“Can you coochie pop”
252Please respect copyright.PENANATiUQzcFqYm
I stop scrubbing the messy kitchen counter and look back. The other maid shrugs
252Please respect copyright.PENANA4dpC9xnYe0
“That’s the first thing you ask me in the morning”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAdhcB6DLlY9
She nods and grabs a rag from the cleaning bucket
252Please respect copyright.PENANAb49jHvmMSz
“I mean come on who doesn’t ask those questions”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAl2hQNp77m0
She drenches her rag in bleach and stands beside me
252Please respect copyright.PENANAM8gTqGj7xz
“Uh I don’t”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAbQmbbCMpBm
We both scrub the counter in silence as the news plays in the background
252Please respect copyright.PENANAgrPVu3qkMJ
“Tomorrow the annual music festive will be hosted by Sebastian Ryder with stars from all across the globe”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAKzfx9tYfxu
I continue scrubbing as the noise from the tv slowly becomes lesser and lesser. I can’t let mister see this mess before he comes. He might fire me and now I wouldn’t have a job
252Please respect copyright.PENANAoSn88odveJ
“How does it feel to work for Ryder”
252Please respect copyright.PENANANtT5lNLe2o
I shrug my shoulders as I scrub
252Please respect copyright.PENANAzeRkorkQIf
“I don’t know it’s typical. Clean and make sure everything is tidy”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAwz7u1RBLkp
She smirks at me
252Please respect copyright.PENANAVj83ecoAUB
“Name is Natalia”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAsMcf5Kgk10
She protrudes her hand towards me
252Please respect copyright.PENANATz522MFBdb
“Can’t shake I’m cleaning”
252Please respect copyright.PENANASOT4rqEL1o
I see her lips pout
252Please respect copyright.PENANAbHykkLAocT
“Pfft don’t have to be so serious”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA5IiIIcsli9
I look away and scrub faster
252Please respect copyright.PENANAysN3mYh5sg
“Well unlike you this isn’t just a side job for me. It’s my life, and I won’t have it taken from me because you wanted a handshake”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAl4lY1bP2Mo
I place the rag in the bucket and take a deep exhale out. I had goals, dreams and aspirations. I wanted to explore the world like the ripe fruit it is and savor the taste of what it can offer me. But the sad thing about dreams is that you only feel it when your unconscious, when you wake up it goes in the wind.
252Please respect copyright.PENANAUiJdZmJoJj
“Well I’m sorry you feel that way”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAxFOtpmlCQl
Natasha gives me her sympathetic smile or what I assume is then walks away to the sink.
252Please respect copyright.PENANADIqj9caq0i
“No I misjudged you I’m sorry. It’s just I can’t lose this job you know. I wouldn’t know where else to go, what else to do”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAAyDw6dUl7r
I feel my shoulders slump as I let those words out. It was like demons that sucked my soul out. A harsh reality that not all of us can run whenever we want
252Please respect copyright.PENANAo8CShmxjUX
“I understand. But girl sometimes you need to know when to live”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA5Bgn4QfKp3
She pats my shoulder and places her bucket in the cleaning closet
252Please respect copyright.PENANA0YkNysmc6F
“The party starts earlier then yesterday so make sure your ready”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZJq4AbjYn
I nod okay and hear the echos of the door closing as I look around the empty penthouse. Mister Ryder has gone to run some errands and James said he will clock in later so I guess it’s just me and the cameras. I tilt my head up to see a surveillance camera tucked in the corner of the wall. After I mop and wax the floors I soon tidy up the ornaments and place some new ones around the house for the party.
