10Chapter One:
Lingering at the door, I finally put on a brave face and stepped into the Hunter family's mansion.
You see, I'm not quite sure why I'm even here. It all started out with my mom…
"Tessa! How many times have I told you not to sit around all day? Why don't you go upstairs and study?"
I sighed loudly.
"Mom, it's summer break. What's there to study?"
My mother, a tall woman in her forties with jet black hair and almond shaped eyes put her hands to her hip.
"I honestly don't know why you're moping around the house all day long. The rest of your friends have gotten summer jobs and here you are, malting on the living room couch!"
"I'm not malting!" I didn't even know what that meant…but I continued speaking. "It's not my fault they have jobs!"
"You're always asking us for money. Why don't you prepare for the future and earn for yourself?"
Exhaling, I decided to go with my mother's demands. She was a strong debater and there was no way of changing her mind.
"Okay, mom. I promise I'll start looking for a job now."
My mother, clearly still irritated, reluctantly left the room and returned to the kitchen.
I had searched hours on the computer. Not one job had come out and interested me. I had also spent time typing up my resume and was hoping I had done enough community hours to make me look good.
Rubbing my tired eyes, I looked over at the clock. It was near ten at night and I still hadn't found anything.
"Ugh! This is impossible!" I banged my head on the table and looked up again. I tried a different website and clicked every link. I was running out of hope.
"Alright. You know what? Screw this! I'll just apply to everything."
Too tired to care, I clicked and applied to every job, without even looking at what it was. Attaching my resume to each, I finally shut off the computer and jumped into bed.
Hopefully, I'd get a job soon.
What happened the next morning seriously wasn't what I had expected.
Every few hours, the phone would ring and it would always be for me. I had soon found out that my actions last night weren't as smart as I thought they were.
I had gotten job offers. And for the most ridiculous jobs!
"Hi, we've noticed you've applied to be a party clown for our company?"
"WHAT?!"
But things just got sillier every call.
"Hello. You are interested in being a custodian at Green Mills Recreation Centre, correct?"
"It seems you have applied as a garbage carrier for our company."
"You're a professional dog groomer?"
"I think you'd be perfect for our position as nanny."
"When would you like to come in as our wall painter?"
"You've applied for the new carpenter's assistant!"
My head was spinning by the end of the day. My mom seemed to be happy with all the job offers but I sure as hell wasn't.
At around six in the afternoon, I got my last phone call.
"Is this Miss Tessa Rose speaking?"
"Err, yes it is."
"Well I'd like to tell you that you're application has been accepted."
Uh oh…
"Um. For what job has my application been accepted for?" I asked warily.
"Congratulations. You have been hired by the Hunter family as their new maid."
"Maid?! Uh, I think you've made a mistake. Well, I mean, I've made one. I sort of applied for that job by accident…"
"But your resume was just perfect. The Hunters were very impressed."
"Yes, but I don't think I'm ready for a job like-"
"How does $250 a day seem to you?"
My breath caught in my throat and there was silence for a few seconds. Finally I cleared my throat.
"I'm listening."
So here I was. Having been permitted inside by the butler, I walked into the massive hall of the Hunter home.
Awkwardly clutching my bags, I looked up to see a man and woman; I'm guessing in their forties, with graying hair approach me happily.
"Welcome!" The woman exclaimed said. "I'm Mrs. Hunter and this is my husband."
Mr. Hunter spoke up. "We're so glad that you came at the last minute. We'd been having such a difficult time trying to find the perfect maid!"
I took an immediate liking to the Hunters and smiled brightly.
"It's really a pleasure," I said politely, "I'm really glad to be here."
"Are your parents aware that you'll be spending the rest of the summer with us?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Great." Mr. Hunter smiled. "There's just one thing. Mrs. Hunter and I have to leave for an important business trip right now and you're going to have the house to yourself for a couple of weeks. Our butler, Brathgram, will help you from time to time. Now, we really must get going."
I nervously smiled back. "Um, okay. Is there anyone else in the house?"
"Other than the butler, there's the cook and one more maid. We needed to hire you as well because as you can see, our house is a bit on the larger side." Answered Mrs. Hunter. "Also, Brathgram will show you the room you are going to be staying in."
"Alright. Have a nice trip!"
"Thank you!" The Hunters waved and were about to leave when they stopped abruptly.
"Oh dear!" Mrs. Hunter exclaimed. "I almost forgot! Our son will be here while we're gone too."
A son? Great. Probably a spoilt brat. I immediately pictured a short, fat little boy with a face as red as a tomato.
"Oh?" I asked.
"Yes. His name's Joe. Oh, here he comes now." Mrs. Hunter motioned towards the large stairs.
Joe. Hmph. Sounded like an old man. I stifled a laugh and turned around to look at the supposedly approaching Joe. What I saw next was clearly unexpected. My heart leapt.
Joe Hunter seemed to be my age. He had a dark pair of eyes accompanied with a mop of raven coloured hair. He also had a tanned complexion, which I could tell was from long hours spent at the beach. As he got closer, I noticed he was pretty tall. Around six feet; Joe was wearing a pair of dark wash jeans and a black, Tommy Hilfiger t-shirt.
