Chapter 9: Chapter 9

So, does that mean Joshua had relations with every girl who worked at his house? That explains his surprised tone when he met me. I can't believe I could have easily been a target. In fact, I was a target of Jack. Did he really want to use me to show off that he was better than Joshua? How childish!

"What are you doing there?"

I freeze at the sound of Joshua's voice.

Clearly, my attempt to hide behind a plant pot didn't work out very well, even though it was big. After being discovered, I come up with an excuse.

"I was cleaning."

I hear Joshua laugh through his nose, disbelieving.

"Did you hear our conversation?"

I let out a sigh and remain behind the plant pot.

"Look, I know what you might be thinking about what you heard. But that's just Jack being stupid. What happened was a long time ago. It won't happen again."

But I don't know if I liked hearing that, because unbelievably, a part of me would like to be desired by a guy as sexy as him, even knowing it could just be a fling, like with the others he had been involved with. But at the same time, I didn't want to go through that situation. And the farther away from him, the better it would be.

"It's okay." I step out from behind the plant pot, face to face with him. "I know it was just teenage stuff. So, it's okay."

"And about the girl from three years ago... She was the one who came to me. She wanted something with me, even knowing it wouldn't lead to anything."

"You don't need to explain that to me." I let out a brief nasal laugh, seeing his attitude.

"I feel like I should explain. I don't want you to think I'm a bad guy or anything. Especially since I need you to travel with me."

I raise my eyebrows, surprised.

"What?" I ask, without any other reaction.

Joshua leans against the couch and crosses his arms.

"I talked to my parents and asked them to recommend someone trustworthy to take care of my office in London while I'm away. They suggested you. I was only going to make the offer next week, but with what happened, it's better to clarify now."

Stunned, I still couldn't express any reaction. He wanted me to work for him. But I still didn't know if this would be a good idea, because I would be in a completely new place.

"So, what do you say?"

I blink countless times, still in a state of shock.

"W-Well... That caught me by surprise. I'd have to move to a completely new place."

"No problem, I could introduce you to the city or send one of my employees."

"But what about Mr. Scott? I've been working here for almost three years."

"If my father recommended you, it's because he knows you're the best option." Joshua leans away from the couch. "Well, I'll give you some time to think about it. You have until next week to decide."

He heads towards the exit of the room, towards the garden.

Should I accept that proposal? Would it be better than working at his parents' house? What a dilemma!

***

Those questions kept swirling around in my head. What would be better for me?

I bite my lower lip and twist in my bed, indignant, for not knowing the answer yet.

"Aren't you going to have dinner?"

I see Betty enter my room.

"Hmm... I'm not hungry," I say, getting up from the bed and sitting down. "What do you think about me taking care of an office in London?"

Betty looks at me confused and then sits up in bed.

"What do you mean?" she asks.

"Mr. Scott's son made me an offer. He wants me to take care of his office in London. But I don't know if it's worth it."

"Of course, it's worth it!" she says without hesitation. "Girl, you want to compare working as a housekeeper to working in an office? Plus, you could have your own place and not have to live where you work."

"But I'll be in a completely new place. I'll have to make new friends and... there's my art college!"

My words make Betty look at me incredulously.

"When you first came to Los Angeles, you didn't have any of that either. Stop putting up obstacles, Alice! You'll earn more working for Joshua."

"Do you think so?"

"Of course, girl. You have my approval. But there's one more thing. You have to be more responsible. And avoid drinking like an idiot."

Betty recalls my drunken night, causing me to lean back and lie down on the bed again.

"By the way, you didn't tell me where you slept."

I wince as she repeats the same question from earlier. She couldn't know that I slept in Joshua's room. I wanted to spare myself the embarrassment.

"I slept at a friend's house," I lie.

"Why didn't you tell me that before?"

"I was afraid you would be mad at me."

Betty laughs.

"I wouldn't be mad at you for that. I would just give you a lecture."

I look at her and furrow my brow.

"Getting a lecture from you is worse than a fight, Betty. You attack the emotional directly."

"That's still true. But I just want you to be responsible. I know how much you need to succeed in life, so it's better to take the right path."

I give her a small smile.

"Thanks for being a good friend," I say.

"I know I am," she replies, making us laugh together. "When you feel hungry, heat up your plate."

I nod my head. Betty gets up from the bed and walks to the door, leaving me alone again.

I look back up at the white ceiling of the room. I would give my answer to Joshua tomorrow.

