I was walking back to the office from a coffee break when I noticed Jeremy's car parked in the far corner of the lot. At first, I thought he was alone and got a little excited, enough to go on my toes and tiptoe toward the window to say a few words to him. But as I got closer, I saw her—Kathleen, sitting next to him.
She leaned slightly toward him, her smile soft as always. His hand rested on her thigh in that absent, familiar way men touch women they're deeply comfortable with. She said something I couldn't hear, and Jeremy laughed under his breath, then reached up to cup her face gently.
The intimacy of it made my stomach tighten.
Kathleen lifted her hand to his cheek, rubbing her thumb against his jaw. He kissed her palm, slow and deliberate, before leaning in to press a brief kiss to her lips. She pulled in a quiet breath and kissed him again. It was longer this time with her fingers curling around the back of his neck.
He held her waist, pulling her a little closer, and for a moment they just stayed there, foreheads touching, eyes half-closed like the rest of the world had melted away.
What irritated me the most was how comfortable she looked, like she belonged there. She should be at home slaving away like she always does.
I rolled my eyes and stepped away, dialing Ms. Bang.
"Hello Ms. Bang, it's Aileen. I'm calling to confirm if Kathleen has concluded the task assigned to her at home. Mildred wanted me to check."
As I was about to hang up, I heard Eden's voice in the background.
"Grandmaaaaa!!!"
A slow, wicked smile pulled at the corners of my mouth as I looked back at Jeremy's car. Kathleen quickly straightened up, pulling her hand away from Jeremy as if she'd been caught. I enjoyed that.
After ending the call, I picked up the diffuser I brought along and walked straight to Mildred's office. I knocked softly before entering. She was flipping through a document.
"I didn't expect you to be here. I was just going to drop this off and leave. I noticed the older diffuser was almost empty," I said, knowing how much she appreciated thoughtful gestures.
"Oh, thank you, Aileen!" Mildred sounded genuinely pleased. Then she paused. "But why did you think I wouldn't be here? I'm always in my office."
"Oh, it's nothing," I replied lightly. "I only assumed because I called Ms. Bang earlier, and I heard Eden shouting 'grandma' in the background. I thought that was you. Turns out I was mistaken."
I watched the color drain from her face. She understood immediately. Kathleen had brought her mother into the house behind her back.
When we got home later that evening, Kathleen's mother was still there, sitting comfortably with Eden.
How stupid could she be?
Mildred asked me to go upstairs to rest, pretending she did not want me to witness the scene. But I stayed near the stairs, hiding in a dark corner. I watched as Mildred humiliated Kathleen's mother, speaking to her like she was a worthless beggar and even offering her money for "helping" Kathleen with the tasks she was assigned.
The woman refused the money and left with her dignity, but the insult hung heavy in the air.
After she stepped out, Mildred ordered Ms. Bang to clean the entire living room and change Eden's clothes immediately.
I scoffed under my breath.
Mildred was a devil wrapped neatly in the pretense of morality.
Shortly after, Jeremy and Kathleen returned from their little love trip that made Kathleen neglect her duties at home. She walked straight into a confrontation with Mildred but Jeremy was able to save this time.
Kathleen returned to the kitchen to finish up her task. All by herself. She refused Jeremy's because she was afraid of what his mother would say or do.
Jeremy took a cup of water and headed toward their room, trying not to think too hard about everything weighing on him. His mind was scattered. He didn't even notice me, coming down the stairs until we collided.
I was wearing a skimpy silk nightgown, the type that clung to my body and left almost nothing to imagination. We bumped into each other, the cup slipped from his hand, and water splashed across the stairs. I lost my balance and tilted backward. Instinctively, Jeremy reached out and caught me.
The position was awkward. Too close. Like some dramatic dance dip where the woman leans back and the man holds her firmly. His skin brushed against mine.
The way his arm circled around me, steady and firm, stopping my fall before I even understood what was happening. His face, so close that I could see every line of his features clearly. The sharp chiseled jaw that draws your eyes without effort. The dark green eyes that held a quiet, seductive intensity, the kind that could make any woman wonder what he looked like when he let his guard down completely.
For a second, it felt like time paused.
And then he let go.
Quick, flustered, almost too fast as if touching me burned him. He apologized with that rushed, nervous tone and ran off immediately, just like the night before.
It didn't matter. My work was done.
Mildred had seen us. A pleased, satisfied curve of her mouth. The smile she didn't even try to hide.
And then Kathleen. Standing just beneath the stairs. Her face was still and had no emotions, but her eyes… her eyes showing hurt, disbelief, and a jealousy she would never admit out loud.