Celeste Peters

"You're here early!" Louisa's beaming face looks down on me from the top step of her front door. She sweeps her shoulder length, blonde hair to the side before opening the screen door to let me in.

The knots in my stomach tighten. I kept going back and forth as to whether I'd go over and tell her the news but I couldn't stay away. Plus, the GQ model I crashed into who let me off the hook today could be a sign that things might actually turn out to be okay. 

"What's wrong?" Louisa's thin brows scrunch together as she takes me in.

"What? What do you mean what's wrong?"

"You don't get off your shift for another hour. What happened?"

"Auntie Cellie!" Theo comes barrelling toward me with a wide smile and instantly all my problems melt away.

"Hi, big guy!" I say as he jumps into my arms. "I missed you!"

Even though I live only a few blocks away from them, I always miss my nephew. The joy this little kid brings to this world is like an addictive drug. Yes, even in the moments Theo acts like the world is ending and he's going to gallop away like some spirited horse when Louisa turns off his cartoons, I'm still obsessed with him. I carry him into the living room that's littered with toys. While their home is as small as mine, with a kitchenette attached to the living room that doubles as a bedroom, it feels smaller when there's multiple people in it.

We settle into criss-cross-applesauce on the beige stained carpet and Theo starts the Show & Tell featuring today's car lineup. I glance up to find Louisa eyeing me with curiosity. Even though she only came into my life four years ago when she accidentally got pregnant with my brother's baby, she knows me better than anyone else. Including my brother.

"Okay something happened that you're not telling me, but I have amazing news I need to tell you now or else I'll explode!"

"Mommy! Come sit with us!" Theo bellows out as he waves a yellow toy truck in the air.

She practically skips over like the graceful, petite ballerina she is and joins us on the carpet. My insides turn. What is going on? Does it have to do with Noah? A buzzing sensation courses over me.

"So, at work last week I heard one of the other maids saying a position opened in one of the houses next door. I inquired about it and they said the house manager is looking to hire a live-in chef for the family."

I drop Theo's Hot Wheels and freeze as Louisa continues.

"So, I called in a favor with my coworker who knows the maid in that house. I passed along your resume and she sent it in. Anyway, the house manager called this morning! She wants to meet with you tomorrow!"

"Holy shit, are you serious?" My hands start to shake as I process Louisa's words. What in the hell is this day?

"Holy shit," Theo parrots.

"Oops! Don't say that word, Theo. I meant, 'Holy shoot'."

"Yes! I'm serious! I may have used that joke resume we put together last year, but a little lie here or there won't hurt them." She waves at a fruit fly before her expression grows serious. "You're an amazing cook, and they will see that regardless of what's on paper. So what if you didn't go to some fancy pants culinary school where they make you eat snails for breakfast!"

I snort out a laugh. "Escargot is a delicacy and I would love to try it someday."

"The point is Celeste, no more working long nights for those crummy diners with sleazeballs feeling you up. You would crush this job. It has your name written all over it!"

"About that," I pause to take a deep breath, "I got fired today for losing my temper."

Louisa squeals excitedly and Theo laughs and claps, amused at his mother's animated reaction. "See! This is so meant to be then! It's perfect!"

Even though it does sound like a good job, uneasiness still rumbles through me. "I appreciate you doing that for me, Louisa. But you don't need to take care of me. I'm the one who should be taking care of you."

"Stop! Don't even say it! Don't even go there, Celeste. I'm sick of you acting like you need to be this family's savior all the time. Let someone else take care of you for a change!"

I shake my head in mock reprimand. "Nope! Never!"

"Bitch!" Louisa laughs and throws a pillow at me.

"Bitch," Theo parrots again.

"Fuck, don't say that word, Theo," Louisa says before smacking a hand over her forehead. "Noah is going to kill me once he gets out."

I giggle but my smile fades when I think about all the moments Noah is missing.

"I miss him so much, Celeste," she says, raking a hand through Theo's dark, black locks of hair that match his dad's.

"I know, me too. Don't worry, though. I'm still working on my savings for that lawyer and we'll get him out."

"Oh yeah? With what job, Ms. I Quit My Job Today And Won't Let My Sister-In-Law Help Me?"

I laugh and shake my head. "Alright, alright, I see your point and you're right. Tell me more about this job."

