The Billionaire’s Housekeeper

They had been silent for most of the night. Rita knew that it was because she was nervous, and because George Ainsworth seemed to prefer quiet company. Since he spent a lot of time brooding and working, he probably wasn’t at all sure what to talk about with Rita.

He had sent her a message earlier that day telling her to be ready for 7 and not a minute after. Rita had gotten ready in the guest room, and George was waiting at the foot of the stairs, already dressed.

Rita was in a short tight fitting red dress that was off the shoulder and had a unique black pattern snaking down the back of it. She had on black heels and black jewelry. She put her short curly bob behind her ears. Her cheekbones seemed to glow under the lights that floated above them.

George was in a dark blue shirt and a black blazer with matching black slacks and shoes. The maître d had taken the blazer before sitting them down at their table.

“You look nice,” Rita said. It was strange for her to try to maintain good conversation. She was so used to being seen and not heard around the house that looking into the eyes of her former employer now filled her with a new kind of fear that almost made her bold.

“Thank you. You too,” George said clearing his throat. He looked down at his menu. Rita couldn’t help but smile. She looked down so that there was no way he could notice. Maybe it was the dream she had had about him, or wishful thinking, but it was possible now that George was just as nervous as she was. She didn’t want to make assumptions though. This situation could get way over both of their heads.

This dinner was a reason for them to be seen in public together. That was what George had hinted at the night when he had asked her to follow him into his room.

“What are you thinking?” George asked. “You look very deep in thought. Everything ok?”

“I’m fine,” Rita breathed. It was still so much getting used to; going from being a housekeeper to dining at a 5 star restaurant. It seemed so normal, like it was a logical next step. She knew it would all be over in a flash. In three years they could get divorced, and she would be allowed to stay in America.

“To be honest, I was thinking about our situation. Why such a beautiful restaurant? Is it to make sure the paparazzi take a good look at us? And what about the next three years?”

“That’s quite a lot of questions,” George admitted.

“Well, first, I brought you to this restaurant because I know I’ve never taken Julie here. I didn’t want you to feel like a caged bird in the mansion. I wanted to take you somewhere that I knew wouldn’t be too distracting; to really get a chance to talk and start to get to know each other. As for the next three years? Sh*t, I don’t know Rita. That’s what tonight is for. It’s a start,” he continued.

Rita understood. It was nice of him to invite her out. This didn’t look like the place for any sleazy reporters to be around taking pictures. George was right; this really was an intimate setting. They could enjoy each other’s company without having to whisper or to compete with deafening music. It was the perfect ambiance for a first dinner.

“Thank you for tonight. It’s really nice to be out,” Rita said. George nodded to acknowledge her, but he didn’t speak. He was eyeing her curiously across from the table.

George never thought he would ever have gotten the chance to know Rita. He knew he was always at his company working, or spending time with Julie. Rita was usually in the background. They only exchanged a few pleasantries or work related conversation. Now that she was there in front of him with her face beaming, and her hair cut elegantly, and in an outfit that made her look like royalty, he wasn’t even sure what to say to her. There was something that drew him in, but he was cautious. This wasn’t something that was real, he had to keep reminding himself. He had just gotten a divorce from someone who he thought he would be with forever. Then everything changed. Julie changed. And yes, he had changed as well.

George stopped to think about the times when they had been happy, and tried to recall the exact moment when the changes became so obvious that they both knew things weren’t going to work out.

“Have you been here before?” Rita asked, pulling George out of his thoughts. She could see that he was pensive, but she didn’t want to lose his attention just yet.

“Only once. It was a business meeting, so there was more drinking than eating involved,” George said.

“So the business world really is just like the movies huh?”

“I’d say so yes. You won’t see me snorting a line of cocaine on a stripper’s tits or anything though,” George joked.

“Hah. As your new wife George Ainsworth, I may have to protest,” Rita started. “Drugs are very bad for you.”

“But the stripper is…?” George laughed, but he was utterly bemused.

“Doing her job. We all do what we have to do to survive. In the movies, the stripper is never the one doing coke, you notice?” Rita pointed out.

George considered it and nodded in agreement. It was so strange to him that down beneath the pious demeanor, Rita had a silly wicked sense of humor. The little tinge of French in her accent made even her more serious jokes sound adorable, and George found himself leaning in closer to her more often just to catch all that she was saying.

The food they ordered had arrived finally, as well as the bottle of wine. George poured some for himself and set it down on the table. If Rita wanted any, he was sure that she would let him know.

“This tastes amazing,” Rita squeaked with her mouth still half full. Her meal had the perfect ratio of savory and sweet. It was like tasting different colors of the rainbow against the darkest patterns of the night sky. She took another bite and closed her eyes to savor the taste.

George smiled at her when she closed her eyes. She looked like she was in heaven, and watching her now almost made him feel what it was that she was feeling.

“Try some!” Rita said when she opened her eyes. She took up a forkful and put an open hand underneath the fork so that she could catch whatever spilled. She moved her hands forward, and George leaned in to meet her halfway.

“That is excellent,” George said approvingly. “Good choice.”

Rita giggled and thanked him.

“Now you,” George said. He picked up some of his meal and gently fed Rita with it. The flavors exploded into her mouth again.

“That’s wonderful too!” Rita said with her eyes wide. She eyed her food, then George’s, and then searched George’s face.

“Would you trade?” Rita asked sheepishly. That made George roar with laughter. He was just about to pick up his plate when Rita held up a finger and then dug into her food again. She took a bite and studied the flavors and textures in her mouth.

“Nope. I changed my mind,” she giggled. “Bon appetit!”