Debby's POV

I stood outside this tall building, or should I say mansion. I couldn't believe this building belonged to one family.

I was passing by this street last week when I saw a signpost: “House Cook Wanted.” So, I decided to give it a try.

So here I am, standing outside the gate. I stood, not knowing what to do. I was very bold coming here, but now I'm scared.

I don't know if I'm qualified to be a cook here. I turned back, deciding to go home and search for a job elsewhere, but my luck ran out.

The gate opened and a security man came out.

"Hey, young lady," he called out to me.

I turned back and flashed him a weak smile.

"Good afternoon, sir," I greeted him.

He didn't bother replying to my greeting. He just stared at me from head to toe and shook his head.

"What are you doing here? Are you looking for someone?" he asked me.

"I came for the house cook sign put out here," I replied.

He looked at me from head to toe again and laughed sarcastically, then shook his head.

He gave me a disgusting look, like I was some piece of trash.

"What gave you the boldness to come here for a job? Do you think you are qualified to get a job here?" he asked with a clenched jaw.

I scoffed mentally at his choice of words.

Look who's talking. He's behaving like he owns this mansion. He's just a security man, for heaven's sake, and he's looking down on me.

Ah! Pot calling kettle black, I mock him sassily in my mind.

"I don't think I need some kind of certificate or qualifications to get a job as a cook," I told him boldly.

I'm poor, I get that. But it doesn't mean he can rub it in my face and make me feel bad about myself. You can call me a spitfire, but I don't care.

"Oh, you don't know? The Knights are very sensitive with their food, so don't think you can meet up to their standards. Young lady, you better go back home or search elsewhere for a job," he said and turned to leave.

Oh no, you can't just insult me and leave, you jerk.

"I won't go anywhere. I was thinking of going elsewhere, but for your rudeness, I must get this job," I retorted harshly, with determination in my voice.

He turned back to me abruptly and glared harshly. I guess he didn't like what I just said.

Well, you can't blame me. He started it.

"Leave," he snapped at me.

"No," I replied, equally stubborn.

"I said leave," he said through gritted teeth.

"No."

"Leave!" He was getting angry, but I didn't care. Who was he to insult me?

"No, I won't leave," I told him. I crossed my arms over my chest, waiting for what he was going to do.

He couldn't just talk to me the way he wanted and expect me to be okay with it. I wouldn't allow it.

Seeing I wasn't ready to listen to him, he ran towards me and pushed me hard. I fell on my butt.

I hissed in pain when I tried to get up.

That bastard! How dare he push me?! Doesn't he have respect for women?!

"I said leave," he repeated, anger dripping from his words.

But I didn't care. I was angry too. He insulted me!

I got up, hissing when the pain in my butt struck.

Before I could open my mouth and give him a piece of my mind, a black SUV drove to the gate and stopped, waiting for the security man to open it.

I was hoping the security man would be the one opening the gate, but unfortunately, it opened on its own.

Instead of the SUV driving in, the driver’s door opened and a man in a well-tailored suit came out. He seemed to be in his sixties, but he was very handsome for his age.

Also, he seemed to be a rich man—no, a billionaire. I guessed he owned this mansion.

He walked towards us and smiled at me. I didn't know what to do, so I smiled back nervously.

I mean, what would you do if a billionaire was standing in front of you, smiling?

Kill me now.

"Good afternoon, sir, welcome, sir," the security man rushed to greet him.

I almost laughed out loud because of his pretence of being a good man. A while ago, he was being a demon.

"Good afternoon, James," the man replied.

The rich man turned to me and said, surprisingly softly, "Young lady, how can we help you?"

I smiled and stretched out my hand for a handshake. I thought he wouldn't accept it, but to my greatest surprise, he did.

"Good afternoon, sir. My name is Debby. I came here for the house cook vacancy," I said and withdrew my hand.

He looked at me, then nodded his head thoughtfully. He faced the security man and glared at him.

"Then what was she doing on the ground?" he fired at James.

James cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck nervously, shifting from one leg to another.

"Sir… sh… she… I…" He trailed off, not knowing what to say. He looked at me as if asking for help.

A sadistic smirk tugged on my lips. So now he wanted my help? A while ago, he was staring at me like I was a dirty rag.

"Sir," I called, gaining his attention. The rich man turned to me and his stern look disappeared, replaced with a beaming smile.

"Sir, I fell on my own. He wanted to help me up," I lied smoothly. James was rude to me, but I couldn't bear to land him in trouble.

