Money Can't Buy Love

Chapter two

Michael's PoV:

As soon as she notices me, she begins mopping the floor in the opposite direction as fast as humanly possible, it would seem. She points her head down to the floor, meaning I don't get to see what she looks like, but I am assured that this is Hannah, one of the maids my billboard just informed me about. A doubt does creep in that it could be Maria, but, as I just said, a doubt. My billboard tells me that Hannah appeared nervous and shy/timid during her interview, as I believe anyone would during an interview, which is what I am observing in front of me. Her long hair swivels side to side with the motion of her careful, yet quick, mopping.

"Good morning!" I smile at the back of her head, giving my greeting a touch of confidence.

She stops, slowly rotating her long, brown hair before shyly muttering, "Good morning," and mopping away. Yep, that must be Hannah. I let her walk away because I don't want her to feel afraid of me. That's the last emotion I want a worker to feel about me: afraid. I think that is Hannah for two reasons. Reason one: she's shyer than Maria has been described on my billboard. Considering this, Hannah and Maria are the only female maids I don't know today since I know Karen. Reason two: the girl doesn't look above the age of twenty, and the billboard stated that she was seventeen.

A meaty sensation suddenly hits my nose, distracting me from rereading the notes on my billboard. Bacon. I love bacon. That must be the chef cooking breakfast. I tend to judge a cook by first impressions of what they cook for me in the morning. This cook understands what I like, so he gets brownie points from the get-go!

Every worker gets a document about my likes and dislikes before they arrive on their first day. Whether that be food liking or how I prefer to be spoken to. All that jazz. And on the document, it says that I love bacon. Like love, LOVE, bacon! So Kevin, who I presume is making the meaty smell happen, has clearly read through that document, making me happy. Some cooks and chefs cook what they think I might like, clearly not bothering to read that document.

I return to my room and head to the bathroom to do my daily rituals of brushing my teeth and showering. I also put on some casual clothes. After, I exit and search for Karen. I run into Karen outside one of the spare rooms, carrying a wet rag.

"Good morning, Karen!" I say with a raspy-morning voice. I pump my right fist to my chest and clear my throat.

"Gooood morning, Mr Ricketts!" She replies happily but formally, setting an example for the new workers, probably, and extending her oo's in the good of her good morning. "How are you doing?" I'm never sure how to respond to that question right after waking up. Like yeah, I'm doing fine, I suppose? But I don't yet know if I'm doing fine since you're the first person I spoke to on this gooood morning, as she puts it.

"I'm fine," I respond in the most British way possible, with a sober smile. "And yourself?" I reciprocate the conversation.

"I'm also doing fine!" She replies in the most British way possible, stopping the conversation before it starts and walking away. She doesn't bother asking further questions, mainly because she never does. She knows that if I'm smiling, I am good. She is busy being a shift leader, ensuring that new workers do what they're meant to do. So, I get it to an extent. Especially when there are three of them, like today.

"Karen!" I call after her. And after she turns around, "Who's the girl with the long, brown hair?" I'm almost positive I know the answer to the question, but just asking it for reassurance.

"Hannah," She declares with a grin. Short and sweet. "I'll see you at breakfast!" She finally leaves the corridor, going into the living room with the wet rag.

"Yep, see you then!" I respond with an equal grin. Some workers have breakfast in the morning with me, some don't, some bring packed lunches, some don't, and some have lunch with me. I have no issue with that, though. I believe it is helpful to eat with those I'll be spending time with. It gives me time to learn whatever I need to about them.