Chapter 2

Chapter 2 A few minutes later, an older woman with a crisp, professional posture stepped off the elevator, scanned the lobby, and then headed straight toward the seating area. “Maelle?” “Yes, that's me,” Maelle said, standing up quickly and offering a warm, confident hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sorry to keep you waiting.” “Oh, no apologies needed at all,” Maelle responded gracefully, shaking her hand. “I arrived early, so I fully expected to wait a bit.” “My name is Alora Vance, but everyone calls me Madam Vance.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Madam Vance.” “Come, come,” Madam Vance said with a dismissive wave of her hand, turning back toward the glass elevators. “I’ll show you around.” Maelle blinked, her brow furrowing slightly. “Show me around? I thought this was an interview.” “I’ve already looked over your resume, dear,” Madam Vance replied briskly over her shoulder. “And while it’s certainly... sparse, I’m of the mind that anyone can mop, sweep, and wipe windows. It's the work ethic that matters.” “I guess that’s true.” Maelle nodded, clutching her messenger bag tighter as she quickened her pace to keep up with the older woman’s surprisingly sharp stride. Madam Vance led Maelle through the towering building as if it were already her first day, touring the sleek corridors and showing her the primary areas she would cover. “Every maid in the firm is assigned their own floor to oversee,” Madam Vance said, gesturing across a massive expanse of polished stone and glass offices. “An entire floor?” Maelle’s eyes widened in shock. “Yes. I know it sounds daunting, but I am generous with time and breaks,” Madam Vance explained, her tone practical yet reassuring. “I don't micromanage. As long as you complete your tasks and ensure your assigned area is spotless, you won't hear a word of complaint from me.” “Okay, that sounds fair enough. What are the daily tasks?” Maelle asked, trailing closely behind Madam Vance like a duckling following its mother. “The simple things—sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and cleaning the windows. Every so often, you’ll be tasked with cleaning an executive office, but only by request.” “Got it. Sounds easy enough,” Maelle replied, her curiosity piqued. “Which floor will I be assigned to?” “I’m starting you on the third floor. It’s the emptiest floor in the entire firm, making it the perfect starting point. The better your performance, the better the floor you’ll earn.” “Really? Better floors?” “Yes. Odd as it sounds, several upper levels are highly sought after—especially Mr. Blackthorne’s.” “I’m guessing he’s the CEO?” “Yes. His floor currently has no dedicated maid.” “Then who cleans it?” “I do. I work for Mr. Blackthorne here at the firm and at his private residence.” “You have two jobs?” “I prefer to see it as one job across two locations.” Madam Vance smiled warmly. “Isn’t that exhausting?” “Not at all. Mr. Blackthorne is remarkably easy to please. And as I mentioned, his office is cleaned only upon request.” Maelle nodded in understanding as they continued down the sleek corridor. Spying a sign ahead, she paused. “Madam Vance, would it be alright if I used the restroom?” “Of course. Right down the hall, last door on the right.” “Thank you. I’ll be right back,” Maelle said, adjusting the strap of her messenger bag before heading down the hall. “No need to rush, dearie. Take your time,” Madam Vance called after her. “I have a quick matter to attend to myself. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll meet you back here.” “Will do.” While Madam Vance stepped away to handle her urgent errand, Maelle slipped into the restroom. She used the facilities, washed her hands thoroughly, and carefully smoothed out the wrinkles in her clothes. Catching her own gaze in the mirror, she let out a quiet, heavy sigh. How far I’ve fallen just to start over, she thought. She shook her head, clutching her bag as she turned to leave the bathroom and head back to the main area to wait for Madam Vance. Just as she reached the exit, someone collided right into her. "Oh!" Maelle gasped, stumbling back slightly. Looking down, she found a small girl sitting on the floor. "Owie!" the child squeaked. "Oh no, are you okay?" Maelle immediately dropped to her knees to check on her. The little girl looked up, bright blue eyes fixing on Maelle. "I'm okay," she said, her expression instantly brightening. "You're pretty!" Maelle couldn't help but smile. "Why, thank you. You're very pretty, too. Are you sure you're not hurt?" "Mmhmm!" "Let's get you up—the floor is dirty," Maelle said, gently helping the child to her feet. "Where are your parents?" "My Daddy is working." "Your Daddy works here?" "Yup!" "I see. But why are you all by yourself? Where's your Mommy?" The child's shoulders slumped, her voice dropping into a quiet, solemn tone. "I don't have a mommy." A wave of sympathy washed over Maelle. She stayed at eye level with the child and offered a gentle look. "I'm sorry to hear that. I don't have a mommy either." "Is your mommy in heaven?" "I like to think she is." "My mommy is in heaven. My daddy said so." "I'm sure she is, too," Maelle replied softly. "How about we go find your Daddy?" The little girl shifted on her feet. "I need to potty." "Okay then. Let's go potty, wash our hands, and then we'll find your Daddy." "Okay!" Maelle let out a quiet sigh as she stood up. She mentally crossed her fingers that this unexpected detour wouldn't ruin her first impression with Madam Vance, but she couldn't bring herself to walk away from a child in need. She walked the little girl over to one of the stalls. "Do you need any help?" "No, I can do it!" "Alright. I'll be standing right outside if you need me, okay?" "Okay. Thank you, pretty lady!" "You're very welcome." Maelle waited outside the door until the little girl reappeared, then guided her over to the sinks. To Maelle's surprise, the child already knew the routine—she just needed a lift to reach the faucet, washing her hands dutifully while Maelle held her up. "Okay, time to dry our hands," Maelle said, pulling a few paper towels from the dispenser and handing them to the little girl. "Thank you." "You're welcome," Maelle replied, struck by how remarkably polite the child was. "All done?" "Yup!" The girl nodded happily, tossing the paper towels into the bin. "Good. Now, can you tell me where your Daddy is?" "I can show you!" "Lead the way, then." Maelle held out her hand, and the girl eagerly took it. They stepped out of the bathroom together and walked toward the elevators. Just as they arrived, the doors slid open, revealing Madam Vance. "Maelle, why do you have Miss Zara with you?" Madam Vance asked, her brow furrowing as she recognized the child. "Zara?" Maelle blinked, looking down at the girl. "Yes, the child. That is Miss Zara." "Oh—um, she bumped into me right outside the restroom." "Dear me. She must have needed to go and wandered off from her father’s office without permission." "I told Daddy, Alora!" Zara piped up, crossing her arms defensively. Madam Vance bent down to eye level. "You did?" "Yes! You can ask him!" "Fair enough," Madam Vance said, straightening up and offering her hand. "I'll take you back to your father's office now." Instead of taking it, Zara stepped back, wrapping her arms around Maelle's leg and hiding behind her. The sudden move caught Maelle completely off guard. "Uh..." Maelle offered Madam Vance an apologetic, uncertain look. Madam Vance frowned, her tone taking on a firmer edge. "Miss Zara, let's go, please." "No! I want the pretty lady to take me to Daddy!" "Oh, dear," Madam Vance murmured, placing a hand against her cheek as the unexpected situation caught her off guard. "Um... what should I do?" Maelle asked, looking down at the little girl clinging to her skirt. "Well, this is quite a conundrum," Madam Vance said, studying them thoughtfully. "Zara rarely warms up to strangers, yet somehow she's grown attached to you in the brief time it took to help her in the restroom." “Is that a bad thing?” “No, not at all. Just strange. But I don’t think it should be an issue. Since Miss Zara wants you to escort her to her father, then that’s what we will do.” Maelle nodded, thinking that the quick detour wouldn’t amount to anything, but how wrong she would be to find herself.