Chapter 7: "Who's The Boss?"

HAZEL’S POV

I arrived at the Storm Manor, filled with so much excitement. This new job was just the breakthrough I had been looking for.

After working odd and terrible jobs and living from hand to mouth, it felt good to finally have some stable work. I felt like I had hit the jackpot. I didn’t even have to pay rent anymore, I had a cottage to live in.

I removed my little suitcase from the back of the taxi that I had arrived in, I paid the man and I turned to take the new workplace.

I had gotten this job by mere luck. I had been at the right place, at the right time when I saw a man taping the vacancy flyer to the wall. I asked him about it and he gave me the contact information. I spoke to a man called Thomas, he introduced himself as the butler and he asked me some questions. I was excited when he gave me the job on the spot.

I walked up the stairs to where the door was and I pressed the golden button to ring the door.

Within minutes, a man who looked to be in his fifties opened the door. He had a very serious look on his face as he looked me up and down.

“Miss Carter?” He asked in his thick British accent. All of a sudden it occurred to me that he was probably Thomas the butler.

“Yes.”

He simply nodded in response and gave me room to step over the threshold and into the house.

“Follow me.” He said and turned his back to me as he began to walk away from the foyer. I followed him behind, but I paid more attention to the interior of the massive building than I did to where he was leading me.

Everything about this house screamed masculinity. The foyer was painted black, from the walls right down to the wooden floors. I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad for the owner of the house. His house must be a reflection of his personality.

We stopped when we got to the kitchen. It had to have been the biggest kitchen I had ever stepped foot in. It was also surprisingly bright and beautiful, filled with colour. A stove, an oven, a fridge… all of which I was sure were all high-tech, like very expensive appliances.

There were only two workers in the kitchen: an elderly lady who worked the stove, I assumed she was the cook and another younger woman who looked like she was only some years older than me; she cleaned the counters and chatted away with the older lady.

Thomas cleared his throat to get their attention. They stopped what they had been doing instantly and turned in our direction.

They had a look of annoyance when they turned to look at Thomas, but when they noticed me standing next to him, their expressions became warmer.

“Good afternoon, ladies. This is Hazel, the new housemaid.” He said and turned to look at the younger woman, who looked at me with a small smile on her face. “Josephine, you will be in charge of her. Show her around the house and tell her what she needs to do and what not to do.” Josephine simply nodded in response.

He turned to look at me. “Mr. Storm is still at work, you will get the chance to meet him tomorrow. He usually returns very late at night.”

Without waiting for a response from me, he turned on his heel and left the kitchen. He was a very fascinating man.

“He is something, isn’t he?” Josephine spoke, forcing my attention away from the door and back to her.

I gave a light chuckle, “Yes, he is.”

“Now, since we are alone, let us properly introduce ourselves.” It was the older woman who spoke now. “I am Martha, I am the cook. I have been since Mr. Storm bought this house a couple of years ago.”

“I am Josephine, you can call me Jo, though. I am the housekeeper!” She said with so much excitement. I couldn’t help but laugh at her cheerful attitude.

“Nice to meet you both. I am Hazel. I am the new housemaid, as you already know, and I am excited to start working here.”

“I like you. You are so much prettier than the last housemaid. I am sure you’re a much better person.” Josephine said with a scoff. That made me curious to know more about the previous housemaid.

“Josephine.” Martha reprimanded.

“What? We both know Agatha was a witch. All she ever tried to do was sleep with the boss and cause trouble.”

“Oh, you must let sleeping dogs lie, Jo.

Pay no attention to her, let me get you something to eat. You must be hungry.” Martha said to me and pulled me towards the small dining set in the kitchen so I could have a seat.

“Right after you are done eating, I will show you to your cottage so you can drop your bag, and then I will give you the tour of the house and tell you what you are expected to do,” Josephine explained, and I nodded.

Martha placed a bowl of chicken soup in front of me and I dug in. It was the best meal I had had in years. It had been a long time since I had a home-cooked meal.

“It’s so good, isn’t it? Martha is the best cook in the world.”

“I think I would have to agree with that. I haven’t had something this good in a very long time.” I said and I continued to eat my food.

“You two flatter me. Would you like some bread with that?” Martha asked. I nodded without hesitation. Causing the two of them to laugh.

“So, what’s Mr. Storm like?” I asked after their laughter had died down.

They both shared a look between themselves that caused me to be a bit scared.

“Nobody can tell you what Mr. Storm is like. I think you have to experience him for yourself to know.” Josephine said.

My eyes widened in fear. I waited for her to tell me more, but she didn’t, causing me to feel more anxious.

I could only hope that Josephine had meant her statement in a good way, I didn’t want to have to deal with a mean boss.