Page 4 of The Widower
“Working for a rude, arrogant, and insufferable boss isn’t the hard part. What really hurts is missing him once you meet your new one…”
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
Right now, I’m standing in the living room of the mansion where I’ll be working.
A quick glance around told me everything I needed to know—the place was stunningly designed, every corner crafted with precision. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a famousarchitect like Colin Adams. I was certain most of the mansion carried his personal signature. While I was still taking in the space, a figure appeared at the end of the long hallway ahead of me...
A tall, imposing man with hair that brushed his shoulders and a thick, neatly trimmed beard strode toward me with brisk, commanding steps. He stopped about a yard away—no handshake, no smile, nothing.
He looked like one of those villains from the horror movies I’d gotten used to watching—completely unreadable, not a trace of warmth in his face. The kind of man you couldn’t decipher even if you stared for hours.I decided to break the ice.
“Good morning, my name is—”
“I know who you are,” he cut me off, his tone clipped and unfriendly. “The instructions are on the table. Read them.” His dark gaze flicked toward the table before returning to me.“I assume you know how to read, right?”
“I do, and—”
“Then do your job. Memorize my rules. If you manage that—something no other woman has ever done—you’ll survive your time here just fine.”
What a sweetheart. Not.
“If I have any questions…”
“There won’t be any questions!” he barked, cutting me off again, his irritation growing with every word. “You eitherknow how to read and comprehend, or you don’t. Make up your mind!”
“I know how to read and comprehend,” I said through gritted teeth, forcing a smile. For the first time, he didn’t interrupt me—probably because I kept it short, giving him no chance to jump in.
“Excellent.” He turned on his heel and started walking back the way he came.
As I moved toward the table with the papers, his deep voice echoed again, though he didn’t bother turning around.
“One more thing—don’t talk to me.”
“What do you mean by that?” I blurted out, afraid he’d cut me off again.
“Exactly what I said. Only speak to me if I speak to you first. Was I clear?” His voice grew louder with each sentence, still without facing me.
“Yes, sir.”
“And don’t call me sir.”
God, grant me patience… because if you give me strength, I swear…
“All right, Colin.”
“You start tomorrow.”
With that, he disappeared down the hall, and seconds later I heard a door slam—loud enough to make me flinch.
“Well, good morning to you too,” I muttered under my breath.
I walked over to the table and glanced at the list. The first few items looked… normal enough.
1“Don’t bother me! Yes, I’m repeating myself!”
2 “You’ll need to take Joshua to and from school—but only after you’ve completed fifteen days on the job. I don’t trust you yet… and honestly, I’m not sure I ever will.”
3“Your hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.—not 7:01 to 5:01, just so we’re clear. I expect something called punctuality, and if I catch you being late twice, you’re out!”
