Chapter Three

Chapter 3

Ella's POV

The servants hall was a separate four-storey building located at the East side of the mansion with it's very on pool, pond and garden

On the first floor, there was a dainty lobby with padded chairs and tea table. A television set hanging on the wall, a Glassdoor fridge full of fruit drinks (I was dying to get one, perhaps, a grape flavor), a coffee machine and a counter with yummy looking cakes and pastries,( wait, is that a croissant)

"This section of the building is for women alone ."

Well, that explains the peach coloured curtains and colour vases filled flowers. My eyes roamed around.

"Men are prohibited here" she looked at me with a warning look, as if I will bring any man here, that would never happen.

"There are separate areas for the men and body guards, so you won't run when into them when you are here. But everyone eats at the dining hall, for the cook's convenience "

"I see, I nodded, following her and dragging my luggage, "this place is very nice like an hostel"

"Yeah," she tilted one eyebrow looking at uncertainly "you may feel that you are on a vacation, but I have to remind you, you have duties and responsibilities here. Mr Knights is expecting you to behave accordingly. He is very strict to people working with him. He won't hesitate to fire anyone not doing his/her job well and not following the house rules".

"Oh my that's scary ", I joked but she kept a straight face.

"He can be scary and dangerous too, so bear that in mind. Not only for yourself but for the other staff, since they are under your supervison, you don't want to take blame right" she said firmly, like some strict Victorian headmistress, "come on, I will show you your room".

The room was on the second floor modern, conventional and in a cheerful lavender. The Queen sized bed look comfortable with crispy white sheets and big pillows. I could not wait to lie down on it and sleep. There was an ensuite, bathroom, closet, study table with lamp and a television set.

"It's lovely I opened the windows to see the view of the river. The air was so fresh and clean, everywhere was so calm and peaceful. I could only here the chirping sounds of the birds.

"I'm glad you like it," she tilted her chin and clasped her arms together "I'm going to introduce you to the staff later. Just don't forget, you are forty-five years and you are your aunt's sister not niece. Clear?"

"Very clear"

"You will assume all my duties and responsibilities here in the mansion" she enumerated her role and I listened eagerly.

I learned that she was more like an overseer/supervisor than a house keeper, she kept things in order and made sure everyone does their jobs perfectly.

"You have to be strict and authoritative, so everyone will follow your orders, not Everyone will listen to you, some are hard headed like Connor the driver".

"Well, I will take that as a challenge.Noted Calliope."

"Remember to address me as miss Chloros in front of Mr Knights, he doesn't address his staff by their first name

"Oh okay he doesn't no everyone's first name"

"Yes, he keeps everything formal and buisness like here, so you will be addressed as Miss Sinclair also"

"Sure no problem."

"I will leave you now to unpack your things. I will see you down stairs in an hour", she tilted her chin up again (I realized is an habit) then she left the room.

The moment I was alone, I laid on the bed, contemplating on what I got into.

Weighing the good and the bad, disguising is a lie but I had to help aunt Jodie.

I called dad and mom, afterwards, they were still curious about the results of my interview.

"Did you get the job", dad asked me right away.

"Yes,I got the job"

I heard mom shout "I knew it, you are so smart Ella, I knew you would be hired"

"But, it's different way better than the teaching job"

I heard their silence, then mom asked" what do you mean?"

"There's no hiring of history professors NYU until next semester, they put me in their priority list" I kept my fingers crossed

"In other words, you didn't get the job right?"

Dad asked.

"Yeah but"

"But what" mom asked gently.

"I have a job now, I just started today as a job researcher"

"I'm confused will you explain what really happened Ella?" Dad asked firmly

"Well, Miss Murphy introduced me to this ..um.. writer, yes writer, a very famous and respectable one, I'm sure you know him dad, he is doing some research right now and I'm very lucky to help him."

"Who is this writer"

"Sorry dad, I can't tell you his name, this research is very confidential. It's involves the government, the United Nations and um.... The World Health Organisation", my face burned from all the lies I have said. I felt so guilty.

"So it's concerns health".

"Exactly, by the way, it's a stay in job with a very good salary. the benefits are crazy. Imagine we have a serva... I mean they serve a buffet every meal."

"You mean, there are many of you working there?" Mom asked worriedly.

"Plenty, more than twenty people, so don't worry about me, I'm in save hands"

"And where's this place you are working at, at least tell us where you are right now".

