The New Maid: Chapter 1

(Yup, title change. The story is now 'The New Maid' Hope you don't mind)

Hey, guys, seems something's up with Wattpad-- can't log in, so can't upload. But I'd really love to share the first chapter of my new story, so here you go! If you would, spread the word! The moment Wattpad's back up, I'll upload it there. 
Hopefully Wattpad's alright before chapter 2 of That Super Hot Pervert is Mine is done :)
Well, enjoy.

Fail description:

What do you do when it's your job to live with the hottest new boy band? The guys of Mercury are weird, wild, and uncontrollable, and Sara's been hired to try and keep their dorm in check. But how can she, when these five gorgeous guys all seem intent on winning her over?

Character pictures are here.

Chapter 1

I looked through the dresses hung in a column. Expensive. Everything was so expensive. Or maybe everything looked expensive because I was flat broke.

“Come on, choose something already,” Jess said from beside me.

“I can’t afford any of this,” I said.

“Okay, I’ve brought you to the cheapest place this side of town,” she sighed. “How can you still not be able to afford anything?”

“Since I haven’t had a job in forever,” I sighed. “You think maybe I should ask my parents for a loan?”

“I don’t think you have another option,” Jess said. “I can’t keep lending you.”

“I know,” I sighed. “I just thought when I entered college I’d finally, you know, do something myself.”

“Well, maybe something’ll turn up,” Jess said, trying to put as much optimism as she could into her voice.

“Yeah, let’s hope,” I said. “Come on, let’s go.”

Jess frowned, but followed me out the door. The air outside was cold, but not biting. A few people roamed the streets, enjoying their lives. I was just thinking about how I was gonna pay next month’s rent.

“Come on, cheer up,” Jess gave me a little shake. “You’re always stressing about the littlest things.”

“Littlest things?” I put up a smile.

“Yeah,” she said firmly. “I know you’re in a bad state and all, but you’ve got to relax once in a while. You haven’t watched TV or hung out in forever.”

“Okay, fine,” I said with a grin. “Gush about your new-found celebrity crush.”

“Thank you,” Jess said with a perky smile.

I really couldn’t help but smile back. This type of cute, chirpy smile really suited Jess. The two of us had met a couple of years ago, and had been unbelievably close since then. We did everything together, even though we were so different. She was sunny and always up for trying new things, while I was much more reserved. Even then, she’d just straightened her usually curly blonde hair, while I’d been keeping my brown hair the same, straight style for years now.

I felt the vibration in my pocket and pulled my phone out before the tune even started playing. I looked at the caller ID and said to Jess, “It’s Jake.”

“Okay, go ahead and answer,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Go enjoy your cute, romantic phone-calls while I just wander here. Alone.”

“Thanks,” I said, and answered the call. “Hi.”

“Hey,” Jake’s voice always sounded low and kinda raspy over the phone. “How’s your shopping trip going?”

“Good,” I answered. “Having loads of fun.”

“You didn’t buy a single thing, did you?”

I paused. “…Yes. I did.”

“You didn’t.”

“That store was trying to rip us off!” I finally cracked.

Jake laughed. We’d been dating for over a month now, and he knew me so well.

“Well, you can stop your worrying,” he said. “I managed to get you a job.”

“Really?” I said it so excitedly that Jess grabbed me and tried to listen in on our conversation. I let her. “How? Where?”

“I got an uncle at Total Records,” Jake said, and I could hear in his voice how pleased he was.

“The record label?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “Really?”

“Yup.”

“What’ll she be doing?” Jess pretty much yelled into the phone. And my ear.

“Umm… it’s not the most glamorous job,” Jake said, and he didn’t sound so pleased with himself anymore. “One of the bands with the label is looking for… um…”

“Um what?” I felt a little uneasiness creep in, but I banished it. How bad could it be anyway?

“So maybe you won’t be exactly working with the label,” Jake mused, almost to himself, it sounded like. “More like working for the band. The band needs… a… maid. The band needs a maid.”

“A maid?” Jess burst out. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I’ll take it,” I quickly said. Jess gave me a look but I ignored it. “Thanks, Jake.”

