I Went on a Business Trip, and the Nanny Tried to Take My Place

1: 1

The company had a good year. With everyone pulling their weight, we blew past our annual targets in just three quarters.

To reward the team, I took all my employees abroad for a getaway over the holiday. Everyone had a wonderful time.

The break ended, and the moment I got home, my housekeeper came fussing over me.

"You must be tired, Miss. Let me get you your slippers. Dinner's almost ready. I made your favorite, the barbecue ribs!"

I handed her my bag and changed into my slippers, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about her today.

Her name was Gloria Walker. She'd worked in my house for six years, and aside from a streak of vanity, she was reliable enough at her job.

I'd never treated her badly either. I'd always dealt with her like a sister, never once lording anything over her.

"Gloria, you seem a little strange today. Is there something you want to tell me?"

She flushed instantly, fingers tugging at the hem of her shirt.

"Miss... Miss, I'm seeing someone."

Fresh gossip. My travel fatigue vanished on the spot, and I sat up. "That's a good thing. You're twenty-six now, right? It's about time. Where's he from? What does he do?"

She snuck a glance at me and said it like she was confessing a crime.

"He's, he's a manager at Skyfire Group. Three years older than me, and so handsome."

That caught me off guard.

Skyfire Group was one of my companies. To spread out the risk, I'd brought in someone to run it for me, and only a few core executives knew who I really was.

"That's wonderful. A manager at Skyfire, that's something to be proud of. And their salaries are seven figures at least, aren't they?"

"Bring him by for dinner sometime. I'll help you size him up."

Honestly, I was genuinely happy for her.

She had no degree and no connections. If she'd truly found a good match, her life ahead would be a great deal easier.

Still, given who he was, why would he go for Gloria?

More than romance for its own sake, I tended to believe in people marrying their equals.

She suddenly lowered her head, the color in her face deepening.

"I, I already brought him here to the house."

"I'm sorry, Miss. I know it wasn't right, but I couldn't get through to your phone, so I had to act first and tell you after."

I glanced up toward the second floor, and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

This was my home, after all. Gloria was a housekeeper, and she'd brought someone here without asking me. A man, no less.

But when I thought about her being twenty-six and never having dated, I let it go.

"It's fine. As long as the two of you end up together, you have my full support!"

"Really, Miss?"

Her head shot up, her whole face lit with a kind of joy that wasn't quite right.

I was baffled. I didn't understand why she was this worked up.

Thud.

She dropped to her knees, and it caught me completely off guard.

"Miss, I lied. I told my boyfriend this villa is mine..."

"What?"

I stood up sharply. Her words stunned me.

"This villa is yours? Then who am I?"

Kneeling on the floor, she answered through her tears.

2: 2

I'm sorry, Miss. I really had no choice. He's so impressive that if I hadn't said it, I was afraid I'd never be good enough for him!

As she spoke, Gloria actually kowtowed to me a few more times.

Miss, please, just put up with it for a few days. The moment we make things official, I'll move out with him and stop bothering you!

I frowned, catching what she was asking.

Put up with it for a few days? And these few days, what am I supposed to be in this house?

Gloria bit down hard on her lip, wrestling with herself for a long time before she finally forced it out.

Maybe, maybe you could pose as the maid?

Her words almost made me laugh.

Have me play the maid for her. It really was the boldness of someone who had no idea what she was dealing with, and I couldn't understand where she found the nerve to say it.

When she got no answer from me, Gloria kept crying and kowtowing, until it started to soften me a little.

Miss, I've never asked you for anything these past few years. Just this once, call it repaying what you owe me, all right?

Hearing that, I could only agree.

Three years ago the house caught fire, and that night I'd had too much to drink at a work function.

It was Gloria who rushed in through the rain of flames and dragged me out of the room.

You could say Gloria had saved my life.

Fine. From now on, you're Miss Walker.

I put on the apron, telling myself it was only a few days of acting, as long as the man didn't take it too far.

Gloria hurried over and started rubbing my back, coaxing me.

Thank you, Miss, this is so much to ask. I've got dinner all ready. In a bit you'll just need to dish it out. If my boyfriend isn't around, I'll come help you.

Just then, the sound of a door opening came from upstairs.

Babe, is that useless housekeeper of yours still not back? If she won't show, just tell her to get lost. You've spoiled her rotten!

Even I have to put in overtime, and she just dusts off her backside and walks out. Where in the world does anyone get a deal that good?

