Page 1 of The Billionaire and the Maid

CHAPTERONE

Ella

Once upon a time, there was a royal pain in my ass, and his name was Chase Marino.

I sigh as I read the tasks I should be adding to my cleaning list. It’s my fault really. I begged Greta to give me this extra job. I needed the money, and these extra hours were only for a month as the Marino family prepares to host a holiday ball at their home. Somehow, I also got a list of additional cleaning duties in Chase Marino’s apartment over the garage wing of the estate. And they are spelled out in a level of detail that indicates that Chase believes me to be the dumbest human to ever exist. I look down at the list again.

1. Clean the microwave. Make sure to take the glass plate out first. Make sure the clock is still set on the screen when you finish. Do not cook anything in the microwave.

2. Wash the sheets. Iron the sheets. Put the sheets back on the bed. Do not wash the down comforter. Do not wash the goose feather pillows. Do not sit on the bed.

My brain is already glazing over after reading only two items. This guy has issues, serious issues. I sigh again as I get to work, cursing the universe for giving me the world’s best dad who would have easily paid for my college education, only to have it all ripped away from me before I could even drive. If Patrick Foster could see his daughter now. I shudder at the thought. Not the fairy-tale ending he promised me as a child, that’s for sure.

“Sorry, Dad, I’m trying here,” I mutter to myself as I adjust my headphones and blare my favorite song to get myself in a better mood while vacuuming. My brain begins to go over ideas as I clean. If I can just finish these extra few jobs, then I will hopefully have enough money to pay for my last college class. This means in less than six months, I could start my own graphic design and marketing firm. I’ll still have to work for Greta for a while, but at least I could be pursuing my dream on the side.

I finish with the floors and walk over to the microwave. I roll my eyes as I stare at the list again. What a jackass! I decide to work as fast as I can. I don’t want to have to interact with him and I have no idea when he’ll be home. But I can already tell from the list that he’d be one ofthosepeople, just like my stepmom.

After cleaning the microwave to Mr. Perfectionist’s specifications, I go to get the bedding out of the dryer. I pause in front of a shelf. There’s a picture of Chase with a woman and they are both laughing. Is it his girlfriend? I’ve heard he’s a player. But they seem genuinely happy in this photo. Maybe he’s settled down? I smile sadly, wishing that could be me laughing with the love of my life. Fat chance that I’ll meet Mr. Right while cleaning Mr. Perfectionist’s apartment. I roll my eyes at my own ridiculousness. My friends are always telling me that I’ll find my happily ever after one day, but who am I kidding? I look around and sigh. I need to get moving.

As I place the freshly washed and ironed sheets back on the bed and smooth out the high-thread count cotton, my phone buzzes. I glance down.

Gus: Drinks? Thirty minutes. Max’s place.

I start to answer yes but then delete it. I can’t afford drinks. I need to save my money. How do I get out of drinks with my bestie?

I watch three dots appear.

Gus: Drinks are on me. I got a raise!

I smile. How did I ever get lucky enough to find such a good friend?

Me: Congrats! Can’t wait to hear all about it.

Gus: Or two…(winking emoji)

Me: You’re incorrigible.

Gus: That’s a big word. In-cor…whatever.

Me: (laughing emoji) Very funny, brainiac.

Gus: I’m only good with statistics.

Me: That’s more math than I’ll ever understand.

Gus: I mean, if you say so. It’s not like I know high-level calculus. See you in a few.

I grin and stick my phone back in my pocket as I make my way back to the front room to gather my things. Gus is a data analyst for a big pharmaceutical company. He works from home and is the coolest person I know. We met when I arrived to clean his condo. To date, he’s the only client who has ever requested I stay longer to drink with him on his balcony. Not that I minded. Gus has a condo in an exclusive development overlooking the cliffy shoreline south of town. I could only dream of living somewhere like that. But what’s endeared him to me is the fact that not once has he ever brought up my lack of money or the fact that he makes way more than I do.

My thoughts are interrupted as the door to Chase’s apartment flies open.

“What the fuck?” Chase murmurs as he nearly runs into me. I step back and my eyes lock on Chase’s bare chest, and then his six-pack, followed by the “V” of muscles just above his low-hung gym shorts. Holy fuck! Chase Marino is in really, really good shape, like male-supermodel-good shape.

“Oh, s-sorry, Mr. Marino,” I stammer as I look everywhere but into Chase’s eyes. I feel the color spreading up my neck and cheeks.

“Are you finished?” he asks.

I sneak a glance at him. His brown eyes look annoyed.

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