything for my mother.
The salary was also amazing.
$20,000 a month! That was a lot of money. I still couldn't believe it.
I hadn't told my mom about the job. I was afraid that she would ask a lot of questions and get worried about me living with a man I didn't know.
I mean, I was worried too.
I didn't know anything about my soon-to-be employer. I had searched online but couldn't find anything about him. I didn't even know what he looked like. I just hoped he wasn't a murderer or a serial killer.
There was no way to know until I met him.
I had already decided that if I didn't like him or didn't feel safe, I would quit and start looking for another job.
"Miss, we're here." The taxi driver's voice brought me back to the present.
I looked at him and nodded.
"Yeah. Thanks." I said.
I handed him the money, grabbed my bag and opened the door. The heat was the first thing that hit me as I stepped out of the taxi.
I wasn't used to the sun, and living in a country where the weather was mostly cold and rainy, it was a bit hard to get used to the hotness of this city.
I stood there and watched the taxi drive off. I felt a little nervous and alone. My heart began to race as I made my way to the front of the gate.
There was a buzzer and a small speaker on the side of the gate.
I took a deep breath and pressed the button. A few seconds later, a voice came over the speaker.
"Hello, may I help you?" a man asked.
"Hi. Umm...my name is Claire Martin's. I'm here for the interview for the maid position." I said.
There was silence for a moment and I started to worry.
What was happening? Why wasn't he answering?
"Miss, can you please enter and go around the right side of the mansion. There is a separate entrance there for visitors." I heard him say through the speaker.
I looked up at the speaker, not understanding.
A separate entrance? What the hell?
This was so weird.
"Okay. Thanks." I replied.
He didn't reply. I guess he was done talking.
Suddenly, I heard a loud click and the gate began to move. It opened slowly, and I could see the paved path leading up to the house.
I clutched my bag and made my way up the path.
It was such a beautiful day. I had decided to wear a short yellow sundress and a pair of brown sandals. I loved yellow. It was such a happy color and always cheered me up.
I could feel my stomach doing flips and the nerves kicking in again as I walked closer to the mansion.
I noticed that the mansion seemed to become bigger and bigger. The closer I got, the more nervous I became.
What was this place? And who was the man who pwned this place? Building this must have cost him a fortune.
'Please don't throw up. Please don't throw up.' I chanted inside my head.
As I reached the end of the path, I stopped.
The house was magnificent. It was the most beautiful building I'd ever seen.
It was painted white and had a lot of windows. There was a huge front door, and as I stood there looking at it. I was about to go up to it when I remembered what the guy on the speaker had said.
'Right side of the house. There is a separate entrance there for visitors'.
I was confused, but decided to follow his instructions. I didn't want to go inside through the wrong door.
I looked around and noticed a narrow path to my right. It led around the corner of the mansion and disappeared from view.
I made my way down the path, and as I turned the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks.
Oh. My. What the hell?!
My mouth dropped open and my eyes widened.
In front of me was the biggest swimming pool I'd ever seen. It looked like it went on forever, and the water was clear blue.
I could see a diving board, a slide, and a big whirlpool in the middle of the pool.
Behind the pool, was a tennis court, and then what seemed to be a basketball court.
My mouth hung open as I stared at the view before me.
This was unreal. I felt like I was in paradise. I couldn't help but keep staring.
"Excuse me, miss. Are you okay?" a voice spoke behind me.
I jumped and let out a scream.
I turned around so quickly that I almost lost my balance.
I could feel the heat in my face, and I was sure my cheeks were a bright red.
Behind me, stood a tall man, who looked like he was in his fifties or sixties. He was wearing a tailored black suit and his hands were behind his back.
He was looking at me, with a puzzled expression.
He raised his eyebrows and cocked his head to the side.
"Sorry, sir. You scared me." I said.
He frowned slightly and cleared his throat.
"Are you Miss Martin's?" he asked.
"Yes. That's me." I replied. I straightened my dress and stretched out my hand towards him.
The man didn't take it. He just nodded and said,
"I'm Jerry, the butler here. Please follow me." He said and walked towards a door on the side of the house.
Butler? Well, he did look like a butler.
He had a stern, serious face, and an attitude that seemed to say: 'Don't mess with me.'
I followed him to the door and into the mansion.
I was in awe as I looked around. This was a dream. I was going to pinch myself. This couldn't be real.
I was in a hallway, and there were several doors on both sides. At the end of the hallway, was a staircase that led to the upper floors.
There was a huge, sparkling chandelier hanging from the ceiling, beautiful paintings on the wall, and an amazing smell in the air.
Wow. This was just amazing.
The butler started to walk down the hallway and I followed.
Suddenly, he stopped in front of a large staircase.
"Whether or not, you get the job, Miss Martins. There's something you must know. Never walk in through the front door of the mansion." He said.
I stared at him.
What the hell did he just say? Why can't I use the front door? Was the owner of this house a weirdo or something?
"Umm... why not?" I asked.
Jerry gave me a serious look.
"Just don't." he said. "It's reserved for Mr Jackson and his very private guests."
'Very private guests.' What the hell did that mean?
I opened my mouth to ask more questions, but Jerry stopped me by raising his hand.
"No more questions, until you get the job." He said.
I stared after him, feeling confused.
Okay, this was getting weirder by the second.
Why was the front door reserved for the owner and his 'very private guests'? That made no sense.
I was expecting Jerry to lead me up the stairs, but he didn't. Instead he gave me a few directions.
"Walk up the staircase, there is a small hallway. You will see two doors. One on the left and one on the right. Do not open the door on the right. It is the master's private room and no one is allowed inside. Knock on the other door and wait for instructions. Then, you will go in." he said.
I looked at him.
Was I about to meet the owner now?
Who was waiting for me behind that door?
I was feeling nervous and a little scared.
"Do you understand?" Jerry asked.
I nodded and looked down at the ground.
"Yes, sir." I replied.
Jerry turned and started walking down the hall.
"Wait!" I called after him.
He stopped and looked over his shoulder.
"When will I meet Mr Leonardo?" I asked.
His expression remained neutral, but his eyes were cold and his voice was hard.
"If you get the job. If not, then you won't see him at all." He said.
After that, he continued walking down the hall.
I stared at him, wondering if the owner was an eccentric or something.
I mean, what was with all these rules.
'Don't use the front door, don't open the door on the right.'
He was either a weirdo or an extremely private person. Maybe he was paranoid. Or he had a criminal past and didn't want anyone knowing about it.