“Yeah, you’re welcome,” he answered, a bit happier with my sincere thanks. “You’re gonna have to live in their building, in a room right next to theirs… is that okay?”

“Perfect,” I said.

“You should be at Total’s building tomorrow at five… do you want me to text you the address?”

“Yeah, thanks,” I said. “I really mean it. Thank you.”

“Hmm, I’ll take a non-verbal thank you next time I see you.”

“I can hear you, you know,” Jess said, much louder than necessary. “Stop.”

“I’m just trying to make you jealous, Jess,” Jake said sweetly. “Okay, see you soon, Sara. Bye.”

“Bye,” I said. “Oh, wait– Jake? Which band am I gonna be working for? Jake?”

He’d already cut the line. Damn. I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten to ask such an important question.

“For the first time, I’m actually pissed we’re not ‘no, you hang up first’ kind of couples,” I sighed. “I can’t believe I didn’t ask him who I was gonna be working for.”

“Well, at least you’re getting a job!” Jess said. “Even if you are a maid.”

“Don’t say it like that,” I said with a smile. “Come on, we can go celebrate. My treat.”

“Ooh, it’s been a while since I’ve heard you say that!” Jess said excitedly. “Your treat! Very well, then. Where to?”

“Silver Hearts Café,” I said. Their pastries were to die for.

“It’s not too far from here, is it?” Jess asked. “Like, walking distance? My walking distance, not your walking distance.”

I laughed. “Don’t worry, even you can walk to it. It should be right around this corner…”

We turned, and sure enough, the pink and white sign was right there. I gave Jess a smile as we entered, saying, “Remember, I don’t have the job yet, so don’t go ordering that huge sundae that’s humanly impossible to finish by yourself. How about a slice of cake and– are you even listening to me?”

“Nope,” Jess said. She gestured to a corner of the café. “Something’s going on over there.”

She was right. A crowd was forming– a small one, but still easily noticeable. Jess had already grabbed my hand and was pulling me toward it before I could register anything.

“Come on,” she said. “We have to find out what’s going on.”

“Okay,” I said, pulling out my phone with my free hand. I had to call Jake and find out who I was working for. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t asked him.

“Whoa, so many girls,” Jess said, and I looked up from my phone’s screen.

She was right. The whole crowd was made up of girls, all teenage girls it seemed. Jess and I fit right in.

I’d just pressed the call button when suddenly the whole crowd seemed to take one step backwards all at once, knocking my phone out of my hand. I swore, but I hardly heard my own voice as the girls all started talking at once. I really didn’t bother finding out what everyone was so excited about, but just dropped to my knees.

“Sara, what’re you doing?” I could feel Jess’s hand on my back.

“I need to get my phone,” I said, moving forward. I could see it among all the shoes, and I inched towards it. I had to get it quick– it already wasn’t in the best condition, and one little step would leave me phone-less.

I somehow managed to make it to my phone–I might’ve tipped one girl over, but she seemed alright–and grabbed it, trying to get up. I somehow managed, but someone behind me shoved me forwards at the same time. I didn’t care. Was Jake still on the line?

“Jake?” I said into my phone, raising my voice so that he’d hear me over the crowd. I turned around a little, as though it’d help him hear me. “Jake?”

Damn. Nothing. I checked my phone’s condition. Hmm. Seemed okay.

And then I turned around and finally saw what everyone was crowding around.

They were guys. Five of them, standing in front of the booth they’d just come out of. They were all Asian, from Japan or China or somewhere near there. The guy right in front of me had his eyes almost completely level with mine, and his face was so pretty that I was stunned for a moment. His hair was red-brown for the most part and dyed white-blonde at the ends, and he was saying in a slightly-too-loud voice, “Come on, we really have to go now.”

Of course. They were celebrities. If the tired-but-good-natured tone wasn’t evidence enough, one of the guys–taller than the first, and with maroon-red hair–was busy posing for pictures with another girl. Another, with dark-brown spiky hair, was just leaning against the seats, giving a cute little smile.

They were obviously a band– a boyband, I’d say, since so many pretty guys never got together in a rock band.

