Chapter 1
“Here’s Mr. Smith’s schedule. Your only work is to clean his office after office hours. Doesn’t matter what time you get in, just make sure that it’s cleaned and completely sanitized by the time he gets to the office the next day.” The woman explained. She is in her 40′s and is the secretary of this company’s CEO. “Mr. Smith is a germaphobe. Make sure that not a speck can be seen.” She added as she pointed at me.
I applied as a part-time cleaner at this company to support my study in college. Especially, now that I am a graduating student, I need more money than before. My mom could not afford the additional expenses.
“I understand. Thank you for giving me this job. This helps me a lot, auntie.” I muttered.
“Hmph! While we are in the office, refrain from calling me your aunt. No one should know that we are related. I give you this job since I know that you needed this. We’ll both be in trouble if anyone knew, I let you in.” She said in a hushed voice.
“Yes, ma’am!” I answered as I slowly nodded my head.
“Good. You may start this evening. Do your job properly. Mr. Smith is very particular it comes to cleanliness. You are the fifth once this year. I hope you won’t get fired.” She warned as she turned her back on me. I followed her to where she is going.
She handed me a few rolled dollars before she motioned her hand as if telling me to go. I bowed my head and hurriedly walked towards the elevator.
I hope I can do this job well. The pay is much more than I needed. With this, I could also help my mom pay off the debt that my late father left us.
I heard the sound of the elevator as the door opens. My eyes immediately notice the expensive shoes inside. I unconsciously step aside as the owner of those shoes took a huge step outside followed by two other people. Those must have cost thousands of dollars. I wonder how could a person wear that much expensive shoes.
I cocked my head to the side to get off my mind from the jealousy I felt. I could’ve worn the same six years ago. I turned my back and get inside the elevator. Hopefully, I could still make it to my next class if there’s no traffic.
I got off my last class today at 6:30 PM. Auntie said I could go any time I want. I just have to show the entry pass she gave me earlier to get in. It would take me another 30 minutes to go there. If I'll start right away, I could go home probably by 9 PM.
"Dana, we're going to the bar tonight to celebrate the end of our hell week. Are you coming?" Jaxon called out, just before I could go out of our classroom.
"I have something to do, tonight. You guys can go without me." I said while smiling. I saw him frown for a second before his smile shows again.
"Come on, Dana. My treat. Come with us this time." He insisted. I shook my head. I heard the others complaining and asking him if he would also treat them. Some were booing.
"I really can't, Jaxon. I found a new part-time job. I have to go; otherwise, it'll be hard to find another opportunity. I can't let this pass." I said as I start taking my things.
"I told you I could help you. If you just let me." I shook my head again before I motioned to my close friends that I'll be going.
I heard them continue bickering and teasing Jaxon. Jaxon is my long-time suitor. Although I kept rejecting him, he continued to take his advances on me. I kept ignoring him, but he's still being persistent, and everyone in our department knows about it. I would sometimes hear negative things about me, that I am just being hard, that I like the attention that I am getting, especially that Jaxon is a son of a wealthy businessman. I would just ignore them, after all, it would do me no good.
I heaved a deep and long-breathed as I stood outside of the tall building. This is where I am going to work, now. I walk towards security and held out the entry pass in my hand. The huge man nodded his head and pressed his ID badge to open the door.
"Thank you," I muttered. I immediately went to the locker room, as my Aunt mentioned during the briefing, and change my clothes. I put on a tight white shirt and a blue jumper. I tied the long sleeve at my waist before going towards the janitorial closet to ready the things I needed to clean Mr. Smith's office.
I went towards the safety from my Aunt's table to get the badge to open Mr. Smith's office. She mentioned that I need to put it back after I cleaned. I believe it is for security purposes that automatically logs the time I took it and when I return it.
I pressed the badge towards the side of the door to open the huge door that reveals a cold and well-lit office. I looked at my wristwatch and saw that it is already 7:15 PM. Way past office hours. I looked back at the man behind the red oak table.
He's staring at me. I gulped as I averted my eyes from him. Who is he? I thought Mr. Smith is an old fat bald man in his late 50s. This man is not what I have imagined.
Sharp tantalizing eyes behind those sexy glasses. Pointed nose and his red thin lips. His perfectly carved jawline. His left eyebrow was raised at me as if asking me who I was. His suit also does not hide his well-toned physique.
"Who are you?" I was woken up by his deep voice and it make me panic. I immediately bowed my head in embarrassment and chewed my lower lip. I was clearly day dreaming.
"I-i'm Dana. The new cleaner. I'm sorry, sir. I thought no one was here. I'll wait outside." My voice shivered. I quickly picked up the bucket to go outside.
"You may start cleaning. Don't mind me." He stated. I nodded and slowly put back the bucket.