Looking at the bleary-eyed man, I froze.

I turned to Gloria in shock and anger, and demanded in a voice only the two of us could hear.

You slept in my room?

Gloria's eyes were full of apology, but out loud she answered the man.

It's the holidays, let her rest a bit. Chloe's actually very hardworking, don't go scaring her.

As she spoke the man had already come downstairs, and he stopped in front of me, looking me up and down.

Pretty enough, and dressed this well too. Looks like the pay for a maid isn't bad at all.

The man sat down on the sofa, and seeing me stand there without moving, said irritably.

What are you standing there like an idiot for? Don't you know to pour water? What are your eyes even for!

Gloria chimed in too.

I've taught her all of this. She's probably just nervous around a stranger and forgot.

Chloe, hurry up and pour some water for my boyfriend.

I drew a deep breath, walked over and poured the man a glass of water, then turned and went straight into the kitchen.

Maybe he could tell my attitude wasn't good, because the man started muttering curses out in the living room.

I say you're just too soft-hearted. A maid, and she dares give you attitude. When I've got the time I'll straighten her out for you. I hate people who take a mile the second you give an inch!

It's not like three-legged toads are hard to find. There are plenty of two-legged maids out there. If she won't do, just kick her out!

I'd assumed Gloria would speak up for me, but to my surprise she said,

She really does need straightening out. No sense of her place when she talks or acts, doesn't know her own station at all. Even pouring water has to be taught to her.

Babe, don't lower yourself to her level. Tonight I made the barbecue ribs you love, wait and see how good my cooking is.

The man wouldn't let it go.

3: 3

"You slave away all afternoon, and what does she do? Comes home and eats first. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were her maid!"

"No, I don't want ribs tonight. Have her boil me a bowl of porridge. Plenty of goji berries and dates, and stir-fry a couple of vegetables while she's at it."

Standing in the kitchen, I had a whole belly full of anger, and I meant to have a real talk with Gloria the moment she came in.

But she never came in at all. She just yelled toward the kitchen.

"Chloe, boil my boyfriend a bowl of porridge. Lots of goji berries and dates, no sugar!"

Then she went back to soothing her boyfriend.

"Don't be upset, baby. Chloe's cooking is really good. You'll see once you taste it."

I was about ready to explode, but the thought of how she once saved my life pulled my foot back before I stepped out.

I can't cook at all. I followed a tutorial for ages before I finally figured it out, and I even scalded my arm by accident.

Meanwhile those two were out there flirting and needling me at the same time, finding every little thing to comment on.

When I carried the porridge out, the man took one sip and spat it right back out.

"What is this? Is this fit for a person to eat? Do you even know how to cook?"

"My girlfriend pays you all that money every month just so you can serve up garbage like this?"

Rage burned through me as I looked at Gloria Walker. If she stayed silent one more time, I was going to lose it.

Gloria quickly picked up the bowl and tasted it, savoring it slowly.

"I think it's fine, baby. Don't be too hard on Chloe."

"I don't really like porridge anyway, so it's understandable she didn't make it well."

The man pulled Gloria into his arms and kissed her forehead. It was so sickeningly sweet I nearly gagged.

"If it weren't for you speaking up for her, baby, I'd have taught her a real lesson today!"

Then he shot me a challenging look.

"Aren't you going to thank my baby?"

I forced down the anger churning inside me and thanked her through gritted teeth.

"You two eat. I'm not feeling well, I'll go rest."

I'd barely reached the stairs when the man shot to his feet and started cursing.

"You think you're something now? You've got the nerve to throw a fit at me? Who gave you the guts? Get back here!"

I ignored him and went straight to my room.

The second I pushed the door open, my brow furrowed.

The room had been wrecked. Clothes thrown everywhere, tissues and little balloons scattered all over.

A foul smell hung in the air, and I nearly threw up.

"Thump, thump, thump!"

Rushed footsteps came pounding up the stairs behind me.

The man charged after me and jabbed a finger in my face, cursing.

"I'm talking to you. Who said you could leave? Is this how a maid behaves? You want me to slap you across the face?"

Gloria hurried over and grabbed hold of him.

"Baby, calm down, it's not what you think. Chloe might really be feeling unwell."

I pointed at the trashed room and stared hard into Gloria's eyes.

"What is all this?"

I hate having my room turned upside down, and she knew that better than anyone.

