The New Housekeeper

CHAPTER ONE

~JULIA~

Although the asphalt under Julia's feet was damp, the sky was crystalline. Julia couldn't believe she was conned into taking another one of her co-workers' night shifts. The close shift was one of the most physically demanding while the pay did not reflect its importance. She was already extremely sore from the extra shifts she'd taken on during her busy week. She had to sacrifice rental inspections since the end of her lease loomed closer, but she knew money was tight and she was behind on rent again this week.

Julia takes a breather before her shift starts in the employee lounge. She's thankful that it remains empty until she clocks on and heads towards the cash registers. This was her domain due to her ability to deal with people as well as being one of the kinder and more patient workers at the grocery store.

The first four hours of her shift dragged on which was rather unusual for a Friday night. Typically she'd have a constant stream of customers rushing to quickly purchase goods before dashing out of the store. At least most of them go towards the self-checkout and don't need my assistance. Since it was so quiet, she knew that her boss would want her to clean until he could lick the floors and conveyor belts without fear. He was always watching the employees from his tiny office.

This job is the worst, she thinks grimly. Honestly I should quit. I just hope that the job market has recovered enough since the pandemic. Julia's thoughts were suddenly disrupted by the screech of the intercom turning on.

"Julia, it's your Boss speaking. Just because it's the late shift, doesn't mean you can be slackin' off. Don't forget I pay you. You also look a lot prettier when you smile. Thank you dear customers for choosing MallMart Grocery." The intercom clicks off.

Gosh I can't believe he gets away with treating his staff like this. It's time to look for better opportunities and employment elsewhere. The 'free' coffee is not going to stop me this time.

Abruptly, she is faced with a very handsome man. "Excuse me... Julia, can you please serve me?" the man's smooth voice says as he places his items in front of her.

"How do you know my name? I've never met you before, otherwise I'd definitely remember a beautiful face like yours," she discloses and instantly flushes a deep crimson red, realising she was so brazen in complimenting him. Julia attempts to take back her words but the man laughs instead.

"I was only calling you that since it's what's on the name badge. Are you not, in fact, Julia?" He smiles devilishly.

"Of course, my apologies! I'm so embarrassed," she exclaims and reaches for his items. She grabs the first item to scan and her eyes widen in shock and embarrassment. In her hand is a large box of protection accompanied with a bottle of lube. The man smiles innocently at her. Julia takes a deep breath before asking the man, "Do you have many plans this evening?" with her ears tinged pink.

Sheepishly he replies, " I do. In fact, I believe it might take up a large portion of my evening. Hopefully the neighbours won't mind." He winks at her. After bagging his items, she rings up the till to $12.50, which he pays by card effortlessly. This man is way too handsome for his own good yet he still looks somewhat familiar. The mysterious man turns to leave but hesitates and says, "Your Boss sounds like an ass-hat. but he was right about one thing. You should smile more, it's quite dazzling and infectious." He exits the store, leaving Julia dumbfounded.

I can't believe that man knows my name and I have zero idea who he is. I've not seen him enter the store before so I doubt I'll ever see him again. Who does that guy think he is? He must tell all the girls they're pretty and it must work considering how much protection he bought. Something inside Julia's chest squeezes at the thought of him with another woman but she quickly ignores it and continues to finish her close.

Her boss appears in her line of vision and his face does not look happy. "Julia, hurry up and finish cleaning and re-stocking your station. There's chunky liquid in aisle 8 waiting for you, I'm assuming it's vomit. Chop! Chop!"

Great, exactly what I want to do on my Friday night. She rolls her eyes.

"Okay Boss man," she says dejectedly and busies herself until the final customer announcement is made and the store is officially closed for the day. She makes her way towards her beater car and heads towards home.

~ROBYN~

The blonde lady in front of Robyn stares at him pleadingly. On a typical night, Robyn would have no hesitations to take the woman to bed and have his way with her curvaceous body. Tonight felt different as he couldn't get the cute supermarket girls blushing face out of his mind. Julia... I wonder if we'll ever meet again. Frustrated with himself, he turns to the woman beside him and says, "Don't be too disappointed with me Tiana, but I'm not quite feeling it tonight."

Tiana dramatically pouts. "But Roby you said you just needed to pop to the store... I thought you'd want to sleep together after wining and dining me." The spaghetti strap of her silky red dress falls freely off her shoulder showing more of her smooth pale skin.

"Not tonight," he declares while slowly moving her dress strap back into place with his fingers. "How about we just cuddle and go to bed instead?"

Disheartened, the woman now looks more like a girl whose dreams were just crushed. "You know what Robyn, I think I'm done for the evening. I'll take my leave now," she says with a cold tone .

Without a word she saunters out of his penthouse leaving Robyn alone. He didn't mind being alone though since becoming a tech billionaire was isolating enough as it is. He couldn't really trust what anyone said. They'd always be nice to his face and then try to sabotage him when he wasn't looking. They're all leeches just waiting for me to make a mistake so they can mooch in on my fortune. As he lays in bed, he drifts off to sleep with Julia's warm smile etched in his memories.