Julie Schneider saw the huge house before entering slowly. She was sure she was going to get the loan. She was thirty-five years old and had wavy light brown hair. Her exquisitely defined eyebrows made her light brown eyes look even more beautiful than they really were, and she was wearing an expensive pink dress. Despite all her glamour outside, Julie was desperate inside. She was confident Stephanie Argyle was going to lend her the money, but then she would have to use it strategically to recover her wealth. She crossed a large and charming garden before reaching the house. An elegant domestic worker opened the door to her and asked her to have a seat while she waited for Mademoiselle Stephanie go down the stairs.
Julie sat on an expensive white silk sofa and crossed her legs. She saw Stephanie's housekeeper who had opened the door to her. Jacqueline was a 19-year-old, dark-skinned girl with round brown eyes and healthy, shiny curly hair. She was wearing a black dress as a uniform and a white apron. The housekeeper bowed and smiled at Julie, but she took an instant dislike to Jacqueline. Julie herself didn't know why. Was it because that domestic worker smiled and looked happy whereas Julie's mind was in turmoil because of her money matters? Sometimes people hated someone for
no apparent reason
, she thought and felt good when the young employee left the living room. Then Julie checked some text messages on her cell phone. She felt butterflies on her stomach again wondering if Stephanie would really help her. She tried to calm down by remembering her rich friend praised her posts on the internet.
Always Respect people. Be fair in an unfair world. You should treat everyone well, from a VIP to the door attendant.
Yes, Stephanie was the sensitive type and she would certainly consider Julie's good heart.
Two minutes later, Jacqueline returned with a glass of wine on a tray and approached her employer's guest:
"May I get you a drink, Miss Schneider?"
"You may, but the correct way to address me is 'Ms. Schneider,' please," Julie snapped angrily as she reached for the glass of wine. All of a sudden, a thunder roared loudly outside, and Jacqueline got scared causing her to jump and drop the glass of wine on Julie's dress.
"Oh, my God. I'm
awfully
sorry, Ms. Schneider!" She cried covering her mouth. Julie's face got red and she yelled:
"What have you done, you
clumsy
fool?" She cried furiously. Can't you be careful? I mean, how can you serve in an important house like this one if you can't do your job properly?"
"I beg you not to speak to me like that. It was an accident, and I said I was sorry," replied the girl with dignity.
"It was an unacceptable accident since you've ruined my expensive dress! I won't have an inept
servant
teaching me how I should talk to them."
Jacqueline blushed, collected the broken glass from the floor, and left the room. Ten minutes later, Stephanie Argyle came down wearing a stunning blue dress and a very expensive pearl necklace. Julie explained she needed money to save her husband's coffee shop from bankruptcy. Their money difficulty was really affecting their marriage, and she was terrified they might end up divorcing because of their crisis. Stephanie kissed her friend's cheek and said Julie would have the loan to be paid back in ten times without any kind of interest.
"Oh, I knew I could count you!" Julie hugged her friend."
"You were the best babysitter in the world when I was little, Julie," Stephanie said as she smiled showing her perfect white teeth. "So we became best friends when I went to college. You were thirty and I was eighteen, and I was proud to tell the girls my best friend was an experienced and mature woman. What's more, a good and kind hearted human being. I love what you write on your personal page. You deserve all the best."
Julie was proud of herself when she returned home. She told her husband she had gotten the loan. Gustav was satisfied and cuddled her, as he had not done in a long time. However, she frowned when the money was not in her bank account after two days as Stephanie had promised her. She called her friend who said they needed to talk, and there she went again to her rich friend's big house.
"I'm afraid I can't lend you the money anymore, Julie. I am too
disappointed
in you."
"But why? What have I done?" Julie's eyes open wide and Stephanie extended her hands to both sides:
"I didn't like the way you treated Jacqueline."
"How did I treat her?" The guest cried. "I didn't do anything to that foo...
girl
. I'm sorry to tell you your servant is lying because she didn't like me. I could see it in her eyes even though I was kind and respectful to her."
"No, Jacqueline didn't lie, because she is a generous person. She wouldn't tell me anything bad about anyone. The thing is I have my entire residence monitored with
cameras
, so
I saw
everything. Now I'll ask you to leave my house since I won't have inconsiderate people around here."
"I'm sorry. I was in a bad day. I swear I was too anxious and desperate about Gus' problems in his business. Bring your servant here, and I'll apologize to her."
"Watch your language! Jacqueline is not my
servant
. She is my
assistant
and
secretary.
Did you see how you disrespect people's position? You've become a
snob
, Julie. I noticed it when Gustav's coffee shop was doing well, but I wanted to believe it was just a bad moment of yours."
"I am a good person. You can see on my posts." Julie was sobbing. "I swear I didn't mean to be rude to your servant. She..."
"Don't say
servant!
For the last time, she is my
secretary!"
"Oops, I did it again."
"Yes, you did. Jacqueline is an
awesome
secretary. She has been there for me in my worst moments. And she is an excellent
kisser."
Stephanie smiled and sighed as Julie frowned and then opened her eyes wide. "We've had magical moments together. She makes me scream in a way anyone could never do."
"Wait. What? I didn't know you were into girls. Hold on. Don't look at me like
that.
I know you are free to love the same gender, but why don't you get a real girlfriend? You look so beautiful, and that girl is just your
serv...cretary
."
"I love her. I can see you are a prejudiced person."
"No, I'm not intolerant at all. It's okay if you love her, but why don't you make her your girlfriend instead of your secretary?"
"Because I need her work and she needs a job. We still like to be together. Any
problem?"
Stephanie inquired aggressively. Julie shook her head.
"No, of course not. I think you are great. Moreover, Jacqueline is wonderful too. I was a horrible person. Now, why don't you call her here so I can say I'm sorry and we can be friends again?"
"You are desperate for the money, aren't you?" Stephanie said with a self-satisfied smirk on her face. Julie shook her head and tried to smile:
"No! I just want to be your friend. I swear."
"Interesting. And you would do anything to make Jacqueline like you again, wouldn't you?"
"Of course I would. I think Jacqueline is a fantastic person." Julie said trying to be convincing although she was fuming inside.
That damn employee started all this mess. I was right to hate her
, she thought to herself.
"I'm glad you like her, because I always thought you were very beautiful. I would like to deposit you the money you need. I'm even considering
giving