"I'm here in New York, just a few minutes drive from our place, you can call or text me anytime, if you are worried about me."

"Okay, fine we trust you", Mom sounded satisfied with my explanation.

"Take care always, our princess", Dad shouted at the background.

"I will, I love you so much, enjoy your vacation,bye."

I felt guilty that I had to lie to my parents, I wish I never had to, but for aunty Jodie, I had to it, I just hope they would understand me.

I opened my luggage and saw the two picture frame that I brought, I put them on the top of the bedside table, beside the clock

My eyes widened at the alarm, Oh no, I have only five minutes left

I fixed myself then ran down to meet Calliope and the staff.

Alexander's POV

"What was that commotion earlier", I asked my body guard, Jack, when we were inside the private elevator, of the Monteiro hotel, heading to the rooftop, I just finished my lunch meeting with the French Ambassador.

"A woman sir. She insisted on having a photo with you."

I clicked my tongue, suddenly annoyed at the information, "dammit why can't some people understand that I am not a celebrity."

Jack was silent after fifteen years of working as my bodyguard he knew when to be silent

At the rooftop, I strode directly to the helipad, where my chopper and the rest of the guards where waiting

"To the headquarters", Jack informed the pilot

"Roger"

Taking a chopper wherever I go is very convenient for me, my is too precious to waste on traffic.

I was in our Texas office for straight two months, working on our Augment reality and Virtual reality project.

We were ready to advance to the next level which was Beta testing. Our software developers are doing many test run to avoid collapse of the system. The project aimed to change the future - in education, commerce, science and technology. All human kind would benefit this project.

"Ready for landing, sir" the pilot announced, then descended on the Knights building.

Waiting at the rooftop, were my executive secretary, software Manager, finance officer and personal assistant.

"Good afternoon Mr Knights," they all greeted, then followed me

Jack and two of my bodyguards went ahead to open the door of my office.

"What the hell is that", I pointed at the boat on top of my desk, then looked at my executive secretary, Mrs Penn.

"That's a Sushi boat, Sir" He informed me, Mrs Alvarez delivered it personally. She wanted it on your desk, so you wouldn't miss it"

"That's huge, how can I miss seeing it", I hissed, them ordered firmly" give it to the guards"

A bodyguard took it from my table and took it outside

I dropped down behind my office, shaking my head.

Mrs Alvarez is pretty Insistent, she wants me to date her daughter, for heaven's sake, she throwing her daughter at a wolf

"Okay, tell me all your concerns first" I asked my finance officer.

"The finance advisor for the Dubai trading company that your investment is tripled. He is asking if you will reinvest the money sir"

"Yeah, Roll it and add another billion"

"Noted sir"

My software Manager enumerated the test runs they made in the last 24hrs

"We could not find any fault In Edutech program, Sir we're ready to launch for Beta testing, where can we run it?"

"We will do it next week. Make sure that all members working In the project are all present."

"Understood sir".

The brought up more concern until we tackled everything.

"Is that all", I looked at my watch, time was running so fast, I needed to study and sign many documents."

"I have more sir," Mr Penn said, "the GQ magazine is asking if you can pose for them. They want you to be in their next months cover, as the most eligible bachelor of America."

"Not again, I just posed for Forbes", I shook my head "tell them I'm busy".

"Will do, sir", he scribbled something on his IPad,"Another thing, Miss hornet called she booked a dinner for both of you at New world hotel. Tonight at 8pm"

"Hornet"

"The girl you went out with, two nights ago"

"Oh", my eyebrows drew together,

"Send her, a flower and a bracelet, Include a note tell her it's was fun while it's lasted"

"Yes sir"

I took my pen, impatient to start working, "is that all?".

"Miss Chloros also called"

I slammed my hands on my desk"and who is this"

"Your skipper in New York"

"I see, what's her concern?"

"She called to inform you that Miss Jodie Sinclair broke her arm and it will take two months for Miss Sinclair to recover fully"

"But miss Chloros is getting married", I took my pen, subconsciously tapping my pen on my desk.

"Yes sir, and she has scheduled to leave next week. miss Sinclair sister filled in the post for two months and is now settled in mansion"

"I see", I read the document, in front of me and was still tapping my pen

"By the way, her name is Ella Sinclair, she's forty-five years old and single"

I stopped tapping, pen then looked at Mr Penn "draw a contract. I want it signed, sealed and delivered."

"Noted sir"

I put my pen down and turned to Jack

"Prepare the plane. We are going to New York".