the agency. Surely you understand from my point of view, I couldn’t afford to have the time, money and history I’ve invested in Supreme Cleaning Services become tarnished over a one night fling or a short term affair.”
Jenna was preparing to defend herself when Ms. Princely rotated the newspaper gossip section to her. A photo taken at 2 am showed Spencer and Jenna entering Spencer’s apartment block, a photo taken just after 6 am had a picture of a half-dressed disheveled Jenna leaving the building in her Supreme Cleaning Services Uniform.
“That’s not what it looks like,” she said quietly.
“There may be a perfectly reasonable story behind it and I wouldn’t question your integrity if you confided it to me. The problem is Jenna, that photo is what it looks like.”
“I don’t want our male client base that has the finances and taste to indulge in activities similar to what I’m sure was the perfectly innocent date you embarked on Friday night, believing that may become something we offer permanently, as an additional extra. Our high standards revolve around cleaning services, not the bedroom services our employees may or may not want to supply.”
“Am I out of a job then?”
“No. Not at all.”
Jenna’s chest loosened considerably. She found the imaginary chokehold on her neck disappear.
“He specifically asked for this incident not to go on your records or for you to be disciplined and I’ll respect Mr. Lawson’s wish there. I cannot, however, indulge his whim that you continue working for him. He feels you are the only trustworthy maid in New York, but he’ll soon learn there are others that are as trustworthy as you but a lot less alluring.”
Jenna struggled hard to gulp down a sob. Sounded like Spencer wanted to make up, not break up. Now this was becoming a fairytale and Ms. Princely was the wicked witch.
“Where will I be working then?”
“Here. Once your classes are finished, you’ll clean the offices in the evening Monday to Saturday.”
“Actually. That’s not so good for me. My sister attends night classes and—“
“Your working here won’t stop her education,” said Ms. Princely curtly.
“No, but I need to babysit my niece so my sister’s able to go to school.”
“Don’t look shocked Jenna. We aren’t anti family values here. I understand your predicament. It looks like you’re going to need to use Mr. Lawson’s $1000 bonus to purchase a portacot for you to clean the premises while babysitting.”
Jenna put her head in her hands. There really was no comeback to that.
*
Jenna had no idea why she was shivering when the sun was radiating and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The building in front of her didn’t look particularly foreboding. All things considered, the minimal security prison appeared quite pleasant from the outside.
“It’s going inside that’s the problem.”
Checking the visitor pass still clenched tight in her sweaty fist, she made her way to reception to undergo the formal and unwelcoming process required to visit an inmate.
As they searched her handbag, insisted she fill out reams of paperwork and provide identification, all she could think about was how most people visiting Long Island were rich and visiting the Hamptons - not seeing ex-boyfriends serving time.
Sent forward, on sight of Leon, Jenna thought she might rush up to him and throw her arMs. round his neck. He shook his head, reading her eyes carefully. With two fingers, he tapped the opposite end of the table indicating she should sit.
When he smiled, Jenna’s entire body relaxed. The even white teeth and plump lips stretched over his defined stubbled jaw line. He had a trimmed black moustache and beard and looked impeccable groomed in his drab prison uniform.
“Hey girl, how you doing?” his voice was deeper than she remembered.
Jenna found herself studying Leon quite carefully. He was a monster at six foot five. His chocolate brown skin was flawless. He