Chapter 2

• "Hello, I'm Benjamin Walker, Ms. Lilly's chauffeur and I guess friend. But I have been called other things." He said with a glint in his eye. He held out his empty hand and I was able to relax.
• "Nice to meet you Mr. Walker."
• "Oh please call me Ben."
• "Alright, Ben it is."
• "So how is it going young lady? Is this house bigger enough for you?" He said with a huge smile on his face.
• Was he kidding? My old house was smaller than Ms. Lilly's backyard.
• "Definitely, I have finished the top floor and a quarter of the second floor. I'm sure I will get the hang of it soon, since I will be filling in for Emily." Ben smiled and headed to the refrigerator.
• "Well if Harrison gives you any problems let me know. He could be a stick in the mud and forgets where he came from. He's from Russia you know. Thinks just because he is tall he can rule everything. Don't let him scare you just do your job and you should not have any problems. I know he would hate it if he had to clean this house," he said laughing.
• "Believe me Ben, I am here to do a job, get paid and get out of this line of work. I want to go back to school," I said not realizing I had over talked myself.
• "What kind of school you trying to go back to? What you want to be a hairdresser, make-up artist, tatoo artist, what you want to be, girl?"
• "Never mind, I better get back to work. It was nice meeting you Ben, see you around."
• I couldn't believe I said that. I refuse to let anyone know what my life aspirations were. I made that mistake before and people just laughed, telling me I was crazy. Thank the Good Lord I had a scholarship to Baylor and didn't have to pay any loans back. I headed back up to the second floor to continue my work. A few moments later I heard an intercom going off calling my name. It scared me because I hadn't notice the panel on the wall opposite the light switch.
• "Caden this Ben, can you come down to the bottom floor to Ms. Lilly's office? It is the fourth door on the left from the stairs." I walked over to the intercom and read the panel. I selected the talk button and responded "okay."
• I really had no idea where I was going. Harrison had taken me on a five minute tour which was quicker than a real estate agent. Moments later I had stepped off the bottom step and saw Ben standing in the hallway. "You call for me?" I smiled and he opened the door.
• I walked in the massive office. It was something out of a magazine. The furniture all matched in mahogany and the floor to ceiling windows had sheer white curtains that covered. The matching ceiling fan hung above the floor and the chandelier sparkled of the rays of sunshine. I was overwhelmed thinking that I would have to clean all this. This day just got depressing by the minute.
• "Do you like what you see Hon?" I turned around and saw a fairly young lady looking at me at the corner of the room. "You're right Ben she is stunning." I looked at the lady dressed in a purple sheath dress with matching shoes. She had a beautiful brooch that screamed "I HAVE MONEY!"
• "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare, but this house is so beautiful." The lady in the purple dress smiled.
• "I'm Lilly Monroe and this house has been in my family for generations. I'm glad it appeals to you. Welcome."
• I smiled taking her hand introducing myself. I hope she didn't think I stole anything because I really needed this job.
• "I'm a little unsure why I've been called to see you Ms. Monroe. I just started today and if you noticed something I haven't done I will fix it, honestly." I said not taking my eyes off of her. She smiled at me and headed back to her desk. Why does everyone in this house besides Harrison smiles? It was getting kind of creepy.
• "I hear you and Benjamin were talking during lunch time. He said something about you wanting to go back to school. Is that true and what type of school were you trying to attend? I have what you call a "scholarship fund" that I am able to help young ladies like yourself out."
• Was this a joke? Why did this lady want to help me out? I signed a disclosure form and she let me work in her house, why would she offer me a scholarship and what was the catch? Should I tell her what my ambitions were or should I keep them to myself?
• "Well I attended Baylor University awhile ago until my parents died." I said not knowing how she would react. She held her hand out for me to take a seat. I was nervous as I sat down looking at Benjamin taking the seat next to him.
• "What were you studying Ms. Montgomery?" She asked with a little excitement in her eyes as if I would tell her I wanted to be a doctor or a rocket scientist.
• "I was majoring in Hospital Management. I wanted to someday become a Hospital CEO or Administrator." Telling her made me nervous as I watched her expression deepened.
