Chapter 1: The New Driver

Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The New Driver

"Alright ,Sir. Take care of yourself," the cabman said, waving at Simon.

Simon watched as the red cab drove away, leaving him standing in front of a large compound. He adjusted the strap of his bag on his shoulder and looked around, trying to confirm that he was at the right address.

He checked the address on his phone again.

"No. 15," he muttered to himself. "This should be the right place."

Simon approached the small gate and knocked gently.

Suddenly, two enormous Rottweilers rushed towards the gate, barking furiously. Their loud voices startled him so badly that he jumped backwards.

"Holy Micheal!" he shouted.

One of the dogs pushed its body against the gate as though it wanted to break through and attack him. Simon immediately stepped away, but the sudden movement caused his bag to fall to the ground.

He quickly picked it up with fear.

"Oh my God! What kind of dogs are these?" he exclaimed, his heart beating rapidly.

"Who is trespassing in my compound?" a woman shouted from inside.

Simon froze for a moment.

The dogs continued barking, making it difficult for him to hear anything else. He swallowed hard and tried to compose himself.

A middle-aged woman soon appeared behind the gate. She was chubby, wore a pair of glasses, and had a curious expression on her face.

"Who are you, and what are you doing at my gate?" she demanded.

Simon quickly straightened his shirt and forced himself to smile.

"Good day, ma’am. Please, I’m looking for No. 15."

The woman looked him up and down before answering.

"Who are you?"

"I’m a driver, ma’am."

"A driver?" she repeated, raising her eyebrows.

"Yes, ma’am. I’m looking for an address, and I believe this is the right street."

The dogs were still barking loudly behind her.

The woman turned towards them.

"Ruby! Shark! Enough!"

Immediately, both dogs fell silent.

Simon stared at them and breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

"Good boys," the woman said before turning back to him.

She pointed towards the buildings across the road.

"Look over there. That building is numbered 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. One owner occupies the property. You won’t find No. 15 here, so go to the next building after those two poles and check"

Simon looked in the direction she had pointed.

"Oh, I see. Thank you very much, ma’am. I appreciate your help."

"You’re welcome," she replied.

Simon adjusted his bag and walked towards the building, still feeling embarrassed about how badly the dogs had frightened him.

As he walked away, the woman continued watching him through her glasses.

Then she shook her head slightly and smiled to herself.

"Damn! What a cute driver!"

She chuckled quietly before turning back into her compound.

"Beep. Beep."

Simon pressed the intercom.

Immediately, a security officer in a blue uniform approached.

The officer looked at him. "Yes? How may I help you?"

"Greetings," Simon said. "Please, is this No. 15?"

"Yes, this is No. 15," the officer said.

"Who are you?" the man asked.

"Simon Jones. Jace Cole Agency sent me here for the driver position," Simon said.

"ID?"

Simon handed his driver’s licence and agency letter through the gap. The guard read it slowly, then spoke into his earpiece.

"Ma’am, visitor from Jace Cole Agency. Driver. Simon Jones."

Pause. Beep.

"Let him in. I will see him at main entrance."

Gates buzzed open.

Simon walked in. The white marble floors, tall glass windows, and a black Rolls-Royce Phantom parked in middle of compound, shines like it had never been driven.

And standing beside that car, was her.

Flora Darwin.

She wore a black Chanel dress clinging perfectly to her exquisite figure, her gaze fixed on him.

"Greetings, ma’am," Simon said.

"You are the driver the agency sent?" Flora asked.

"Yes, ma’am.

Her gaze sharpened, she took a step closer, studying him.

"Funny, I didn’t request anyone quite... like you. I hope you will be exceptionally professional? I don’t give room for inefficiency. I let my driver go this morning, Mr Drake. It’s been a long week. I just need someone to drive."

"Understood, Mrs Darwin. I will be professional and dedicated. You won’t have any issues from me."

She looked him up and down, then nodded. Asked for his number. Simon called it, then she saved it.

"Security will show you where to drop your things. Do you need food?"

"No, Ma," he said, his eyes fixed on floor.

"Get the car ready, and wait for me inside." She handed him keys and headed toward the house.

Simon bowed respectfully.

He has finally met her; she looked prettier in real life. In his head, he imagined that God must have taken a whole year to mold her because she looked like the angels he sees in his dreams. As for being professional, that’s a story for another day.

Inside, the housekeeper and chef stood in one corner, gossiping and peeping through laundry room window.

"Hope this cute new driver will last here," housekeeper whispered.

Chef laughed. "And I hope he can actually drive. He looks like a supermodel."

"Since when did drivers become so cute?" housekeeper said. "Are drivers not supposed to have pot bellies from over-sitting in car?"

