The Maid In Neverland || Michael Jackson

Chapter 1

It was Monday when I finally started on my new job--a maid in a ranch called 'Neverland'. John, my 15-year-old younger brother wasn't really pleased to know that I have to live in the ranch as I work but I made sure that he understood that I needed to do this. He's old enough to look after himself, anyway.

I found out that Miss Joan was actually Neverland's supervisor and that day, she waited for me at the gate of the ranch to pick me up. I'd had so many other jobs before--a baby sitter, a waitress in a club, a staff in a local fast food, a cashier in a grocery store--but this was my first job as a maid. I applied here not to be an employee of the oh-so-famous Superstar, I applied because I simply needed this job. I needed it. I was desperate. The moment the agency told me the amount of salary that I'd get, I knew I had to get it.

I was aware that the place is called 'Neverland' and everyone in the world probably knew who owned this place, except for me.

I wasn't living under a rock but I swear, I didn't know.

He's all over the TV and newspapers everyday but I had no idea that he lived in a ranch with a zoo and an amusement park. I had no idea that he lives in the place that I applied to work. I knew him but I wasn't his fan, maybe that's why. I had been working since my drunkard father left me and my brother so I really never had a chance to enjoy my teenage years and do fangirling over some hot superstars just like what other girls in my age usually do.

I didn't know. I swear.

That's why I was so shocked the first time I saw him that day. And I got even more shocked when Miss Joan said that he's the boss.

Michael Jackson is my new boss.

I was introduced to the other maids in Neverland and all of them seemed to be kind and friendly. The maids' quarter was pretty big, literally three times bigger than the apartment that my brother and I lived. Miss Joan gave me my uniform and after unpacking my things, I finally changed to my uniform for the first time.

"Hey."

I was looking at the mirror when someone appeared behind me. It was a fellow maid.

"Hey," I said. "I'm sorry, I'm just trying to see if the uniform fits me."

"It's okay." She smiled. "I'm Sarah, by the way."

"I'm Jane." I smiled back. "Nice meeting you, Sarah."

Sarah was about a couple of years older than me and I found out that she had been working here for about three years now. She said that she enjoyed working here because the payment was good and there were lots of children visiting the ranch everyday.

"I often meet many famous celebrities here," she told me. "And the boss is so kind, he treats us fair and good. It was like we are part of his family."

This was when I learned that the workers here referred to Michael Jackson as 'The Boss' but they really call him 'Sir' or sometimes 'Mr. Jackson'.

"Are you his fan?"

"Pardon?" I asked. "Fan of what?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Fan of our boss. You know, King of Pop."

Michael Jackson was so famous and I knew he's a great musician but-

"No." I shook my head. "I see him all over the newspapers and magazines but I'm not really into him. All I know is that he's the singer of Billie Jean."

And I was telling the truth. It's not that I didn't like his music, it's just that I wasn't really into fangirling--or never had a chance, rather.

Sarah laughed.

"What?" I asked. "Why are you laughing?"

Sarah told me that lots of die-hard Michael Jackson fans had tried applying to work here. One time a fan got hired as a maid and when she saw Michael Jackson, she jumped at him and started hugging and kissing him. She got fired right away.

"Oh," I said after hearing that. "Good thing I'm not a fan."

Maybe that was the reason why Miss Joan asked me my music interest during the interview. Finally made sense now.

"Yeah." She chuckled. "So, what's your reaction when you first saw him?"

"Me? I don't know." I shrugged my shoulders. "I was shocked. I mean, he's Michael Jackson. Everyone would probably be shocked if he suddenly appeared behind you."

"Yeah, that was my reaction, too," Sarah said. "But you will get used to him. His presence is really intimidating but trust me, he is nice."

I never saw Michael Jackson that day. Miss Joan mentioned that our boss was busy working on his new album that's why he wouldn't be at Neverland for some time. However, the ranch was open everyday for the visitors, especially for the children, and we spent the entire week serving the guests and cleaning the whole house.

Neverland was beautiful. No--it was a paradise. It was a perfect paradise for children. Everytime we would serve snacks and foods to the children who will visit the ranch, you can see happiness in their eyes. I was really amazed that Michael Jackson had thought of opening a ranch like this for the children to enjoy and play. He must really have had a good heart.

My second week at Neverland came but still, the boss wasn't home. Sarah and I had become close and she had served as my guide to the house since I was new and she knew what to do. The work was a bit exhausting because we need to clean the house every minute of the day for the guests, and also because according to Miss Joan, the boss could come home any time.

After finishing all the works that was needed to be done in the house, it was time for us to sleep. It was exactly 12 midnight and the rest of them were already sleeping, including Sarah, and I was the only one who was still awake. I was just staring at the ceiling and just letting my thoughts to conquer my head.

I couldn't sleep.

I heaved a sigh. It's been two weeks since I first came here but I still felt a bit homesick. I missed my own bed in our apartment. I missed the neighborhood. I wanted to be with my brother but I didn't have a choice. I needed to do this for me, and for him. I knew I will get used to this soon.

I still couldn't sleep so I decided to get up from bed and get myself a glass of water. The maids' quarter was dark since Dana--the head maid--turned all the lights off. I opened the quarter's door as silently as I could and when I finally got out, I immediately made my way into the kitchen.

I was opening the door of the fridge when I suddenly heard a faint sound coming from somewhere in the house. Footsteps.

There's someone in here.

I felt nervous that time because I first thought it was a thief, but then I realized that the house and the gate of the ranch were guarded by heavy security so it was impossible.

If it wasn't a thief, then who?

I silently and slowly walked out the kitchen. I saw many guards in black suits walking in the main room carrying different things: luggage, bags, and I even saw one of them carrying a bucket of KFC. What's happening?

I hid myself in a dark hall so no one could see me. I was looking at the tough-looking body guard and when I turned my head to the entrance of the house, that's when I saw him.

Yes, him. The boss.

"Chris, take the bags upstairs," he commanded one the guards in a soft yet tired voice.

He was wearing a black jacket and a black scarf that almost covered his face. He started walking up the stairs, probably going to his room. He looked exhausted.

"Bring me a glass of orange juice, Rick," he said without looking back. "Do it yourself, don't wake up the maids."

"Yes, Sir."

I followed the boss with my gaze as he continued ascending through the stairs until he was out of sight. I pressed myself to the wall. My heart was beating fast.

He's back.