Before Gloria could answer, the worked-up man spoke again.

"And who do you think you are? Clean this room up right now, or you can forget your wages this month!"

"Baby!"

Gloria shoved him hard.

"Go downstairs first. I'll clean up with Chloe and then come be with you."

The man glared at me, eyebrows raised in fury.

4: 4

"Clean it up? What do we keep her around for? Let her clean it up!"

Gloria put on a coy, bashful little act.

"There's so much personal stuff in there. It'd be so embarrassing if someone else saw it!"

Only then did Grant let it go, and Gloria pulled me into the room.

The instant the door shut, she dropped to her knees in front of me again.

"I'm so sorry, Miss. I put you through all that. I really deserve to die!"

"Don't worry. Once I've gotten rid of my boyfriend, I'll clean this place spotless, just like it was before."

I looked around the room and felt sick just standing in a place like this.

"I'm not sleeping in this room again. Tonight I'll stay on the third floor. Go and get it ready for me."

Gloria knelt there, wrestling with something for a long moment before she spoke.

"Miss, my boyfriend's still staying here tonight. Would you mind getting the third floor ready yourself?"

Rage shot straight to my head. It left me a little dizzy.

I was about to give her a piece of my mind, but she put on that pitiful, wronged face again.

"Please, Miss, just help me out. I'll never forget your kindness. I'll remember it my whole life!"

I knew she was hinting at the time I saved her life again. I had no choice but to give in.

"Kindness, is it? Your boyfriend has quite a temper, though. When he finds out who you really are, he's going to be furious, isn't he?"

"No, he won't!"

Gloria's face filled with a dreamy longing, like a girl deep in the throes of a crush.

"My boyfriend treats me so well. He gives in to me about everything, and he's not like other men. He says he doesn't care whether I have money or not, he'll be good to me either way!"

I sneered inwardly. And people actually fall for lines that only work on fools.

You're passing yourself off as me right now. Of course he doesn't care about money.

"Where are my personal clothes? Find them for me. I'm taking them up to the third floor."

Gloria pulled a suitcase out from under the bed.

"They're all here. I packed them away a while ago. Never let anyone see them."

"You must be tired, Miss. Tonight I'll take my boyfriend out for a while and come back later, so you can rest properly."

I nodded, thinking that at last she'd said something reasonable.

"So this room, do you still need me to clean it?"

Gloria shook her head hard, looking flustered and honored all at once.

"Don't tease me, Miss. If my boyfriend weren't here, I wouldn't let you set foot in that kitchen if my life depended on it!"

As the saying goes, it's hard to hit a smiling face with a raised fist.

Seeing how contrite Gloria was, I wasn't as angry as I'd been a moment ago.

"Get your boyfriend out of here fast. You know my temper. I can't put up with this for long."

Gloria kept promising me, saying she'd have him moved out within three days.

I let it go and just asked, offhand,

"What's your boyfriend's name?"

Gloria answered without a second's thought.

"Grant Chavez. Doesn't it sound nice? Sounds like a real capable man."

"Grant Chavez."

I filed the name away in silence, took my things, and went up to the third floor.

I hoped he'd stop there. Otherwise, I had plenty of ways to make him regret it!

The room on the third floor was clean enough. A change of sheets and a fresh duvet cover, and it was ready to sleep in.

Days of nonstop travel had worn me down. I washed up quickly and dropped off to sleep.

I don't know how long it was before I heard someone knocking on my door.

I rolled over and called out, irritated.

"Who is it? Whatever it is, it can wait until I'm up!"

"I need you. Open the door."

At the sound of Grant's voice I bolted upright, every trace of sleep gone.

I'd assumed the knocking was Gloria. I never expected it to be her boyfriend.

Why come to my door in the middle of the night instead of staying on the second floor?

"I'm already in bed. What do you want with me?"

He wrenched hard at the handle and said in a low voice,

"Gloria's in a bad way. I've been drinking, so you get up and drive her to the hospital, now!"

"In a bad way?"

It gave me a real fright.

She'd been fine earlier that evening. How could she suddenly be in trouble?

A life was on the line and I didn't dare waste a second, so I rushed over and opened the door.

The moment it opened I caught a sharp reek of alcohol, and then his face, wearing the look of a man whose scheme had paid off.

"Heh heh. Fell for it, just like I thought."

He yanked the door wide, and in the next second he lunged at me.