• "Wow, I was thinking more of a teacher or a social worker. Those are big aspirations for a little lady like you, Ms. Montgomery. I am impressed. I would like to offer you a chance to reach your dreams of course if you are willing to work for it."
• I wondered what she meant by work for it? This was creeping me out. I wondered if she was a drug dealer looking for a runner. I wonder if she was selling dope or prostituting? Couldn't be, she had too much class for that.
• "Did she sign the disclosure Benjamin?" Ms. Lilly asked as Ben handed over a folder. Ms. Lilly took the folder from him and opened it.
• What the hell? I thought to myself. Were people watching me and I didn't know it. Ms. Lilly turned the pages in the file. She seemed impressed then her expression changed. She hummed to herself and glanced over at Ben. He smiled and nodded and she placed the folder on the desk.
• "I see you had a 3.8 gpa at Baylor and were on the Dean's list every semester with a scholarship worth it's weight in gold. Congratulations on that accomplishment. You were valedictorian of your highschool and was on the basketball and softball team."
• Damn, how did she know that? I only signed a disclosure, but wait it had something about a background check. Shit, I guess that's what I get for not reading the fine print and I always read the fine print. I think I was so excited that it was paying more than my other jobs combined that I zoomed to the signature page.
• "Well Ms. Montgomery I think I can help you out. I see that you are living in horrid conditions and you are raising your sisters Olivia and Ashley, am I correct?" I nodded in disbelief that she knew my personal situation.
• "I admire what you have done with what you have. I am sure you want the best for your sisters and I am willing to help, of course if you are willing to help me. I can help you get out of the situation you are in by providing an excellent education for your sisters, help you get your degree and help you live the life you want to live, but it won't be as anyone's maid, cashier or sitter."
• Damn, this woman was good. She read me like a book. Was my life an open book where people could just google my name and my history appeared. But wait, what did she see in me that she had never offered Emily this opportunity? Why did she want to help a poor little black girl from the hood? What did she want me to do, must be awful and am I desperate?
• I sat in my seat and looked at them both. "Why do you want to help me? This is the first time meeting me and you are offering me a scholarship." I said with air quotes.
• Ms. Lilly said,"I see a lot of potential in you and you seem like a kindred spirit. I am usually good about these things. So the question remains, do you want to be a maid the rest of your life or do you want to be a CEO of a major hospital because I have the contacts?
• "What would I have to do?" Why did that question make my stomach ache?
• Lilly turned to Benjamin. "I have several businesses in the state. But my main business is an Escort Service."
• I think my eyes must have bulged out my head. This was something out of a movie. Okay I was ready too leave. Was I ready to sell my soul to the devil? I went to church every Sunday with my sisters. I had asked God several times to help, but not this way. I shook my head in disbelief . Was I ready to do this? The questions of myself worth came into play. Would I have to sleep with these men or just be an escort to them?
• "I think we may have frighten her, Ben."
• I had forgotten he was in the room.
• With a nervous tone in my voice I asked, "what do I have to do? Would I have to sleep with them?" I looked down at my trembling hands, wondering why I was even contemplating this?
• "Most of our clients request sex if they are interested. We have some that just want a date to go to functions. The money is really good. I can guarantee you that you can make as much as you want. It all depends on your attitude. I only deal with millionaires nothing less. One million plus. I deal with politicians, doctors, lawyers, even CEOs from around the world. If you want to live like this you can if you come work for me."
• "How much?" I asked skeptical.
• With a devilish grin, "more than you can count," she said grinning from ear to ear.
• I took a deep breath. I thought about my sisters futures. I could afford to send them to private school, extracurricular activities and take vacations. Ms. Lilly was offering me my dreams on a silver platter. No more bus, I could buy a small house, a car, money in the bank, and happiness. The only problem was I was selling my soul. Would God forgive me, was the biggest question of all. At that time in the back of my mind was "yes." I could repent later.
• Closing my eyes a lone tear dropped from my eye. I didn't want to do it but I had to do something. When this job ran out, where would I be?
• "Okay, tell me what I would have to do?"
• Both Ben and Ms. Lilly smiled. On Monday, April 12th at 2:13 pm, I signed away my very soul.