3 Work

After a few hours, I arrived at the place earlier than I expected. Most of the time, I will be stuck in some kind of traffic during the afternoon. But to my surprise, the driver knew the way well.

I’m just mesmerized. I might mistook the address Justin gave me.

The house I’m looking at--- no scratch that--- the mansion in front me is freaking huge!

Yeah, I accepted the work he recommended to me.Afterall, the job is kind of easy. Or atleast, I’m used to it.

Justin’s friend wanted to find somebody who can watch over him since his parents are out of the country. His condition is not well and I was only informed that he can’t get up on his own. He has no siblings nor any close relatives to be on his side. His maids are not that young so I think I’ll be fit for this.

And second, I badly need the money right now that I don’t care whether I tire myself out looking after another person. For now, I’ll just bear with this work far from my work at the office. It is better than that hell.

But based on the outer interior of the house, I think it is well-detailed, Justin’s friend must be a multi-millionaire. It is obviously huge for one person. It took me several times to push the doorbell until someone in her mid-50’s showed up. I don’t know if my face looks weird but it gives me relief when she just smiled and opens the gate for me.

“You must be Julie,” I nodded. “Come, Simon is waiting for you upstairs.” my doubts faded when I confirmed myself that I’m in the correct address.

Justin also said that this Simon has a problem both physically and mentally but Justin really wants to give me a job. Despite what I learned, I think it’s not a problem whether I’ll be dealing with a psychopath. Like what the hell? I spent almost half of my life taking care of my ill mom so what difference does it make?

I die or not, I’ll just work and get out of this misery.

When I entered the mansion, I was not surprised to see all those great things and decorations hanging on the ceiling. Everything is well-detailed just like on the outside but here, almost everything seems to be expensive and fragile. The walls are covered by paintings by some known artists and I can’t calculate how much he spent on those. The chair, the center table and the carpet looks authentic and this is the first time I was deeply amazed by something.

I can feel the longing of my past. And the anger to myself because of my own shortcomings.

I am walking after the house maids until they open a door and let me inside. I thought they would be coming with me but after I got in, they shut the door after muttering some Spanish words . I already know that Simon can’t get up on his own so he spent most of his time in his bed or in his wheelchair.

I looked down. I don’t know where to put my hands, back to my baggage or in clasp it in front of me. I’m not nervous but I feel uncomfortable being in the same room with a man.

“Oh, I see you have finally arrived. You’re early, huh?” he said, making me look at him. “Y-yes, I don’t have anything to do and I actually don’t want to be late.”

“I see.”

What is this? I thought that he would be some older guy in old clothes, talking hoarsely. But after I see him now, he’s more like a warmer person. His smile is the first thing I saw and it’s not like those things Justin described him. He’s not gloomy, he’s not pale and actually, he sounds so young.

"I know what you think of me right now and to tell you, I also expected a woman older than....THIS." I can’t distinguish if it’s an insult or not but I know I’m a bit mature for my age. "Sir, I know that you are not expecting a younger woman like me to take care of you for the meantime but I assure you that-"

"No need to assure me of your capabilities. I know that you are willing to take this job out of your need." he smiled at me but his expression changed like there’s something bothering him. The look of an older brother who has enough of his sibling’s tantrums. He waved his hands on his side like he was pushing something away.

"She will see you soon. I know that, you bastard."he snorted out of the blue and it felt weird.

Maybe the rumors are true.

I frowned and took a step closer to him. I coughed to get his attention.

"Uhm, sir? There is no one there."I said and pointed at his side. I thought he would be confused and insisted on seeing something there but he only smiled! Like what I said is just as usual as drinking water.

"Sit there for a while, miss."

I looked for a chair and sat there to observe what he will be doing. We stared at each other for seconds and his weird smile is still there. I did not expect him to get up on his bed and look me straight in the eye. Isn’t he supposed to lie down all day?!

"Oh, sorry. I know that you thought that I'm a mad person for talking by 'myself' but sorry to say that there is someone else here."

“What?” Woah, I did not expect him to say something like that bluntly. Does he have a third-eye? Justin didn’t tell me he can see ghosts. "By the way, every week you will be having your day-off.It’s your choice to work on that day or not. Actually you can go home anytime you want, just come back, okay?"he did not pay attention to my confusion instead he is starting discussing about the work which is the only thing why I'm supposed to be here.

Actually, I already know the benefits and how much I will earn but just to be sure, I still listen to him.

"Then twice a month, you will be receiving your salary of one hundred thousand--"My eyes widened the moment he said that. "Sir, I thought I will only be receiving fifty--"

"No. As I see now, I think I can change the amount."he smiled, showing me his white and pearl teeth. He’s freaking serious! With that, as if the sun lit up this room and definitely made my day!

If I work here, I can easily pay my uncle and I can find my brother. Mom can take her medicines regularly and I’ll be able to cope up with every need of Aunt Tessie!This will be a great work!

