Things Change

Chapter One

“Mr. Hunter will be recuperating here for several months.  Your duties will include, stocking the fridge and shelves, sending out his laundry and cleaning the apartment.” 

Mrs. Coles described as she took Jaimie on a tour of the spacious luxury apartment.   She tried her best not to look awestruck as she surveyed her surroundings.  The front door opened several feet from a sunken living room.  The floors were white marble and the walls were painted a soft pale gray.  The living room furniture was all overstuffed and over sized in black leather.  Two S shaped sectional sofas sat at angles to each other with assorted glass topped tables with chrome stands positioned between and behind them.  There was a hall that ran past this main room on both directions.  To the right were the two bedrooms and a full bath with a shower big enough for three people.  Down the left end of the hall, was the state of the art kitchen, an informal dining room and a small gym where he would be receiving his physical therapy.  It wasn’t necessary for Mr. Hunter to have more rooms, Jaimie was told, because he was here to heal from his accident and subsequent surgeries.  After the tour Mrs. Coles continued on with her one-sided dialogue. 

 “You may also be called upon to prepare the occasional meal since Mr. Hunter does not cook all that much and you will also be expected to possibly run errands if he needs them.”  She then turned and gave Jaimie a stern warning look.  “I would also like to remind you that you did sign a confidentiality agreement when you were hired.  You will not speak to anyone about Mr. Hunter’s personal life and you may not disclose to anyone who your employer is.”

            Jaimie wanted to roll her eyes at that but seeing that it probably wouldn’t be appreciated she bit down on her lower lip and nodded.  “Yes, ma’am.” 

Mrs. Cole studied the younger woman a worried expression on her face.  “I’m still not completely convinced this will work out but since you are more than qualified for a job like this and Mr. Hunter specifically asked for a younger woman to assist him I have no choice but to trust this arrangement.  I really hope you're able to handle him, Ms. Williams.  From what I understand, Mr. Hunter can sometimes be a little hard to take.”

Jaimie rested a reassuring hand on the older woman’s arm.  “It will be fine. I promise.  I will be professional at all times regardless of how demanding he gets.  Trust me I have dealt with worse situations.  I’ve had my face nearly bitten off by an angry pit bull. After that experience, this will be a piece of cake.”

The older woman sighed dramatically.  “I know you will dear.  It’s just that Mr. Hunter earned quite a reputation a few years back for being a ladies’ man and I wonder if he has out grown that part of his life.  I’m banking on the fact that you look much younger than you actually are and you’re a little too wholesome for his taste.  Most men like him are only interested in worldly, cheap women that offer freely what they should be holding dear.  If you get my meaning.”   She gave a sniff and Jaimie could almost hear the unspoken words, like your sister.

Again Jaimie just nodded and once again held her tongue.  She would not fight with her new employer no matter how wrong she thought the woman might be about her older sister.  Kenya wasn’t a bad person, just a little selfish and too trusting of the wrong people, that’s all.

Mrs. Cole smiled finally looking satisfied.  “I’m glad you understand.  You just keep your nose in your books and you’ll be fine.  Your grandmother was a great lady and I know she would be proud of the work you're doing.  How long do you have until you graduate?”

Jaimie’s smile was genuine then.  “Three more years.”

“Good for you.  Do you have any questions about the job so far?”  Mrs. Coles asked.