Mission Unknown

Chapter Three: Mission Unknown

Alexandria's POV

"Good morning," he responded. I had overlooked how robotic, deep and sensual his voice sounded. "Without wasting time, please head over to the table that has your name. I don't think I need to tell you what to do."

Everyone scurried round, looking for their table while I stayed frozen in my spot striving to recover. I looked around and caught his expressionless stare. Unnerved, I looked away and scanned the area for anything with my name. Finally I spotted it at the end of the room.

All the mini coffee coloured wooden tables had a ceramic bowl that looked clean on it. Beside that was a sponge, napkin, liquid dishwasher and a small container filled with water. A lot of people seemed confused because the ceramic plate was so clean, so was the top of the table. Few minutes passed and majority decided to wash the plate.

My fingers brushed beneath the table and when I looked at it— there was a small hint of dust. I smiled to myself. Mr. Norman wanted to know who was observant and could spot dirt from miles away. I left the sponge untouched and wet the fabric napkin with a minute amount of soap and water and began to wipe. Soon enough, other people noticed and began doing the same thing. However the old man and young lady from the cab I took were wiping different parts of their table not the bottom.

That's when others realized that we weren't given the same assignment.

I chuckled to myself as I rounded up with cleaning. When I was done, I turned around only to find Mr. Norman looking at me. His gaze bore into my soul through my eyes. I swallowed hard and moved back a little.

"Ms. Dankworth," he said. He looked around then called out names. "Mr. Hensler and Ms. White. Kindly follow me. The rest of you can find four way out."

A chorus of chatter broke out. Some lamenting their fate, some talking about how good Mr. Norman looked, others entirely nonchalant and making new friends.

We followed him down the hall and he directed us to an elevator,  then told us to stop at the twenty-first floor. He walked to a different elevator and entered leaving us standing in front of our own elevator. "Shall we?" The old man asked.

"Of course," I said and offered him a smile before going in. I noticed that the girl didn't say a word but gave us a smile each. She tapped her foot against the floor of the elevator much to my annoyance but I couldn't bring myself to disapprove of her for that. She was nervous. We all were.

The elevator came to a stop and we filed out. There were three doors at measured spans on the  wall adjacent to the lift we came out from and another to the right of were we stood. The expanse which we walked into was bigger than my whole apartment. A long rectangular glass table sat close to the opening by the right with chairs round it. It had a vase in the middle which contained peonies.

The centre of the area had three white couches which looked so expensive. A recliner sat at one end of the room. The television as large as a classroom board was turned on and the news was on play. Of course, the news was about Norman's new technological advancement.

Mr. Norman stood afar off, talking to another man as handsome as himself. Just not as perfect. He turned to look in our way and strolled idly to meet us. That was the first time he behaved human.

He sat on one of the couches with a splendid posture that made all of us seem insecure about ours as we sat down opposite him. Mr. Second handsome stood behind him.

"You have probably have guessed you will all be cleaning here," Mr. Norman said. "Each of you is assigned to one office."

His eyes flickered to mine briefly then he continued, "However, you all will be cleaning this space together. You will sign the employment contract and must abide by it or face the penalty."

Mr. Second handsome handed him three documents piled on each other. "Before that, I would like to get your first names," Mr. Norman announced looking directly at me.

The man standing behind him looked confused and shocked for a fraction of a second. He bent low and whispered into Mr. Norman's ear. Mr. Norman shrugged and turned to me. "Would you like to go first?"

"Um," I cleared my throat. "I'm Alexandria Dankworth."

"Alexandria?" He asked in that automated voice of his. I was already beginning to thing be was actually a robot created by the senior Mr. Norman so he could have a child. He turned to the other lady. "How about you?"

She visibly tensed and swallowed hard. She closed bet eyes briefly and seemed to mutter a prayer before opening her mouth to speak. "H-h-h..."

Mr. Norman looked behind him briefly. I saw flicker of recognition recognition in the eyes of the man standing but it was soon replaced by a blank stare. Just like the mini Greek god seated across.

"H-u-u-hud Danielle," she finally whispered. Her face was red and I could see tears stinging her eyes. I didn't know what came over me but I gave her hand small squeeze. She looked down at it and gave me a shy smile.

"Speech impediment?" Mr. Norman asked.

"Yes," I said answering for her. "It would not matter though, because she won't have to do much conversing on the job. She can make do with affirmative or negative nods if need be."

"Do you two know each other?" He asked.

"Yes, we go way back."

Way back as the car ride we never spoke on.

"Interesting," Mr. Norman muttered. "Here are your contracts. Ensure you read it carefully and sign it. I would be back in two hours."

He stood up and walked briskly to one of the doors then disappeared through it. The other man followed him through the door.

The contract was brief and easy to read. It contained details of the job and penalties for damage done to the company's property. It did not take any of us up to thirty minutes to read through it. When we were done signing, we sat side by side in awkward silence. Neither of us brought out our phones nor uttered a word.

My eyes danced around the room, finally settling on a portrait of the young Mr. Norman. The photo gave off model vibes.

After painful hours of uncomfortable tranquil, Mr. Norman walked out of the door he had gone through and once again took a seat opposite us. He crossed his legs in style and looked at Danielle. "You have been assigned to Divi-- Mr. Elvis— my secretary's office. He would instruct you on how to go about your cleaning."

"As for you, Mr. Hensler, you will be working under my father. He will also instruct you on how to go about your duty."

I gulped. There was only one office left.

"You will be cleaning my toilet. I have someone who takes care of the actual office," Mr. Norman announced. I could swear I heard a bit of prideful scorn in his tone. If I could severe his head, I would have.

My face flamed in shame. Could life get anymore depressing? From being the personal secretary of a multimillionaire, I was going to be washing a toilet.

The toilet of a billionaire.

I scoffed inwardly and said nothing but I made sure to give him a not so polite stare.

He looked at me, his face did not betray emotions. He asked, "Do you have a problem with that? I could always get someone else."

I wanted to tell him to go to hell and get someone but I realized it wasn't wise. I was the one who came for the so called interview plus the pay was going to be worth it.

The job could not be that bad— except he was one of those people who knew very well how to leave a huge mess in a toilet.

"Of course not sir," I smiled sweetly. "When do I begin my job?"

"Well, all of you will resume Monday morning by 5:00 a.m," he informed. "Till then."

The three of us— newly hired cleaners stood up and dipped our had in a bow then strode away towards the elevator. Mr. Hensler stepped in first, then Ms. White and as I was about to join them, Mr. Norman's voice stopped me in my track.

"Wait," he called out.

We whirled round as quickly as we could and looked at each other, wondering which of us he was asking to wait.

"I was referring to you," he said. "Alexandria Dankworth."

"Me?" I stuttered, gaping widely.

"Is there any other person with that name?" He questioned, inserting his hands in his trouser pockets. "The rest of you may be on your way."

I gave a pleading look towards Danielle but she winked at me and mouthed 'later'.