2- Wendy

"Don't worry, Sir. We're already inside, and it looks like I've gained his trust right away," said Dad as he stood outside the opposite door.

I wonder who he talks to on the phone every night. Ever since we moved here to the big house where Dad worked as a housekeeper, he has always been talking to someone on the phone as if reporting it.

“Good night, Sir. Bye," Dad finally said, and put down the phone he was holding.

Meanwhile, I closed the door slowly and hurried back to my room so that he wouldn't notice that I was watching him. I immediately lie down on my soft bed and closed my eyes, and I heard my bedroom door open as I expected. I know that Dad opened the room, and he checked to see if I was still awake, and I didn't hear anything from their conversation when he was talking to the person behind the phone. After a few seconds, I heard the door slam, which meant that Dad had closed the door again, so I opened my eyes and breathed a sigh of relief because he didn't catch me.

I know that my Dad is hiding something from me, and I can see it in his actions. Actually, before we moved here, that's the only time I saw him act weird. I'm 22, I'm not young anymore, so I know what's going on around me, but still, my Dad considers me young. Well, I'm his only child, so it's not surprising.

Talking about that, I remembered what happened when I was just a child. According to my father's story, after I was born, my mother died due to complications, so now it's solely the two of us. He nurtured me alone, and as I grew up, I understand and saw the sacrifices he made just to survive and give me a good education. Furthermore to his story, I stayed in the hospital for several months because of my coronary heart disease.

***

As I grew up, I gradually became aware of my coronary heart disease because within a month, he took me to the hospital more than ten times just to save my life. And because I was always being taken to the hospital, Dad's debt was growing, that's why he worked non-stop just to pay off our debts, while I was studying. Every time I had to pay for school, my father always begged in front of my teachers to extend the payment of my tuition fee. We faced terror teachers before, but there were also kind ones who understood our situation.

But as I grew up, our expenses increased, especially when I went to college. I talked to Dad then, and I said that I will be a working student so that we can finance my tuition, but he refused and said that he can. And if possible, he won't let me do the job so that I can focus on studying, and I can graduate right away, but in truth I know the reason he doesn't want me to have some job and that is because of my illness. Because the doctor who looked at me said that my heart is weak, which is the reason I can't do heavy work, I can't eat fatty foods either, so whenever possible, Dad shares all the expenses and hardships just to support me, which I returned with a diploma. After I graduated from college with a business marketing course, I applied to companies near us but unfortunately no one accepted me, which made me stay at home for three months. And since I had nothing to do during those times, I helped Dad clean the house, but only light work. Otherwise we would rush to the hospital again, which I also don't want to happen because we are already overwhelmed with debt

Then, one day while I was seeking employment, I saw a convenient store that was hiring, so I quickly applied, and they showed me what to do like at the counter, in the products checking to make sure that nothing is expired and everything is new, and lifting products to make things organize. In my mind, the work was easy, so I agreed and accepted the job, but I hid it from Dad. I didn't let him know that I was working at a convenient store, the only thing I told him was that I was hired as a cashier at fast food so there wasn't much to do, so he didn't stop me. I also said that I had informed about my illness, so I was certain that I wouldn't be made to do difficult things, which was the opposite of what I did.

I've started working, and I'm always on time when I go to work at 7am and go home at 7pm or until my replacement for night duty arrives. And because we always saw each other whenever we shift, Diana and I, became friends that I never experienced because I was always teased at school before. Because I was so complacent with her, I told her about my illness and for that reason, she told me that she was always the one to lift the heavy boxes. And that, I would just take care of the inventory, which I immediately agreed to, so I won't get into trouble. Over time, we became close friends, but then there was a time when she couldn't go in because she got sick, so I took her duty. I went in 24 hours since we were the only two people in the store, which made me tired because of the many customers who came, and because of the arrangement of the products. I was also the one who lifted the boxes because our stocks ran out quickly, so I had no choice but to get boxes and restock. When the next day came, Diana came, and I thanked her, but even before I could go out, my body gave out, and I suddenly passed out. And when I woke up, I was lying in bed and the white ceiling was in front of me again, which meant I was in the hospital once more. That day, Dad talked to me, and he found out from Diana that I was working at the store that he immediately told me to resign because of my condition. I was angry with Dad and I ignored him for a few days, but then, Diana talked to me and made me understand my situation. That's when I found out that her mother has a heart disease too, so she knows the pain of a person who is worried about the person she loves and doesn't want to lose her. That same night, I went to my father and hugged him tightly as I apologized to him, and he immediately forgave me, saying that I had not asked for forgiveness yet, but he had forgiven me. I cried when he said that, and since then, I never disobeyed him again, and I never kept a secret from him.

