Chapter 6 - The Day Maya Quit
Arthur fell in love with Maya before he admitted it.
Mrs. Gordon knew first.
Catherine knew second.
Maya probably knew third.
Arthur knew approximately forty-seventh.
The problem was obvious.
Maya worked for him.
He controlled her salary.
Her schedule.
Her employment.
Catherine's medical expenses depended partly on that salary.
Arthur understood enough now to know affection under those circumstances could become pressure even if he never intended it.
So he said nothing.
Then Maya solved the problem herself.
She quit.
Arthur stared at the letter.
“Why?”
“I got accepted.”
“Where?”
“Nursing school.”
She smiled.
“I applied for readmission.”
Arthur's heart did something both painful and proud.
“You're going back.”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“September.”
He nodded.
Then asked:
“Tuition?”
“Scholarship.”
Arthur narrowed his eyes.
“What scholarship?”
“Not yours.”
“I didn't—”
“I checked.”
He laughed.
“Good.”
She had received aid through the hospital where Catherine was treated.
Arthur accepted her resignation.
No counteroffer.
No secret raise.
No attempt to make staying easier than leaving.
Maya noticed.
Her final day arrived.
Mrs. Gordon hugged her.
The chef cried.
Arthur shook her hand.
That hurt more than expected.
“Thank you.”
“For?”
“Not leaving the first time.”
Maya smiled.
“You were awful.”
“I know.”
“Less awful now.”
“High praise.”
Then she left.
The mansion became quiet.
But not dead.
Important difference.
Arthur continued opening curtains.
He hired new staff.
No tests.
No traps.
Clear instructions.
Fair contracts.
The reading room remained open.
Three months later, Maya called.
“Dinner?”
Arthur nearly dropped his phone.
“As friends?”
She laughed.
“No.”
He sat down.
“No?”
“No.”
“Maya.”
“Arthur.”
“I'm fifteen years older than you.”
“Seventeen.”
“That isn't helping.”
“You're not my employer.”
“No.”
“You don't pay my tuition.”
“No.”
“You don't control my housing.”
“No.”
“So are you going to spend your entire life inventing ethical objections?”
Arthur smiled.
“Probably.”
May you like
“Dinner Friday.”
He went.
