Walking up to the back door, I looked up at the sky and wondered if I was about to be struck by lightning—or a shotgun blast. My heart was fluttering so hard it felt like it might jump out of my chest. I'd never had a heart attack, but if this was what one felt like, I was in trouble.
I reached the door, and the maid opened it.
"They're sitting by the pool waiting on you," she said. Then she looked down at my shoes. "Take those off and put them over there. They don't pay me enough to keep cleaning up after people."
"Okayyy… no problem," I said.
As I walked through the house, I couldn't get over how beautiful it was. Everything screamed money. Expensive furniture, spotless floors, artwork that probably cost more than my car. The boss really lived like a king.
I passed through the kitchen and opened the double sliding doors to the pool area.
There they were.
My boss sat relaxed in a chair, dressed like he was heading out of town. His wife sat beside him, dressed like she belonged on a beach somewhere far away. He motioned for me to come closer.
"Have a seat," he said, then told the maid to bring me a drink.
"I know you're wondering why we called you here," he continued. "I'm heading off the island for about a month. My wife and I were talking, and she'll need help—getting to the store, setting up her home office, handling a few things while I'm gone."
He paused and glanced at her.
"She mentioned you. I agreed—you're the best person for the job. She'll also train you on the ins and outs of the next business venture we're planning."
My mind was racing.
"If you take this on," he said, "we'll double your salary. And my wife will give you a bonus."
I looked at her. She was smiling—wide, calm, confident.
I couldn't help myself. I laughed.
"What's your answer?" he asked.
"I'd be honored to take on something that important," I said. "I won't let you down. I'm really moving up in life."
She leaned over. "Baby, you don't want to be late for the airport."
He smiled. "You're right."
Then he stood up. "I'll leave you two to go over the plans."
Deeper into the plans, I thought. The thought made me laugh—but it slipped out of my mouth instead.
She turned to him. "Don't forget to call me when you land so I know you made it safely."
"Of course, my love," he said, then walked out.
The moment he was gone, everything changed.
She stood and started showing me around the house. Then she turned to the maid.
"You can go home for the rest of the day. I'll still pay you. See you tomorrow."
"Thank you," the maid said, grabbing her bag and leaving.
Now it was just the two of us in that massive house.
She looked at me, smiled, and said, "This is how I like to be in my home. Free."
She slowly undressed, completely unbothered, completely confident.
"Take yours off too," she said. "Walk with me."
I didn't hesitate.
She led me toward the pool. "Let's just have fun."
I thought I knew what she meant—but I was wrong.
Instead of anything wild, she laughed like a kid, splashing water, running from me, daring me to chase her. We circled the pool, laughing, pushing water at each other like none of the real world existed.
For a moment, everything felt unreal.
Then—
A noise.
The front gate.
She froze.
She ran toward the house, then sprinted back.
"Get dressed," she whispered sharply. "My husband's truck is here."
My heart dropped straight into my stomach.
I scrambled, panic setting in.
My pants were gone.
I couldn't find them anywhere.
And all I could think was—
I'm about to die.