The Chauffeur [Complete]

Chapter 7

As I expected, Everly didn't take the news of Harvey's absence very well. She'd cried the entire drive home and refused to eat dinner because she was so upset. I did my best to comfort her, which seemed to help a little bit.

After I finished tucking her into bed, I went back downstairs to indulge in a glass of red wine while I looked into potential new hires. I told Andi I was going to do it tomorrow, but I wasn't tired. And it wasn't like Sam would be here anytime soon to keep me company.

I sat on the couch and set my glass down on the rectangular glass coffee table in front of me. My legs were tucked beside me as I sat back and pulled my open laptop onto my lap.

Scanning the information on the website where Harvey was hired from, I read over the types of people they had available. I didn't exactly know how this works because Sam was the one who found Harvey and hired him. So I'm not quite sure what kind of criteria I would want my Chauffeur to meet. In all honesty, I just want Harvey back.

I leaned forward, reaching around my computer to pick up my wine glass before taking a sip of the deep red liquid. Sighing, I continued to stare at the screen.

Driver #1: Richard Langford
Experience: Five years
Availability: Anytime M-F
Languages: English

Richard was a middle aged white man who, according to this website, has been with the Chauffeur company for five years now. He seems like a good candidate, though he won't fit in my schedule. I need a driver who will be accessible on the weekends as well. There was a link at the bottom that said, "Learn more" but I simply scrolled down to the next candidate.

Driver #2: Isaiah Smith
Experience: Two years
Availability: Anytime 24/7
Languages: English, Creole, Spanish

Isaiah, an older black man, seemed promising. He fit the criteria that I was looking for. So I tried to click the "Learn more" link, which was when I found out he had been booked for the rest of the month.

Damn it!

Continuing my search for a new Chauffeur, I started to become frustrated and overwhelmed by the 30th candidate. Aside from Isaiah, none of these people were of any interest to me. I tossed my head back, downing the last of my wine before closing my laptop and standing up.

It was getting late. And I have been looking forward to a nice hot bath after the day I've had. Walking into the kitchen, I placed my glass down in the sink and headed upstairs with my laptop still tucked under my arm.

When I reached my bedroom, I dropped it down onto my bed and went into the bathroom. I started with the sleeveless white tank top I had on, followed by the baggy denim mom jeans. Then I removed my underwear and socks before putting on my robe.

Seated on the edge of the jacuzzi tub, I turned on the water. While watching the tub fill up, I added a wild cherry blossom body wash, bubbles forming almost instantly. Then I twisted the cap back on and set it aside.

Needing some music, I went and grabbed my phone from within my room. I clicked on the Spotify app and pulled up the playlist Harvey had made for me. The first song began to play. "Halo" by Beyonce.

I hummed to the words while returning to the bathroom. My phone was left on the sink counter at full volume as I walked back over to the tub. The water was filling up pretty fast, so I turned it off just before it could get any higher.

My robe was removed and placed on the counter by my phone. Once I was standing back in front of the rectangular tub, I put my left foot in first then my right. The heat burned my skin. In a good way.

Sinking down into the water, I sat down, the water reaching just below my chin. I sighed in content, resting my head on the rim and closing my eyes.

I'd fallen asleep at some point. And didn't realize that fact until I heard a knock at the door and Sam entered. "Hey," he said lowly, walking over to his side of the sink.

"Hey." I picked up the purple loofah I'd dropped into the water when it was filling up and reached for the white bar of soap on the tray. "How was dinner with your boss?"

"It was fine," he replied, staring at his reflection in the mirror as he unbuttoned his shirt.

"Just fine?" I questioned, taking the soapy loofah and gliding it along my arms.

Sam sighed. "Not tonight, Celeste."

I wasn't in the mood to argue. I just wanted to enjoy my bath before bed. So I kept quiet. Silence lingered between the two of us. 

Sam stripped down to his underwear and tossed the clothes he'd taken off into the dirty clothes hamper. Then he turned to me. "I'm sorry about Harvey."

"Mhm," was all I said. I didn't believe him. He's always treated Harvey like he was the chewing gum stuck to the bottom of his shoe.

He could tell I was annoyed with him. "Anyway, I hired a new Chauffeur."

My head whipped in his direction. "What? Who?"

"His son," he answered casually, leaning against the counter. "He called me at work. Said he would take over for his father."

Why would he do that? Either he was the sweetest son in the world, or there was another reason. The real reason.

"And you just... let him?" Sam shrugged, crossing his arms over his bare chest. "You didn't think to meet him first? Or do a background check at least?"

"He's Harvey's son. If he's anything like the old man, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about."

"He's a stranger, Sam."

"So was Harvey when I hired him."

I shook my head. "It's not the same thing. Harvey was hired through the company."

"Either you accept the new Chauffeur or you don't go anywhere," he blurted out angrily. Then he slid his index across the sink before rubbing nonexistent dust between his thumb and forefinger. "Besides, you've been slacking."

"Excuse me?" My right eye twitched at his words.

"Do better, Celeste. No one wants to live in a damn pigsty," he stated before walking out.

A slew of Spanish curse words flew out of my mouth. I know he did not just say that to me. Without me, this place would look the equivalent of a crack house. Without me, he wouldn't have clean clothes and a hot fucking meal. 

How dare him!?