Page 17 of Beautiful Deception

“Inessa?” His deep voice startles me that I gasp and stand up.

“Viktor. I mean, Mr. Smirnov. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be sitting on the job.”

He looks me over with curiosity. “May I ask why you’re crying?”

“Just… a long day.”

“You’re not really a maid, are you?”

His question takes me aback. “I’m sorry?”

“Turns out, you lied to me.”

My heart begins to pound and sweat forms on my shirt. “I… don’t understand.”

“You didn’t come to see me yesterday to be my maid. Another woman showed up for the position but I had to tell her that I already filled it. So, care to tell me why you pretended you were in my office to ask for the maid job?”

“I…”

“Because I don’t like being lied to, Inessa.”

“Am I fired?” I squeak out. Then all of my plans will be dashed and I will have accomplished nothing but getting an achy back from all the work I did today.

He furrows his eyebrows. “Why would you be fired?”

“You think I lied to you.”

“Did you?”

It’s just the two of us in the kitchen and he’s so tall and imposing and I feel so small and young next to him. So out of my depth.

“Why did you come to my office? I’m not mad. Yet. Tell me.”

“I needed a job,” I admit. I cannot tell him about my father. Not after he’s already caught me in a lie. That will not end well. “I came to be a dancer, like you had suggested. But then you offered me the maid position and it sounded a lot better. I can’t even dance that well.”

“So, you jumped at an opportunity. I’m not mad about that. Just don’t lie to me again.”

“Understood. I am sorry. I really did just need a job. I’m barely getting by. I lost the house I lived in and had nowhere else to go.”

All of that is true. The more truths I can speak, the better.

For a moment, Viktor’s eyes soften. “I am not a villain, despite some people making me out to be. I am a business man. I’ll take a look around the house and see what you’ve done. Wait here.”

I stand there for fifteen minutes, my heart racing the entire time, before he returns. “The house looks clean. Much better than it was yesterday. You did a good job, Inessa. It’s obvious you know how to clean a house. Since you did a good job, I won’t fire you for deceiving me just a little bit.”

“I am so sorry, Viktor. I mean, Mr. Smirnov. I just really needed a job and you offered before I really said anything. How could I have said no?”

“I understand. You’re in a desperate situation, I take it. Tell me about it.”

My eyes flick to the oven. “Sir, dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes. I’m sorry it’s late. Mrs. Green won’t be happy.”

“I can wait thirty minutes. But make sure it’s ready by the time I come home tomorrow. No more delays.”

“I’m… new at this,” I admit. “Cooking.”

“You told me you could cook. Another lie?”

“I can cook. It just took me longer than I thought. But I will get better. I will make you proud. You will not have to fire me.”

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