Louisa beams and shifts her legs behind her. "So, I don't know much about the family, but it sounds like a super low key gig. You'd mostly be preparing meals for the kids and staff - breakfast, lunch, and dinner and snacks in between. Apparently the dad is never really around that much."

"Sounds like the father of the year."

Louisa ignores my sarcastic comment and continues. "I'm not sure if there's a mom in the picture or not, but it doesn't sound like you'd be preparing food for her. Again, just the staff and kids. And kids love your food! Right, Theo?" She places a hand on his knee to get his attention. "Don't you love Auntie Cellie's food?"

Theo's glittering eyes shoot up from his truck and he nods enthusiastically, making me feel like a three-star Michelin chef of the year. "Auntie Cellie makes the best mac and cheese. I loooove it. I love it."

I beam at him and tug him into me, placing a kiss on the top of his head.

"See? He can be one of your references! Anyway, you'd live in the help quarters on the side of the house. So you don't need to live in these crap apartments any more and can save on rent."

"Woah, woah. Help quarters? How rich is this family?"

"I mean pretty wealthy to be able to pay a decent salary to people who take care of the affairs of their house. What? Why are you giving me that face, Celeste?"

I don't realize I'm grimacing and I force my face to soften. "I don't know, Lou. It sounds like it could be worse than the diner if they're pretentious assholes. I'm kind of done dealing with people like that."

"That's classist! You don't even know what they're like. The family I work for are the most amazing people. How do you think I got all these toys for Theo? Also, do you even hear yourself right now? You literally just lost your job and the most perfect opportunity is falling into your lap and you're not jumping to grab it! Don't you dare tell me it's because you don't want me to take care of you, or else I'll lose it!"

I can't help the uneasiness that comes with this big of an opportunity. Knowing how I am, I'm bound to fuck it up somehow and dissappoint Louisa and Noah. I nod though, letting the dust of the news settle in me. She's one hundred percent right. I need this job if I want to have any semblance of a shot at getting Noah out faster. Still, I'm shaking at the thought of moving away from my family and being in a home that will probably throw me out as soon as I step foot in it. "Give me a day to think about it."

"No! You're doing it. Just shut up, go home, get some beauty sleep, and prepare for the interview in the morning. It's at one PM tomorrow and I'll text you the address."

"Fine!" I stand up and Louisa follows me. No matter what I say she's not going to hear me out. I'm better off hitting the bars early tonight. I'll find another job tomorrow, one that feels better suited to me.

"Don't go out tonight, Celeste! I mean it!"

"Sure, Mom. Whatever you say."

"I'm serious! If you miss that interview, I won't let you visit with Theo anymore."

I scoff. "You're being ridiculous!"

"No I am absolutely not! You're being ridiculous!"

"Louisa, just stop! I can figure things out on my own."

"Shut the fuck up, Celeste, and do the interview!"

Theo starts wailing and we both gasp. Louisa runs to him, picks him up, and hugs him. "I'm sorry, baby. Mommy and Auntie Cellie were just talking."

I sigh as Louisa continues to console Theo. Why am I being difficult about this? Noah needs me now more than ever. I can practically hear my mother's reprimands from up above. The promise I made to her is like a blow horn right next to my ears. "Fine, you win. I'll do it."

Louisa smirks and blows me an air kiss. "I love you, you'll crush it." Her support is like luxury caramel on an expired gas station brownie. It shouldn't be there but it's still delicious, regardless.

I kiss them both goodbye, and head out as quickly as I can before Louisa decides to start yelling at me again. Everything is happening a lot quicker than I expected. I dash out to my car, taking deep breaths in, trying to steady my frayed nerves.

Just one drink.

I'll just have one drink out to steady my nerves and then go to bed early tonight. It'll be fine. I'll get my act together in no time.

***

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

I yank off the bed covers. Where the fuck is it?

The large naked man on his stomach groans as he feels around for the covers I just snatched from him. "What time is it?" he asks groggily. I think his name is Stevie. Or maybe Steven? No, it's definitely Stefano. Ugh, who the fuck knows. My head is pounding harder than a cook with a meat tenderizer.

"Hey, St-, man. Have you seen my underwear? I'm running late to an appointment and need to get dressed!" I frantically search around the bed before sprinting to the living room. The bright light slicing in through the curtains is like a lethal laser beam on my already suffering brain. I groan, lifting my hand to shield my eyes. Why the hell did I drink so much last night?

