Chapter 16 - New Job

At the dot of 5 am, my eyes popped open only to find the warmth that had numbed my nightmares was gone. I looked around the room, trying to figure out where the heat source came from, but the tidy bed next to me and the cold room showed no signs.
It had been two years since I had had such a restful sleep. Over the years, I always woke up multiple times overnight, laden with sweat after my nightmares startled me. The warmth that had surrounded me was to thank for how well-rested I was.
I jumped out of bed and headed for the shower. I wanted to get a head start on the day to figure out my duties and environment.
I walked around the kitchen, opening cupboards and drawers, trying to figure out where everything was. The cabinets and shelves were neatly arranged with expensive china plates and polished crystal glasses, as well as other crockery and utensils. The penthouse could definitely host a small village with how much stuff there was. Finally, I closed the last cupboard and opened the pantry door.
"Miss Rover. Good morning" a raspy voice startled me.
My head whipped around to find Terence standing near the fridge.
I put my hand over my chest and took a deep breath to calm my racing heart.
"Gosh, you gave me a fright." I sighed.
"I'm so sorry for startling you, Miss Rover. I didn't know you'd be here this early." Terence fretted.
"Please call me Stacey. It feels weird when you call me Miss Rover. Like you, I work for Mr. Masters too, so no need to be so formal." I smiled.
Terence smiled back at me and nodded.
"Of course, Stacey. Mr. Masters told me this morning. I am so pleased he's finally decided to find someone to maintain this place. Now I don't have to travel back and forth. I wasn't sure how much longer my old bones were going to be able to cope."
"Why were you traveling? I mean, does Mr. Masters have that many properties for you to look after?" I asked, biting my lip, hoping I wasn't crossing any lines.
Terence chuckled before opening the fridge and pulling out a jug of milk.
"Well, yes and no. Mr. Master owns many different properties, but I don't look after them all. Mr. Masters is from Myrtle Falls and has a permanent residence there. I live out there and just travel back and forth to wherever Mr. Masters needs me." Terence started pulling out things to make a coffee.
*Myrtle Falls.*
I didn't know where that was. I had only been in Seattle for two years, and in that time, I had barely gone out to explore the area.
"Why doesn't Mr. Masters stay at his permanent residence? I mean, why not stay in a place that feels like home? Don't get me wrong, but this place doesn't really scream home." I muttered, looking around at how clinical the penthouse was.
"Myrtle Falls is almost five hours away. I use his helicopter to shorten travel time, and I'm sure Mr. Masters could do the same, but it's just a hassle. Staying closer to the city makes things easier for him. As for this place, it's a temporary residence. There's no point in decorating it. However, Zach said once he found his life partner, he would let her add color to this place. Fill his life and this place with her love and laughter." Terence held up a cup of coffee for me.
I smiled and thanked him before taking the cup.
My eyes wandered the penthouse absorbing the dullness. Zach wanted a wife. He wanted someone to fill his life with color and love.
I smiled at the thought. Maybe Crystal was right about Zach. It was so sweet that he wanted such things in life.
I quickly shook off whatever emotion was building in me. Zach was my boss, and it was time to put this "You helped me, so I helped you" series to an end.
"Could you please show me around and tell me what all I need to do?"
"Of course. That's exactly why I'm here this morning." Terence smiled, putting all the things away.
Two hours later, my mind was blown by how big this place was. It looked small from the outside, but it was most definitely big enough to host a village. As we walked through the indoor swimming area, butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Memories of the dinner Zach and I had there flooded my mind. I immediately dismissed those memories and put my facade back up.
Zach was the only thing I hadn't seen all morning. Terence mentioned Zach had left early for an out-of-state meeting and wouldn't be back until later in the evening. Usually, Terence made reheatable meals and left them in the fridge for Zach since he only came around once every few days. But now that I was here, he suggested that I could prepare the meals closer to dinner time and leave them in the oven for whenever Zach got home.
From what Terence explained, it seemed like I would be spending 80% of the time alone in the penthouse. He said I could treat the place like my own house and do whatever I wanted as long as I had made Zach's bed, did his laundry, and had meals ready for him.
It sounded like I would be Zach's mother more than his maid. Nevertheless, that's what I was here for and the least I could do for Zach, especially since he was housing me to keep me safe.
Terence stayed around to help me ease into the work and settle in. He silently hovered in the background, explaining more details as I finished in the kitchen and headed upstairs to tidy Zach's room.
The view of Seattle for much more glamourous from the first floor. Zach's room was in the corner of the hallway with an excellent 180-degree view of the beautiful city. It was a lot more spacious than the room I was in.