***

"I looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was 2 o'clock in the morning. I was so anxious for the trip to London that I could barely sleep. The week had passed quickly, although there was nothing new. Joshua and I had not had any unusual encounters, which I thanked him for endlessly. After the discussion with Joshua, Jack did not return to the house, and one of Mr. Scott's employees had to take his things to the hotel where he would spend the rest of his vacation.

Until then, everything was in perfect harmony, except of course, for the fact that I couldn't sleep. But maybe thinking a little less about the trip would help me fall asleep.

***

"You look terrible."

I had barely entered the kitchen when Betty bombarded me.

"Huh...?" I questioned, feeling my eyelids heavy due to the lack of sleep during the night.

"You didn't sleep last night?" she asked, handing me a cup of coffee.

"I couldn't sleep. I was too anxious for today." I sat on the bench and rested my elbows on the counter, holding the coffee cup in my hands.

"You were awake all night?" Betty looked at me perplexed.

"Yes..." I stared fixedly at the black liquid inside the cup, airy.

"Seeing you like this... It's even scary to think you might get lost at the airport."

"Yeah..." I chuckled. "No, I'm used to traveling. I don't think I'd get lost."

"You only 'think' so, right? It's different."

"But... I have this!" I lifted the coffee cup. "I can try to stay awake until then." I took a sip of the black liquid.

"And how many cups of coffee do you think you'll need to stay awake?"

"Enough until I get on the plane."

"Oh, is that so?" She shook her head and turned her attention back to the things she was tidying up.

"Mr. Scott is waiting for you, Alice," announced David, the driver of the house, and I nodded.

"Wish me luck," I said as I got up and left the cup on the counter.

"I'm going to miss you so much," Betty said, her eyes filling with tears.

"Oh, don't cry. I'll keep in touch with you to make you jealous," I said jokingly, and amidst laughter, Betty patted me on the shoulder.

"Take care, okay?"

I nodded and hugged her, saying goodbye.

"See you later."

I said and walked away from her. I made my way outside the house and headed towards the car, a black Cruze Premier, where Joshua was waiting for me. Mr. Scott's driver finished putting my bags in the trunk. I had left everything ready the night before to make David’ job easier in putting my luggage in the car.

A chill ran through my stomach. A new journey was about to begin. I got in the car and sat in the back seat next to Joshua, who was sitting near the other window. His attention was focused on the screen of his cell phone, but he soon turned to me, greeting me.

"Hello, Miss Collins."

Joshua opened a harmonious smile. He looked very good in that white slim shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. I returned the greeting with a shy smile.

"Can we go, Mr. Scott?" David asked, and he nodded.

I put on my seatbelt, and Joshua turned his attention back to the cell phone in his hands. For sure, the whole way to the airport would be without any conversation, so I was ready to just observe the scenery.

***

We took a few minutes to reach the airport. As I had predicted, we didn't exchange any words, except for when Tobias brought up some business topics. The journey had been a bit slow but not boring. I got out of the car at the same time as Joshua. Tobias was going to help us retrieve our bags, but before that, I needed to use the restroom urgently. I was getting a bit anxious with a full bladder.

I looked around and saw a restroom close to where we were. I decided to go there, promising to be quick and back before Joshua entered the airport. I continued my walk to the restroom, distancing myself from them. I went inside and closed one of the stalls, relieved my bladder.

Minutes later, I returned to the main area where I was previously with Joshua and the driver. I walked back there, but I didn't find them. Maybe I took too much time. I looked around and didn't see anyone familiar. I began to walk around, searching for someone I knew. But the worst thing wouldn't be to be lost in the airport, it would be without my bags. All my things were there.

I became a little anxious. What would happen if I lost my belongings? I walked a bit more, going deeper into the airport. After a while of searching, I was tired. I realized that the next flight to London was departing in less than three minutes, and I still hadn't found Joshua. I was definitely making a mistake. I leaned against a wall near the entrance, trying to rest since I had almost walked through the entire airport. I took a deep breath, almost giving up at that moment.

"What are you doing here?" A voice announced behind me. I turned around to see the owner of the voice. It was Joshua. Thank goodness.

"Thank God, I found you," I said and let go of the wall.

"Where were you?"

"I went to the restroom. Sorry, I should have told you. But I thought I could come back before they finished getting the bags."

"You could have asked me to wait. Or we would have hurried to the jet."

Jet? I frowned.

"Don't we go by plane?”

"Why would we? A jet is faster."

I was stunned. I had never traveled in a jet before, at most on a plane, in the economy class.

"Shall we go? Our bags are already there."

I nodded and followed him.