WebNovels

Chapter 160 - The job invitation

The call had barely ended when Raven grabbed her worn denim jacket from the back of the chair. Caleb, who had been slouched on the edge of the couch, shot upright like a spring.

"Wait—just like that?" His voice was sharp, incredulous. "You get a random call about a job, they give you an address, and you're ready to run off? Raven, don't tell me you're serious."

Raven avoided his eyes as she zipped up the jacket, her fingers trembling only slightly. The soft hum of the fridge and the distant thrum of evening traffic filled the silence between them.

"What do you expect me to do, Caleb?" she asked quietly. "I lost my job. My mom can't know. This is the only way I can keep paying the bills."

Caleb got to his feet and began pacing as if moving would help him think. His fingers raked through his hair.

"And what if it's fake? A scam? Or worse—what if they're kidnappers?"

Raven's grip tightened on the strap of her bag. She hated the knot of fear sitting in her stomach, but she forced her voice to stay even.

"And what if it's real? What if it's legit?" She met his eyes finally, her own steady but a little too bright. "I can't just let this chance slip by."

Caleb stopped pacing and faced her, his brow furrowed, his worry softening into something more personal.

"Okay… then at least let me come with you."

She shook her head quickly, a hint of a rueful smile tugging at her lips.

"No. I'm fine, okay? You've got your own stuff to do. I can handle myself."

"Raven…" His tone dropped, low and almost pleading. "Promise me you'll call if anything feels off."

She forced a laugh that sounded lighter than she felt.

"Yeah. Sure. I promise."

He stepped closer, searching her face as if trying to read what she was hiding.

"Promise?" he asked again, slower this time.

Her smile softened, gentler but just as practiced.

"Promise," she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Caleb still didn't look convinced. He finally stepped back, exhaling, his shoulders sinking slightly—a silent admission that he couldn't stop her.

As soon as she turned away, the mask of easy confidence slipped off her face. Her stomach churned, but she tightened her hold on the bag strap until her knuckles ached. She couldn't let fear win. Not when the electricity bill was overdue. Not when her mom still thought she was working at the diner.

I'll handle it, she told herself. Whatever it turns out to be—fraud or legit. I'll handle it. I have to.

Behind her, Caleb watched her leave, the echo of her promise lingering in the room, but doing nothing to quiet the unease crawling beneath his skin.

---

Raven stood at the edge of the long gravel driveway, her boots crunching softly as she craned her neck to take in the towering mansion. The cream-colored walls glowed faintly in the late afternoon light. Wide arched windows reflected the sky like pools of glass, and the hedges looked so precisely trimmed they almost seemed to glare at her for being there.

A damp breeze drifted across the lawn, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and rain-washed stone. She glanced down at the ivory invitation card in her hand, its edges slightly bent from how tightly she was gripping it.

Oh my God… is this really the place?

She looked again at the embossed lettering.

Yes. This is the address. This is it.

Her heart thumped against her ribs as she crossed the courtyard. For a moment, she hesitated, half-expecting someone to tell her she had made a mistake. Before she could knock, the door swung open.

A tall man stood there in a lemon-yellow sweater, one brow arched in theatrical suspicion. His perfectly styled hair and faint whiff of cologne told her he was no ordinary butler.

"Who are you?" he asked, his voice crisp, almost impatient.

Raven fumbled the card forward like a peace offering. "I'm… here for a job interview."

She couldn't help thinking how ridiculous it sounded—a fancy card for a job interview? This felt more like arriving at a gala than applying for work.

The man glanced at the card, then flicked his fingers lightly, as though shooing her inside. "Go in."

Raven swallowed her nerves and stepped across the threshold. The air smelled faintly of lilies and polished wood. A grand chandelier spilled golden light down onto the marble floor. The hush in the vast foyer was so deep she heard the soft echo of her own breath.

From a side hallway came the measured click of footsteps. A woman appeared—slender, sharp-featured, her silver hair tied into a severe bun beneath a black-and-white maid's cap. She carried herself with the quiet authority of someone who had kept the household in line for decades.

"You must be Raven," the woman said, her voice cool and precise.

Raven straightened, instinctively respectful. "Yes. Nice to meet you."

The woman's eyes swept over her from head to toe, sharp as a judge's gavel. Then she turned. "Follow me."

Raven trailed her down a long corridor where the portraits on the walls seemed to follow her with their painted eyes. She felt like a trespasser in a world of silence and wealth.

"You will be working in the master's chambers," the woman said without looking back. Her tone carried the faintest edge of warning. "You'll keep the place clean, orderly, and be available to assist him with anything he requires. He's… particular about his space."

Raven blinked, caught between curiosity and apprehension. "So… I got the job? Just like that?"

The woman glanced over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. "If you hadn't, I wouldn't be explaining your duties. Or would you rather be interviewed?"

"No!" Raven said quickly, hugging the bent card to her chest. "No, that's fine. I just… didn't expect it."

The woman's mouth twitched as if suppressing a smile. "Good. You start now."

"Now?" Raven echoed, a little too loudly. Her voice bounced down the polished hall.

Her stomach gave a nervous twist as she followed the maid toward a tall staircase.

What did I just walk into?

---

Across town, Kamsi was fighting to keep her own secret from being discovered.

"Get under the bed. Now!" she hissed, shoving Xavier toward the narrow space beneath her low wooden bed. He scrambled awkwardly, bumping his shoulder against the frame with a muffled thunk.

"Don't move. Don't even breathe too loud," she whispered, her pulse racing.

Before Xavier could reply, the bedroom door creaked open.

"Hey, baby," her mother said softly as she stepped inside. Her gaze swept the room with quiet concern. "Are you okay?"

Kamsi forced a smile that felt too wide, too rehearsed. "Yeah, Mom. I'm fine."

Her mother's eyes narrowed slightly. "You don't look fine. And why is your window open at this hour?"

Kamsi shifted her weight, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I just… needed some fresh air. That's all."

Her mom crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. The mattress sagged slightly, directly above Xavier's head. Kamsi's heart thudded painfully in her chest.

Her mom sighed, her voice softening. "Listen… I know I can't control your choices forever. I only want what's best for you. If you truly believe Xavier makes you happy…"

She paused, as if the words themselves were a reluctant surrender.

"…then you should do what feels right."

A wave of relief washed over Kamsi, loosening the knot in her chest. "Really, Mom? Thank you… thank you so much."

She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her mother, hugging her tight, almost forgetting the boy hidden beneath the bed, holding his breath.

"What changed your mind?" she asked when she pulled back.

Her mom brushed a thumb gently across Kamsi's cheek. "Maybe I realized we don't always have to see things the same way. Just… don't disappoint me."

"I won't, Mom. I promise," Kamsi said earnestly, though the tips of her ears burned.

Her mom gave her a knowing look. "Good. And I'm not having that talk with you. You're old enough to know better."

Kamsi's cheeks flushed crimson. She let out an awkward laugh, praying her mother couldn't hear the rapid thump of her heart—or Xavier's faint, nervous shifting on the floorboards beneath them.

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