All characters in this story are over 18.
The Advert
Chloe felt conflicted, she was excited for the future but also trepidatious about the practicalities of her immediate situation. Having just finished her degree, she'd decided it was the right time to cut her slightly boring long-term boyfriend loose - and experience everything life had to offer.
The problem was she was now facing the very real possibility of having to move back home with her parents, something she was desperate to avoid at all costs. She'd moved to Bristol to study English literature, and had very much got used to leading her own life. Although Will had been a bit on the boring side, he was a nice guy from a supportive and wealthy family. They'd even been looking at flats to rent in the city after graduation, his parents offering to help them get started on their own. But she had made her choice, and was excited for the future.
Chloe was beginning to realise that a degree in English, (even a first-class honours degree) was not the immediate passport to a glittering graduate career it used to be. She was starting to look around at other options, buying time until she settled into her future career direction. (Telling herself this would just be a break, to get her thoughts together and earn some money.) With this broad search in mind she joined the thousands of other young people across the country, trawling job sites for opportunities.
Chloe began with the main sites, then started broadening things out beyond 'linked-in' and 'Indeed', seeing what was out there on gumtree and craigslist.
She was filtering through the hundreds of options when she saw the advert:
'Live-in maid'
We are a couple in our early 40's seeking a full-time maid to assist with light domestic tasks. For the right candidate the position is well compensated, with perks including accommodation and expenses. We are particularly looking for candidates that can be discrete, as some of the requirements are personal in nature. Training will be provided, so no experience is necessary. To apply please send a recent photograph with a short cover letter explaining your circumstances, and why you are interested in the position.
Although she had not entertained a cleaning or domestic job, something about the advert caught her attention. She could feel a gentle sense of excitement, and apprehension building within her. Perhaps it was the mysterious request for discretion, or the 'personal requirements', Chloe convinced herself that there must be perfectly innocent explanation.
Besides, the free accommodation would also solve one of her most immediate problems...
looking up the address, google earth revealed a manor-house in the Devon countryside, it looked idyllic, they even had a tennis court and an outdoor pool. This was very tempting.
After sleeping on it she sent the advert over to her friend to get a second opinion. Nicole was her usual bubbly and cheeky self, and was quick to come to conclusions.
'Sounds kinky to me.' She said with a wry smile when they met over coffee.
'But look at all the perks!' Chloe replied, 'And it's in a massive Manor house in Devon, they even have a pool!'
Nicole had to agree, it did sound like a pretty good deal. 'Why don't you just apply, it's not like you have to take the job, if they're weird just walk away...'
That firmed up her decision. Chloe got home, swiftly opened her laptop, wrote a short bio with a bit about why she was interested in the role, added a picture from her Instagram account and hit send. Shutting the computer, she felt her heart racing slightly. Calming herself, 'Come on, it's just a job application, why do I feel so fluttery about it?'
The truth was, during her three years studying English literature she'd also been exploring the world of erotic fiction, not that her friends, family or even Will knew anything about it. She'd started in the world of fan fiction, then discovered various online spaces where people write and share erotica. It was while reading, and writing for these spaces that she's begun to discover some pretty kinky sides of herself.
This had been a factor in deciding to leave Will, he was very vanilla in his sexual tastes. She'd suggested a few slightly kinky things, and he'd not responded at all. She knew if she wanted to explore this side of herself, she needed to set herself free from this future.
While ruminating about the job in her mind Chloe soon worked out that reason she was so nervous - it was because deep down she hoped there was something more to it... Although the thought of that only increased the butterflies. She told herself off for getting caught up in her head. 'They haven't even replied yet, they probably never will. I'm bet they've had hundreds of applicants.'
It was true Chloe had been applying for work all over the place, and heard nothing back. Apparently even the Costa coffee shop in town had had 450 applications for a barista job. She put the whole thing to the back of her mind.
A whole week had passed, and Chloe had almost forgotten about her application for the live-in maid role, when a very formal sounding email appeared in her email inbox:
Dear Chloe,
Thank-you for your application for the maid role, we've been somewhat overwhelmed with applications, but were happy to discover yours near the end of our search.
We would like to invite you to attend a 'first-round' interview via video call. If you are successful and wish to progress to the next phase, we will invite you to attend an in-person interview at our home.
The interview will be an opportunity for all of us find out about each other, and whether this role will be the right fit. With this in mind, please do come prepared with questions for us - if you have any.
I have attached a calendar invite to this email.
Yours,
John and Sarah
Oomph, the butterflies began their torment once more. Was this really happening? Was she seriously considering a role as live-in maid? in the English countryside?
She rang her friend Nicole straight away. 'Well, at least you'll get a good look at them before disappearing off to never been seen again!'
Chloe defended her corner 'Look Nicole, there are plenty of reasons why a couple in large house would need some help, especially if they're loaded.' They both had a good giggle.
The First Interview
On the morning of the video call Chloe felt nervous, she kept trying to calm herself down, 'I'm sure they're just normal people' she told herself. She prepared a set of questions, mostly practical stuff, how much was the pay, time off, holiday, why exactly would she be expected to do. (She was nervous about the last one).
Chloe had also taken some time to prepare herself, although they were only going to see her top half she felt like it would be best to make sure she was dressed formally, as if she was going to an in person interview. She'd chosen a smart black dress, and had her hair up, to show off her slender neck.