Chapter 1

This wasn’t supposed to happen but it did. It was back in April 2020. I had gotten laid off from my job as a server. Even though I had just finished school with a degree in business, companies weren’t hiring. I lived off of the funds the government provided but I knew I had to do something fast because eventually, I’d have to start paying bills and doing that without a job was going to be hard.

It was the end of November when I saw an ad asking for someone to housesit with an elderly woman. The job offered a place to stay, free food, and even provided a small sedan for transportation to help with gathering the woman’s prescriptions, taking her to appointments, and trips to the park or salon.

I sent my information in hopes to get an opportunity to interview. If I got the position, I’d put my stuff in storage and live at the house with the family. It would provide me with enough time to save money while looking for another job.

After a few days of waiting, I was called. The voice on the other end was a smooth sexy bass that sent a shock through my body, “Is this Ashanti Blair?”

“Yes. Yes, sir,” I said trying to gather myself and speak in my most professional tone.

“My name is Raymond Foss, I would like for you to come over today around 2:00 pm, are you available?”

“Sure,” I responded quickly. It wasn’t like I had anything going on other than watching Netflix and Amazon Prime.

“Great, I’ll see you then. Just bring proof of a negative Covid test, your id, and there’s no need to wear a mask.”

“Great. I’ll be over shortly.”

Once the call ended, I got myself together in a professional pair of gray slacks with a white button-down fitted shirt that made my breasts look plumper and juicer. I figured if this man looked as good as he sounded, I wanted to present myself as inviting as I possibly could.

It had been two years since my last relationship and I was hoping that this older distinguished gentleman was offering more than a job and a place to stay.

I got into my little beat-up Honda that needed new tires and a brake job and headed over to his home. He lived in Lutz which was a long way from my location in Riverview. Upon driving up to his estate that sat behind an 8-ft high fence I was in awe.

The place was already decorated for the holidays. It looked amazing. I could only imagine what it looked like at night with the lights all glowing with a myriad of festive colors. I drove through the opened fence along the bricked path and parked.

His house had a house. I mean, there was another house behind his house. I walked up the steps and landed on the porch. The door opened and there he stood peering into me with soft brown eyes, a scruffy beard, and mustache, and short gray hair with flecks of black. My center started throbbing.

He spoke with a smile, “Ashanti,” his smile was everything, “Come in,” he said as he stepped aside.

The shoes I wore struck against the hardwood floor, “I should remove my shoes,” I said as I stepped out of them.

He smiled, “How very considerate,” he responded.