Chapter 11
Maya
He stands, frozen in place, obviously not knowing what to do next. He must realize he was mistaken, but instead of apologizing to me, he just grimaces.
Like earlier when it probably dawned on us at the same moment that we had met before.
I still can't believe it. This is my new boss?
Something is off with him. A couple of weeks ago in the shopping center, he looked at me strangely. And now he doesn't even shake my hand in greeting, treats me like an inferior maid and makes his daughter wait.
The doorbell rings again, proving that it does exist. Did Jasmin look at me so strangely when I arrived because I couldn't find the darn thing?
My gaze flits to her. She smiles at Josh amiably, but otherwise does nothing.
"Should I answer the door?" I ask, taking the initiative. A child waits outside, and she needs to feel welcome.
Instead of answering me, Josh makes a vague hand gesture. I can only guess, but I assume it means yes. At least I hope so because I really want to escape this strangely tense atmosphere. I quickly cross the palatial living room and entrance area.
Behind the door is a girl with waist-length blond curls, standing next to a woman who must obviouslybe her mother. At least they have the same hairstyle. As we greet each other, I notice a moment of skepticism in her perfectly symmetrical face. Then I squat down in front of the little girl.
The color of her summer dress is perfectly matched with her yellow strap sandals. The butterfly bracelet matches the earrings. She doesn't look like a child. More like a miniature adult. With bitten-down nails and downturned mouth corners.
"You must be Sophia." For the first time since I've been here, I find it easy to smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Maya."
She scrunches her button nose and hugs the brown stuffed dog under her arm tighter. Then she looks up at her mother with a questioning glance, who just shrugs.
This is off to a good start.
I study her more closely, noticing her sad eyes and tense body posture. This situation is new to the little girl. Tamika said this would be her first time with her father. The eerily large mansion and the stranger with the funny earrings who opened the door for her must surely be scary.
"Can we come in?" the woman with the piercing blue eyes asks me, clearly annoyed. With Sophia by the hand, she pushes past me into the house. "Where's Josh?"
"Here." He doesn't sound pleased.
Neither does his daughter. Stiff as a wooden doll, she walks up to him. "Hello, Dad." Her fingers clutch tightly onto her stuffed dog.
Josh awkwardly places his hand on her shoulder. "I'm glad you're finally here with me."
Was that supposed to be a smile? Whatever it is, itturns the attractive man into someone who could pass as Frankenstein's son.
Not only do I frown, but Sophia also looks helplessly at her mother. Who, in turn, looks at Josh with a venomous expression.
You don't have to be a trained psychologist to know that these two probably didn't have a happy divorce. The way the three of them stand in the chandelier's light now, it's awfully sad. Sophia lowers her lids, her father looks like a frightened animal, and her mother pulls her shoulders back aggressively.
"Joshua." The coldness in her voice makes me shiver. "Nice that you could make it, with all the work you always have."
"Marlene." He lowers his eyes, and even though he was so rough with me earlier, I feel sorry for him at this moment. At least a little.
But I feel even more for the little, innocent girl. "Come Sophia, I'll show you your little kingdom. You will be amazed at what your daddy has thought up for you."
When Jasmin showed me the room earlier, I was sure it was more the work of a designer. But at least it's a dream for every child. She'll like it, I know that.
"Go ahead. I'll stay a little longer." At least Sophia's mother seems to support me. I give her a grateful nod and make my way upstairs with Sophia. As we silently ascend the staircase, a fight has already started in the entrance area.
"You could show a bit more enthusiasm," Josh's ex-wife says in a strained tone. "She's your daughter too, Joshua!"
Sophia really shouldn't be hearing this. I quicklyturn to her. "First one upstairs!" I pretend I’m going to sprint, which unfortunately does not interest the girl at all.