A few of the girls ‘aww’d in disappointment as the five of them tried to leave, but another guy, who was the tallest and had perfect black hair, said, “We would really love it if you’d come to our fan-meeting on the twenty-third.” This was accompanied by such a dazzling smile that made some girls squeal. I almost squealed with them.

 The girls finally made way for them, and just as they were walking away, the last guy at the back stopped. He was a little short, with soft, slightly wavy black hair that fell down and around a gorgeous face. He looked around the crowd with an intent look, until he finally locked eyes with me.

I just stared at him, unsure of whether I should turn away or not. He suddenly came striding back and grabbed me out of the crowd. Before I could do anything, say something or push him away, he’d pulled me in and kissed me.

I was just frozen in his embrace. What the hell was this guy doing? I could actually count the seconds his lips were on mine before he finally let go of me.

“See you,” he said, and he said it with such a cute smile that I would’ve melted if I wasn’t so freaking shocked, freaking hell he just grabbed me and kissed me!

I tried to calm myself down, but before I could some girl next to me said excitedly, “Wow, you’re so lucky! Jae kissed you!”

I just stared at her. I really couldn’t talk. The guy’s lips–Jae’s lips, it seemed–had been so warm, just like his arms. Now that he’d actually let go of me could I really sense everything– the ruffle of his jacket, the feel of his hands against my back, his lips on mine.

The girl started gushing about how awesome Jae was, when Jess came to my rescue and pulled me away. I let her lead me out of the café before finally saying, “I don’t know what the hell happened.”

“You just got kissed by Jae!” Jess burst out, whirling around to face me.

“You know him?” I was surprised.

“You don’t?” she was even more surprised. “That was Mercury– they’re this band that have getting really popular recently. But then again, you’re practically an entertainment hermit nowadays…”

“I can’t believe he just did that, celebrity or not!”

“Actually, he does that all the time,” Jess said. “He’s kissed thousands of female fans. It’s his thing.” She said the last bit with an eye-roll.

“Oh.” I was actually a little bitter. I tried to move on and said, “You don’t like them?”

“Nope,” she sniffed. “They’re not that great. I think they’re just One Direction wannabes. But a lot more annoying. They’re all, ‘call me oppa’ and ‘I kiss every fan who asks for one’, and with their speaking Korean and bowing to everyone– I find their cutesy act annoying.”

I stared at her. “What’s oppa?”

“I don’t know,” she snapped. “Some Korean word. Now let’s go get something to eat. I want to banish the memory of my best friend being kissed by a Mercury guy.”

“Umm, okay,” I said. “Oh, wait, first let me call Jake.”

“You probably shouldn’t tell him about all this,” Jess said as I dialed. “No guy wants to hear about his girlfriend being kissed by a celebrity.”

“I’ll tell him, later,” I said, holding the phone to my ear. “You know– oh, Jake.”

“Hey,” he said. “Missed me already?”

“Yup,” I said, as cutely as I could, while Jess made a gagging face.

“Yeah?” he said, sounding amused. “Or did you just wanna ask me what band you’re working for?”

“Yeah, that too,” I laughed. “So? Who is it?”

“Oh, it’s that new band that’s so popular now,” Jake said. “That Korean one– Mercury.”

“Did you… did you just say Mercury?” I hoped I’d misheard. Jess locked eyes with me and gave a horrified, if overdramatic look.

“Yeah, them,” he answered. “Why, don’t tell me you’re a fan? Damn, is this bad news for me?” His voice was joking.

“No, no,” I said quickly. “Not a fan. Nope. Never heard a song. Never been to a concert. Didn’t even know about them until today!”

“Okay,” Jake said slowly, a little weirded out, I guessed, from my frantic answer. “Alright, well, I’m on my shift right now, so…”

“Oh, that’s okay,” I said, trying to sound as cheery as possible. I probably sounded demented. “Okay, bye.”

“Bye.”

“Are you serious?!” Jess burst into my ear as soon as I’d cut the line. “You’re working for them?”

“Yeah,” I said. “I’m gonna be living with them.”

  
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