Page 6 of Beautiful Noise
I’m going to lose my job and probably go to jail?
“Okay. So if that’s true, and you don’t know who my son is, then how about you explain why you’re here on a Saturday, cleaning and dressed likethatwhen you weren’t scheduled to be here until Monday. I suggest you explain fast because I’m on a tight schedule and need to get this little situation handled so I can catch my flight. So if you don’t want me calling your boss and thecops…”
The dam broke.
“Oh God, please don’t do that. I’ll leave. I swear I’ll leave and I didn’t steal anything. I slept here last night but in one of the guest rooms because it would have been wrong to sleep in your son’s room. But I didn’t know it was your son. I just knew the house belonged to somebody and if it were my house, I would have been hella pissed if a stranger slept in my bed. I swear I’mnot crazy and I’m not here trying to seduce your son, whoever he is, I just…” I bawled, shaking my head. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go and I figured since the house was empty and I had to clean it anyway and not just clean it, but deep clean it, and this place is ginormous, and it’s just me, what would it hurt to get started early. That’s why I’m here and the only reason I’m here. Please don’t call my boss.”
My body trembled with anxiety. I took two cautious steps forward, clasping my hands together, throwing myself at the mercy of a stranger who at the moment seemed unimpressed and very unforgiving.
I sobbed, silently waiting for the woman to say something,anything,and after a prolonged torturous silence I gave up and closed my eyes, inhaling a calming breath. One that did very little to calm me.
“I’ll go. I really am sorry. I know I have no right to ask but please don’t call my boss. I need this job. I really need this job and if you call her, she’ll fire me.”
I turned to walk away, not caring that I’d just made a complete fool of myself. All I could do was silently pray that this woman would take pity on me and at the very least, allow me to leave without calling the cops or my boss.
“Kori…”
At the sound of my name, I whipped my head around, swiping away a few last straggling tears, but I kept my mouth shut.
“Put some clothes on and meet me in the kitchen.”
“Huh?”
“I said…”
“No, I heard you. Meet you in the kitchen?”
“Yes, dear, the kitchen. Now hurry. I’m limited on time and don’t forget pants.”
“I…okay but why?”
I sucked in a sharp breath when the woman arched her brow in challenge. “What difference does thewhymake? Unless you’ve just lied to me, you don’t have anywhere else to be, yeah?”
“I don’t. I didn’t lie,” I rushed out.
“Wonderful, then clothes and kitchen.”
“Right, clothes and then kitchen,” I muttered, not moving until the woman had rounded the corner and was no longer in sight.
When I made it to the guest room that had been my temporary safe haven for the weekend, I quickly yanked on a pair of jeans and a tee before I collected my things from the room. I hadn’t brought in much.
Only a few changes of clothes, a charger, and the toiletries I needed for the weekend. Once I had everything shoved into my duffle, I slipped my feet into a pair of running shoes and brushed my hair into a ponytail.
Because of a recent big chop, it currently lacked anything resembling manageable unless I put effort into styling. At the moment a mid-sized ducktail resting at the nape of my neck was the best I could do to look presentable. I had a feeling this woman didn’t give a damn how I looked. She wanted me out of her son’s house and wanted to see to it personally that I was no longer employed with Elite.
Sucking in a deep breath, I lifted my duffle, rolled my shoulders back, and headed to the kitchen where I was greeted with a curious look after a once over from the waiting woman.
With a flick of her wrist, she issued a soft command. “Have a seat.”
Hesitantly, I settled into the seat furthest away and allowed my hands to rest against my thighs beneath the table.
“I’m Gwendolyn.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Is it?” She smirked and I frowned in annoyance but shrugged nonchalantly, being honest this time.
“Considering the circumstances, no.”