Castleton

  Thursday

  Lexington Subdivision

  Mayor Simon Gunther's Residence

  Molly Gunther tosses her dark hair over one shoulder and strolls arrogantly down the hallway leading to the main foyer. Simon's raised voice wafts to the young woman's ears and she rolls her eyes in irritation. With a strong tug on her black miniskirt, Molly tries her best to appear presentable. The less questions Simon asks about her nightly intentions the better.

  Entering the foyer, Molly walks with purpose towards the front door. Simon's back is to her, as he grills whichever government official has managed to rattle his cage today. The strange housekeeper, whose name Molly always conveniently forgets, rushes over and offers to grab the young madam's coat. Molly nods appreciatively, putting on a much too fake smile. Simon turns, phone still pressed against his left ear, and studies Molly's chosen ensemble. The mayor's brow creases and he mutes the speaker on his phone.

  "Molly? Where are you going?" Simon calls from across the room.

  Molly slowly turns to make eye contact with her inquisitive husband. She feigns indifference, for the sake of wanting to get out of that house as quickly as possible--and with as little resistance as humanly possible. Shrugging, Molly throws her hair over the opposite shoulder and offers Simon a warm smile.

  "Nowhere special. Haley and I are going to see a movie after a light dinner," Molly says through her forced smile. "I haven't seen Haley since the holidays. She wanted us to spend some real quality time together. I said, yes. Don't wait up, okay? I might stay the night at her place. Bye, Simon. I love you."

  Simon blanches at Molly's final statement. It isn't so much the what; but the how. He knows that voice. The manner in which Molly declared her love suggests it is not quite heartfelt. Something else is going on. Whoever Molly is meeting tonight; it is not her sister Haley.

  "Uh...Harvey. Can I call you back," Simon says, holding up a finger for Molly to wait. "I'll call you in the morning. We can discuss the council meeting details then. Alright. Okay. Talk to you later."

  Simon ends his phone call and turns to his wife. By now, Molly has thrown away all pretense of joy. She stands with one manicured hand pressed against her hip. Her painted lips are twisted to one side unhappily and she glowers at Simon from her spot near the front door. Simon matches her ire, placing both hands on his own hips.

  "I'm not stupid, Molly," Simon states through clenched teeth. "Now, this has gone on long enough. Where the hell are you going dressed like some five-dollar hooker? And don't tell me that jazz about dinner and a movie with your dear sister. I don't believe you. Who is he?"

  "Who is who, Simon?" Molly screeches, feigning ignorance.

  Simon grows angry and tosses his cellphone across the room. It careens off the edge of a glass table, and a vase falls over on the tabletop. Maryna recoils in fear and backs away from the table. She watches the mayor and his feisty young wife with weary eyes. Simon angrily points in Molly's direction.

  "I knew you were a whore when I married you. But I really did think I could change you, Molly. I thought if you had a nice house, with nice things, and a little stability...You would change. I've given you everything. Yet, you keep...I asked you who the sonuvabitch is, Molly. I want you to tell me. And I want you to tell me right now. Or don't come back to this house...Ever."

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Molly smirks evilly in Simon's direction. As is her usual custom, she tosses her hair and rolls both eyes. Adjusting the bottom of her tight blouse, so that her ample cleavage is more visible, Molly shakes her head in faux sympathy.

  "You don't mean that, Simon. And even if you did...I'll walk into this house whenever I damn well want to. You don't own me, Simon. And you wouldn't dare put me out. Not too many people know what I do about you. Besides, you like what I bring to the table. You're not going to risk all of that over a tiny one-night stand. Are you, Simon? Even for your bruised ego. Bye, Simon. Like i said, don't wait up. I'll probably be all night."

  Without another word, only a tiny chuckle, Molly takes her coat from Maryna and swaggers out the front door. The stunned housekeeper quietly, and slowly, shuts the front door. Maryna peers at Simon, who is rooted to the floor in what seems to be shock. Making her way over to the glass table, Maryna kneels down to pick up the mayor's ruined cellphone.

  "Leave that!" Mayor Gunther says in a stoic voice. "I'll take care of it later. It's fine. Come here, Maryna. I need to talk to you."

  Something about the mayor's voice sends alarm bells through the housekeeper's brain. She glances down at the shattered iPhone and then back at the waiting mayor.

  "I really do think I should clean this..."

  "I said come here, Maryna."

  Sighing heavily, Maryna stands to her full height. She straightens her uniform dress and makes her way over to where Mayor Gunther is standing. The mayor appraises her with narrowed eyes, his jaw working. Maryna swallows the spit gathering inside her mouth.

  "Mayor?" Maryna begins, "If you're worried about what I heard? I would never tell anyone. I don't even know what the young Missus is referring to. I won't--."

  "It's not about that, Maryna," Mayor Gunther says with a shake of his head. "Come. Sit with me on the couch. I need to speak with you."

  Maryna swallows hard, a second time, but nods affirmatively. She follows the mayor to the couch and sits down on the left side. Discomfort overcomes her as she settles into the cushions of the sofa. Only during times when she and Max are pretending to be aristocracy has she ever sat upon this couch. To be asked to do so seems almost foreign. Especially, when the person doing the asking is none other than Mayor Simon Gunther.

  Simon angles on the couch, in order to look Maryna directly in the eye. Maryna looks down uneasily before returning her gaze to Mayor Gunther's stern face.

  "Am I a good employer, Maryna? Do you enjoy working here? Do I treat you well?" Simon asks, his tone soft and almost reassuring.

  "Oh yes," Maryna quickly says. "I have never known a better employer. You are fair, your wages are good. In my home country...I could not have expected better. I am grateful to work here."

  There is a brief pause as Simon considers his next words. Maryna's heart skips a beat. Is he upset that she saw the altercation between himself and his Missus? Is he going to fire her? Where will she go? What will she do?

  "Mayor...Mr. Gunther...," Maryna opens her mouth to say.

  Simon does not give her enough time to finish. Reaching forward and slipping a hand behind Maryna's neck, the mayor leans and tenderly kisses the unsuspecting woman. Maryna stares at him with bewilderment as he withdraws. The mayor's eyes are narrowed even further and there is a slight upturning to his lips.

  "I've always thought you were quite beautiful, Maryna," Simon whispers softly, staring deep into the housekeeper's eyes. "Molly isn't the only person who can have fun tonight. Do you find me attractive, Maryna?"

  Maryna considers the consequences of saying otherwise and nods. The mayor, used to Maryna's quiet nature, assumes she is nodding appreciation for his good looks. In truth, the housekeeper is frightened beyond all comprehension. This is a fate far worse than being fired for observing a heated argument between the owners of the house. If the Missus ever finds out, she will be fired. But if she doesn't go along with the mayor's advances, she will be fired for that as well. Is this not what she fled Ukraine to avoid?

  Mayor Gunther is not privy to the mental battle in Maryna's mind. He uses his other hand to slowly open the buttons on the front her dress. The housekeeper, resigned to her fate, wraps an arm around Simon's shoulders. She allows him to guide her down onto the sofa cushions.