Chapter 3

RECAP FROM TWO WEEKS AGO…

“The 30th of this month would make it the second year I’ve been working as your house keeper sir. Long story short, I wish to ask for an increase in my salary.”

Taking a deep breath. She Paused, said a little prayer and continued “with due respect I’ll also love to remind you for the umpteenth time, my name is Laura and not Miss Cotton. Sir.”

Laura didn’t mind the stares as she walked off to the bus station— these Washington heights folks never mind their business— still practicing the salary increment pitch she hoped to deliver to her boss first thing that morning.

With the sheet of paper in her left hand and her bag hanging over her right shoulder, she had been going over the pitch for the last fifteen minutes. Silently praying she doesn’t miss the M2 bus and this goddamn! sweat doesn’t ruin her shirt.

What if he isn’t in a good mood today? Laura frowned at the thought.

Not like she was scared of him— at least that’s what she chose to let her 23 year old self believe— it’s just that she needed the pitch to be smooth and convincing as possible. Or else heaven knows she’ll be coming back home today with a termination letter which is far worse than a cancer diagnosis right now.

Walking as fast as she could, trying not to miss her steps still finding it hard to catch her breath as she dabbed of the angry loads of sweats threatening to ruin her morning.

Laura felt her phone vibrate, stopping just few feet’s from the homeless begger. She opened the phone and saw it was a long message from her uncle telling her he forgot to give her morning dose of I love youus.

Just before putting the phone away she squints to see the time reading 6:32am.

“Shit! I’m late” she panicked. Mentally calculating how much time she had left to get to Mr McGorrith’s house.

A journey of give or take one hour, and she needed to be there by 7am!

“Ohhh hiii Laura, are you just going to walk past your favorite bird like that” not now please. She muttered under her breath before turning to acknowledge the homeless man who had somehow camped by that corner for the past 3— if not 4 years. Most days he acted like whatever comes up to his head.

“Hello Mockingbird, and good morning” she dropped some coins into his bowl trying to mask her irritated mood with an awkward smile “can we not do this now, I’m running late and….”

Interrupting her by Jumping from his bags of baggage’s he danced, acting animated with the globe or ball or whatever in his hands—like he’s some sort of future seer now— “Just 5 minutes Lau, I seeeee your future” he sang out.

“I seeeee I seeee your future going in a circus of surprises”

First the scary globe and now circus and surprises in the same sentence?

Laura tilted her head a little she leaned by the old Dominican restaurant there.

“Fine”.

Sitting by the window side watching as the bus drove to the other side of town, with her earphones on blasting the new album Adele released. Laura would give anything right now to have a life worth living for. A degree in Economics, she really can’t count how many times a day she throws herself a pity party. Working two—not so fun— jobs. no friends, a sorry excuse of a boyfriend and a dry bank account.

At least I’m not pregnant. Laura comsoled herself.

“Thank you Harry.” Laura said, waving the cab man who just dropped her in front of Mr McGorrith’s mansion.

A castle sitting pretty on the upper east side of Manhattan. Phew! Let’s do this babies.

Laura decided to use a moment, taking in the house, as she stood behind the gigantic gate, admiring the beautiful stone entrance.

Just before pressing the buzzer, announcing her arrival at the house she took a quick glance at her phone to check for the time. 7:17am.

When She pressed the buzzer again for the second time she noticed her shaky hands, sweaty palms The damn sweat! And her skin had suddenly gone pale. Not to mention her panicking thoughts.

It’s just a random Monday morning. I shouldn’t be anxious for godsake!.

The gate opened and Laura found herself trying to gather her thoughts as she still hadn’t been able to shake off all what Mockingbird had said, not noticing Mr Alex who was by the side of the gate giving her a warm welcome.

“Miss laura, hello miss laura you okay?” he gave her a small pinch by the arm to get her attention as she walked past him.

“Ouch” she jerked almost immediately

Giving him a nervous laugh while she ran her hands through her hair she joked “ohhh Hi Alex good morning I was just trying to see how long I could try ignoring you without you noticing.?”

Please don’t call me out on my obvious lie! Laura mentally struggled.

“I’m sorry, I hope I did not offend you” she added. Still chewing on her cheeks.

She looked up to the house and noticed almost all the lights were on. Weird. He’s supposed to be in the gym by now and what’s with all the noises coming from the house.

“You mind telling me what’s on your mind?” Mr Alex tugged at her. Bring her out of her thoughts. “You good?” He probed further.

“Ohhh it’s nothing really, just that…” a loud crashing sound disrupted their conversation. But before she could even get another word out, the sounds from the house got louder.

Turning to Alex who was supposedly the gatekeeper she asked him about what the hell was going on in the house.

“I honestly have no idea what’s going on with him and that girl he brought over last night. But they’ve been going at it for over an hour now” he hissed not masking his monotonous voice.

The house had suddenly gone quiet.

Laura's thought couldnt fathom it- Girl?? Mr McGorritth has never been the violent type. And there’s a woman still in his house by morning? Humor. Me.

“Okay uhm, I have to go now. See you later Alex. Hopefully today doesn’t go wrong.” she smiled slightly as she turned to leave.

Hurrying to the big house she made another mental note to call her boyfriend and ask for her money before the day ended.

The screams and crashing sounds from the house had come back on.

Holding the front door she wondered if the Mockingbird’s revelation might be real afterall— her life would definitely take a sharp turn. But how— she couldn’t even remember the first line of her pitch. Good gracious!

“I told you I needed you to be out of my house before I woke up. Or do you not understand English anymore!!” He barked out really loud with his veins threatening to pop.

Standing by the side of the door, Laura tried to take in the scene before her—not pleasant at all— seeing that the woman in question is or was? his secretary. It turned out that Mr Kingston McGorrith wasn’t so pleased with waking up to the sight of his one night rendezvous. And to his secretary? Shouldn’t she know better than to expect anything less from him?.

The whole house had been turned upside down with shattered items. Watching as Stephanie tried to cause more havoc she noticed her small stature.

Laura always thought girls like herself with mini curvy body were cute. But seeing Stephanie up close wasn’t so appealing.

Did he go around sleeping with everything?

“Is this really who you are?” Stephanie bellowed back angrily, wiping off her tears still looking for things to throw and break.

After cleaning this house up I better be getting that raise. Laura thought to herslf.

Stephanie sniffled a bit and continued her ranting.

“I couldn’t even get you to nut all night!. I thought we were having a good time King!. And now you treat me like some rag?”

“With all my body still sore, how was I supposed to .. you know what? Forget it. You are sick!” Her eyes rolling with a disgusted expression.

Laura's mind froze as she tried to wrap her head around Stephanie's words. Nut? Oh shit! I shouldn’t be listening to any of this. But? Is he really that hard to satisfy? Wow.

His nostrils flared.

“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE STEPHANIE!” He exploded. Pointing towards the door. Still not noticing Laura who was stiffened up by the corner.

“And it’s Mr McGorritth to you. Do well to send in your resignation letter before I get to the office. NOW. PLEASE. LEAVE”

Yhhh he’s definitely frustrated . And hot.

Laura debated mentally.

Carefully walking towards Stephanie with his jaw clenched he muttered almost inaudibly “look, I’m not trying to be an asshole.”

Laura scoffed “you don’t even have to try that hard”.

He stopped abruptly, staring at her with furrowed brows “sorry?”

Wait.

She said that out loud?