If You Tell Me to Stay, I Will Stay Right Through

I sighed heavily as I read over the class descriptions I was required to take. They were Criminal Justice courses and psychology courses. These courses were going to kill me, but I had to do what was needed to reach my ultimate goal, which was to be a Criminal Profiler. It was a dream I hadn’t realized I had until my chief suggested it to me, and I was stopping at nothing to get it. Straight out of high school I had joined the police force, the adrenaline that coursed through my veins when things got dangerous was my addiction. I was known throughout the city because I was always two steps ahead of the criminal, aiding detectives in guessing the next move was my gift. It felt good to go home at the end up the day knowing I had aided in apprehending a criminal and putting him or her in their rightful place, behind bars.

Being known around town had put me at a disadvantage though. I was suddenly a target for criminals as my name got out, that was when Chief suggested I leave the force. He suggested I take college courses and earn a degree or else the Feds wouldn’t take a glance at my application to join the FBI. “Leave Bauer, you’re in danger. Start a new life with a new career doing what you do best,” He said to me the last time we spoke.

I had chosen California of all places. I had visited before and had completely fallen in love with it.

There was only one problem, college was expensive as fuck. I had limited funds and I needed a job, quick. My cop days had to be left behind, I couldn’t risk being in danger here, especially being alone, so policing was not an option. I was living on campus, which was also extremely expensive. I had no choice, really. It was such a short term notice that I didn’t have time to find a place to live. I chose not to have a roommate, I just didn’t want to deal with the drama. I was a quiet, shy person. Yes, I know, how could I be a police officer? When I was doing my job I was a completely different person that I didn’t have the nerve to bring out when I was out of uniform. But anyway, I was here for one thing and didn’t need to deal with any other stress. I glanced around my small little dorm and sighed, here I was 24 years old and living in a fucking dorm. Oh well, it would all be worth it in the end right?

I picked up the newspaper I had bought earlier to look for jobs. Most of them were restaurant jobs, which I absolutely refused to work at. I had little patience for people. I ran a hand through my long, light brown hair. I came across some listings for housekeeping. That could work because I could lay low. I wouldn’t have to deal with too many people. It was a job that would keep me out of any spotlight. I quickly dialed the number that was listed and cleared my throat.

“This is Mark,” answered a deep voice.

“Hi my name is Natalie Bauer, I saw your ad in the newspaper about needing a housekeeper and was wondering if the job was still available?” I asked politely.

“Yes! My boss needs one desperately. Can you come now??” He asked pleadingly. I looked around my room as if it was going to answer for me. I had already unpacked most of my clothes so why not?

“Um sure, I’ll head there now,” I responded hesitantly. Wait, what if this was some ax murderer psycho and here I was heading right into a trap?

“Thank you so much Natalie!! See you soon. I’m sending you the address as soon as we hang up,” He quickly said before cutting the call.

I took a deep breath, “Relax Bauer, not everyone is crazy,” I told myself. Oh God, now I was the crazy one for talking to myself. I reached for my gun under my bed and stuffed it into my purse. Yeah, I was paranoid.

My phone signaled an incoming text. I stood and smoothed out my hair. Surely my clothes was okay for a housekeeping interview. Was this even an interview? He didn’t specify. I looked in my long mirror. I was wearing a black v-neck tee and skinny jeans with flats, my hair in loose curls.

I hurried out to my car breathing in the fresh California air. I put the address into my GPS and headed out. I couldn’t help but smile as I drove past the beach. California was truly amazing. The GPS said I was 20 minutes away. I couldn’t help but notice how much bigger the houses kept getting as approached my destination. I drove slowly as I creeped on the nice mansions on either side of me. I turned into a driveway as my GPS signaled my arrival.

It was gated. And the gate was closed. I squinted my eyes as I tried to see if anyone was outside to let me in. My mouth dropped open at the sight in front of me. Little ol’ me was supposed to clean THAT huge ass house?? Who the fuck lived here? Maybe Oprah, I thought to myself. I noticed a small speaker right outside my window. Ha, I guess I should start by pressing it.

