4. Everything Was Broken

Two weeks passed. Alice lost her house because she couldn't pay Francis' debt. The man just left. Now Alice rents a shabby room on the edge of Widney. There was only enough money to pay the rent in a place like this. The place is a slum with lots of rodents, and the place is damp.

Alice seemed to have lost her way because she had lost everything in one go. Alice is jobless, left by Francis, and now her house is being confiscated by the bank. If Alice can't pay off all the debts in the bank, then the house will be auctioned off.

"What should I do now?" murmured Alice. He could only cry.

Since her parents died, Alice has lived with her grandmother, Brenda Johnson. But her grandmother also died a year ago of cancer. Really, Alice's life was a real dilemma.

When she was sad, suddenly, her image of Victor appeared. The man who had harassed her at the hotel. The man is also the owner of the giant Victoria Company. Nobody doesn't know what made Alice have to imagine Victor's face.

"What am I thinking? Why do I think about him?" Alice thought.

At that moment, her phone rang. An incoming notification. There's an email from Victoria Company. Alice was utterly shocked at what she had just seen. She quickly opened her phone and checked her email.

"Another interview?" murmured Alice. "Haven't they rejected me already? What the hell is this? They think I want to come back..." Alice's mouth stopped when she saw the offer of numbers in the email.

"5000$?" Alice widened her eyes. "Seriously?"

Alice returned to paying more attention to the email. She thought she had seen the numbers wrong. But it was 5000$ , a count she had never seen in her life.

Alice became indecisive. That amount was offered to her. What for? What kind of job would the Victoria Company give her as a high school graduate? Wait, does this have anything to do with Victor? What does this have to do with that night at the hotel?

Alice hesitated. She didn't want to see Victor again. The guy was scary and also too cheeky, but 5000 $ was a lot of numbers. She could pay off Francis' debt and get her house back.

****

Alice was standing in front of an old-fashioned mansion. The house has a very, very high gate. Weird, yes. She got a job interview from the Victoria Company but not in the company building. However, at another address, and that is this house.

"What is this?" murmured Alice. The girl was confused about entering the big house because she couldn't find the bell.

"Excuse me! Excuse me!" cried Alice.

The girl was surprised when suddenly the gate opened by itself. Even though there was no one. But maybe this house uses technology to open the gate without using human power.

Alice didn't see anyone greeting her. She wasn't sure there was anyone in this house. She hesitated to enter or not, but she wanted 5000$.

"For 5000$!" Alice encouraged herself.

The girl dared to step inside. As soon as he entered and walked a few steps, the gate closed again. Alice really didn't see anyone. There is only her. She was surprised too. How can a house this big feel so lonely?

Alice walked towards the mansion's building. This house is absolutely stunning. The design is genuinely medieval but very luxurious.

"Why would anyone want to own a house like this?" Alice thought.

A handsome man wearing a maid's uniform suddenly stood before Alice. Alice was absolutely sure that she heard nothing but the wind. She was surprised at the man's appearance.

"How can you be here suddenly?" she asked.

"I've been here all along, Miss. Maybe you just didn't see me," the man replied.

Alice couldn't believe it. "I swear I didn't see you..."

"Welcome to Mr. Victor George residence. I have been ordered by him to welcome you. Please come in. But before that, I warn you not to be too noisy. The residents of this place like quiet" said the man.

Alice felt strange about the maid's attitude. But he didn't want to be intimidated. She came for 5000$. Anything has to be done for money.

The man was about to open the door but turned towards Alice. "By the way. My name is Charlie. What's your name, Miss," Charlie asked.

"Alice," the girl answered, exhaling, so Charlie closed his eyes.

"Smell is good," Charlie said as he opened the door for Alice.

Alice walked after Charlie's pace, which was too fast. As he walked, the man looked very slow, but Alice was always behind.

"Can you walk more slowly?" she asked. The girl jogged to catch up to Charlie.

"I am sorry, Miss. I forgot," Charlie answered without looking at Alice. He walked more slowly until they came to a room large enough but with minimal lighting. The room was too dark, for it was only eleven o'clock in the afternoon.

"Mr. Victor. Your guest is coming," Charlie said.

"Let her in. You leave us," said Victor from inside the room.

Charlie invited Alice in. The girl hesitated at first. She was afraid that Victor would do something reckless like some time ago. But Alice needed money.

"Please," Charlie said with a smile. His smile was weird. It's more scary than friendly.

Ana entered the room. Charlie immediately closed the door to the room until Alice was confused. She was afraid of Victor. She was afraid of the handsome and mysterious man.

"You don't have to worry. I won't do anything to you," said Victor.

Alice noticed that her face still looked pale even though there was only a light that wasn't too bright.

"I wonder why you emailed the interview. Do you want to play a trick on me, Sir?" Alice spoke up. The girl wanted to get to the heart of the matter.

Victor was sitting on a sofa made of soft red velvet. He looked at her with his usual gaze. Cold and intimidating.

"Sit down, please. You are my guest. I must treat you well," said Victor.

Alice also sat on one of the luxurious sofas in Alice's room, ensuring she was sitting far from Victor. She still couldn't believe the man.

"Sir, you want to interview me? Doesn't your company want a high school diploma?" said Alice.

Victor didn't answer right away. The man smiled sarcastically.

"I don't want your diploma, but I want your body," said Victor.