by Nella Tyler
"Go on, Molly, I'm trying to understand."
I stared out the window over his shoulder for several moments, trying to gather my thoughts. "You may not be able to grasp this, Luke, but for someone who's had everything at her fingertips, at her beck and call…knowing that all I had to do was ask for something and it would be granted… I appreciate it all, really I do. But what does that say about me, that kind of person I am? I don't want to go through my life always relying on somebody else to support me. I want to do it myself! Is that so hard to grasp?"
“Is that all?"
Again I just stared at him. What was he getting at? "Of course that's all!"
"Well, if you’re that rich, you certainly don't need to work and most especially not as a maid, do you?"
For a moment I was rendered speechless. "I just told you why I took this job! I don't want to live on my father's handouts for the rest of my life, Luke. Why do you think I went to college, got a teaching certificate and a degree in education? It's because I want to make my own way in life. I want to make a difference. Me, myself, and I. just like you did before-"
"Before I inherited a shitload of money?" he interrupted, his voice low.
"Well, yes," I said, trying to be honest. "The point is, not that it is any of your business. I’m having trouble finding a teaching position. For this summer, and to earn a paycheck and keep myself busy, I wanted to work. I needed to get out there, to experience things, to learn, to make mistakes… I need to do it, for myself, Luke. Can you understand that?"
He brushed his hand through his hair and sighed. "I'm sorry, Molly, I'm just a bit rattled by all this.”
“Are you sure that's what my father said? Are you sure that's what he was talking about?"
His hands dropped to his side and he looked at me, arms outspread. "He said it as plain as day, Molly. He said he doesn't want me dating you – or you dating me. I guess the semantics don’t really matter. The bottom line is that his meaning was clear.”
“How did he say it?”
“What do you mean, how did he say it?”
I knew my father. I could read his body language pretty well, and sometimes, when he was blustering vocally, I could tell he had no intentions of backing it up. He did that with me a lot. “I mean, what did his voice sound like? How was he standing?” Luke stared at me as if I had grown two heads.
“His voice? He wasn’t yelling, but he was firm. Like an order. A statement.” He thought about it. “He kept his eyes on me the entire time.” He thought some more. “His body stance was stiff, but it’s not like we hang out together and we go golfing or anything. I don’t know him that well, Molly.” He brushed his fingers through his hair again. “I can tell you that he looked, and sounded, pissed off.”
I thought about that. Was my father just pretending to intimidate Luke? No. They had some kind of a business relationship going on that pre-dated my coming to work at the estate. I was still confused. The only way my dad could have found out about us was-
“How in the hell did he find out about this?” Luke grumbled. “I haven't told anybody-"
So much for male bonding. Luke hadn’t told my father he was dating me – or his maid, rather. I hadn't told anyone either – except Samantha. No. I dismissed the thought before it could even take root in my head. She wouldn't say anything – especially not my father. No. I pushed that suspicion out of my mind. The last thing I needed to do was start getting paranoid and tossing accusations around. I believed Luke. I didn’t think he would've said anything, either. I didn’t think he knew that many people here in Raleigh yet. So then how did my father know? Was my father spying on me? Did he have someone following me?
The more I thought about it, the angrier I grew. Why was my father doing this to me? I know that he never would've approved of me dating my boss – any boss – but still, an ultimatum? To damage someone's ability to do business with him because of me? Kind of drastic, I thought. Was there something about Luke that he knew and I didn't? I decided that I would give myself nothing but a headache trying to figure it out. I needed time to think, time to process and find a deeper understanding of what the hell was going on.
"How long have you been doing business with my father?" I asked.
Luke gave me a look that I wasn't too happy about. "Luke, I didn't say anything to him!" I said, shaking my head. "I have no idea how he found out about us. Still, it's quite a drastic measure for him to take."
He shook his head and then shrugged as if he had no idea what to do. He appeared not only confused, but a little bit nervous. Because of me? Because somebody knew that we were dating? Why would that make him nervous? I was probably the one that had more to lose than he did.
"I need to think," he said.
"It'll be all right, Luke," I tried to reassure him. "I don't know what he thinks he's doing, but he can't control me in every aspect of my life. I don't know what business relationship you have with him, but I think I'd better have a talk with him."
"No, Molly," he said. "Let me just think about this."
I stared at him a moment, my heart skipping a beat. I noticed that he didn’t try to explain his relationship with my father. He obviously didn’t want me to know, but why? Why hesitate to fill me in? Was he seriously contemplating a decision regarding the ultimatum? A relationship with me or his business relationship with my father? Then again, I had an inkling that if he had already chosen me over the business relationship with my father, we wouldn't be having this conversation in the first place, would we?