My grin turned into a smile as I went to Simon and held his hands."Thank you,sir. I don't know how I will express my gratitude. But thank you." I bowed down and I can hear him laugh. That’s when I realized what I am doing. "Sorry, sir. I didn't mean--" he waved his hands before I could finish my words.

"Oh please. You shouldn't be thanking me." he disregarded my gratitude and I wondered if that smile of his is permanent. Is he that warm-hearted or it is part of his illness?

"Huh? What do you mean,sir?" I’m already on the verge of questioning the extent of his illness. He looked in front of him before turning to me and he suddenly paused. Maybe thinking of something he will say or how to explain something so complex to me.

"You know what, someone really stubborn begged me to find you. When he met you that night, he asked me to take you home after you fainted but he cannot do anything. Then he asked me again to talk to your former co-worker so--"

"Wait, wait, wait! What are we talking about here? A-are you the one who---"

"Yes." I shrugged in shock when someone spoke behind me. What the heck? I thought me and Simon were the only people here.

Wait a minute, that voice… Why is it so familiar? I heard of it, I’m not sure where or when.I seem to forget things these days so easily. To confirm my suspicions, I turned to see who speak---

"You..."I gasped. I remember the night I went to the hospital. I thought that was a dream. If not, then how can this man-

"See? She can see me."he pointed his finger at me and I was astounded because if it’s not a dream, how can he be still alive. And if it’s a dream, is it a coincidence that I saw a clear, detailed face of someone who I’ll be meeting?

He went to Simon and shook hands with him."I won, Simon. You've got the wrong bet." Simon’s face cannot be described anymore. Whatever bet they did, he obviously lost it.

"YOU!" I exclaimed without even thinking about it. "Y-you...jumped from the rooftop! You can't be here... shit, am I dreaming again? No---this can't be happening!" I buried my face on my palm and I can’t keep calm anymore, what is happening?

They just laugh while I’m losing my sanity here!

"Jayden, my man. You make this girl mad!" Simon laughed again like it’s the last day of the world. I glanced on the man he called Jayden and I almost jumped again when I saw him already facing me. I did not expect him to come at me before clasping his hands together.

"So tell me, woman,” I swallow the lump in my throat as he get his face closer to mine. That’s when I get a better look at his hazelnut eyes. I can’t smell his scent nor feel the warm of his breath but his eyes are more mesmerizing than the entirety of this house. Woah, easy there, Jayden. This guy stares like I'm an exclusive item for a bidding. "What made you happy?"

Huh?

I glanced at Simon but he just looked at me and nodded, telling me to answer the question. “I don’t understand why I need---”

“Just answer it, woman.”

“Well, my mom going back to her good--"

"No, what makes you happy right now? At this very moment, woman." he cutted off my words. I am wondering if this is part of the job but since I need to be nice, I answer him honestly. I should not be ashamed.

"Then it's the money, sir.We’re talking about this moment, right? It's obvious that everyone can be happy having that large amount of money, do you think?" he smiled at my response but I know it's not the genuine one. There's no happiness.

"It's such desperation for you to be ecstatic by just knowing the amount of your salary. Now, I see." Jayden stood up and walked back and forth.

"You don’t have any illnesses?"he stopped and looked at me again. I immediately shook my head. "How come this happened?" he stood and turned to his friend.

"You take care of this woman and until I know what's going on. This turn of events should not be happening." he added before opening the door and step out of this room. I don’t really know what is happening and what the hell they are talking about!

I turned to Simon after the door was shutted. He looks so serious now but I somehow, not afraid of him.

Even mad people can be understood sometimes, I think.

"When will I start, sir?"because the silence is deafening, I did my best to get back my sanity that I lost a moment ago.

Simon smiled and tried to get up and I immediately went there to help before he could say something. I put the two pillows behind him and when I look back ,his smile has returned and I realized that our faces were only an inch away.

"You seem to know so much about taking care of people."he muttered under his breath. There's also a glint of amusement written on his face that is so warm. I can’t seem to step back . We just look at each other in that position.

"Of course, I've been into a lot of bad times, sir."I cleared my throat and looked away. He sighed at my statement. "I knew that and I'm sorry that such a beauty like you experienced a nasty fate. And just a favor, can you please call me 'Simon' only? I may not be as young as you can see me physically but I'm only 23 years old."

Okay,I had to admit, because of his illness---which I'm aware of--- his physical features look so mature, I can mistake him as a man in mid-30’s and a battered husband that has ten children. I know he’s young but I didn’t expect that I would be three years older than him.

"You can work now, actually. I can see that you already have your baggage, you can put it in the other room.And the contract will be given to you tomorrow since the amount was changed.”I nodded at him and was about to take my leave when I heard him say something.

“By the way, there's also one thing I need to change in the contract,” he looked down as if he’s having a hard time continuing his words. “You will not take care of me, you will take care of Jayden instead."

"W-what?"

Oh, no. This work will be hard for me. Let's see how I can work with 'that' guy, when I didn't even know why he is still alive. Geez, my first day is unexpected.