Colorless

Chapter Two

The alarm clock blared at me. I groaned and turned to my side, slamming down on the clock with my fist. I turned so that I laid on my back, looking up at the ceiling. Today was my first day as a maid. I worked for some snooty rich man, Mr. Tyler. He was a billionaire, and a very arrogant man due to it. He hired me only because he needed to "spend that money somehow". I found this surprisingly offensive, but I really needed this job. I needed to pay back my student loans as soon as I could, especially if I considered going to law school. Since I was in middle school, I wanted to follow in my mother's footsteps and become a lawyer, preferably a defense attorney for the wrongly accused. So I've been taking in as many jobs as I could handle, juggling work hours with my homework and my classes. I was only twenty years old, and I was pushing for my goals in the hardest of ways.

I forced myself to get out of my bed and get dressed. I needed this job, more than I was willing to admit. I turned to my closet and grabbed a crisp white button up and a solid black pencil skirt. I had no idea what to expect, so just in case I packed some jeans and a crummy tee shirt in a small, purse like bag. I shoved my bony feet into some shiny black flats and went into the bathroom. I faced my reflection. An array of dark black hair haloed my pale gray face in the messiest way. I groaned and set my bag down, grabbing several hair supplies. I then proceeded to style it up and away from my face and eyes. I began to gently line my eyelids with thin black liner and curl my lashes and apply a light coat of mascara. Brushing my teeth, I checked the time. 6:49?! My shift starts at seven! I hurriedly spat and rinsed, then grabbed the bag and left my dorm.

I made it to Mr. Tyler's house with one minute to spare. I walked in just as he stepped down the stairs. The man didn't look like he was in his fifties. He had thick hair, flowing loosely around his face. He had a sharp jawline, with strong cheekbones and a charming smile. He had a fairly large nose, but it was defined nicely and didn't look large at all. He was well toned; his muscles shifted and rippled through his shirt. The man smiled as he approached me.

"So you came right on time. Welcome to Mr. Tyler's house," he said. His voice was deep, sensual. "Let me show you around. Follow me."

"Ah, so you're not Mr. Tyler."

"Well, I am, in a way. I'm his son. Call me Jason," he said, making no attempt to hide the flirtatious smile tugging the edge of his lips.

Mr. Tyler's house was... Gigantic, to say the least. It was spotless, with marble columns shining in the early morning light. The floor and staircase shone just as brightly and there were wooden half tables standing perfectly straight next to the walls. There were flowers in clear glass vases on every table, and there were curtains hanging on the wall about the split staircase. It looked like the castle in Beauty and the Beast.

"Wow," I breathed, trying to take in all that I could. Jason chuckled.

"Yeah, it's a lot. I was overwhelmed when I first came, too," he said, barely looking over his shoulder to look at me. I nodded absentmindedly. "Here, this way, Ms...?" I turned to him.

"What? Oh. I'm Julienne," I said, offering him my hand. He gave me a crooked smile that would have made any girl's heart flutter as he took my hand.

"That's a beautiful name. Julienne. I like it," he said, smiling wider.

"Son, stop flirting with my maids!" A voice boomed. My head shot up to the left staircase. Jason let go of my hand and turned toward him fully.

"I'm sorry. I was just showing her around," he said cooly.

"Well let me handle that responsibility! I hired her, not you," he hissed. Clearly, Mr. Tyler was a man who wanted everything done his way.

"Yes, father. I apologize," Jason said. He was very calm, strangely so. He then excused himself and walked up the stairs, turning to the right and going up the right staircase. Mr. Tyler then turned to me.

"So. You're the newbie, Jessica, or something," He muttered, his voice echoing in the vast room. I tried to hide my anger as he trudged down the stairs, giving me a once over as he did so. "Welcome," he grumbled.

"Thank you, Mr. Tyler. And my name is Julienne," I said sweetly, offering my hand. He looked at it, then grumbled.

"Follow me."

Mr. Tyler led me back the way I came and out the door. I didn't even notice it as I had ran through. The door was made of what looked like wood, with large tapered glass windows shining through.

We walked through a beautiful rose garden, the bushes nicely trimmed and cut to make lovely figurines. I tried not to let myself get distracted as he led me farther through his yard.

We finally approached a place with a large fountain seated in the middle. There were beautiful carvings in the stone, and gentle figurines spewed out water. There was a woman there, not much older than me, who was seated outside the water, scrubbing what seemed to be clothing ferociously. She looked up and stood frantically, nearly knocking over a bucket near her feet.

"Oh, Mr.-Mr. Tyler! What a --what a surprise, señor!" She said, clutching the clothing to her chest. Her accent was heavy, making it difficult for me to understand her. She plastered a fake smile on her face, looking at him expectantly.

"Maria. This is Jessica-"

"Julienne," I corrected gently. He grumbled, not bothering to look at me.

"-and she is going to be working with you. Show her the ropes. I will be back at noon to relieve you of duty," he said gruffly, turning and leaving without another word.

"Si, Señor Tyler," Maria said gently, turning to me. "Hello," she said, smiling brightly.

"Hi. Is that how he always is?" I asked, walking to her. She took in my appearance and made a tut-tut-tut sound with her tongue.

"Ay, señorita, your clothes are no good for tis. Come, we get you changed!" She took me by the wrist and led me back to the house. Today was the day I had started the worst job of my life.