I was living in London when I found out my work visa extension was to be refused. My company, a Japanese trader, had refused to sponsor me and I was running out of options. I became increasingly desperate. I had nothing for me back home in Zimbabwe, and my parents farm had been taken away by soldiers. There were no prospects for a young man there and I worried for my safety. Then a lifeline. A Japanese manager at the company had heard of my plight and was prepared to sponsor me as an au pair. I said I had no experience in minding children, but she told me that her children were in boarding school in Switzerland and that they just wanted somebody to take care of their Belgravia apartment and prepare meals. I had little alternative so I accepted her offer gratefully.
A week later, with a bag of my belongings, I got into her cab and drove through the London traffic. She was in her late thirties, tall, beautiful and somewhat aloof, wearing a black dress and sunglasses. I followed her around her opulent apartment, her high heels clacking in the parquet floor, while she gave precise instructions on what I was to do, what I was and wasn't allowed to touch. We entered their private gym where her husband put down his weights. A muscular Japanese man, he didn't smile or shake when she introduced me, just looked me up and down, made a sort of grunt, and then went back to his workout.
For the next few weeks I busied myself with my chores and preparing or buying dinners. I got used to their comings and goings, and occasionally the sound of their lovemaking penetrated my room. The husband spoke little English, and the wife, Keiko, usually only addressed me to give more instructions or complain about some fault with the food. But I could watch tv when they were out and play music, and sometimes spend a bit of the food budget on myself.
One day the husband, Ojisan, had to fly to Singapore on business for two weeks. A week into the trip I was cleaning the kitchen floor while Keiko watched me, drinking a glass of wine.
"Clean the oven too", she said. She sounded drunk and a little dangerous
I got down on my knees and started scrubbing the oven.
"When I was young my family had a maid", she said while I scrubbed, "my father would beat her so she would not be lazy"
She paused for a while.
"You have it very easy here", she said. When I didnt respond she said "Answer me"
I was worried. I needed this job, and I think she was aware of it. If I lost my sponsor I would be forced to leave the country.
"Yes, Keiko -san", I said
"I know you sit around in my apartment and watch movies all day when I'm not here"
I kept silent.
"I could get another girl, one who just comes in during the day and works harder. Would you like that?"
"No, Keiko-san"
She drunk more wine then giggled
"Another girl! That is what you are like, no? A girl. What kind of man allows himself to scrub floors at woman's feet?"
I didn't answer for fear of causing an argument
"Ha! No answer is also an answer. Keep scrubbing. Who told you to stop?"
She paused again.
"If you expect this cozy arrangement to continue, shoujo, I think I deserve more.", she said. I recognised the Japanese word for girl. "You will do as I ask, I can ring the Home Office any time if you are not happy"
"Please don't, Keikosan. I will do as you ask"