Immediately Mark’s familiar voice rang through the speaker.

“Hey it’s Natalie,” I said loudly.

“Woah,” He let out a laugh, “I hear ya loud and clear. Come on in!”

I blushed and shook my head at myself. The gates slowly opened inward and I eased my car up the driveway. Mark was outside waiting for me.

“Wow, okay. Um, no offense but I was expecting an older lady,” He said with a puzzled expression. I noticed instantly that Mark was in fact, gay. I opened my mouth to respond and closed it not knowing how to respond to that.

“I’m a college student…I needed a job,” I said shyly as I fidgeted with my hands. “I can leave if I’m not what you’re looking for,” I quickly said as I tried to open my car door.

“No no no!!! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable! Please come in! And don’t be so shy! I just wasn’t expecting this at all,” He said happily. “You are too cute!!! Ugh, I’m in love already.”

He exclaimed throwing his arm around me and leading me up to the front door.

It took a lot of strength to keep my mouth from dropping to the floor was we entered the house.

“Okay before you get overwhelmed with this baby, let me explain,” he said as he led me to an office.

Not your typical office either. It had dark décor. Like gothic-ish but elegant. “So! Let me start by asking you a few questions, do you know who lives here?”

I shook my head no, “I guessed Oprah when I pulled up to the driveway.”

He threw his head back and let out a loud laugh, “Okay you’re way off. But that’s good, he doesn’t want you to know. For security precautions, he’ll introduce himself when he sees you.” I simply nodded, now I was curious, I glanced around for any evidence of who the owner of this mansion was but I could see nothing that would give me any indication.

“I know this room is a little intimidating and so is he, but he’s actually a gigantic teddy bear. Okay, my second question, do you have any experience with housekeeping?” He checked off on a notepad and then looked up at me raising his eyebrows.

“No, sorry. Besides cleaning my own home, I don’t have an experience,” I said quietly. Well that was it, he was going to send me away.

“Hmm. You know what, that’s fine. Housekeeping isn’t at all THAT difficult. Really the issue here is confidentiality. Whatever you see, hear, or touch stays in this house,” He said sternly. That, I understood. I knew all about confidentiality.

“Okay,” I responded.

He smiled at me warmly, “He’s going to LOVE you! Now, you said you’re a college student so I’ll need your schedule so I’ll know when to schedule you. Also, be patient with him. He’s going through some family issues so he’s going to be a bit moody. Shouldn’t be too much of a problem because he usually doesn’t take his anger out on anyone.” Moody? I’ll simply stay out of his way. “Also, he’s gone a lot. He is married but I don’t know for how much longer so you might see his wife around. Any questions?”

“Um…yeah. Am I the only housekeeper?” I asked taking another glance at the huge office.

Mark chuckled, “Yes. But don’t worry I’m about to give you the grand tour and show you which rooms you’ll be cleaning and which ones he asks that you stay out of unless it’s absolutely necessary that you go in there. Anything else?”

God, this “HE” person sounded intimidating.

I shook my head, “I don’t think so.” He quickly discussed the pay and we were done. “HE” was going to be paying me more than enough.

“Excellent!” he said clapping his hands together. “Now, time for the grand tour!”

Mark led me from room to room, my dorm could easily fit five times in each room. Lucky for me, I wouldn’t have to clean all of them every day. The housekeeping was set on a schedule. One day I would be dusting, another I could clean bathrooms, occasionally I would cook when “HE” was home.

I caught a glimpse of a few family photos but couldn’t get close enough to see his face without Mark noticing. This place had a theatre, a fucking recording studio, and a music room. He was a musician maybe? Or he was just very extravagant.

I liked Mark, I decided as he walked me back out to my car. I was to start tomorrow morning, school wouldn’t start for another week which I was happy about so I could settled with this job. “HE” may or may not be coming home tomorrow, Mark had said. The thought made me nervous.

I drove home wondering what I had gotten myself into. I was going to go tomorrow, but if I had any weird feelings about it whatsoever, I was not going back.