Mirrors

Chapter Three

The living room was done in yellow, a bright color closer to the shade of honey to add live to the house, the furniture in it was in the shades of green and blue to compliment the look but what stood out in the entire setup was a huge black and white portrait of a couple. The click was perfect which had captured the love in the moment they both felt for each other. The man was smiling down at the woman in his arms, his eyes almost closed, his forehead rested against the side of the woman's as he held her from behind. The woman in return was laughing as she looked away at the corner. Her loose curls reached the forearm of the man holding her. They both looked young, perhaps in the early thirties. There was an air of wistfulness about this portrait, as if they were abandoned. Sarah was certain, the couple did not live here.

As a second thought, she wondered if they were still alive. However, it seemed unfair, for two people to die at such young age and here she thought she was the only one with problems at hand. How she had neglected the picture last night was beyond her comprehension, perhaps she was still getting the hang of the house, her job and the child who was adorable. As she perched Mia on her waist, holding her with her left hand while she looked around the kitchen to make breakfast for her, she reflected her first meeting with the child. 

Sarah had been apprehensive in the morning, wondering how the daughter will be like when the father had such a crisp nature, who didn't talk much except for necessary nods and a few words but Mia had surprised her. When Sarah stood in front of her the girl had just looked at her with her doe eyes and then her innocent face had broken into a smile. Although like Daniel, she also resorted to nods and shake of her head but she was more amiable, Sarah thought. She was then reminded of the awkward situation in her employer's house last night  when she had asked about Mia's mother and thus she couldn't ask him about the couple after the shut up call he gave her.

Daniel reached office with new zeal and eagerness. The reason behind was ms. Bancroft. His appointment with Mr. Cyrus Humphrey was scheduled at 0900 hours. 

"Its a pleasure to meet you Mr. Moore."

"I wish I could say the same but you do know the nature of your work only unsettles one." He responses with a smile and shook hands with the detective. They had known each other through Kevin, Daniel's friend from childhood. Cyrus was known for his discreet nature and expertise in the field and Daniel had made use of both his qualities, making him Daniel's favorite although he would never accept it to even himself.

"So what requires my expertise?" Cyrus enquired.

"It's a 'who' this time." 

Cyrus nodded. "Subject's name?"

"Sarah Bancroft."

"Is that it?"

"No, I'm sure you will provide me with the rest of the information."

"I'll take your leave then."

"I shall see you in  three days." Daniel and his ways to get things done but Mr. Cyrus Humphrey was well aware of his tactics and thus nodded with a lopsided smile and left the office. The rest of the day passed by in meetings, spreadsheets and blueprint. He called home twice though, to check up on his new employee and Mia. 

Sarah was an enigma, he thought as he drove back home. She was the talk of the town during her college times and almost everybody in the vicinity had known her for her style, her sweet nature and her social class. Knowing well she belonged to an affluent family, he couldn't help but wonder what had brought her to Manhattan, at his doorstep that too for a job that paid miserly for her expenses. On his arrival, he saw Natasha leaving his apartment.

"She is pretty." Natasha remarked when she saw him at his doorstep.

"She is my employee." He interjected, keeping his cell phone in his pocket, his jacket laid recklessly on his arm in which he held his briefcase.

"And I was born yesterday." She mocked.

Daniel raised an eye brow, seeking her meaning.

"You can't shut the society like me. Tongues are already wagging, you know and here I was admiring your scrupulous nature." And with this she left.

"What was she doing here?" Daniel asked as soon as he closed the door behind him.

Sarah , who by now was holding her breath after hearing their conversation only remembered to exhale when he asked about Natasha and not herself. Her fate was following her even now, she mused. It was her first day in this house and people had already started to brand her immodest. "She was helping me cook." She provided.

"You didn't mention it last night." He said, pulling his tie off. 

"I.. I didn't expect you to merge the tasks of cooking into housekeeping."

"Where is Mia?" He asked in his no-nonsense tone.

"She slept a while ago."

"How was the progress with her?"

"Excellent, she is such an easy kid to get along." She replied with a dreamy smile on her face, the smile that reminded him of how he used to go yoyo with her charms. And she was doing it again.

"Please serve dinner, I'll be out in 10." He commanded her and left to take shower. He could hardly wait for the next three days to get over.