THE FIRST SYMPTOM 

CHAPTER 5: THE FIRST SYMPTOM 

What the hell did he mean by he didn't hire me?

I looked at him, wondering if it was some sort of prank he was pulling on me but nothing was pretentious about him. From his stoic expression, I don't think he even knew how to do that. I waited for a second...two seconds before I realized he was fucking serious. 

What the fuck?

"It was clearly written on the papers that you hired me. You even sent your personal assistant to come pick me up. Are you not aware of this?" I asked as it dawned on me that that was probably one of the symptoms of his condition. I had not gone through his medical reports since they were sent to me. That was the first thing I would do once I unpack. I made a mental note. 

"Cal? Cal?" He called for his personal assistant. When no one responded to him, he took out his phone and called him. "Cal, there is a strange woman in front of me who claims to be my therapist."

I could not hear what was said on the other end of the call but it seemed to calm Mr. Greystone.

 "Make sure she is aware of the restricted areas. I would prefer if she does not invade my space." He simply hung up, glanced at me and said. "You should not be wandering around. Go back to the living room, my personal assistant will meet you there." 

"Alright." I obliged. Getting on my employer's bad side on the first day was simply not the way to start. I waited in the living like the good girl I was until Callum returned. When I saw him, I thought he would comment on how I had roamed about but he didn't. Instead, he brought two maids to carry by luggage inside. 

"The chef isn't through preparing your meal. I'm afraid, you have to settle in first. I will have your meal brought to you in your room." He explained. 

"Where is my room?" I asked. 

"This way, miss." He guided me to the hallway with the two maids behind us, carrying my bag. We walked down the hallway, past all the paintings on the wall. The paintings were so beautiful. I promised myself to check them all out in my spare time. 

Walking down the hallway, we got to an elevator. I tried my best to act like having an elevator in a house was normal. Still, I wondered how far was my room from the ground floor. Definitely so far that we had to use an elevator. The elevator took us to the fifth floor. 

"Mr. Sandler. If you don't mind me asking... Aside from Mr. Rowan Greystone, which other person lives here?" I asked.

"No one really. Just me and the household staff. Why do you ask?" He looked at me curiously.

"I wanted to know if Mr Greystone had any family members in the building." After overhearing him talk about how I should know the restricted areas, I wondered if he had any family members he was restricting those areas from. 

I quietly observed the way to my room. It was just the second room we saw when we were on the fifth floor. The maids had my stuff in my room before I entered. They stood aside outside, waiting for Mr. Slander's next instruction.

"We cleaned the room and had it a little decorated. I hope it is your liking." He said before opening up the door for me. I gasped as I walked in into the room. I could no longer hide my excitement. The room was the spelling of luxury. From the polished marble floor to the simple yet classy arrangement of the furniture. It looked like one of those rooms they would turn into a wallpaper. I ran to the window to see the beautiful view of the city. It felt so surreal to me. It had only been twenty-four hours since I was trying to convince my parents that this opportunity was real. 

Immediately I ran to the window, I heard the doors close. They had left me. I happily used the freedom to check everywhere out. It was not a mere room. It was a suite. It had a walk-in closet, a big bathroom, and a mini library at the side with a study desk and chair. There was a mini sitting room with about three couches. It was perfect. I dragged my luggage to the empty walk-in closet to unpack. Unpacking took more time than I thought. I had barely unpacked half of my clothes when I heard a knock on my door. I rushed to get it and saw it was a maid carrying a food tray... My food tray. 

I took it and thanked her. Immediately I got my hands on the meal, I forgot all about unpacking my stuff. I later went to have my bath and change to a better gown. I was about to launch myself on the bed when I heard my phone chime. It was a message from WhatsApp. I checked to see it was my friend Austin. He had texted, asking if i had reached My destination. I texted him back, telling him about my experience. Especially how the man I had traveled half of the world to work for couldn't remember employing me. Even he found that funny. It amused him to the extent he was video calling. 

"What did you just type? I hope it was autocorrect messing around." He laughed.

"It is not funny, Austin. He confidently told me he never hired me." I repeated.

"For real? So, where are you right now? In a hotel? I wouldn't be surprised if be kicked you out because of that." Austin said. 

"Luckily for me, his assistant vouched for me. I am guessing it is related to one of the symptoms of his mental condition. That reminds me. I need to check his medical records so I won't embarrass myself next time." I told him.

"Oh, so you're in his mansion. Wait a minute, is that a bed you're lying on?" He asked in curiosity. "Don't tell me you're giving him extra services in the bedroom." He said jokingly. 

"No!" I laughed. "I am in my room and My boss isn't with me."

"Show me around. Lete have a glimpse of the paradise you are in." He sounded so excited. I had a feeling he was searching for things to make him forget Stella and her toxic boyfriend. I knew that but said nothing about it.

"See." I showed him the size of my room and he screamed.

"Are you in a celebrity's mansion? That has to be the only explanation because this room alone in top notch. My family only own a penthouse in America and it cost us a fortune. Your boss has to be a celebrity to afford all these." He concluded. 

"I wouldn't know. Americans have a lot of celebrities. It is hard to keep track." I went to the window to show him the beautiful view of the city. "But, you are right. He has to be some celebrity or a business typhoon to afford all these. My guess from what I observed so far would be business typhoon. He has that CEO aura. Even his looks is giving that vibe."

"What is his name?" He asked.

"Rowan Greystone." I said nonchalantly but Austin gasped in shock. 

"You mean, you are in the Rowan Greystone's mansion?" He said it like I was in some president's mansion. 

"Do you know him?" I asked.

"Do you have any idea who your boss is?" He asked me back rhetorically. 

"Of course not. That is why I'm asking you."

"He is the most popular business typhoon I have heard of. My dad tried getting him to do business with him but he declined our offer multiple times. That is how I know him. I can't believe you are in his mansion. You are in a billionaire's mansion. A billionaire in dollars, Amanda!" He yelled in excitement. "I am definitely coming to visit you." 

"Alright." I giggled. "Have you heard from my family?" I asked. I felt sad that my family wasn't sharing in my joy. 

"They know you traveled. I told them." 

"What? You were supposed to wait for me to tell them myself."

"They cornered me, Amanda. Your mother brought her turning stick to my apartment. " He said in a matter tone. 

"You still shouldn't have said anything. Now, they are going to be more furious with me." I panicked.

"I think the word is disappointed. But, they are only disappointed with the way you left. Call them and explain. I'm sure they will understand. Besides, they can't do anything about it. You are already half way across the world." He reasoned.

"Alright. I will give them a call." I said before hanging up. Immediately I hung up, my phone rang. My heart skipped a beat at the thought of it being my parents but it is wasn't them. It was Mr. Slander.

"Hello!" I greeted in relief when I heard his voice from the other side of the phone 

"I called to inform you about the dinner party happening tonight. The dress code is simply corporate as it is a corporate event." He informed me. 

"Where will it be happening?" I asked. 

"In the mansion." That was his response before he hung up.