Finally approaching us, he stopped in front of me.
"Ni-nice to meet you." I held out a hand. "I'm Tessa Rose."
Joe raised an eyebrow and didn't even spare me much of a glance. He took my hand and quickly shook it before jamming them into the pockets of his jeans.
Well he didn't seem as nice as I suspected. Oh well. I knew it was too good to be true. He was a good looking, rich guy. What more was I waiting for?
"I think that's all," Mr. Hunter spoke. "Have a nice time and please, feel at home here!"
I gave a small wave and the door was shut, Joe's parents gone. That left Joe and I standing alone in the large foyer.
"So…" I tried to make friendly conversation. "Is Joe short from something like…oh, I dunno, Joseph the Third?"
Joe rolled his eyes at this and I blushed.
"No…" he replied coldly, "it's just Joe…"
"Oh…" I mumbled to myself. "That's weird…"
Joe then sighed loudly, as if I was wasting his time. "Don't you have some mopping to get back to or something?"
I grimaced. "Well, I've only been here for like five minutes, but I-"
Joe abruptly began walking away from me while I was still talking.
Well that was rude…
Frowning, I tried not to pay any attention to how unwelcoming he was being. Brathgram suddenly came from behind me and lifted my bags.
"Alright Miss, let me show you to your room."
I quietly followed Brathgram up the stairs and to a room that was located on the far, east side of the mansion.
"Thank you." I said to Brathgram as he smiled at me kindly and left. I then took my bags into my room.
Upon entering, I noticed a large, queen sized bed in the middle of the room. There were beautiful designs on the bedspreads and expensive red curtains hanging from the windows. The room was fully furnished and I felt as if I was in an expensive hotel.
After taking a quick shower in my personal bathroom, I had actually found a maid's uniform neatly folded near my towels.
Seriously…I thought maid uniforms were only in movies and manga…
Oh well.
I quickly put the uniform on and stared into the mirror. I had to make sure my appearance was in order.
My almond shaped, brown eyes stared back at me and I made sure that my long, jet black hair was combed neatly in place.
Even though I still felt silly in my uniform, I stepped out of the room and walked downstairs.
After asking Brathgram what my duties were, he directed me towards the other maid in the house. In her twenties, I became fast friends with blue-eyed Beatrice.
Beatrice showed me all the ropes and I would spend most of the day helping her to get used to everything.
Soon, it was time for dinner and I had to help 'serve' Joe.
Brathgram began bringing the food out and placing it on the dining table while I placed plates and cutlery around.
Joe was seated alone at the table, staring at the food. Brathgram then left for the kitchen to bring out one more dish, leaving Joe and I alone once again.
Joe eyed the soup in front of him and stared at me.
"Um…" I started.
"This soup is cold. Go re-heat it." He commanded.
"But…the cook just prepared it…" I fumbled. "It should be warm…"
"It's not warm enough."
I quickly picked up the bowl and rushed into the kitchen, following Joe's orders. The cook gave me a questioning look as I rushed to the microwave.
Why did Joe have to be so mean?
Walking out quickly, I approached Joe but seemed to trip on the carpet.
And that was when it went all wrong…
It was like everything was happening in slow motion. Me, stumbling and losing grip on the bowl. The bowl tossed out of my fingers. Soup splattering on Joe's expensive shirt. Me…lamely sprawled on the ground…
There was silence for a while. Suddenly, Joe spoke.
"…Do you know how much this shirt cost me?"
"Um…a lot?" I asked, wincing.
"OF COURSE IT WAS A LOT!" Joe began barking at me.
"I'm sorry!" I quickly shouted it. "It was an accident!"
Joe suddenly got up from his seat. "I just lost my appetite." He walked away from the table, leaving the room.
My lower lip quivered as I looked down at the ground. Beatrice quickly ran over to me.
"Oh my gosh! Are you okay?"
"Ye-yeah…"
"Don't worry about him." Beatrice assured me. "He'll forget about it by tomorrow."
"But it was all my fault! It's only my first day and…I messed up."
"Well he was being a total jerk about it! I don't know what his problem is. He usually isn't like that."
"But…" I started to protest but was interrupted by Brathgram behind me.
"Don't worry about it." He reassured me. Why don't you go upstairs and rest for a bit? You've had a long day."
I gave a weak smile as Beatrice helped me up off the floor and I walked up to my room.
After the day I had, I felt really crummy. Taking a shower for the second time to get rid of the soup in my hair, I dressed in a normal pair of clothes and joined Beatrice down stairs to quickly eat dinner. I then rushed back into my room, brushed my teeth, and climbed under the covers.
Hopefully, tomorrow would go better…
A/N: We typed this out a while ago, but felt it was stupid and didn't post it. Then we re-read it and realized it wasn't as bad as we thought. So, hope you like it, and please review so we know whether or not to continue.
We'll try to update this and Hot for Summers, Cool for Winters more often =)