I sighed. "Look, Luke, I don't know why my father is butting into my personal life, and to be honest and frank, I don't really care. My father has always felt as if he has a right to get involved in everyone's lives, especially if he shares any sense of financial responsibility or business with them. I'll tell you one thing, though. When it comes to business, I keep my decisions and affairs to myself, or at least I try to. What I can tell you is-"
"Molly, you don't seem to understand the ramifications-"
Now that really pissed me off. I scowled. "I don't understand the ramifications? Who do you think knows my father better, you or me? Do I think he's going to disinherit me? No. However, that doesn't mean that he can't make my life unpleasant, or yours. He's not mean, he's just…well, overprotective is the only word I can come up with."
“I wasn’t just talking about ramifications as they applied to you, Molly,” he said quietly. “I’m new here. I’m trying to get my foot into the door with the Southern culture here, with the-”
“With the big dogs?” I interrupted him, and not too kindly.
“Look, Molly, this hasn’t been easy. There’s almost a closed door society down here, and I’m trying to get someone to open the door-”
“Why did you move to Raleigh in the first place?” I asked, curious now. Why Raleigh?
He stared. “Lots of reasons,” he shrugged and then gestured around the house. “This belonged to the guy who gave me the inheritance, remember?”
I didn’t. He hadn’t ever discussed his inheritance in detail before. I had no idea how he came to own this house and at the moment I didn’t care.
"Has he done this before?"
“What?” I asked, trying to keep track of the direction of conversation.
“Tried to control you or your boyfriends by playing the money card?”
I shook my head. "Not like this, anyway. Oh sure, he always wants to meet the boys I brought home from school, but there weren't that many of them. I know he's been trying to pull strings and make sure that I get a teaching position at one of the local schools, but I told him to stay out of it, that I wanted to do this on my own."
"But this is about us, Molly." He shook his head. "Is there any us? What are we doing, anyway?”
"What do you mean what are we doing?" I asked, once again growing upset. "You're the one that came on to me, remember? You're the one who said you wanted to try and make a relationship between us work. Now that you know who my father is…
what? Have you changed your mind?" I shook my head. A headache was forming behind my eyes. What the hell was happening? And, why had he gone for a business meeting with my father in the first place? My father had made most of his money in the stock market, in real estate, and a number of business ventures. Was Luke involved in a business venture with him? Was he an investor in one of my dad’s property deals? What?
"I just don't know about this," Luke commented, turning once again to the window.
I stared at him in dismay. Luke uncertain? Where was that brash, I-could-care-less attitude that I’d seen in him so far? What exactly was it that he did upstairs, locked in his office all day? I decided that none of it mattered, not really. What was he so uncertain about? It was that very uncertainty that had me questioning everything, and I mean everything. I realized my father intimidated a great number of people, but I never would've imagined he would intimidate Luke. Then again, if they were working together or negotiating a business deal, I suppose that intimidation and ultimatums would have an impact. Money often spoke louder than words. Money often influenced people for all the right – or wrong – reasons.
My thoughts turned from Luke to my father. I was so angry with him I could spit! What I would do about this conundrum would have to wait. First, what was Luke going to do? What was he thinking? "What are you saying, Luke?"
"Do we have to make any decisions right this minute?"
I shook my head no, though my heart sank. "No, Luke you don’t, but I can tell you’re already worried. Truth is, I'm not quite sure how I'm going to handle this. But most importantly, I suppose I should ask what you plan on doing about it." I stared at him. "So you tell me, Luke. Where does that leave us?"
Chapter 2
Luke stared at me a moment, his face distorted with a combination of regret, annoyance, and impatience.
"Don't take this the wrong way, Molly, because I'm still trying to figure out what the hell is going on. But I think you know and realize that I also have to look out for my business ventures-"
"Are you telling me that you're actually considering taking my father's ultimatum seriously?" I asked, appalled.
"How else am I supposed to take it?" he asked, arms extending outward.
"Look, Luke, I know my father. He's full of bluster, but half the time he doesn't mean what he says-"
"Your father didn't get where he was today, financially or as an important member of Raleigh society, by being a softy. You and I both know that. He may be full bluster when it comes to you, personally, but I can tell you, doing business with your father is cutthroat. He's savvy, he's focused, and he's determined."
I was surprised by the vehemence I heard in Luke's voice. "Can you give me some more information? Are you involved in some type of business venture with him? Negotiating one? What?"
"That doesn't matter right now," he said.
I thought about disagreeing, but held my peace. He began to pace.
"I have no idea how your father found out about us, but it just goes to show you the power he has in the community.” He paused and turned toward the window facing the backyard. “Let me just put it this way, Molly. I stand to lose substantial amount of money if this business deal with your father doesn't go through."
I felt stunned to the core. Finally, I managed to speak. "So what you're saying is that I don't offer enough value to compete with what my father is offering, is that it?" I tried desperately to blink back the tears burning behind my eyes. I wasn't going to show him how deeply his words had stung. Luke turned around and stared at me. He moved to take a couple of steps closer, but I held up my arm to stop him.
“That’s not exactly what I meant, Molly," he denied.
I didn't believe it, not one iota.
"Look," he said, grasping. "This doesn't have to affect our working relationship at all-"
I exploded. "So this," I said, sweeping my arm around the room, and then gesturing between us. "This is nothing? What? Do you just want me to forget it ever happened? You want me to forget that just hours ago, you told me that you wanted this relationship between us?" I turned around and began to walk toward the door.
