When Emily's dad came home, she poured out her heart to him, telling him everything that had happened with her mom. Instead of immediate sympathy, her dad's expression turned stern.
"Why didn't you tell me about the job, Emily? You should have let me know what was going on," he said,
his voice laced with frustration and concern.
Emily felt a pang of guilt for not confiding in him, knowing he would worry. "I didn't want to stress you out, Dad. I..I thought I could handle it," she explained, but her dad's anger was mixed with hurt. "You shouldn't have had to face her alone, Emily. You shouldn't have had to go through that by yourself."
In the days that followed, Sarah repeatedly tried to reach out to Emily, calling and messaging her, but Emily refused to respond. She needed time and space to process her emotions, and she wasn't ready to talk to her mom yet. The silence between them grew, and Sarah was left wondering if she had lost her daughter forever.
As the years went by, Emily grew into a resilient and determined high school student. Despite the challenges she had faced, she continued to work hard, balancing her studies with her cleaning business. She and her dad had formed a strong bond, and their small household was filled with love and laughter.
Though the memory of her mom's return still lingered, Emily had learned to channel her emotions into her work and her relationships. She had found a sense of stability and happiness with her dad, and they had built a life together that was filled with warmth and support.
Emily's dad was proud of the young woman she had become, and she was grateful for his unwavering love and guidance. As she navigated the ups and downs of high school, Emily knew that she could face whatever came her way, knowing that she had her dad by her side.
One day, Emily's phone rang, breaking the silence of her afternoon routine. She picked up, and a friendly voice greeted her. "Hello, I'm looking for Emily Walker's cleaning service. I need someone to clean my household." Emily's professional tone kicked in as she listened to the client's needs. "Hello, this is Emily. I'd be happy to help. Can you please provide me with your address and details about the cleaning you need?"
The client gave her the address and explained that it was a large mansion requiring a thorough deep cleaning of the entire estate, including the kitchen, multiple bathrooms, expansive living areas, and private gardens. Emily's eyes widened slightly as she took note of the specifics, impressed by the grandeur of the mansion. She confirmed the appointment and arranged a suitable time to visit the client's home, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation for the job.
As Emily arrived at the mansion, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at its grandeur. The sprawling estate was unlike anything she had ever seen before, with its high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and well designed architecture.
The client, who had phoned her earlier, greeted her warmly and offered to give her a tour of the mansion. As they walked through the vast halls and rooms, Emily marveled at the beautiful decor and exquisite furnishings. She had never seen such luxury in her life, and she felt a little out of her league.
The client showed her the various areas of the mansion that needed cleaning, including the kitchen, dining room, living areas, and multiple bedrooms. Emily took mental notes of the tasks that needed to be done and made a mental plan for how she would tackle the job.
As they walked, Emily couldn't help but wonder who lived in a house like this, and what their story was. She felt a sense of curiosity and fascination as she took in the grandeur of the mansion, and she was determined to do a fantastic job cleaning it.
So she started cleaning, then she entered a room, completely absorbed in her work, unaware that someone was in the bathroom. While working, the person came out and asked politely if she was the cleaner they had called. Unknowingly, she just turned to answer, and both parties were shocked. It was Henry, in his towel, with those cute abs. Emily just kept blushing, feeling confused and flustered.
She had never been to Henry's home, so she had no idea he lived in a mansion. Though she knew he was rich, she hadn't realized he was that wealthy. Immediately, she ran out of the room for Henry to dress up.
She leaned behind the door outside, her thoughts rushing with embarrassment and surprise.
Her mind was a jumble of emotions - shock, confusion, and a hint of attraction. She couldn't believe she had stumbled upon Henry in such an intimate moment, and she wasn't sure how to process her feelings.
As Emily stood leaning against the door, her mind still reeling from the unexpected and somewhat encounter with Henry, Angel happened to walk by, but she deliberately chose not to reveal her presence. Instead, Angel's eyes widened in surprise as she caught a glimpse of Emily's profile, and her curiosity was piqued. She wanted to confirm whether this was indeed the same Emily she had heard so much about through whispers and rumors about her drastic career change . Angel's curiousness got the better of her, and she discreetly hid to observe Emily's actions, wondering what had brought her to Henry's residence.
The dynamics between their families were complex, with a long history of close friendship and mutual understanding. Over the years, Angel's and Henry's families had developed a tacit agreement that would strengthen their bond through a strategic marriage between the two. However, Henry had always been hesitant and even averse to the idea, primarily due to Angel's arrogant and self-centered nature, which he found not only off-putting but also unbearable.
Despite Henry's reservations, Angel had harbored strong feelings for him for as long as she could remember. She often found herself daydreaming about their future together, imagining the perfect life they would build as a couple, and the happiness they would share. The prospect of Henry marrying someone else was unthinkable to Angel, and the sight of Emily in his house had just stirred up a mix of emotions within her.
As Henry opened the door, Emily stumbled forward, almost falling into his arms. Henry caught her, surprised, and held her steady. Angel, watching from a distance, felt a pang of curiosity and concern. She wanted to rush over, but something held her back.
Henry looked at Emily with a mix of surprise and concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Emily's face was inches from Henry's. She felt a rush of emotions, her heart racing. "I'm fine," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Angel's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. What was going on between Emily and Henry? Why was Emily at his house?
As Henry and Emily walked into the living room, Henry's dad stood up, a warm smile on his face. "Ah, Emily! It's great to finally meet you. Henry's always talking about you." He extended his hand, and Emily shook it, feeling a bit surprised by the warm welcome.
Henry's dad continued, "I've heard so much about your adventures together. You two seem to have a special bond." Emily smiled, feeling a sense of belonging. She noticed Henry's dad had a kind face, with wrinkles that suggested a life of laughter and hard work.
As they chatted, Emily realized she had a lot in common with Henry's dad. They both loved music, hiking, and old movies. Henry's dad was down-to-earth, and Emily felt comfortable around him.
The conversation turned to Henry's mom. Henry's dad mentioned she had high expectations for Henry's future, wanting him to fit into a certain mold. "She's always pushing him to be more... refined," he said with a chuckle. "But Henry's always been his own person."
Emily sensed a hint of tension between Henry and his mom. She wondered what their relationship was like.
As they walked through the mansion, Emily's eyes widened in awe. Henry smiled, enjoying her reaction. "This place can be overwhelming," he said.
Emily nodded, taking in the grandeur. "It's beautiful," she whispered.
Later, as they strolled in the garden, Emily turned to Henry with a serious expression. "Promise me something," she asked, her voice low.
"Anything," Henry replied without hesitation.
"Don't tell anyone about...my job," Emily said, her eyes searching his. "I don't want people talking."
Henry nodded understandingly. "I promise," he said, his voice sincere. "Your secret is safe with me."
But little did they know, Henry's mother, Mrs. Smith, had been watching them from the window. Her expression was disapproving, her eyes narrowing as she gazed at Emily. She didn't like the way Emily seemed to fit so seamlessly into Henry's world.
Mrs. Smith's voice carried across the courtyard, "Angel, come here." Angel hesitated, her eyes darting between Henry and Emily. Mrs. Smith's tone turned stern, "Stop acting childish and come here now."
Angel reluctantly approached Mrs. Smith, who whispered, "I want you to do something for me. Keep Henry and that...Emily person apart. She's not suitable for him."
Angel's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Because she's beneath us," Mrs. Smith replied, her voice dripping with disdain. "I won't have my son associating with someone of her...limited background."
Angel nodded, a plan forming in her mind. "I'll take care of it," she said, a sly smile spreading across her face.