Page 5 of Broken Prince

I didn’t feel even remotely ready to face the world today with my face plastered all over the newspapers in this town, but some things were more important than my own comfort and it was getting my brother back and leaving Riverside.

I looked at my bank account and despite my meager savings, I decided to indulge in an Uber for once. I didn’t think I could face the curious, angry, and judgmental looks of the bystanders who were still wondering if I had been in on it with my parents.

When I made it to the agency, I was happy to see that Ms. Lebowitz's desk was closer to the door and that except for the younger blond girl behind the other desk, the agency was empty.

She had not changed one bit since high school, with her gray hair halfway down her back, her flowy boho dress, and kind brown eyes. I could almost smell her patchouli perfume from behind the door.

When I walked in, the young woman's eyes widened and it was obvious she knew who I was with just one look. I was a local celebrity now…Yay me.

Ms. Lebowitz looked up and smiled brightly at me. That hadn’t happened for a while and it felt nice.

“Miss West!” She beamed, clapping her hands, making her numerous bangles chime in the so familiar sound that reminded me of high school. “What brings you here?”

I straightened my shirt, trying to give myself a certain presence. “Good morning, Ms. Lebowitz, long time no see.”

“Please call me Patty; school’s been over a long time.” She gestured to the seat across from hers. “What can I do for you?”

I sat and sighed. I was not sure if I should even fake at all. She had always been so perceptive of students; maybe that was what made her so great at her job. “I need a job.”

She nodded. “Yes, of course.” She started typing on her computer as I chanced a look at the other woman.

She was not even pretending not to eavesdrop anymore. She had left the telephone off the hook and was staring at us, her elbow on her desk, chin in hand.

Ms. Lebowitz looked at her screen for what seemed like forever before turning toward me, her previous genuine smile replaced by a fake one I’d never seen on her face before.

“Ummm, you know, Cassie, it’s not the right time of the year and jobs are quite sparse these days.” Ah, yes, I saw where that one was going.

“I’ll take anything.” Yep, I was not above begging at this point. “You know I’ve done nothing wrong,” I said in desperation.

“Of course, I do!” She gasped, resting her hand on her chest. “You had to be one of the most mature and caring students I ever encountered.” She shook her head. “How people like them had a daughter like you is beyond me.” She sighed.

“I need to get Jude out. People are unkind to me and it’s okay, but him…” I pursed my lips and shook my head. Now was not the time to burst into tears. “I just need money, fast.”

She cocked her head to the side, her eyes filling with sadness. “Cassie—”

“There’s always Hartfield Manor,” the other woman piped up, making Ms. Lebovitz tense.

She turned her head slowly and glared at the blond woman. I didn't think I'd ever seen Patty Lebowitz glare at anyone before. “I don’t think that is the solution, Karin. Why don’t you go back to your work?”

I frowned, even more intrigued now. “What’s Hartfield Manor?” I asked, looking directly at Karin.

She turned toward me, blowing her blond hair over her shoulder as a silent ‘fuck you’ to Patty, but I was too desperate for a job to care right now.

“It’s a full-time live-in housekeeper job,” she replied with a voice much too sweet to be honest. She was not trying to help, not really, but my need for money superseded any warning bells going on in my head.

“Okay…” I glanced toward Ms. Lebowitz who was throwing daggers at Karin. “I can’t say I’ve much experience in the field. I’ve been to nursing school for two years out of my three but—” I winced. “Also, I’m Cassie West, I’m not sure anyone—”

She waved her hand dismissively and scoffed. “They’re desperate. They’ll take anyone we’ll send them. It’s four times the average hourly governess salary.” She shrugged. “You said you needed money fast, so I thought—”

“You thoughtnothing, Karin—only about your commission,” Patty snapped before turning toward me “Listen, Cassie, sweetheart.” She sighed. “This is not the job for you. This job, I’m not sure who the owner is, but all seven housekeepers we sent quit in less than six weeks! Seven, Cassie.”

I bit my bottom lip; it was true that it didn’t look good but at the same time… “What’s the salary?”

“Cassie…” Ms. Lebowitz trailed off wearily, probably knowing she’d lost me.

“Please.” My voice broke.

She sighed with defeat. “Fifteen hundred dollars a week.”

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