However, one day I woke up because I was hungry early in the morning. So I went out of the room, but I stopped in my tracks because I saw and heard that he was talking to someone on the phone.

"No problem, Sir. I will, Sir. I will call you again when I found him," said Dad, which I clearly remembered because that's the first time I saw him so strange.

The next day, Dad left and said he was just looking for someone, and he said the same for the next few days and then, he would come home at midnight. Once I asked him where he did he go, but the only answer he gave me was that he was looking for someone, and he went into his room.

A month passed, when I came home after work, I saw Dad packing our things, which surprised me, so I approached him.

"Dad, what are you doing? Are we being kicked out of here again?” I innocently asked Dad, and because we were always being evicted from the place where we lived without paying.

"No, my daughter. We're moving out of the house because I found a stay-in job, and I'll take you with me. My boss agreed already, so put your things inside the luggage, and we'll leave," he replied to me and continued packing.

I didn't ask anymore after that, and I packed my stuff. Then, we boarded the taxi and it took us inside a wide subdivision. Dad said goodbye, so we went out, and I was amazed at the house I saw in front of me because it was so big and so spacious inside. I was shocked when Dad called me and opened the gate and went inside first. I just followed him until he stopped at the side of the big house where there was a smaller house like a maid's area and opened the other door again. We both stayed inside and my eyes wandered all around because it was so spacious, cozy, and beautiful wherever we were now. Actually, the maid's area where we are is ten times bigger than our house before.

"Father, where are we, and what are we doing here? Are we going to live here?" I asked, and dropped my things on the very shiny floor.

"From now on, we will live here. Remember, Wendy, don't do things that will hurt yourself. You can't even tell your friend that we live here. Otherwise, you might get caught. Because, for your little knowledge, we live in a prince's house. His name is Neil, and he is a Prince of Dubai," Dad reminded me, which I immediately understood.

"I understood, Dad. You can count on me not to do anything against his wishes, and I will always follow your orders as always," I said with a smile to let him know that I fully understood everything he told me.

"Daughter, if you can pretend you don't know him in case you meet on the road. Treat him as one of us and not a prince because I know he is hiding now, so as much as possible be careful around him, especially since we are now living in the house of a Prince of Dubai," pleaded of my father that I immediately nodded.

After I spoke with Dad, we went to our room, which was huge. I smiled because that was the first time I experienced a big and soft bed, but at the same time I was surprised by the actions of my Dad.

***

In the days that God has made at least once, I have not seen the Prince of Dubai look even though we live in a big house. As in, we never meet and that's because according to my father, he has different jobs, and he always flies to other countries, so sometimes I help him with the housework, but only the light ones. Dad is also getting old, so he usually has a hard time doing household chores. Until two years passed, I rushed Dad to the hospital because of his swollen knees and that's when he was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. And because of what happened, Dad had to stop working, so I offered to take his place, which he didn't refuse, but he said he would consult his boss before I entered the house.

The next day, after I came back from school because I applied as a substitute teacher, Dad talked to me.

“My daughter, Sir Neil, has agreed. Starting tomorrow, you will clean his house. This is the key,” he said, and handed me three keys on a chain. “Each key has areas that you can only clean. Remember, my daughter, you are not allowed to lift heavy things, so if you need help, call a guard. I have notified the guards because I informed them of your illness, so don't be shy to ask them for help. Do we understand each other, Wendy?” he strictly admonished me.