Terence showed me how Zach liked the bed made and where his laundry was. Once a week, I was meant to clean his bathroom as well as vacuum the bedroom daily.
It was almost 3 pm by the time I was done with everything. Terence said I could pace the work throughout the day, ensuring I took breaks in-between.
The lift dinged, and Kieran emerged as we walked into the kitchen to get some late lunch. He was dressed in his three-piece suit, looking as dashing as ever. Next to him was a guy just as tall as him but less muscular. His dirty blonde hair was slicked back, and he looked like he had just walked out of a fashion magazine.
The more I looked at the two-man, the more the resembles stood out. Keiran looked around the penthouse before he spotted Terence and me.
"Ahh, Mr. Collier. I didn't expect to see you today." Terence smiled.
"And why's that, Terry?" Kieran smirked.
"Well, given that your boyfriend isn't in town, I thought you would have gone with him. Obviously not the case." Terence snickered.
I bite my lip to suppress my laughter.
Did Terence just suggest Zach was Kieran's boyfriend?!
"You talk too much, do you know that?! I'll be telling Zach you said that" Kieran rolled his eyes, making the guy next to him laugh.
The new guy licked his lips as his eyes scanned me. He rubbed his chin before his lips curled into a smile.
"So, this the new maid?" He asked, his eyes not leaving mine.
"Stacey, this is Jaxson. Jaxson, that's Stacey, Zach's new live-in maid."
Jaxson walked over and held out his hand for me. I stared at the guy's hand, not sure what to do. I was Zach's maid, and from what I was taught, the maid didn't shake hands with anyone above their pay grade.
"It-... It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr-... Jaxson." I stuttered, bowing my head a little. Kieran hadn't mentioned Jaxson's last name.
"Collier. Jaxson Collier," he announced before stuffing his hands into his pockets and standing straight.
*Collier?!* As in related to Kieran?!
My eyes immediately shot up to look at Kieran. The look on Kieran's face told me there was definitely a story.
Kieran rolled his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck.
"He's my younger brother," Kieran admitted.
*Brother?!* No wonder there was such a prominent resemblance.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Jaxson snorted.
"Take it as whatever you want," Keiran grumbled.
"Stace, as you're already aware, you have a security detail on you. Zach said you weren't happy about having an unknown person watching you without you knowing, so I called Jaxson. Jaxson specializes in private security and is very trustworthy; I give you my guarantee on that. Anytime you need to leave the house, call Jaxson, and he will escort you. Obviously, if there is a time you need to go out for something personal and don't want Jaxson there, just inform him, so we know not to panic." Keiran explained.
Jaxson crossed his arms and just stared at me. Even though his expression looked intense, there was nothing sinister about him. His baby face made me question how he would fend off a notorious criminal like Knox.
Keiran reached into his pocket and grabbed his wallet, pulling out a silver card.
"This is for you." He handed me the card.
"Zach's made a bank account that you can use to purchase anything you need for the house or yourself. Zach has also said for you to get some new things for yourself since all your belongings have been ruined. And before you protest, Terence has a card just like this for himself, and if he were in this situation, Zach would do the same for him." Keiran smirked.
I looked down at the silver card. It was a platinum MasterCard. How rich was this guy if he was just handing out platinum MasterCard to his employees?
As much as I needed new things, there was no way I would use Zach's money to buy them. I had money saved up for a rainy day, and this certainly felt the right time to use it.
"Do you think we could go see my apartment? I know Zach said there wasn't anything left, but I want to make sure." I twirled the card between my fingers.
"Of course. Zach has spoken to Clint about you visiting the apartment today. After you're done, they will have someone come and clean out the place so that the owner can rent it out again. Did you want to go now?" Keiran looked at his watch.
"Only if you have time. Otherwise, I can go by myself later. I don't want to inconvenience anyone." I bit my lip, still looking down.
I knew that Keiran and Zach were busy people. With Zach out of town, I was sure Keiran had much better things to do with his time.
"Don't be absurd. Of course, we have time now. Terence is here to take care of things, so let's go." Keiran replied.
"I'll go get a jacket." I bolted for my room.
I didn't want to waste anyone's time, especially after my antics from yesterday.
I quickly grabbed the only jacket I had left and my bag. Hopefully, there was something left in my apartment for me to bring back to remind me about the life I was living.
I returned to the living room to find only Jaxson. My eyes wandered around the area to find Keiran.
"He's gone," Jaxson advised.
"Gone?! I thought he was coming with us?" I asked, confused.
"He was, but I thought we could spend this time together and get to know each other," Jaxson replied, getting up and walking over to me.
I nodded in agreement.
"Shall we?" I smiled nervously.