"This one has abs, not pot belly," chef giggled.

They heard Madam’s footsteps - click, click - on marble floor.

"Madam is coming!" housekeeper hissed, and they ran through back yard.

Simon followed the security to drop his bag. One hour later, he was back inside car. Settled, changed and ready.

At about 2:34 p.m., Flora was standing at the entrance, beautifully dressed and about to leave. She headed towards car.

He sighted her coming. Something dark rose inside him.

Simon could not breathe properly.

Her body looked dangerously seductive. Hips wide and curvaceous, like a real woman. Legs straight and long. She did not just walk. She floated. Graceful, like a super dancer. Every step slow, soft, and powerful.

Simon knew, from that moment, he was in danger.

Flora walked slowly, opened the car door with one soft hand, then slid inside and sat beside him. Not far. Close enough that he could feel her warmth and smell her perfume. Very sweet. Not too strong. Just soft and clean.

Simon breathed it in without wanting to. It made his chest tight. Calm and nervous at the same time. A smell you want to breathe again and again, but afraid someone will notice you are breathing too deeply.

"Good afternoon, Ma."

"Afternoon, Simon."

He became tense. He has seen many beautiful women. Rich women, young women, single women. Nothing ever changed. His heart never moved. But she is different. Just on his first day, his hands shake. Heart beats fast.

"Ma, I need to step away for a moment," he muttered.

Flora looked at him. "Are you all right?"

"Yes Ma. I just need to use the restroom. Please where is it located?"

"First room behind that corridor," she said pointing.

Simon was frozen, his hand shaking on the door handle.

"But wait. Come back here," Flora snapped.

"Why are you suddenly nervous?" she said, looking him up and down.

"Madam, I -"

"Bear in mind," Flora cut him off, I don’t pay for nervousness."

"Yes, Madam."

"Go."

He hurried into the building,his face hot, praying no one would stop him.

Inside the restroom, he stood before the mirror.

"What is wrong with you?" he whispered, hands on sink, head lowered. He is not a teenager. A grown man who should control his emotions. He splashed cold water on his face.

"You need to calm down," he told himself.

Every time his mind quieted, Flora’s face returned - her voice, the way she carried herself.

He was in trouble. Deep trouble.

His phone rang. Boss.

"Simon, what is keeping you? I am already late."

"My stomach is upset," he lied.

"Your stomach?"

"Yes Ma. Please give me few minutes."

"All right, but hurry."

He stared at his phone. "Stomach upset? That was best lie you could think of?"

He washed his hands and waited another minute before leaving.

Flora picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Jace. The driver you sent to me ,is he physically sound?" she asked.

"Yes, ma," Jace replied. "In fact, he is the most fit in the group, and he passed the training."

"Hmmm,I see," Flora said and ended the call.

Immediately Simon entered the car, his face red. He could not look at Flora. Hands shaking, heart beating fast.

Flora noticed. A small smile came to her lips. Not mocking. Soft, knowing. A woman’s smile.

"You are nervous," she said.

He nodded, still looking away.

Then Maya approached.

"Mom!" She shouted with bright smile.

Flora smiled. "Maya."

Maya hugged her. "Wow. Mom, you look so beautiful. You are fifty, but you look better than many women half your age."

Flora laughed. "You are exaggerating. Perhaps I was simply born for this."

Maya giggled, kissed her mom, "Get me my favorite chocolate, okay?" Flora chuckled, "Anything for my queen." Maya ran back into house.

Simon lowered his eyes, ashamed of his thoughts. Flora was now his boss - a woman he had promised to respect, honor, and serve. At least, not for now.

Flora turned to him. "Simon, are you fine now?"

"Yes Ma."

"Mom, please be nice to him," Maya said from the door. "He looks nervous to drive."

Flora laughed. "That’s what real men do without complaints."

Maya left.

Simon thought, "How can a fifty-year-old widow be this beautiful?.

"Simon. You really should get married. You are grown man. You can’t put your status as single." Flora said.

He froze. His hands tightened around the steering wheel. If only she knew the woman he wanted was sitting beside him.

"How am I supposed to marry another woman when my heart is already occupied?" he thought. He whispered so quietly she could not hear, "How am I going to survive you, Boss?"

Flora turned. "Did you say something?"

"No, Ma."

She smiled. "Can we leave now?"

"Yes, Ma."

Simon drove out slowly, his hands gripping the wheel tightly, unaware that the woman behind him had already decided to test him.

She turns and stares.

He was still watching her. Then she muttered.

"If you want to keep this job... learn to control yourself, Simon. Because if you keep looking at me like that ..."

She paused, eyes on his shaking hands.

"...I will have to punish you myself."