Mr Freaking Elijah Bennett

Amani POV

"Guess what?"

The moment the cab pulled away from the Bennett mansion, I pulled out my phone and called Sade.

She picked up before the second ring.

"What?"

I could already hear the smile in her voice.

I laughed.

"I got the job."

A loud scream came through the speaker.

"Oh my God!"

I pulled the phone away from my ear.

"Sade!"

"No, let me scream! You got the job!"

I laughed harder.

"I told you!" I could practically sense her smiling hard "I knew it! I knew you would get it!"

I rested my head against the seat.

"And that is not even the best part."

There was a pause.

"What do you mean?"

I bit my lip.

"The salary."

"What about it?"

I looked out the window.

"They are paying me two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a month."

The line went completely quiet.

Then another scream.

"What?!"

"I know."

"No. No. Tell me that again."

I laughed.

"They are paying me two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a month."

"That is insane."

"I know."

"Amani, are you sure you heard correctly?"

"Yes."

"For cleaning a house?"

"Apparently."

Sade stayed quiet for a second.

Then she said, "Something about rich people will never make sense to me."

"Same."

"Do they need a second housekeeper?"

I burst out laughing.

"I am serious."

"You hate cleaning."

"I will learn."

We both laughed.

For the first time in days, my chest felt lighter.

Then reality came creeping back in. 

My mom.

My smile faded.

"Sade."

Her voice softened immediately.

"Yeah?"

"I need a favor."

"You do not even have to ask."

I swallowed.

"I will be staying at the mansion."

"I figured."

"I will not be able to visit Mum every day."

"You are worried."

I nodded even though she could not see me.

"I need someone there."

"You already have someone."

My eyes burned.

"Sade..."

"I mean it."

I looked down at my lap.

"I will send money every month."

"I know."

"I will try coming every weekend if I can."

"I know."

"Please make sure she is okay."

"You know I will."

I wiped quickly under my eyes.

"Thank you."

"You would do the same for me."

"I would."

"Then stop thanking me."

A small smile returned.

"Okay."

"Good."

The rest of the ride passed with lighter conversation.

By the time we hung up, the knot in my chest had loosened a little.

The next morning I stood beside my mother's hospital bed.

"Hi, Mum."

I kissed her forehead.

The machines beside her continued their steady rhythm.

I pulled a chair closer.

"I got the job."

I took her hand gently.

"You would have laughed if you saw the house."

I smiled.

"It is huge."

I looked around the room briefly before looking back at her.

"You do not have to worry about me."

My thumb brushed across her hand.

"I am going to make this work."

A nurse walked past the doorway.

I waited until she disappeared again.

"Sade will be here."

I leaned closer.

"She is already acting like she owns the hospital."

A weak laugh escaped me.

"You know how she is."

My eyes burned again.

I blinked quickly.

"You just focus on getting better."

I stood up.

"I will come back soon."

I kissed her forehead one more time.

Then I forced myself to walk away.

The Bennett mansion somehow looked even bigger the second time.

The security guard opened the gate after checking my name.

I adjusted the strap of my bag and walked inside.

The front door was already open.

"Good morning, ma."

Isabella was halfway down the staircase.

She stopped.

Her eyes landed on me.

"How did you get in?"

"The door was open."

She stared at me.

"I thought maybe..."

"You thought?"

I stopped talking.

A smile appeared on her face, but it was not a warm one.

"You thought."

"Sorry, ma."

She continued down the stairs.

"You do not think here."

I nodded quickly.

"You do what you are told."

"Yes, ma."

"Good."

She picked up her handbag.

"Now get to work."

With that, she walked out.

The front door slammed shut behind her.

I stood there for a second and let out a slow breath.

The house was completely silent after that.

By midday I had already cleaned half the first floor.

By afternoon I realized the mansion felt empty. 

Most of the staff stayed in different sections of the property. Mr Bennett was gone. Mrs Bennett was gone. The place almost felt abandoned.

By evening my feet hurt so badly I could feel every step.

By night I could barely keep my eyes open.

I dropped onto the bed the moment I reached my room.

The mattress practically swallowed me whole.

The room they gave me was bigger than my entire apartment.

I stretched out both arms.

"This is ridiculous."

My phone rang.

I smiled immediately when I saw the name on the screen.

I answered.

"You are obsessed with me."

She gasped dramatically.

"Can a woman not call her best friend?"

"No."

"Rude."

I laughed.

"So how was day one?"

I rolled onto my back.

"Honestly? Quiet."

"That is good."

"Very good."

"Nobody bothered you?"

"Only Mrs Bennett."

"That woman scares me and I have never met her."

I laughed.

"She is definitely something."

Sade laughed too.

Then she asked, "How is the room?"

I looked around slowly.

"Huge."

"You are lying."

"I am serious."

"Send pictures."

"You just want to be jealous."

"Correct."

I smiled.

"How is Mum?"

"She is stable."

I released a breath slowly.

"That is good."

"The doctors checked on her twice."

"Good."

"Everything is okay."

I nodded slowly.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome."

I stood up and walked toward the mirror.

"I am going to get ready for bed."

"Already?"

"I am exhausted."

"You sound old."

"I feel old."

We both laughed.

"I will call tomorrow."

"You better."

"I will."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I ended the call.

The room fell silent again.

I placed my phone on the dresser and turned toward the closet.

Tomorrow would be another long day.

I pulled off my clothes and stood there for a moment before bending to pick them up off the floor.

Just then the door suddenly burst open.

I jumped.

The handle slammed against the wall.

My head snapped toward the doorway.

And standing there, frozen in place, was none other than Mr Freaking Elijah Bennett.