252Please respect copyright.PENANANCnX8IFSZS
“Mr Ryder the guest should be coming in a bit later but we have you booked for a world wide tour next week”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAlNBrOsXWcD
I hear the door fling open and turn around to see mister Ryder and a man in a black tux walk in. I can see a clipboard and a tablet in the man’s hands as they make their way to the kitchen
252Please respect copyright.PENANA75Rf5HYFB6
“We’ll make sure that my bus is comfortable as well as spacious”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAb1SQfxuMmm
I see mister Ryder look at me
252Please respect copyright.PENANAClfpul2wdV
“Make him a drink”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAcmUYnAhwaD
I quickly nod yes and fast walk to the kitchen where I pull out the blender and the fresh fruits located on the side of the refrigerator
252Please respect copyright.PENANAURRhPSX2lJ
“Yes sir but that will cost a bit more then-“
252Please respect copyright.PENANAC3BiDC8vXX
“Then it will cost more. What’s more important Michael, me or some damn bus cost”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAVExGG7kCQD
The man remains quiet as the sounds of the blender fill in those gaps. After the fruits are blended in well I add some organic sugar then blend some more
252Please respect copyright.PENANA0P27gPx0Dp
“I see sir”
252Please respect copyright.PENANArZh9T09aon
I see the man type on the tablet with a worried expression
252Please respect copyright.PENANAnisOs1cppO
“In addition add liquor in the bus as well as tinted windows to ease the flashing of the cameras”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAjK2lPXbtFO
Mister Ryder turns his glare towards me and I gulp as I pour the smoothie in the cup and hand it to the man
252Please respect copyright.PENANASoPDEIEzrU
“Here you go mister”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAJe95TmxRBs
The man nervously smiles and takes a big sip of the smoothie
252Please respect copyright.PENANAcQVbvLPnNo
“My oh my madam you have a fine hand for smoothie making”
252Please respect copyright.PENANADo8vhNxTBJ
The man smiles at me and I smile embarrassingly
252Please respect copyright.PENANA8RLnFQyXOY
“It’s nothing really I-“
252Please respect copyright.PENANAedgmwTAXOl
“Make me one”
252Please respect copyright.PENANASFEe6F2re9
Mister Ryder points to the blender and I nod and repeat what I did. After I’m finished I hand him the cup and I watch as he takes a slow sip
252Please respect copyright.PENANAOOiHtNAqew
“Not bad”
252Please respect copyright.PENANACXAX9y7AA6
I internally jump for joy as I see him take sip after sip. I slowly slip for the kitchen and clean the fish tank near the window
252Please respect copyright.PENANA0udqZS9wVU
“Answer the door”
252Please respect copyright.PENANADbJk6gnGte
I nod okay and walk towards the door and open it but it seems the person couldn’t wait to get in because the push the door further in
252Please respect copyright.PENANA3kx1jtx9Bc
“Mmmmm”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAdUKglFeHou
I hold in my pain as the door hits my foot
252Please respect copyright.PENANAP474gIj2MU
“Hello babes”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAsa8gIiWIIM
I see a red headed women enter the penthouse and she smiles at mister Ryder who just gives her a little nod
252Please respect copyright.PENANAHQfdWlbMKC
“Oh my I didn’t know you where behind the door”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAMaiZLm1cse
She turns her head towards me and I nod silently
252Please respect copyright.PENANAa3y7q64FTM
“Well can you make me a drink too”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAxha4rzpdXj
I walk to the kitchen and make her a smoothie as well. Her sultry eyes stay on mister Ryder as I place her drink in front of her
252Please respect copyright.PENANAIj6fGqrO5i
“Well I didn’t know maids did other things outside of cleaning”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAJnYb9sNTQc
She takes a sip of their smoothie and in disgust she pushes it away
252Please respect copyright.PENANANy7nTXpf5e
“What the hell is this nasty thing. Please get it away”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAABdlaeRfge
I nod okay and grab the drink when I see someone’s hand grab my wrist
252Please respect copyright.PENANAKE5OlRFLpk
“Let me have it”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAMOawoD52Sh
I see mister Ryder take the smoothie out my hand and drink it as he talks to the man
252Please respect copyright.PENANA4OeTs6xPvJ
“So baby I heard from blabber mouth Michael over there that you were going on tour next week”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAKTYB1c7a88
I zone out from their conversation as my mind wanders off. Hmm I wonder if James was here right now. Would he make fun of this red headed woman and say she’s nothing more then In his words “a pumpernickle plastic pumper”. I smile and softly laugh to myself
252Please respect copyright.PENANAFsYg8CsA54
“I need you to accompany me to the tux store”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAtEHOO3smug
I zone back in and see the woman seething and mister Ryder looking at me
252Please respect copyright.PENANAnwezhg0jTa
“Me?”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA8R7Qhn6rem
He nods yes and my jaw drops as he stands up and walks away
252Please respect copyright.PENANAa323SpjFbf
“He could’ve asked me”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAk3J0pB6kZv
I see the woman chase after him and the bedroom door close
252Please respect copyright.PENANAQvyV00nBnG
“So many issues I swear”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAch3ocMgNi2
