Page 8 of Beautiful Deception

“I was told that a woman was coming here today to interview for the position of maid at my house. Are you her?”

It’s then that I see the solution to my problems. It’s risky and stupid but how else am I going to get a job?

I force my lips to move. “Yes. I’m the maid.”

Chapter Two

Inessa

Themomentthewordsare out of my mouth, I can’t take it back.

I came here to beg for my father’s life but now I see an opportunity. I can get a job and save myself. And maybe once Viktor knows me well enough, I can ask him to spare my father. This is risky and stupid but I have no other options. I have no actual job experience. But how hard can cleaning be? I’ve cleaned my bathroom and kitchen before after we had to fire our maid when my dad started gambling.

I can do this.

Viktor eyes me over in a clinical way. “You’re certainly pretty. What is a girl like you doing as a maid?”

I take a tentative step towards him. The low thrum of music outside the door makes me realize that I’m alone with this man – the man who just tried to kill my dad.

“It’s all I’ve ever known,” I lie. “I can clean.”

“Can you cook too?”

I try not to wince. I was never the best at cooking but I can manage. My mother was a great cook and taught me some things but that doesn’t mean I can cook grand elaborate meals a man like Viktor Smirnov will be expecting.

“Yes,” I say.

“Good. I just hired a new housekeeper. Her name is Mrs. Green. You’ll be working with her.”

“Ok. Um… don’t you need to see my resume?” Crap. Why did I ask that? I don’t have a resume on me. Just standing before Viktor is scrambling my mind. He’s scary and stern and just tried to kill my dad because my dad tried to kill him.

And he doesn’t know who I am.

If he were to dig into my father’s life, he would surely find out. And then I’d be in big trouble. He might even kill me.

But when else am I going to get a job offered to me this fast? I need money yesterday and this is my chance to keep me and my dad afloat.

Viktors waves a dismissive hand. “I don’t need a resume. You’ll prove to me that you can clean and cook and if you can’t, you’ll be fired.”

“Right.”

“You’re young. Pretty. What got you into being a maid?”

That’s the second time Viktor has commented on my looks. I have to admit – I’m a little flattered. An intimidatingly handsome man like him thinks I’m pretty.

“My mother was one.” It’s scary how I’m coming up with these lies so quickly. “I followed in her footsteps.”

“Mmm. A pretty girl like you could be so much more than a maid.”

I gulp. “Like… what?” I whisper.

“Like dance in one of my clubs. You could probably earn more money that way.”

The thought of doing something like that makes my stomach churn. “I’d rather be a maid. I’m not a dancer.”

“You seem so innocent. Young. How old are you?”

“Twenty.” Finally, I can tell the truth.

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