Billie Bossa Nova

3.

She was nervous. Suddenly now, everything that Finneas had told her was starting to pile in and her nerves hit her like an avalanche. She was fine during the interview. Confident. The lady interviewing her, a motherly looking Latina woman in her 50s, had taken quite a liking to her. Although it was evident that she couldn't show it, and had to act neutral. But she'd laughed at everything Billie had said, stifled a smiled everytime Billie answered a question. Which was why Billie was not too surprised when she got the call that told her that she was officially hired as Adan Rivera's PA.

When she came into the mansion, the same women welcomed her to the house. She soon came to know that the woman was Juanita, the head maid of the house whom Adan Rivera trusts more than he trusts himself. This, she was told by another maid who was leading her to her room.

The mansion on its own was grand, very modern looking on the inside despite its very archaic exterior, but with a sign of some Spanish culture through paintings and art works. The white designer floor had little lines and swirls of black and was made of ceramic, covering the house's entire ground, including the spiral stairs leading to the second floor. The rails of the stairs were made of hard, shiny glass. Her room, in general, was huge. She had a normal queen bed, the suite bathroom transparent through the glass walls covering it and a walk in closet that was open and ready for her to pack in her stuff. Billie knew that this wasn't just the benefit that just any one of the staff got because the young maid had muttered, "so lucky" under her breath before she left Billie on her own.

So, Billie settled in, packing everything where it should be before she relaxed on her bed. She wondered what she had to do next. Does she start today? She'd seen the hassle of the staff around the house when she entered. Was she supposed to help out? I mean, she was the PA and not the maid, but she also didn't know how far Adan was willing to take her regarding the job.

Her door clicked open and Juanita entered, eyes widening when she saw her resting on the bed.

"What are you doing?! You're supposed to be helping with arrangements! If Señor Rivera sees you like this on your first day, I'm sure he will faint from rage. Come now, let me show you what you have to do."

The woman on her own, was very hasty with everything she did, as if she hadn't the time. She spoke quickly as well, as if saying something and not doing it was taking up too much time.

Once she was done explaining that Billie was responsible for telling everyone how the set up would be and welcoming the guests, Billie got right into it. Juanita wasn't kidding on that phone call when she said "you start immediately".

Finally, when all the guests seemed to have settled and it seemed like no more would come, she went to Juanita and waited for her to assign her with her next task. But Juanita seemed irritated by the fact that someone was standing around instead of working. The other staff hurried in and out of the kitchen, serving guests their appetizers as the night of an event Billie didn't know the reason for began.

"Natalie, show Ms. Eilish here to Mr. Rivera's office."

Juanita had said this with a dash of exasperation, as if she had to get rid of the girl as soon as possible. A young woman stopped shining glasses and walked over to Billie, gesturing for her to follow her as she started for the stairs. Billie did so, walking beside her.

"Hi, I'm Billie by the way," she said as they began walking up the stairs.

The girl grinned and nodded. "Natalie."

"How long have you been working for Mr. Rivera?"

Natalie shrugged. "About a week now"

"A week?" Billie raises both of her eyebrows.