The rich man kept quiet for some seconds, looking between James and me.

"Come inside with me, dear, we have something to discuss," the rich man said, guiding me into the compound.

"Oh, and James, park the car inside," he added.

I, on the other hand, just followed him inside like a lost puppy. I didn't know what he wanted to discuss with me.

I didn't even know if he was a good man or not. I just followed him inside.

Debby's POV

Entering the man's living room left me wowed. I mean, everything was so classy and expensive.

Beside the entrance door stood the portrait of a very beautiful woman, her eyes so soft and friendly.

She had a pair of blue eyes. If one didn't take a closer look, you would think she wore contacts. She had jet black hair, a warm, welcoming smile playing on her lips.

"Debby, are you alright there?" the man asked me.

I nodded, still not taking my eyes off the portrait. I was so engrossed in it.

"I was talking to you, but you didn't reply," he said.

I turned, wanting to ask about the woman in the portrait, but then I saw her.

Standing next to him with the same warm, welcoming smile on her lips.

I gasped. I think I stared too much at the picture—now I was imagining her. I slapped myself lightly, as if to wake up from my daydream, but it didn’t work. Rather, the woman’s smile widened.

"Debby, meet my wife, Nora," the man said, looking at her with so much love.

I stood dumbly, not knowing what to do. I was awestruck. How could someone be this beautiful? I guessed God was being partial when creating her.

I waved at her shyly.

"Oh dear, don't be shy," she said and took my hand into her soft, delicate hands. "Come, let's have a seat," she added and led me to a couch.

I sat down, and she and her husband sat opposite me.

"Would you like something to drink?" Nora asked me.

I was kinda thirsty; I’d been going on all morning without food or water.

"Water, please," I replied.

Immediately I said it, a maid came and placed the water in front of me, like she had been on standby, waiting for a command.

I drank the water almost too quickly. Fortunately, I didn’t choke on it.

I dropped the cup on the small table beside me and raised my head to see Nora and her husband looking at me carefully... monitoring my actions.

Which made me wonder why they were watching me. Did I look weird? I shrugged that thought off.

I cleared my throat quietly.

"Sir, what is it that you wanted us to discuss?" I asked him.

He smirked.

"Well, first things first, call me Mr. Knights," he said. I nodded in affirmation.

"So, I will be honest with you." He paused, looking at me. I didn’t know why, but he just kept looking at me. "We don’t need a cook," he said.

What?? They don’t need a cook? Why then did they put that notice there?

Something was not right here. Or did they put that notice there to lure girls in and use them for rituals?!

Oh my God, I hope they haven’t drugged my water... Was that why he was looking at me? Wondering why I haven’t died yet?

No, I can’t die like this. I need to get out of here.

My breathing became rough. I began to breathe unevenly.

Nora noticed this, so she placed her hand on my shoulder, using the other hand to rub my back, trying to calm me down and get my breathing back to normal.

"What happened just now?" Nora asked, panic noticeable in her voice.

Mr. Knights looked worried too. I shook my head to tell them I was fine.

"You were having a panic attack," Nora stated.

"I’m fine. Why did you put that notice there if you don’t need a cook?" I asked. I had to confirm with them if what I was thinking was right.

"Well, we need you to do something else for us..." He exchanged looks with his wife, then turned to me. "We need you to do something... something difficult," Mr. Knights said.

Something difficult?! Could it be robbing a bank?! Wait... what am I thinking?!

"What is that?" I asked.

"Debby, after this job is done, five million will be transferred into your account," Nora said, smiling. Why was she always smiling?

I smiled mentally.

Five million. That’s a lot of money.

I could start a business with it and even further my education, and nobody would ever look down on me again.

I didn’t think any job could be too difficult for five million.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked them.

Mr. Knights and Nora shared a knowing look.

Ok, now I was confused. Why would they share a look? I didn’t ask a foolish question, did I?

Nora laughed nervously.

"Marry our son," she said, looking me straight in the eyes.

Say what now?!

Marry their son?

Were they out of their minds?

How could I marry their son—someone I didn’t know?!

What if their son was a cripple, or deaf and dumb? What if he was an imbecile?

I shuddered at the thought.

I couldn’t sacrifice my happiness for money.

If they wanted their son to get married so badly, they should talk to him about it. Why were they willing to pay such a huge amount just to find a wife for him?

Mr. Knights and Nora were both looking at me expectantly, their eyes begging me to say yes. I could see the desperation in their eyes.

