Chapter 1 The Offer

Dorothy's POV

I walked out of the café I worked at as it was closing time. I walked down the walkway and I noticed a car following me.

I took another turn but the car still followed. A black sleek Audi. The car looked expensive and I wondered who that was and why I was being followed.

I stopped at some point to confront who the person was and was given the shock of my life.

It was none other than Mr. Wort. My father's business partner and friend.

After my parents' and brother's death about two years ago, he helped me cover all funeral expenses. So yes, I recognized him, although he kind of disappeared when I rejected the job offer he gave me because I had a very good job at that point that paid well enough to take care of me but I soon got sacked and I had been looking for him for a long time now.

"Mr. Wort". I greeted, with a smile on my face as well as a confused look.

"Dorothy, how have you been?". He said, pulling me in for a fatherly hug.

"I have been good sir". I said, after getting released from the hug.

"Come, let's get you dinner"? He said, opening the car door for me.

I had no idea on what to eat, so I was so ecstatic when he offered me food.

We drove to a restaurant along the road and we were shown a table.

"So, Miss Reyes. It's been two years, no?. I last saw you at your parents and brother's funeral. I had been busy". He said, smiling apologetically.

At this point the waiter came to get our orders. We both ordered a chicken parmigiana and shrimp.

"Oh, no it's okay, Mr. Wort. I truly understand". I said as I took a sip of wine.

"So I wanted to make you an offer". He said watching my every move and reaction.

"Go ahead, sir". I said, not taking any thought to it.

"I had been busy and part of the reason why I came around is because of your current situation. As you know, you're father had been a friend of mine for a long time, so it doesn't sit right with me the fact that you are struggling". He said in one breath.

"But sir..". I was cut short.

"I won't force you. But let me present my offer before you refuse. I am here with both a job and house offer. I know you are three months behind in your rental payments. So I am offering you a job at my son's company and also an accommodation in his house, rent free". He said, looking at me.

I was so shocked. Was I just offered to stay with the son of one of the richest business man in Australia and the fact that his son is also a billionaire.

"Well sir... I honestly don't know what to say". I said.

"Yes or yes?". He asked, giving me a mischievous smile.

He knew what he was doing. He wasn't giving any room to say no.

"Sir. Will he agree?". I said, not sure his son, Xavier Wort will agree to stay with another woman whilst he's married.

"Sure. He's my son". He said, heartily, as he began to eat his chicken pam.

I didn't say anything else because it seemed like he wasn't having a no this time.

We ate up and soon we were on the road. I thought we were going home until I saw us in another road, I didn't know.

"Sir?. Where are we going?". I asked as I looked around to make sure I'm not hallucinating.

"To my son's house". He said, with a dismissive and nonchalant tone.

When we arrived at the house, I knew I wasn't breathing because it was taking my breath away.

It was huge.

The stairs in front of the house that took a y-shape and also the waterfall in the center of the compound. Lights shine everywhere.

I stood there staring, till I heard a throat clear behind me.

"Dorothy, you would have a lot of time to admire the architecture of the house but right now we need to get you settled in". Mr. Wort said with a smile on his face.

We both walked into the house and to say it was breathtaking was an insult.

"Xavier. Won't you greet your old man?". Mr. Wort called through the house, as he sat down on a white sofa and gesturing me to sit beside him.

"Father, the entire Australia must have been well aware of your presence after that megaphone announcement". He said in his deep voice, coming down with a baggy joggers and sweatshirt, his eyes on his phone.

A figure descended the stairs-tall, effortless, unreadable. He didn't look up from his phone, but his presence swallowed the room.

"Father, unless we're hosting a press conference, I suggest you keep your voice down."

He reached the end of the stairs and at this point I was already going into a heart attack. How can someone be this breathtaking like his house?.

He looked at me. " Father I don't remember asking for a maid". He said rudely. And at this point my admiration turned into hatred.

Wow. He looked like sin wrapped in cashmere.

And then he opened his mouth. Rude, arrogant, insufferable.

How can someone be this rude?.

"Son, control that tongue". He said authoritatively, "she will be staying here and will also be working at your company, so I expect respect from you to her". He said and stood up.

"My dear, don't mind his behavior. I'm sure you will enjoy your stay here". He said and left.

All this while, Xavier was staring at me.

"Name?".

"Dorothy. Dorothy Reyes". I said, looking down. He had a dominating stare.

"You'll start working tomorrow". He said in a tone of finality.

Soon a car was heard parking in the compound. I saw him give a tired sigh.

"She can't be back now". He whispered, and looked at me,"Go to your room. The maid will show you".

At that point a maid came and took me to my room. I didn't have any bags so it was just me, no baggage.

On our way upstairs, we heard the front door open and soon enough I heard heels clacking.

"Diana, you are not supposed to be back by now". Xavier said.

"Why?. Don't you miss your wife". I heard the supposed Diana say in a flirtatious voice.

Wait, a moment. Miss your wife?. Is that? Dear Lord, I completely forgot about him being married. I only asked if he will be okay with me staying here, I didn't ask if the wife will.

Soon we are at a corridor, it was really wide. The maid showed me to my room.

It was massive. The queen sized bed arrived with satin lilac sheet and the glass window had a white curtain. There was also black sofas in the room and a white coffee table.

I was amazed. It all complimented the white paint of the room.

"Ma'am this is your room. Dinner will be served in thirty minutes". She said, bowed slightly and left.

I got settled in. I wanted to shower but I remembered I didn't bring any clothes, so I left the room to tell Xavier about it.

I walked down the stairs to the sitting room and saw him and his wife discussing something, probably more like arguing.

"Baby, I'm pregnant for you and you know this. Why are you treating me like this?. Huh?. Just sign the contract, and, you know, invest in my dad's company". She said.

Wife? I knew he was married. But hearing her call him "baby" made something twist in my gut.

"Since we got married, I'm very sure your father must have had a lot of investors. I don't and will not invest. Don't push, Diana". He said, so ever slowly.

I'm not his wife and he's not speaking to me but if I were and if he was speaking to me, I'd cowered.

"What do you want, Dorothy?". He said without looking at me, thereby making my presence known to his wife.

"I just came to tell you that I will need clothes. I didn't bring any". I said without looking up to him as I could feel his piercing eyes on me.

"Dorothy?. Who the hell are you?. Xavier what is this?". Diana said, rather rudely.

"Diana, please. This is my father's wishes and she must be treated with respect". He said to his wife without taking his eyes off me. "You will get your clothes tomorrow".

"Dinner is served". The maid that showed me to my room, spoke.

Soon everybody was on their way to the dinning.

"Don't tell me she's sitting with us". Diana said, when my hand reached the chair of the dinning table.

"Diana, she is my father's guest and possibly a friend, so treat her well. This is the last time I'll say this". He said.

With that I sat down. The dinner was over as soon as it started.

"Dorothy, I leave at 9am so you'll be ready before then, if not, you are walking. And be aware that I'll know if you use an Uber". He said and left I and Diana downstairs.

"He is my husband, understand?. So you stay away from him with your filthy self". Diana said scowling.

And with that she went upstairs. I was left downstairs alone.

Okay, it's either she had a bad childhood or it's her pregnancy hormones because no way in hell someone pregnant will be the rude and degrading.

This is going to be a long stay.

And did he say 9am?. Just day one and I wanted out.