The Employer

Chapter 3

Celeste Peters

"You're here early!" Louisa's beaming face looks down on me from the top step of her front door. She sweeps her shoulder length, blonde hair to the side before opening the screen door to let me in.

The knots in my stomach tighten. I kept going back and forth as to whether I'd go over and tell her the news but I couldn't stay away. Plus, the GQ model I crashed into who let me off the hook today could be a sign that things might actually turn out to be okay. 

"What's wrong?" Louisa's thin brows scrunch together as she takes me in.

"What? What do you mean what's wrong?"

"You don't get off your shift for another hour. What happened?"

"Auntie Cellie!" Theo comes barrelling toward me with a wide smile and instantly all my problems melt away.

"Hi, big guy!" I say as he jumps into my arms. "I missed you!"

Even though I live only a few blocks away from them, I always miss my nephew. The joy this little kid brings to this world is like an addictive drug. Yes, even in the moments Theo acts like the world is ending and he's going to gallop away like some spirited horse when Louisa turns off his cartoons, I'm still obsessed with him. I carry him into the living room that's littered with toys. While their home is as small as mine, with a kitchenette attached to the living room that doubles as a bedroom, it feels smaller when there's multiple people in it.

We settle into criss-cross-applesauce on the beige stained carpet and Theo starts the Show & Tell featuring today's car lineup. I glance up to find Louisa eyeing me with curiosity. Even though she only came into my life four years ago when she accidentally got pregnant with my brother's baby, she knows me better than anyone else. Including my brother.

"Okay something happened that you're not telling me, but I have amazing news I need to tell you now or else I'll explode!"

"Mommy! Come sit with us!" Theo bellows out as he waves a yellow toy truck in the air.

She practically skips over like the graceful, petite ballerina she is and joins us on the carpet. My insides turn. What is going on? Does it have to do with Noah? A buzzing sensation courses over me.

"So, at work last week I heard one of the other maids saying a position opened in one of the houses next door. I inquired about it and they said the house manager is looking to hire a live-in chef for the family."

I drop Theo's Hot Wheels and freeze as Louisa continues.

"So, I called in a favor with my coworker who knows the maid in that house. I passed along your resume and she sent it in. Anyway, the house manager called this morning! She wants to meet with you tomorrow!"

"Holy shit, are you serious?" My hands start to shake as I process Louisa's words. What in the hell is this day?

"Holy shit," Theo parrots.

"Oops! Don't say that word, Theo. I meant, 'Holy shoot'."

"Yes! I'm serious! I may have used that joke resume we put together last year, but a little lie here or there won't hurt them." She waves at a fruit fly before her expression grows serious. "You're an amazing cook, and they will see that regardless of what's on paper. So what if you didn't go to some fancy pants culinary school where they make you eat snails for breakfast!"

I snort out a laugh. "Escargot is a delicacy and I would love to try it someday."

"The point is Celeste, no more working long nights for those crummy diners with sleazeballs feeling you up. You would crush this job. It has your name written all over it!"