"Molly, wait," Luke said. "That came out wrong!"
I spun around. "It's funny that a lot of the things you say come out wrong," I commented. "That excuse is getting a little lame, don't you think?"
"Molly-"
I tried not to show how deeply his words were cutting into me. I thought I had prepared myself better for this, but ultimately, I had failed. Samantha had been right all along. There was no possible way this would end well. I had never even considered my father finding out about us. I still had no idea how he had and that was something I would have to work out for myself later. For now, I could barely stand to look at Luke. Hearing what he had to say left me utterly heartbroken. My self-esteem was crushed, but I didn't want to show it.
"I need to leave, Luke."
"Molly, no, let's discuss this, okay? Let's work it out."
I stared at him for several moments. "Luke, what is there to work out? As far as you’re concerned, you're being forced to choose between me and God knows how much money that you have invested – or are planning to invest or gain through a business venture with my father. How can I possibly compete against that? Not to mention that if you did choose me, you would more than likely be kissing any future work with my father or his business ventures goodbye."
I shook my head. "No one has to tell me how important business ventures are. I grew up around them, watched my father wheel and deal, make decisions, compromises, and sometimes, yes, even browbeat people into doing what he wanted. You're right. He didn't get where he is today by being a softy."
"Molly, we don't have to stop seeing each other-"
"So what are you saying, Luke? That I have to spend my time with you in secret, sneaking around, looking over my shoulder every minute to make sure that someone isn't spying on us?" I shook my head. "I don't want to live like that. I don't want to have a relationship like that. If I’m in a relationship, I’m in it. There's no in between."
"Molly, you're my maid, but I'd like-"
"I'm not even sure if that's a good idea anymore," I said, staring down at the floor.
"Are you telling me that you're going to quit? You’re going to walk out of my life without a backward glance?"
I glanced up at him. "What the hell do you want me to do, Luke?” I asked in frustration. “Continue on as your maid and pretend nothing between us ever happened? Or continue being your maid and keep our relationship a secret, sneaking around like I'm doing something wrong? You tell me. What would you have me do?"
"I don't know, Molly," he said, once again turning to the window. "I haven't had a chance to think this through."
"Well I haven't, either, but I can already see where your decision is heading." I moved again to the door.
"Molly, please, let's-"
"I appreciate you being honest and as professional as possible, but I need to think about this. I know what I don't want, Luke, but I also don't want to endanger your business relationship with my father." I paused, eyeing him. "You want to tell me what kind of business you're involved in with him?"
Luke hesitated, and that was enough for me. "Never mind. Don't answer that. It's obvious you don't want to, so I'm not going to press." I recalled his words and my heart hardened somewhat. "So, you worry about your business ventures. I'm going to go home now."
He said nothing, but turned to look at me with a defeated expression on his face. "I'm sorry, Molly, I don't know what to say. I need to process this – to think of something."
"There's not much to think about, Luke,” I said softly as I turned the doorknob and opened the door. "Either I'm in or I’m out.” I shrugged. "You've made it pretty clear where your priorities lay, and you should. What do we have going for us, anyway? This fling…" I said, making a lame gesture with my hand. "I had a feeling that it wouldn't end well, but I wasn't expecting this any more than you were. But you're
the one that has a decision to make. It's obvious that you're not ready to make it right this minute. So, I'm going home. You do your thinking, and you better seriously consider what it is you want because to be perfectly honest, Luke, I'm not someone who likes to be dangled on a string."
"Molly, I never meant-"
"I know,” I said, stepping through the doorway. "But the fact is, that’s the way it feels right now. Goodnight."
With that, I softly closed the door behind me. Blinking back tears, I made my way down the short hallway to the staircase. I glanced down before I started descending, but didn't see anybody. If the chef was the spy, he was awfully good at it. I made my way into the kitchen and toward the cupboard where I kept my purse. The chef stood at the stove, slicing something on the cutting board. He glanced over his shoulder at me.
"Everything okay, Molly?"
Forcing a smile, I nodded. "As far as I know it is," I said. I gave him a short wave. "Have a good evening."
He reciprocated and I left the kitchen, heading for the front door. I wasn't going to cry. I wasn't! I got to my car, started it, and slowly drove down the driveway. However, the minute I passed the boundary of Luke's estate, the tears began to fall. I couldn't help it. I couldn't hold them back any longer. I was so confused, I didn't know which way was up. My head spun in circles.
How had my father found out about us? I didn't want to doubt Samantha’s loyalty, but she was the only one to whom I had confided. What about Luke? Had he, as Samantha had warned, told someone and somehow through the grapevine, the information had gotten back to my father? Or worse yet, was my father spying on me? Did he have someone reporting to him about my every decision, my every move? A Had someone followed us down to the beach? Had someone snuck around his estate and seen us in the Jacuzzi? Even worse – taken photographs?