The man places his head in his hands then looks at me
252Please respect copyright.PENANAQ33Ysu498i
“How do you do it”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA8GNknzAKTN
I feel my cheeks heat up and I laugh nervously
252Please respect copyright.PENANA6VSr1CxzpB
“I just do”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAqfbcZpChzi
Before the man can speak the duo comes back outside and mister Ryder hands me a outfit
252Please respect copyright.PENANAtSNRMLZ5JC
“Wear this”
252Please respect copyright.PENANABfIOLNqYrz
I nod okay and I go into the bathroom to change. I smile to myself as the knitted warm dress hugs my body. I walk back out and I feel all eyes on me
252Please respect copyright.PENANAFN3Gc5cHev
“Let’s go”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAN9PsQnFgsZ
I quickly follow behind him as we make our way to the elevator. Once we enter inside I stay far apart as we go down
252Please respect copyright.PENANAfLXhhEDNnO
“Where’s your friend”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA5TjH1IBvsA
I choke on my spit and stutter
252Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZhUQxfAgf
“J-James”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAhmmRxxhSIR
He nods yes and I clear my throat
252Please respect copyright.PENANA9wKNtp05xo
“He’s clocking in later sir”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA7FG1uOM6hM
He nods okay and we make our way to the garage. He walks ahead of me and presses his car keys and black jeep starts beeping
252Please respect copyright.PENANAIsuD0saVUb
“Get in”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAhektkLkcjD
I quickly enter the passenger side and put on my seatbelt. Once he enters in the car makes its way out of the garage and soon we are on the street zooming. The silence acts as concrete, impenetrable and thick. I know we wouldn’t talk but why do I feel like I wouldn’t mind talking with him. I don’t feel surprised we didn’t talk thought because the client never talks to the maid. Only orders fly between us. I stare out the window and look at the buildings passing by us quickly. I eyes light up as I see the lighten up billboards plastered across Times Square
252Please respect copyright.PENANAgfWUOaiNrh
“Don’t make drinks for people if I don’t tell you to do so”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA1XF3VV87kZ
I nod okay and I observe his hands gripping the steering wheels hard as his veins wrap around his hand
252Please respect copyright.PENANAHLBpWYD2kO
“Um mister Ryder”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAeLGGJmFsJu
I look down to avoid his eyes
252Please respect copyright.PENANAvY94ZFuZun
“The cleaning bucket is a bit worn out. We need a new order”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAVyCm9LKJOw
I shut up after and bite my lip as my feet tap quickly on the floor
252Please respect copyright.PENANA3FJ4xGG8sP
“I will place in a new order”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAdr5ELymamH
I nod okay and the car slowly comes to a stop
252Please respect copyright.PENANAQQGxNAesQj
“By the way call me Ryder not mister Ryder”
252Please respect copyright.PENANALL8x7dSULK
“Okay”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAPLnbhPL0r7
Me and Ryder exit out of the car and I keep my head low as we swiftly enter the shop
252Please respect copyright.PENANA6qK4DGz9Ea
“Ahh Sebastian my friend”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA4673rTbqrR
A man in a jumpsuit smiles and hugs Ryder
252Please respect copyright.PENANAb9zGG3ptXn
“Hello Giovanni”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAcioeMN9bj6
They exchange words happily and I look from afar. I can’t let this man suspect anything other that professionalism
252Please respect copyright.PENANANvtb0Kx2Mu
“Who’s she”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA33Ao2PhBn0
“I-“
252Please respect copyright.PENANAMAgQiVOLX2
“Staff”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAegNElAsKT5
The man smiles
252Please respect copyright.PENANAYL0pjZvsqz
“I see”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAj9GtptdtA2
They both walk to the back room and I sit on the soft bench and look around. Pictures of all the celebrities that ever visited all around the wall as drawings of tuxes are used as wallpaper for the store. I look to the side and hold my coat tighter as I see the sunny sky shine bright and the wind rock the branches.
252Please respect copyright.PENANAcmECQMmThW
“Get some food from the nearby restaurant”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAVsa6Bhp1ke
Ryder hands me a list and I nod okay and leave the store. I shiver as I walk one block to the designated store and enter inside
252Please respect copyright.PENANA17VsWlqCLa
“Welcome”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAhjtlSQhLt8
I walk to the counter and say every dish listed on the paper and the lady looks at me in shock
252Please respect copyright.PENANAQkUsVSBQbM
“Are you pregnant or something”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAbrjCi5E7Ul
“Me, please I can’t even snag some money unlike a man”
252Please respect copyright.PENANASz4Uw8934h
The lady laughs and I gasp and cover my mouth
252Please respect copyright.PENANA91ugo1jIEI
“Don’t be shy I like some bluntness”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAeuRp7TqniL
I hear the pots clash and the oil crackle as the smell of chicken tickles my nose. I lean against the wall and look outside as I wait. After a while I see 5 huge bags of food and I curse myself out as I waddle to the tux store. I hope I don’t drop a bag or else I’m so very dead.