"Did you find it?" Stanley yells out from the other room.

I jerk my head around the room and sigh in relief when I spot them. My undies are sitting on top of an open freezer door that's now leaking. What did we even do last night? I remember bits and pieces, like agreeing to go back to his place after we took one too many shots and then maybe I let him suck on me. Was that it? I really need to stop drinking. I sprint to grab the garment and pull it on before looking around for my black pants. I won't have time to make it home and freshen up, so what I wore to the bars last night will have to do.

My black pants are on the stove top next to dirty dishes. I tug them on before vigorously wiping the red pasta sauce off the thigh. Stamos ambles out of the room fully naked and throws me a lazy grin. "Morning, beautiful. Are you going to make me breakfast?"

I sprint past him back to the room to grab my black tee. "What? No! I need to go!" Oh my God, Louisa is going to kill me. I rummage through this stranger's closet for a jacket to cover up my tattoos.

"Aww. But your cooking is amazing! I need to taste it again! And then maybe I can taste you after."

Nausea fills me so abruptly it throws me off balance. I run to the bathroom and quickly wash my face while drinking some of the water directly from the faucet. I'll probably contract a disease drinking this, but whatever. Beggars can't be choosers.

I head back out to grab my bag. "Listen, it was really nice to meet you, Stony, but I need to go. Thank you for last night."

"Gerard. My name's Gerard."

Oops. Close enough.

My phone starts buzzing. I grab it and smile through my aching body, accepting the incoming call. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Are you on your way?" Louisa's unamused tone filters through the receiver.

"Of course!" I muster up the most sing-songy voice I can. "My beautiful Louisa, you worry too much about me. I showered and made myself an amazing breakfast with all the macronutrients. I'm refreshed and ready to go."

"Do you think I can get your number?" Gerry calls out, blowing my cover.

"Celeste! Who was that?" Louisa says.

Shit. I cover the phone and pull it away from my ear. "Sorry, man. Listen, last night was fun. But I don't do dates. I have to go."

I turn around to sprint out as he yells out something again about me being white trash. Tell me something I don't know, Gary. 

"Celeste!" Louisa's stern voice brings me back to reality. "Did you go out last night?"

The bar where I left my car at is only about a block down the road. I glance at my phone's clock and start running. The blinding sun hits me when I reach the sidewalk and my throat feels like a dried up desert despite the disease water I poured over it. I squint as I continue the jog to my car, ignoring the dagger-pain headache. "I'm sorry Lou, it was one tiny slip up. I'm on my way now, that's what matters right?"

She sighs. "I meant it when I said you can't see Theo anymore! You better make this interview on time."

She wouldn't do that. I think. "I know, I know! I'm sorry, alright? You're one hundred percent right. I just went into a bit of a pity party last night, and then it spiraled." A lump forms in my throat as I reach my car and turn on the ignition. The engine rattles for a second and then roars to life. "Seriously, Louisa. I love you so much. I promise you I'll get this job. I told you I'm getting my act together."

"Okay, we should talk about that pity party after the interview. You need to stop with that! I love you. I'll be praying for you."

My heart twists. I have to get this job and I have to keep it. Last night was the last time. No more partying and no more losing my temper. I can do this!

I end the call and speed over to the address, practicing out loud for the interview on the way. The tell sign I've reached the neighborhood reveals itself as the houses grow sparser, larger, and prettier, and the streets grow smoother. Energy thrums in my veins as I pull up to the opulent mansion with wide, black iron gates.

This is it. I can do this! I've made it this far!

The house sits on what looks like a million acres. Tall trees surround the property but I can see parts of the house through the iron bars.

The home has clean, stark white outer walls contrasted against a gray slate roof. A large, dark oak wood door sits at the very center with columns next to it. The long, winding pathway from the gate I'm at leads to the door. I squint and catch some movement in the front of the house. Why does that car look familiar?

Oh. My. God.

My heart starts banging against my rib cage when I track the movement. I'm certain I might throw up again in the spot on the seat beside me. And it's not because of the sheer magnitude of wealth on this property that could very well crush me with its grandeur.

No, it's because of the GQ model getting out of that black, probably dented, BMW at the front of this house.