A security guard quickly came down from the car and opened the back car door. A middle-aged lady came out of the car; she looked ravishing, and her dress and accessories made her out to be a very wealthy lady. With the way she walked, one doesn't need to be told that she was a very high-class lady; her charisma, her look, and her way of dressing showed premium luxury.
" She must be Mrs. Johnson." Pearl thought.
" You must be Catherine's daughter." The lady said as she walked majestically towards Pearl.
" Yes ma'am," Pearl said, nodding her head.
" Ok, I'm Rebecca, but you can call me Mrs. Johnson; that's what everyone calls me, so you won't be excluded," Rebecca said firmly.
" Ok, ma'am," Pearl said softly.
" Your mum already called me; she told me about the unfortunate accident she had yesterday on her way from work; how is she now?" Rebecca asked softly.
" She's fine, ma'am, the doctor asked her to rest. You know her legs got affected, so she needs to be on bed rest for some time. The doctor said she shouldn't stress her legs for now." Pearl explained.
" Oh I see, that's fair enough. Thank God, it wasn't more than that. Your mum told me that you will be standing in for her till she's back on her feet, and I guess that's why you're here. Has your boss shown you around?" Rebecca asked, pointing at Luca, who had been looking at them all through the conversation.
" Oh! He sent me away, he said I should tell my mum that she's fired." Pearl said firmly.
" He did what? Luca, is that true?" Rebecca asked, walking towards Luca.
" Mum, she was disrespectful to me. This is my house, and I say who leaves or stays. I said she's not working with me, and that's final." Luca said firmly at the top of his voice.
" There's no way that's happening, have you forgotten so soon? I told you that Catherine would be the last cleaner I would get for you, I told you, didn't I? I'm tired of endangering your life in the hands of strangers all the time, which is more reason why I never hired a living cleaner for you. Son, you don't know who is who, you can't keep changing cleaners like diapers. What if you fall into the wrong hands someday? Have you forgotten the son of whom you are?" Rebecca asked softly as she stood in front of him at the doorstep.
" Mum, I'm fine. Nothing will happen to me; I don't just want her here; she can't work for me; I detest her already. I will make this house miserable for her if she agrees to stay back and work, and I'm sure she doesn't want that for herself. As you can see, Mum, she was already leaving before you came, so please let her keep going." Luca said firmly.
" Well then, be ready to do the cleaning yourself because I won't hire any cleaner anymore. I won't let you endanger your life, never! And don't think you can play smart on me; if you hire a new cleaner, I'll know, and once I know, just know that he or she is gone. There's no way I'm bringing more strangers in here for you all in the name of cleaner, no way!" Rebecca said firmly.
" Really? So you're threatening me in my house now? I said I don't want her, and you want to shove her down my throat? Her mother isn't the best cleaner in the world anyway; we can always get a better cleaner than her. So why are you making a big deal out of this, and making her feel so special and important." Luca said, looking away.
" Well, she's special because she's the only cleaner who had lasted for six months amongst all the six cleaners you've hired within just two years of moving out of the house, all in the name of wanting your own space, and privacy," Rebecca said firmly.
" It's not a big deal after all, her daughter said. Her mum kept working with me all this while because of the pay. So it's obvious that she lasted longer because of the money." Luca said.
" So why didn't the rest stay back since you believe she stayed back because of the money? After all, it's the same amount that she's being paid. The rest were paid, too." Rebecca said.
" The rest had something to fall back on, but it's obvious she has nothing to fall back on if she quits this job. She knows she and her family will starve to death if she quit." Luca said with a wicked smile.
" Who the hell does this dude think he is?" Pearl thought.
She was trying so badly to hold back her anger and words so that she wouldn't give Rebecca the wrong impression.
" News flash, son, she stood back because she's determined and patient. I know that her daughter has those personality traits, too. Do you think if she isn't determined, and patient enough, she will keep working for you? No, she wouldn't, no matter the amount you're paying her every month." Rebecca said firmly.
" Well, if that's what you tell her to make her sleep at night, then good for her. As for me, I don't want her services anymore, and that's final." Luca said firmly at the top of his voice.
" Fine! What's your name again?" Rebecca asked Pearl.
" Pearl," Pearl answered.
" Ok, Pearl, I'm sorry you have to leave. He said he doesn't want you here, so I guess he wants to handle the cleaning of his house himself," Rebecca said to Pearl.
" Ok ma'am, I was already on my way before you drove in. Thank you, ma'am, and it was nice meeting you for the first time." Pearl said softly.
" You're welcome. My regards to your mum, tell her I said I wish her a quick recovery." Rebecca said, smiling.
" I will ma'am," Pearl said, nodding her head.
" Good girl, please do take good care of… … … … … …"
" Hey you, where did you keep your phone? I've been calling you but you weren't picking." A lady said as she entered the compound, interrupting Rebecca.
" Oh! You?" Luca said at the sight of her.