252Please respect copyright.PENANAKpObmIddLM
“You could’ve asked the lady for some assistance”
252Please respect copyright.PENANApZJgotos6W
I feel my hands get lighter as Ryder grabs a few bags and places then in the back of the jeep. He grabs the last two bags from my hand and does the the same
252Please respect copyright.PENANAIm1AWFYjzx
“I’m sorry”
252Please respect copyright.PENANANAKkxPnNtC
He closes the back Jeep door and we walk to a book store. I look at him and find myself impressed with his disguise. His hair is tied up in a man bun and his dark tinted glasses are sharp. I look forward and smile at the kids with their parents reading books
252Please respect copyright.PENANAqzOQPFWCc8
“Pick out one”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAV0M4gw0tS2
I look back at him in bewilderment
252Please respect copyright.PENANASqOkahvXbk
“Huh”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAZ54VrHAqff
He points to the books on the shelf
252Please respect copyright.PENANAf5pVCBvNtl
“Pick one”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAWGIiujdk8j
I nod okay and look around until I see a book that catches my attention
252Please respect copyright.PENANAtHtJI35bl4
“secretive enchantment”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAMGobTFRwoz
I whisper that to myself and pick up the book. I read the back quietly. So this book is about a girl who was banished into a abandoned castle where a brooding man stays. She caters to the man and in addition he grants her slow bits of her dying soul but in the process of such encounters they fall in love.
252Please respect copyright.PENANAGLcqJEA1SG
“Sounds interesting”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAhll9ZOFVnC
Ryder looms over my shoulder and looks at the book
252Please respect copyright.PENANAuIjTudsIHO
“thanks”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAiwqhF5tZuP
He grabs the book and pays for it then we leave. I hold the book close to me as we enter the jeep and drive back to the penthouse
252Please respect copyright.PENANAVRs8FDlaKs
“Why did you get this for me”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAm1yAAdNX5Y
I look at him then look away
252Please respect copyright.PENANAGyrpb919Cn
“Because I can tell your bored. You clean everything and then you look around like a lost deer looking for something else to occupy your time.”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAcn8yijPwpq
I feel my cheeks heat up and I look at the window
252Please respect copyright.PENANAPawGpi6nk8
“But it’s my job to always be on my feet. I can’t slack around sir, it’s just not what I was hired for”
252Please respect copyright.PENANACWh3fppgJJ
We drive in silence and I trace the outline of the book. Once we pull into the garage we walk up into the building and take the elevator. After we exit we enter inside the penthouse and I muster up courage to talk to him again
252Please respect copyright.PENANAGQklJTAI80
“I can’t accept this”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAYRpZ6PXHQr
I hand him the book
252Please respect copyright.PENANASLJpIwLqQf
“It’s just not what I should be doing on my free time. I appreciate the gesture but I can’t”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAnNQOVPjabo
I walk away and enter the Bathroom and shut it behind me.
252Please respect copyright.PENANAfW9qrnoYw1
“Crazy girl”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAXMe2Gw1wQc
My hand clutch the sink sides as I stare at my reflection. I should’ve just shut up and accepted the book, I should’ve just smiled like a dummy and say thank you. I should’ve just, idk. I rinse my face when water and exit the bathroom. I look around the living room to see him gone and I feel my smile falter a bit.
252Please respect copyright.PENANAStGrDUMfGk
I should’ve just took his kind gesture
252Please respect copyright.PENANA7EB268VTzB
I walk to the closet and grab my uniform and change in the nearest bathroom. I try to make due with the tight shirt that fitter gave me but it seems like I’m stuck with this until tomorrow. I exit out and change into my professional shoes and in minutes I watch countless butlers and maids dressed like me enter. As well as hibachi men and bartenders. Maybe I can spot James
252Please respect copyright.PENANAziXQYAlqkq
“James”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAbGRpUhn2Wl
I look around and see no trace of him. I pull out my phone from the closet and dial his number
252Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZLzcBsumW
“The number you dialed cannot be reached”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAcXonxNXApY
I call James again and suck my teeth as the same thing repeats. I place my phone away and lock the closet after. I hope James is okay. He promised me a dinner date so I don’t think he will suddenly back out on me
252Please respect copyright.PENANA6JROAzdgaC
“Ladies and gentlemen”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAoLMwdWTHzF
The lady from before stands on the counter and she smiles
252Please respect copyright.PENANATNNKmRdv0Y
“We will be packed today as guest will be coming in shortly. Remember to be dapper and on your best”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAHYnldbIl00
She steps down and we all grab champagne trays from the kitchen and position ourselves in different places. I take my place by the window and look down to see paparazzi and guest crowding the entrance of the building. We all sit up straight as the door open and groups upon groups of stars enter in. All wearing stinky gowns and fitting tux. Some wearing designer fashion clothes and others wearing practically nothing. I place my smile on and hand out champagne as piano music as well as violins play in the background
252Please respect copyright.PENANAtUl7RIQbwm
“Ahh smoothie girl”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAaP9HP8jgcS
Natasha smirks at me as I hand her a champagne glass
252Please respect copyright.PENANAYNZEWBENpC
“Finally doing something right”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAhIN5mGhX5v
She goes back into her conversation and I see people lounge around the fire place talking about things I can never relate to. As I walk I try to find James but I just keep coming to a dead end.
