Love Outside my Reach

The hallway upstairs was long and lavish, yet unwelcoming. She stopped in front of the third door and slowly opened it. Her eyes widened. Saying the room was a total mess was an understatement. It was a disaster zone. Drawers had been pulled from their places, the cream-colored curtains were stained, broken glass glittered on the floor, and clothes littered everywhere, as well as junk wrappers and leftovers.

Chloe pressed a hand to her chest. How can someone live like this? she thought.

"Oh my God. Is she such a slob, so spoiled she can't even clean up after herself?" She stepped in and shut the door.

"What do you think?"

She gasped in shock as she turned and saw Jordan standing in front of the bathroom staring at her. He leaned against the wall with arms folded across his chest.

Chloe felt tongue tied for a moment. What was he doing here? She felt flustered. She was certainly not in the wrong room? Or was she?

"No, I mean... I don't mean..." she stuttered, unsure what to say.

"Do you stammer?" His voice was calm, as he arched a brow at her, but it carried an edge she could not ignore.

"I... I just..." Chloe looked at the floor, trying to find her words. None came.

"Never mind. Go on with your work." His eyes lingered as he assessed her. Chloe swallowed hard, aware of his gaze following her every movement. He did not change his position. He just stood there. Would he really stand there watching her work?

She could feel his eyes on her. It felt intense.

Chloe bent to pick up the first pile of dirty jeans and undergarments, carefully folding them. The task steadied her for a moment, but Jordan's gaze remained on her, observant and testing.

"Where are you from?" he asked suddenly, in a casual, yet compelling tone.

"Nebraska," she mouthed in a low voice.

"Nebraska? All the way here?" He sounded intrigued, almost amused.

"No... I am staying with an aunt in Alamosa. It is about a four or five-hour drive from here," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

He nodded slowly, stepping slightly closer. "And you will be passing the week here?"

Chloe's stomach knotted. "I... haven't discussed it with your... my... boss yet."

"How old are you?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

"I will be twenty in a couple of months."

He regarded her for a moment, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Good. You are not a child then. That matters here."

Chloe went still, feeling the weight of his gaze. Not a child... His tone carried a sort of subtle warning. Everything about him suggested that in this house, age and experience meant nothing, only awareness of danger mattered.

"Go on with your work," he said, stepping back.

Chloe let out a quiet breath she had not realized she was holding. Her hands shook slightly as she resumed folding clothes, glancing occasionally at the chaos around her.

I have to survive this... Chloe thought. One step at a time.

After what felt like an eternity, she had organized the piles into neat stacks. Her bag was carefully placed in a corner, and she had a sense of fleeting accomplishment. That was when she heard footsteps approaching. Lily and another girl, Tasha, entered, chatting and laughing as though Chloe weren't there. Their attention was on their reflections, their selfies, their own world.

Lily's sharp eyes caught hers. "What are you still doing here? Like you're gonna spend the whole day working in my room which isn't so much work by the way. Please take your filthy self out." she said impatiently.

Chloe backed away, feeling annoyed, though she couldn't show it.

"Where is my bracelet and earrings?" Lily demanded, suddenly shifting focus to some missing accessories.

Chloe opened her mouth to answer, but Lily interrupted.

"Never mind, just get out," she snapped, snatching up a clean cloth and wiping a smudge off her face.

Chloe picked up her bag and stepped outside, shutting the door gently. She slid down the wall and sat on the floor, hugging her knee against her chest and tried to think. Could she really work here?

"What do you think you're doing?", came Lina's plummy voice.

Chloe jumped to her feet.

"Your room is the first door to the left, down at the staff quarters," Lina continued. "Twenty bucks per hour. Mondays to Fridays. You work six hours on Saturday and go home for the weekend. Am I clear?" she held her ear for emphasis.

"Uhn? Yes ma'am." Chloe responded.

"Are you crying? What are you doing?" Lina queried in a harsh manner, ignoring her countenance.

Chloe quickly rose and smoothened her long checked gown unnecessarily. "I was...I only wanted to..."

Lina did not let her finish. "After cleaning, head down to the kitchen. Theresa is the chef, she will hand you your uniform. We have standards here. And don't think this is the only thing you will do today." She walked away toward another door, but paused, glancing back. "Congratulations on your new job." She said flatly, almost perfunctorily.

Chloe blinked, momentarily stunned. Deep down she was really glad she had gotten the job and with an accommodation at that. The other troubles can come later. "First door to the left." she murmured as she heaved her bag along.

Chloe hurried up, dropped her bag and went to the kitchen where the chef, Theresa, waited, her face neutral, hands on her hips.

"That, is your uniform," Theresa said, pointing to a neatly folded pinafore and white shirt. "You will change and then start on the laundry. There is a dry cleaner that comes occasionally for the occasional wears so you will have to handle just these regular casuals. Be careful. This house has rules."

Chloe nodded, grateful for some guidance. "Yes, ma'am," she said softly.

Theresa studied her briefly and went off to the pantry.

Alone in the kitchen, Chloe allowed herself a small exhale. She picked up the uniform and changed quickly. She could feel the weight of the house pressing on her, but she also felt something else: a small, stubborn spark of resolve.