Chapter 6 - The Safe Haven
The next few days were chaos.
The news broke.
Billionaire Marcus Cole Calls Off Wedding.
Vanessa Cain Investigated for Fraud.
Reporters camped outside the massive iron gates of the estate.
Inside, the house felt empty. Quiet.
Marta gave me three days off with full pay.
“Mr. Cole’s orders,” she said, handing me an envelope of cash. “For a new phone.”
I spent the days playing with Lily in the sprawling gardens.
One afternoon, we were blowing bubbles near the fountain.
A shadow fell over us.
It was Marcus.
He was wearing casual clothes. Jeans and a grey sweater.
He looked younger. Less intimidating.
“Mister Marcus!” Lily cheered, running toward him.
“Lily, no!” I called out.
But Marcus caught her effortlessly, swinging her into the air.
Lily squealed with delight.
My heart did a strange little flip.
“She’s fearless,” Marcus said, walking toward me with Lily on his hip.
“She doesn't know she’s supposed to be scared of you,” I smiled nervously.
“Are you scared of me, Maya?”
His dark eyes locked onto mine.
“I’m scared of losing my job,” I admitted honestly.
Marcus sat down on the stone bench.
He set Lily down and handed her a bubble wand.
“You’re not going to lose your job. In fact, I came out here to talk about your job.”
I wiped my hands on my apron.
“Is there a problem?”
“Yes. The problem is that you’re pushing a cleaning cart.”
I frowned.
“I read your file, Maya. You didn't finish college, but you had straight A’s in business administration.”
I looked away.
“Lily got sick. I had to pay medical bills. Cleaning pays immediately.”
Marcus nodded slowly.
“Cole Meridian needs a new junior logistics coordinator. Starting salary is triple what you make now.”
I stopped breathing.
“Are you offering me a corporate job?”
“I am offering you an interview. The rest is up to you.”
He stood up.
May you like
He didn't wait for me to thank him.
He just walked back toward the mansion, leaving me breathless in the garden.