"I can’t," I said.

"Why? Is the money not enough?" Nora asked. I looked at her like she’d lost her mind. She was a woman—how could she ask me something like that?

"Don’t worry about the money. If it’s not enough, we can add more later," Mr. Knights said.

What was wrong with rich people? Throwing money about, thinking everything was about money.

Didn’t they know there were certain things money couldn’t buy?

Money couldn’t buy happiness. They should look for something better to use their money for.

"It’s not about the money. I just can’t do it. Sir, if you want your son to get married, sit him down and tell him he’s old enough to settle down. You can’t choose a wife for your son or hire one for him," I told them.

"Debby, you don’t understand. Our son won’t listen to us. He’s a workaholic and never gets time for himself. Just please, marry him," Mr. Knights said.

I shook my head in disbelief.

"I can’t do it. What if he already has a girlfriend?" I asked.

"He doesn’t have time for himself. How can he get a girlfriend?" Mr. Knights chuckled lightly.

"Debby, please help us," Nora said. I couldn’t talk; I just kept staring at them questioningly.

A lot of questions were running through my mind. I needed to investigate this family. But before that, I needed to get out of here. But how could I leave?

"Or do you need time to think about it?" Nora asked.

Hmmm, that was a good idea. I could say I needed time to think about it and leave immediately.

Then I would never come back here. After all, they didn’t know where I lived.

I nodded my head quickly, so quickly I thought I heard my neck crack a bit.

"Okay, we’ll give you some time to think," Nora said.

Mr. Knights dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out a small card—his business card, I think—and stretched it to me.

"Call me when you make up your mind," he said. I collected the card and stood up quickly.

"I’ll take my leave now," I told them.

"I’ll see you off," Nora offered, but I politely declined with a fake smile. I needed to leave as fast as I could.

"Okay, dear. Take care," she said. I nodded and rushed off like my pants were on fire.

I was in such a hurry to leave that I didn’t pay attention to where I was going. I didn’t see a man carrying a small briefcase and a phone in his hand walk in.

I was in such a rush that I walked right into him, and everything he held in his hands fell on the hard floor.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" the man roared.

Debby's POV

"What the fuck?!" the man yelled.

His voice sounded so thunderous that if the foundation of this house was not strong enough, it would have shaken.

I took a step back, head bowed. I dared not raise my head to see how angry he actually was.

I bent down to pick up the phone and briefcase that had fallen from his hands, although the phone was already broken.

The phone looked so expensive. I'm just hoping and praying he doesn't ask me to buy him a new one... I would just have to sell myself to replace the phone.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," I mumbled continuously as I picked up each piece of the phone that had scattered around.

I stood up, head still bowed, and stretched out the stuff to him.

"Why don't you fking watch where you're fking going?" he yelled again. I flinched.

Doesn't he know anything other than yelling?

"I'm sorry, sir," I apologized.

"F**king raise your head when I'm talking to you," he hissed harshly.

I instantly raised my head, and behold—the sight that befell me was magnificent. I was mesmerized by it.

The man before me was dressed in a black tuxedo, his dirty blonde hair styled and neatly combed backwards. His hair rested perfectly on his shoulders.

His eyes were the perfect shade of green, his lips so pink and kissable. I unconsciously licked my lips.

My eyes traveled down to his chest. His muscles were bulging out, like they could rip through his suit any second. I was 100% sure he had strong abs in there.

His tan skin glittered. Only one word could describe this creature in front of me: beautiful.

"Hey," he waved his hand in front of my eyes, cutting me off from my trail of thoughts.

He studied me from head to toe.

"Are you a new maid here?" he asked me.

I opened my mouth to reply, but Nora rushed to the scene and began looking at me, scanning my body, maybe checking if I was injured.

"Oh dear, are you alright?" she asked in her soft voice, but you could tell she was genuinely worried.

"Yes," I told her with a small smile.

She puffed out some air from her mouth.

"Thank God, I thought I heard a crash," she said.

While we were having this conversation, the man I had run into stood impatiently.

Then he cleared his throat at once, reminding us of his presence.

"There's nothing to thank God about. This wretched girl ran into me and broke my stuff," he said through gritted teeth, glaring down at me, as he was way taller than me.

He was 6'3", I guessed, compared to my 5'2". I'm a shorty.

Nora just laughed and waved him off with one hand, as if what he had just reported was not a big deal.

"Just shut it, Andre," Nora said.

