Unexpected Encounter

Since Jasmine wasn’t one to turn down a job, she was used to the odd requests. She had worked jobs in strange environments and dealt with the unpredictable demands that came with her various gigs. Since she needed the money, she didn’t find it beneficial to compliance.

But when she saw the new job post on HireMe, she hesitated for a moment. It was different from her usual dog walking, light house cleaning, or grocery shopping.

[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. Hiring URGENTLY.]

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 room and board fees that were due this month.

This job was the first that she had second guessed before clicking accept.

The location was upscale, nestled on the edge of the wealthy district on the outskirts of the city. It was far removed from the crumbling apartment buildings and cheap student housing that made up most of her life. She felt out of place.

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 and put the address in her gps.

“This is going to be interesting.”, she muttered to herself. Her heart racing slightly as she glanced down at her worn jeans and fade, wrinkled sweater.

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. She couldn’t afford to overthink it. It was just a job.

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. The shaded sun casted long shadows over the pristine grounds. The house looked immaculate beneath the overcast sky.

The main house was enormous, like something from a magazine spread. It was two stories, but she could tell it had high ceilings. It was complete with columns, towering windows, and a four-car garaged tucked to the side.

Jasmine drove up and pressed a button on the black-and-gold intercom system nestled near the entrance at the front gate.

A deeply masculine voice came through the speaker, “How can I help you today?”

“Hi, I’m Jasmine. I’m here for the cleaning job.”, Jasmine said.

She was 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.

A woman came rushing out. Hands covering her face as she sobbed. The smelling of cleaning products drifting past Jasmine’s nose.

"Jasmine, I presume.", he said. His voice deep and 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. Monsieur is busy working. Keep to yourself, or you’ll end up like the woman who just left.”

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. And she didn’t want to repeat the mistakes of the woman she had seen running away.

"Thank you.", she replied.

Martin led her through the mansion. Past the grand foyer, the sleek marble floors and tastefully expensive art pieces. Jasmine's eyes couldn’t help but dart around. She tried not to show it, but part of her was in awe. She had never cleaned a home this fancy.

"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. Also, she has one rule. Stay out of the office and the hall leading to it.", 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 politely nodded before exiting.

Jasmine smiled and nodded as Martin disappeared down the hallway. She felt a wave of relief wash over her as she 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 hour, 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.

The one rule hung in her mind and piqued her curiosity.

There were moments when she would look up and catch a glimpse of a man pacing the hall 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. Her heart was racing as his footsteps neared. Thinking maybe she had enough time to retreat to the restroom…

He was right behind her before she could react, “Don’t speak.”

Her body still as, 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. His hot breath made her body tingle as her eyes started to close as her head fell back. 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 the fuck do you think you are?”,  Jasmine managed to ask. Surprised by her vulgarity as she tried 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 this is my home. I can tell by your body language that you liked it.”

Jasmine blinked.

Trying to steady her breathe as she glanced around the large, open room. "My body language?” She chuckled, trying to ease the tension that had settled between them.

"Yes.”, Elijah avoided the question. Running a hand through his hair, “I am honestly surprised Clara hired a woman as attractive and brazen as you are. You’re not like the others.”

Jasmine, still taken aback, nodded. “Sir. I am just the help, and I need this job. Now if you don’t mind, I need to finish and leave. I am not a toy you can just play with. If this is some test, that is just rude.”

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, my mistake. I’ll leave you to it.”, he said.

He stepped back after realizing the space between them was too close for her comfort.

With a slight smile, “If you need anything, just let me know. I am always here.”

She nodded.

She watched as he left the room, silence resuming. Jasmine couldn’t shake the feeling.

That charged moment, his touch, and the sudden jolt of chemistry. It lingered like static in the air.

She tried to dismiss it.

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 memory of the woman running from the mansion in tears hit her. The sooner she finished the job, the sooner she could leave the mansion and get back to her real life.

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  she wasn’t in a place to acknowledge it?

She packed up and left, questions looming.