Unexpected Encounter

Jasmine wasn’t one to turn down a job. She was used to the odd requests, the strange environments, and the unpredictable demands that came with her various gigs. But when she saw the new job post on HireMe, she hesitated for a moment. It was different from her usual dog walking or light house cleaning.

[Private Home Cleaning - $300/day. Must be available immediately.]

The pay was unusually high for just a few hours of work, and the description was vague.

[Luxury estate cleaning, daily as needed.]

It seemed too good to pass up and $300 could cover groceries for a month or pay down some of the bills she was behind on. It could even help with the school fees that were due next week. With barely a second thought, she clicked accept.

The location was upscale, nestled on the edge of the wealthy district on the outskirts of the city, far removed from the crumbling apartment buildings and cheap student housing that made up most of her life. Jasmine checked the address and noted the impressive mansion. An estate surrounded by tall iron gates and lush, manicured lawns. She hadn’t even known this neighborhood existed until she took the job.

“This is going to be interesting,” she muttered to herself, her heart racing slightly as she glanced down at her worn jeans and a simple t-shirt.

No matter how many odd jobs she did, she could never quite shake the feeling of being out of place when she entered wealthy environments. But she couldn’t afford to overthink it. She had to get the job done and then hurry back because she had plans with Maya tonight.

By the time she arrived at the sprawling estate, the sun had begun to dip behind the clouds, casting long shadows over the pristine grounds. The house looked prestine beneath the overcast sky. The house was enormous, like something from a magazine spread. Complete with columns, towering windows, and a four-car garaged tucked to the side.

Jasmine pressed a button on the black-and-gold intercom system nestled near the entrance at the front gate, and a deeply sultry voice came through the speaker, “Yes?”

“Hi, I’m Jasmine. I’m here for the cleaning job,” Jasmine said, trying to sound confident. The person on the other side buzzed her in without question. The gates opened slowly, allowing Jasmine to drive up the long, winding driveway to the front door.

She parked her car in front of the house and took a moment to collect herself. Her Toyota Camry had chipping paint and a cracked windshield. She felt out of place and as if her car depreciated the value of the mansion in front of her.

She adjusted the straps of her worn backpack, threw her shoulders back, and walked toward the large double doors. She was here to work. Nothing more, nothing less.

The door swung open before she even had a chance to knock, revealing a man who looked like a movie star butler. He was dressed in a black suit and his face was void of any emotion.

"Jasmine, I presume." he said, his voice deep, steady. It was not the same manly voice from the intercom.

"Yes, I’m here to clean," Jasmine replied, trying not to feel intimidated by his piercing eyes that seemed to appraise her every move.

"Right," he said. “I’m Martin, the butler. I’ll let you inside and show you around. I’m afraid Madame is still getting ready for an event later. She won’t be here much, so you can work in peace.”

Jasmine nodded. The knot in her stomach was a little unsettling, but she quickly reminded herself that she was just there to clean. She didn’t need to get wrapped up in the life and details of who owned the house.

"Thanks," she replied. “I’ll try to be quick."

Martin led her through the grand foyer, past the sleek marble floors and tastefully expensive art pieces. Jasmine's eyes couldn’t help but dart around, taking in the luxurious decor that screamed wealth. She tried not to show it, but part of her was in awe. She had cleaned some nice homes before, but nothing like this.

"Do you need anything from me?" Jasmine asked as they approached the large living room.

Four velvet couches, a large modern chandelier, and sleek glass tables showcased the large floor-to-ceiling windows. Everything screamed sophistication. It was the kind of place where everything had a place, and there was no room for imperfection.

"Madame needs the formal living room tended to. She pays well to prevent theft and provide confidentiality." Martin said, as he glanced up and down at Jasmine. “I’ll leave you to it. I need to take care of a few things in the kitchen, but feel free to let me know if you need anything.", he left giving her a polite nod.

Jasmine smiled and nodded as Martin retreated down the hallway. She felt a wave of relief wash over her as she set her bag down and began to unpack her cleaning supplies. It wasn’t her dream job, but it was steady work, and she was good at it. The pay helped a lot.

For the next few hours, Jasmine worked diligently, wiping down surfaces, cleaning the windows, and organizing the décor as best she could. The space was so large, she could hear her own footsteps echoing off the high ceilings as she moved. The silence was only broken by the occasional sound of a man’s voice in the distance as it echoed down the hall. The same alluring tone from the intercom. His voice sounded firm, strong, and full of power.

There were moments when she would look up and catch a glimpse of a man pacing the halls on his phone. She never saw his face, but he was tall, and his shoulders were broad. She could tell he was fit because there were no creases or wrinkles in his shirt as he ran his hand through his hair.

She’d just finished scrubbing the glass coffee table when she heard footsteps approaching. She glanced up, expecting Martin or the Madame, but instead, she briefly locked eyes with him. This man looked like he belonged in a magazine ad. He had the sort of confidence that exuded wealth, and yet, there was a warmth that caught Jasmine off guard.

She quickly turned around to avoid him and focused on the large windows. He was right behind her before she could react. His hands pulled her waist toward his body in a way that made her world freeze.

He reached down and his hand gripped her inner thigh tightly before trailing up toward her core, as his lips planted a sweet kiss on her neck. His hot breath made her body tingle as her eyes started to close as her head fell back, while his hands reached the warm and wet peak between her legs.

Jasmine’s heart pounded in her chest pulling her back to reality. She turned around sharply, her eyes wide. For a split second, she missed the firm grip on her body, a grip that, despite the awkwardness, felt strangely… arousing.

“I saw you look at me and then turn around. I felt your heart race and breath hitch as I touched you…” he trailed off, his voice suddenly quiet and husky.

“Excuse me? Who do you think you are?” Jasmine managed to ask, trying to regain her composure. Her pulse was still racing, and she could see the same heat in Elijah’s eyes.

His expression shifted as if he’d just realized the fire that burned inside of her. The initial surprise faded, replaced by a look of genuine lust. “I’m Elijah and… well your body language tells me all I need to know.”

Jasmine blinked, her breath steadying as she glanced around the large, open room. "My body language?” She gave a small laugh, trying to ease the tension that had settled between them.

"Yes. I noticed you from the moment you came into my home" Elijah admitted, running a hand through his hair. “I am honestly surprised Clara hired a woman as attractive as you are.”

Jasmine, still taken aback, nodded. “Sir. I am just the help. And if you don’t mind, I need to finish and leave.”

She tried to ignore the strange tension that had crept in. There was something about Elijah, his presence, that felt almost magnetic. But Jasmine quickly buried the thought. She was here for work, not to entertain fantasies about the fiancé of a wealthy woman.

“Right, well, I’ll leave you to it,” he said, stepping back as if realizing the space between them was too close for her comfort. “If you need anything, just let me know. I am always here.”

She nodded again, watching as he left the room, the silence resuming. But Jasmine couldn’t shake the feeling. That moment, his touch, and the sudden jolt of chemistry. It lingered like static in the air.

She tried to dismiss it.

But there was something different about Elijah.

Jasmine shook her head, forcing herself to focus. She wasn’t there to dwell on an unexpected encounter. She had work to do and if the butler found out, she could kiss the $300 goodbye. The sooner she finished the job, the sooner she could leave the mansion and get back to her real life.

But as she continued to clean, a small part of her couldn't help but wonder: was it really just a mistake? Or had there been something else there, something they both had felt but weren't in a place to acknowledge?

The day stretched on, but she hoped neither of them would speak of it again. She needed this job.