I closed the garage door and made my way straight for the main back door. I went through the kitchen straight to his study. But I found it empty.

Frowning, I walked to the stairs, this better be good. I went to his room and knocked on the door.

"Yes."

I clenched my jaw and opened the door. But the room looked empty. I closed the door and stormed to his bathroom.

"You better be decent!" I yelled as I walked around the corner. Mr Black didn't have a door to his bathroom, just an open archway.

He was standing in front of a floor to ceiling mirror, holding a handful of ties.

"What's the emergency?" I asked as I pulled off my scarf. I felt awkward being in here with my boss. I have only been in here by myself while I cleaned.

Mr Black turned to me, he looked lost. "What colour tie?"

My jaw dropped. "This is what you called me home for?"

"Well, yes."

I groaned as I shoved my scarf in to my face. I turned on my heel as I went to the door.

"Montana!" I heard Oliver behind me as I slammed the door. I stormed down the stairs, brushing my hair off my shoulders as I went to the kitchen. My heels on my boots clicked and echoed through the rooms.

Oliver was hot on my heels as I went to the back door.

"Montana! I need your help."

I opened the back door, feeling the cold wind. "No, sir. That is simple." I squealed at him. My finger poking in to his chest. "Today is my day off and I cherish Sundays."

Oliver looked at my finger with a scowl. I moved my hand away and stepped down the two steps. "This is ridiculous. I was out. I was busy!" I hissed as I stepped on to the icy footpath. "I was on a date and you rudely disrupted it!"

Mr Black stepped off the stairs. "That explains the jeans and boots."

I snapped back to him. "I'm allowed a life outside of work."

I saw how he sized me up. "If I recall correctly, you said you don't have a social life."

I stared at him. He remembered that, but not my name? I half laughed.

"How long have you been seeing someone?"

I smirked at Oliver. "That, sir, is none of your business."

I turned back in the direction of my unit. "Seriously though, what tie, Montana?"

I felt rage over come me. I went to turn to him, yell at him to pick his own tie. But my heel slipped on the frozen path and I felt myself falling. I squished my eyes together, expecting the thud and pain, but it never came.

I opened my eyes to see Oliver looking straight back at me. He caught me. I stared straight in to his dark grey eyes. I felt my anger leave me. Suddenly I stilled and Mr Black felt it. I got up out off his arms.

"Thanks." I whispered.

"Careful. The ground is icy." He spoke softly.

I carefully walked to my front patio, holding on to the railing till I got to the front door. I went in and peeled my jacket off. I threw it and my scarf on to the chair and sat down and unzipped my boots.

That could have been painful! I sighed in relief, the realisation catching up. I turned the heater on and grabbed a blanket off my bed and curled up on the couch with my tablet. This weather is going to kill me. No more heels till the ground has thawed, I said to myself.

I didn't hear any more from Oliver for the rest off the day and when I ducked out to the shops to get some food, his car was gone.

****

Mr Black had texted me late last Sunday night, stating he will be gone for a month. I felt the pressure lift of me as I cleaned the last room. All the rooms were covered again. That was when I realised that Oliver Black was a freak with dust. That or he was a Jew that liked his furniture protected.

The month flew by too quick for me and that dreaded text came through. Mr Black will be in tomorrow. I groaned. It was too early in the morning to deal with this and I finished my coffee. My hours will be early again. I was enjoying the late starts.

I can't complain to much, my savings jumped big time but now I have to see him again tomorrow.

It was Wednesday morning. That means I have to cancel my plans with Percy for Friday and see if we can move it to Saturday.

I cleaned up Oliver's room and went grocery shopping. I vacantly put random items in the trolley and paid for it with Mr Blacks credit card. It was the peak of winter.

There was promise of snow and my hopes of seeing it were getting lower. I unpacked the groceries and folded the bags up. I felt a chill go up my spine as I shuddered.

I finished off the study and called it a day. I rushed back to my unit and flicked the heater on. It was freezing. I don't even want to undress to go for a shower.

I cooked up a small lasagne and finally plucked the courage for a shower.

I settled in for the night, my dirty plate on the coffee table, my leg lazily hanging off the couch as I read an eBook.

I had to go to bed though. Bright and early. I moaned in sadness as I turned the heater off and washed my plate. After setting my alarms, I jumped in to bed and was out in minutes.

I groaned myself awake with my alarm. As soon as I jumped out off my warm bed, I was alerted by the cold.

"Cold, cold, cold!" I chanted as I slipped on my socks. I found some clothes and quickly changed from my flannel pyjama bottoms and t-shirt to a sports bra, thick black leggings and long dark blue V neck sweater. I slipped my joggers on and grabbed my keys and phone and went out the door.

It must have rained last night. There were frozen puddles every where. I stepped carefully all the way to the back door.

Stupid me didn't put on a jumper or gloves but I assumed I would only be outside for a minute Max, not trying to fall on my backside for the past five minutes.

I went straight to the kettle and flipped it on. I made myself a coffee and enjoyed the hot liquid. I did most of my work yesterday, so it was minimal today. The only thing I needed to really do was change the linen in Mr Blacks bed.

But I deliberately left it for today because of the dryer. I changed the sheets and dragged the dirty ones to the kitchen. They weren't going in the dryer till I was needed in the kitchen, possibly lunch time, maybe dinner.

I sat and enjoyed my second cup of coffee when my phone buzzed.

Hey you.

I smiled. Percy.

Hey. What you doing?

Nothing much. Still on for Friday night?

I froze. I thought I changed it to Saturday? I looked back at previous messages. No I didn't. Oh crap.

About 8pm?

I thought it over. I could do that.

Great, see you there.

I can do that. Easy peasy. I heard the front door open then slam shut. I opened the kitchen door that led to the corner of the ball room and saw Mr Black. He slammed his study door.

I closed the door I was peeking through. Well, he's in a black mood.

I filled up the kettle and reboiled it, as I got the coffee and sugar out. I made Mr Black his coffee and walked with it to the study. I tapped on the door and opened it.

"What?" He growled at me.

I ignored the harshness of his voice as I went to his desk. "Your coffee sir." I stated then left. I could feel his anger and I didn't want to stay a minute longer in the same room as him.

Sighing, I went and mopped the bathrooms, even though I did them yesterday, it gave me something to do. After all, Mr Black wasn't paying me to sit around.

I cleaned the mirrors as my last job for the bathrooms and put the cleaning supplies away. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I pulled it out and unlocked it. It was Percy again.

Wear something semi formal.

I replied and locked my phone. I'll go to the shops tonight to have a look.

I tucked a loose strand of hair that escaped my braid to behind my ear. I went back to the first floor looking for something to do.

There were sheets draped over the coffee tables and the piano. There were plastic covers on the couches and chairs. I felt a cold breeze come through and looked at the enclosed balcony. A shutter was slightly open. I latched it shut and unknowingly rubbed my arms.

I made Mr Black his lunch and later dinner, not even really seeing him and cleaned up for the night. As soon as it hit seven, I was out the door with a parka and to my car, heading to the city with the glamorous shops.