Catherine turned pale. Her eyes bulged as she stood there, rooted to the spot, unable to speak or act as Geoffrey turned and left.
After a while, he walked out of the house silently and got into her car. As she started the car and held onto the steering wheel on her way home, Geoffrey's comments echoed in her head like a ghost that would not be exorcised.
"You killed them. You're a murderer."
When she threatened to cut off his finances, she didn't even mean it. It was just a threat to get him to come to his senses. Nevertheless, she had anticipated anger and resistance. Even bitterness. Not this, though.
Not a direct accusation of murder-–of her own family—her only sister. It was irrational. Sure, she was interested in the Smiths inheritance, but how could she have killed her only relative? That night, she had also lost her sister. The wound had not healed, as the pain persisted.
What in God's name was Geoffrey talking about? A man pushed their car, and her sister yelled Danny's name. Geoffrey had spoken so firmly, his voice brimming with anger and determination.
But it can't be true. Perhaps Geoffrey got discharged from the hospital too quickly. The poor, traumatized boy probably still needed medical attention.
With a deep exhale, she grabbed her phone and dialed her assistant, Ashley's number. When the latter picked up, Catherine spoke with a firm yet strained voice as she urged, "Ashley, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Monroe for next week. For Geoffrey."
Ashley paused. "Ma'am, are you concerned about his health?"
Catherine gripped the phone more tightly. "I simply want to make sure he's alright. Put it in my schedule for next week."
"Yes, ma'am."
Catherine grumbled and hung up. She had the remainder of the week to watch him, to see if his behavior and accusation were the result of hazardous paranoia or grief.
In any case, she refused to allow the situation to worsen.
************************************************
A few ladies sat rigidly in the vast hall of the Smith mansion, waiting for their interview turn. The air was alive with soft conversation.
Although Geoffrey had no intention of stopping, he was drawn to the sound of voices as he approached the stairway on his way to the garden.
There was an interview session with new prospective employees. The home was operating on a skeleton crew because he had fired so many employees. If Catherine realized how understaffed the home had become, she would likely have a heart attack.
He was ready to continue on his way when a voice broke through the jumble of uninteresting small talk. A quiet but assured voice. Real, not staged, not rehearsed. And the girl said, "My name is Tiana Banks." Geoffrey lowered his head a little and slowed his pace.
The home manager inquired, "What makes you want this job?"
"I need it," Tiana said plainly. "In addition to my younger brother's mounting medical expenditures, my father is ailing. Even when I study part-time, it's insufficient. I'm adept at following directions and keeping things tidy. And I'm not going to whine."
Her voice had a subtle firmness that Geoffrey noticed. There was only honesty, not pretense or a last-ditch effort to seem flawless. A dramatic contrast to the elder applicants, who had overreacted and made an effort to impress.
The manager of the home hummed. "And how much housekeeping experience do you have?" She said, "Before the workload became too much in addition to school, I worked at a hotel for two years. I also did cleaning work on the weekends and worked as a waitress." Geoffrey made up his mind at once.
He turned and gave a little tap with his cane to one of the other maids. He said, "Tell the house manager that I want the girl hired and specifically assigned to me."
The maid paused. "Sir, you mean as your maid?"
"Yes."
"However, sir, there are other capable maids who—"
"I didn't request a debate." Geoffrey snapped at the inquisitive elderly maid. There was no place for debate in his cold voice.
The maid quickly left, and as soon as the house manager got Geoffrey's request, she hired her.
Tiana's startled voice broke through the cacophony. "I'm hired? Really?
With a hint of annoyance in her voice, the house manager added, "Say so if you don't want the job."
Silence for a beat. Then she replied, "I'll take it," with a quiet resolve.
Geoffrey sat in the study later that night, following the spine of a book he couldn't possibly read. Light footsteps came as the door creaked open. Even before she spoke, he knew who it was. His senses were very sharp.
Tiana remarked as she approached him cautiously. She had heard about his ill temper from others, so she knew she had to tread carefully. She couldn't help but be impressed with his good looks though. How could a boy this cute be an ashole? "I was told you wanted to see me." She said as she stood before him.
Geoffrey turned his head in the direction of her voice. "You are now my personal maid." He declared right away.
She was silent for a moment before answering. "So I've been informed. My name is Tiana Banks, it is my pleasure to serve you."
Geoffrey ignored her introduction, "I dislike dishonesty. I dislike rumors and gossip. A
Most importantly, I detest those who believe they can use my blindness to exploit me."
Tiana spoke steadily. "I understand sir."
"You'll take care of anything involving me. Nobody else. You'll accompany me everywhere. Do you understand?"
With a gentle breath Tiana replied, "Yes, I do."
"Oh, one more thing. I'll know if you steal from me." Geoffrey concluded with an unamusing sneer on his lips.
Silence for a beat. And then, she chuckled.
Geoffrey scowled. It wasn't forced or mocking. It was real. "Is there something amusing?" he inquired sternly.
Tiana cleared her throat. "No, it's simply..." Once more, she let out a little laugh. "Do you honestly believe that I would jeopardize my job for a watch or some money? My family needs me to be employed, not incarcerated."
This was new to him. To reassure him of their honesty, which always turned out to be fake, people typically stumbled or fumbled in front of him.
However, she seemed amused by his admonition. Curious, he leaned back. "We'll see."
After a pause, she spoke again, but with a softer tone. "If it's okay with you, sir, may I ask why you chose me?"
Geoffrey paused, unwilling to explain that it was due to her plain honesty, her seeming difference from the others. He merely replied, "Because I could."
With an unintelligible tone, Tiana let out a breath. "All right."
Geoffrey heard her weight shift as she turned around to leave the study.
However, she took an unexpected action when she got to the door. Before he could react, something chilly wrapped itself around his wrist and he heard the sound of metal clinking. He tensed. "What the devil—"
With a hint of humor remaining in her voice, Tiana continued, "Calm down sir. I just returned your watch to its proper place."
He touched his wrist with his fingers. He felt an opulent watch he had thought was gone—or stolen. After a long period of silence, he eventually spoke. "Where did you get this?"
"Did you not fire someone today?" Her tone was suddenly informal as she asked. "Before the lady left, she took it. But I retrieved it." When she saw Geoffrey's unsatisfied expression, she dismissed the matter with a wave of her hand. "Don't worry about the details. It's not important."
Geoffrey made a small line with his lips. "Why didn't you let on that you had it earlier?"
Tiana shrugged. "I didn't believe I had to. I assumed you would "know."
He wasn't sure if he should be annoyed or impressed. Geoffrey was taken aback for the first time in a long time. A sneer flickere
d on his lips as the door closed behind her. She was different, this girl. He may have finally found someone in his house who could make living not so hellish anymore.