"Don't worry, Dad, I won't do anything that I know will harm me," I answered with confidence in myself because I already know what to do and what not to do.

And so, I started working inside the house of a Prince of Dubai. I vacuumed, swept, I also removed dust from tables, cabinets, sides, stairs, and picture frames. I cleaned the whole house in no time while listening to music in my ears from my earphones, according to the wishes of my father and the owner, even though we have never met.

Furthermore, I am really wondering what he looks like, that's why I looked him up on the internet for the first time, and there's no denying that he has a look. Definitely, he has made many women cry based only on his pictures.

But by the time of one in the afternoon, I always leave the subdivision to go to a nearby school because I had already applied as a teacher in English and Math, and not just as a substitute. I was accepted quickly because I finished my bachelor's degree, and there is not a day that I go home with a smile on my face. And that is because it feels good that I have many students who are counting on me, and they are learning something from me.

And every time I go home, I pass by the store where Diana works, downtown. After what happened, Diana and I became closer, that's why I told her about Dad and I are living in the house of the so-called Prince of Dubai, which surprised her. But, I told her that no one should know about that because if no, we are both doomed.

Ever since then, Diana and I have chitchatted about the Prince of Dubai, but only once because our most frequent topic is about the men she has dated and her experiences.

— — —

4 o'clock in the morning when my alarm rang signaled that it was time for me to work. On the other side, that's why I slowly got up and went to the bathroom to defecate and then, I took a shower since my spirit was awake. Then I prepared breakfast for Dad and I also ate before I left, while Dad was still asleep. It was 6 o'clock when I came out of the lounge where my father and I lived, I started to walk inside when I saw from a distance that a car parked in front of us and a muscular, tall, white and rich-looking man got out. I stopped walking when I saw such a man I had never seen in my life.

Wait. Is he the Prince of Dubai Dad was referring to? I immediately recognized his face.

It didn't seem like but, I followed him with my eyes until he passed me that he didn't even look at me or look back. He didn't even greet me or talk to me, which made my face lose the excitement.

He looks pathetic and eats people.

How come he didn't greet me? Definitely, Dad told him that I will replace him as housekeeper, and we've been here for a few years. So, how can he just pass by me? Won't he at least wonder what I'm doing here in front of his house?

He makes my head hot, ah. He's not very handsome and tall enough to meet my standards, How dare him look down on me, ha. Not only that, but he has a bad attitude.

Whatever. I'm going to clean up and I have work later. I'll just ignore him since he didn't pay attention to me either.

Furthermore, I entered the house and the first cleaning material I took was a vacuum and I started cleaning the kitchen with earphones in my both ears. When I suddenly felt something touching my left shoulder, I jumped and quickly ran away, but I stopped when I saw the man a while ago at my back. I immediately removed the earphones from my ears, whilst I clutched my chest because of the pain, and we stared at each other.

"Are you the daughter of Mang Danny?" he asked with an accent and deep voice.

"Yes, I am. And you are? Oh, are you the owner of this house?” I answered in English as well, but I didn't make it obvious that I already knew him, just like what Dad said to me before. Pretend that I don't know him.

"Yes, I am," he replied and took a glass of water and drank it in one gulp.

After drinking, he looked at me seriously while I was waiting for him to speak.

Just calm your nerves down, Wendy. Yes, he is cute and handsome, but don't put your guards down.

"Can you do me a favor?" he asked without blinking.

I frowned at what he said. Well, it better be good, or I'll hit him hard with the vacuum I'm holding.

"And what is that, Sir?" I politely asked with innocence, even though I don't really have experience yet. Diana is the only one who tells me about her experiences with men, so, I'm just a little innocent.

Wait, what was I thinking?

"Be my wife," he pointed out, bringing my spirit back to myself.

I raised two eyebrows at him as I was shocked because of what he said surprisingly. "What?" I said that it was obvious on my face that I was surprised by what he told me.

I thought he was asking for a favor, then, why did he seem to make a demand according to the tone of his voice?

To be continued...