The man, whom I now knew as Andre, opened his mouth to argue, but Nora sent him a harsh glare that shut down whatever he wanted to say.

Andre scoffed and sent a glare four times harsher than his mother's at me. I couldn't withstand it, so I averted my gaze.

Nora turned to me with a smile and took the phone and briefcase from me.

"Dear, you can go home now," she told me. I nodded in affirmation. "And think about what we discussed," she added. I nodded again and quickly dashed for the door.

I couldn't stay in the same room as that guy. Being in the same room as him made unexplainable chills run down my spine.

There was this aura around him that made me want to pee on myself.

I left the compound as fast as I could. Immediately I stepped out, my old Nokia phone rang.

I brought it out from my back pocket and saw that it was Anna calling.

I rolled my eyes. Of course, she had to call me.

Anna is my best friend. We've been friends for as long as I can remember. We are practically sisters.

"Hey Anna, what's up?" I answered.

"Don't 'what's up' me. You left without eating the food I kept aside for you," she said.

I could imagine her putting her hand on her waist and having a very angry face right now.

"Sorry, but remember I told you I won't eat anything until I get a job and start to contribute to the upkeep of the house," I explained.

The thing is, I once had a job at a bar but I had to quit because the boss was an old creepy and perverted man.

So I vowed not to stress or depend on Anna to feed me until I got another job.

"Debby!!" Anna barked. I moved the phone from my ear a bit.

"Yes," I replied.

"Did you hear a word of what I just said?" she asked.

"Huh?" I asked cluelessly.

She huffed frustratingly. I could tell she was rolling her eyes right now.

"Of course you didn't hear me," she said, then paused. "I said come to FK's Cafe. Lucas is meeting us there."

"Why are we meeting there?" I asked, confused.

"You have to tell us how your interview went," she said and ended the call. That sneaky girl—I knew she hung up to avoid me asking her too many questions.

Anyway, I kept my phone back in my pocket and began my journey to FK's Cafe. I needed to prepare myself for their questions before I got there.

.

.

Ten minutes later, I found myself in FK's Cafe.

As soon as I stepped inside, little Manson ran to me and hugged my legs—that’s all he could reach.

Manson is the son of the cafe owner. He's so adorable. He's just three years old but he's got a smile that can make girls fall for him.

I picked him up from the ground and placed him on my left hip. I kissed his forehead and he giggled, his cheeks turning pure shades of pink. He was blushing.

My eyes scanned the whole cafe and I saw Anna and Lucas sitting at our usual spot.

I walked toward their direction. When I got there, I sat on the empty chair next to Lucas.

"At long last, the queen arrived," Lucas said, standing up from his chair and making a dramatic bow.

Anna and I laughed briefly and shook our heads at his silly behavior.

"Lucas, please sit down," Anna told him. She pushed him down into his chair.

"So...?" Anna said, trailing off and looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to complete her sentence.

Lucas scoffed playfully.

"Anna, at least let her catch some breath," Lucas said. I sent him a thank-you smile, but Lucas being Lucas had to spoil it. The next words that left his mouth made me glare at him playfully.

"So...?" he repeated what Anna said.

I took in a big gulp of air. I guessed they wouldn't let it go until I told them.

"Well, they want me to marry their son," I blurted out tiredly. I dropped Manson down.

He was struggling to get down. The minute I put him down, he ran off to meet his mother.

"What!!" they both exclaimed simultaneously, their eyes bugging out so much that one push could make them fall out of their sockets.

"Just like that?" Lucas asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"So what did you say?" Anna asked.

"I said no," I replied nonchalantly.

Lucas and Anna kept quiet. They were both looking at me, maybe short of words.

"Did you see their son?" Anna finally found her voice.

"No, I didn't," I replied.

Now thinking about it, I should have asked them for their son's picture. Well, I already said no to them.

Anna narrowed her eyes at me. She wanted to open her mouth to say something but someone else beat her to it.

The voice I hated to hear. The voice that always spoke in my nightmares. The voice that bullied me all through high school.

The voice I prayed never to hear again in this lifetime.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Little Debby."

I tensed in my chair, my whole body rigid.

It had been years since I graduated high school, but I still felt the hair at the back of my neck stand at the sound of her voice.

My breathing was rapid at this moment, my heartbeat kind of fast. Standing a mile away, you could still hear it beating.

We were no longer in high school, so why did I still fear her?

Come on, Debby, you need to stand up for yourself, I encouraged myself.