252Please respect copyright.PENANAeGHyltwuvC
“A word for the man of honor”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAVlk174F0Fw
Claps ensue as I watch Ryder walk in with his deep purple infused with black tux he bought at the shop. We quickly exchange eye contact but I break it off and keep serving others.
252Please respect copyright.PENANAuprtBsPY4S
“Welcome to the place where all but the finest are only granted to”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAHfaXt5eh3v
I hear a wave of clapping as I exchange champagne glasses and collect empty ones
252Please respect copyright.PENANADUxTEl1CMu
“I am glad to say that although I wasn’t here for this award show I will be hosting one tomorrow so all is well”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAskk7mVhcu4
I continue handing out drinks and help another girl who seems to be trembling
252Please respect copyright.PENANA25G11bjB3d
“I want to talk about the word desire”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAE1kcWqbvPQ
The girl thanks me as she goes about her job and I switch this tray out for a clean one
252Please respect copyright.PENANAL1jU2Kh0KZ
“Desire isn’t something you can experience from books or by watching those naughty sites”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAhq7WjwercF
People laugh and I gently place champagne glasses on the tray
252Please respect copyright.PENANAAb6EjZnxCA
“Desire can only be experienced when two people decide to light the normal on fire. When they have decided to dive deep into those murky waters to experience a euphoria like no other”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA9VQpjvMGKP
I hand out more glasses and go back to the kitchen bur the bartender says there is no more glasses
252Please respect copyright.PENANAk7ps2sUuJP
“I am a very desirable person. And I hang around others who think that they are desirable but have no clue that in my eyes they aren’t”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA2gQTQkeys1
I stand by the window looking for any free glasses to hand back but while I do so I found myself listening to his speech
252Please respect copyright.PENANAlmsWr6nLA1
“But in the midst of my time here I have found a rarity of desirable people”
252Please respect copyright.PENANACZHuXgiCms
His eyes land on mine and he slightly smirks. My breath catches in my throat as I feel myself getting slightly flustered. Is he talking about me? No way I must be dreaming out my ass
252Please respect copyright.PENANAFTNF3yt5DU
“When you find a Truly desirable person I say pursue them. Keep them interested because god knows the next time you will find anyone with a pure spark”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAX079FZapht
He looks away from me and bows. People
Clap and the party gets more rambunctious as drunk stars start talking about his speech . My eyes look around for James but the feelings of happiness are dejected as I realize that James isn’t coming. I grab and exchange champagne glasses and do so until the party dies down. Many people leave and the drunken of the bunch are escorted out. We all clean after the guest and wave bye as the staff start leaving. In a lumber I walk to my closet and pull out the dress I have saved for the dinner date and look bite my lip to hold in my tears that are surprisingly threatening to show. I thought he wanted this like I did. I guess not
252Please respect copyright.PENANAAxKVeEwqdj
“Nice job”
252Please respect copyright.PENANA0PMvqW2ENP
The last butler smiles as me then leaves and I nod okay and shove the dress in my book bag.
I put on my jacket and wrap the scarf James gifted me and lock the closet after. When I turn around to leave I see a book laying on the kitchen counter.
252Please respect copyright.PENANAP6jvbHn6P1
“Huh”
252Please respect copyright.PENANAS5bfU0TsRQ
I walk towards the book and look down and read the words, secretive enchantment. I grin from ear to ear as I pick up the book and hold it. I swear that man doesn’t listen. I walk out of the Penthouse smiling like a fool as the book I once rejected is back in my arms. I don’t know why he didn’t just keep the book but then again I guess now I’m truly seeing him In another light. When I met him for a while he was just a creeping shadow overlooking me and it scared me. But recently it seems he is actually trying to communicate with me. Baby steps yes but it feels nice to see some acknowledgment. Once I exit the building I walk to the subway beaming with a onset of joy that this mere book is giving me. I don’t know if this would help ease the pain of James turning our date down but for now it’s making me happy and that’s all that matters. My mind thinks back to Ryders speech and I feel my heart thump
252Please respect copyright.PENANAWQdvMPNdj3
Was he truly talking about me?
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