Due to the change in my work location, I'd already informed Paul Miller, my part-time helper, to look for a job elsewhere three months ago.

Back then, Paul had agreed to do so immediately. But when I'm about to move out of my old home, he made an absurd request to me.

"I've spent so many years working for you to the bone. According to this industry's rules, you have to take care of me for the rest of my life. But if you refuse to do that, you can pay me a pension of ten thousand dollars every month."

I'm stunned, to say the least. Did I hire a part-time helper, or did I find myself a financial burden instead?

I turn Paul down immediately, so he decides to take a step back.

"If you don't want to pay me, then give me this house of yours. I can't just leave without anything, right? It'll just show how petty of an employer you are. If not, I'll humiliate you in the group chat!"

Fury floods my senses immediately.

Fine. Let's see who will get humiliated here!

"You're not going to say no, are you? Do you really want me to spill your business to everyone?" Paul Miller, my part-time helper, asked tentatively.

When I stayed silent, he went on, insisting I see things his way, "Why are you taking so long over something so trivial? Sure, I'm just a part-time housekeeper, but I've been working for you for seven years.

"I may not have done anything impressive, but I've worked hard. All I'm asking for is your house. I even gave you two options. Why can't you make a decision? Is it really that hard? I've treated you like family all these years. Don't go and break my heart now."

I froze, stunned by the audacity in Paul's tone.

Moments later, I finally spoke. "Paul, you can't just expect both retirement funds and a house. That's too much. There's no way I'd agree to either. If you want to make a fuss, go ahead. Let everyone judge what's fair."

At my words, Paul went rigid. But he quickly recovered, his expression darkening with irritation.

Ignoring the last part of what I said, he continued, "You might not have heard of it, but that's just how things work around here."

After a brief pause, he added in a lecturing tone, "Honestly, I'm doing this for your own good. Look at you. You're a young man with so much property in a big city. How could you possibly watch over it all by yourself? But if you give me the house, I'll take care of it for you. You won't have to worry about a thing."

As Paul spoke, a calculating glint flashed in his eyes. Every word he said made it clear that he wanted my house for himself.

Since he would not let up, my patience snapped, and my expression turned cold.

"Paul, if you keep this up, I'll call the police. My parents are still alive, so why would I leave you my house? Besides, you have your own children to take care of you. Why are you coming after me?"

At the mention of the police, Paul restrained himself a little. But the moment his retirement came up, he got worked up again.

"Well, it would take some pressure off my kids. And you're rich. So what if I take a little?"

That was the last straw. I slammed my phone onto the table, the dull thud echoing through the room.

"I'll be blunt. Your retirement is none of my damn business!" I retorted, my voice icy. "From today on, you're done here. You'll get paid for today, but if you want more, go get it from the police!"

Having said that, I turned and went back to my bedroom.

As I walked away, I could still hear Paul grumbling, "Youngsters these days are so hot-tempered. They can't stand losing and have no compassion."

I wanted to argue, but the words caught in my throat. It didn't matter. I'd be leaving town in a couple of days.

…

To my surprise, Paul showed up again at lunchtime the very next day.

"Paul, didn't I tell you not to come today?" I asked with a frown.

Yet, he grinned from ear to ear. "You haven't left yet, have you? So, you might as well let me come by a few more times to make a little extra money. And look what I bought for you! Lobsters, of all things! I barely ever eat these myself. You're in for a treat today!"

I sneered inwardly. The way he said it made it sound like I was getting some huge favor when I'd obviously be the one paying in the end.

Sure enough, before I could respond, Paul pulled out his phone and held it out to me. "Elijah, just send me 400 dollars."

But I didn't reach for my phone right away. Instead, I looked him over and asked slowly, "Are you sure it's 400 dollars?"

I had never doubted Paul before. After all, he had always done his work properly. However, yesterday's conversation made me see him in a different light.

Paul glanced at me, then asked, "You don't trust me, huh? I've been working for you for years. Do you seriously think I'd rip you off? Why are you so suspicious?"

I didn't like the way he said that. I had only asked one question, and yet, he had a whole tirade ready.

I crossed my arms and stepped back.

"Show me the payment record," I said in a low voice. "I just need to take a look. I'm the one paying, after all. Besides, I'm the only one eating. Why did you get two lobsters?"

A glint flickered in Paul's eyes, and he retorted, "So what if I bought two? Can't I have one? I work hard cooking for you every day, you know. What's the harm in eating one of your lobsters? Fine! If it bothers you that much, I won't eat it next time."

The nerve of him, thinking he was right. But I wasn't about to put up with his temper.

"I pay you for your work, so don't act like I'm taking advantage of you," I shot back. "We have a strictly professional arrangement. Don't get carried away and start acting like you own the place."

After a brief pause, I urged him again, "Hurry up and show me the payment record. If it really is 400 dollars, I'll pay every penny."

Paul hesitated for a long while before reluctantly pulling out his phone.

When I saw the payment record showing just 80 dollars, my vision went dark, and my expression hardened.

"Wasn't it supposed to be 400 dollars? What's this 80 dollars about? Paul, that's a bit too much, don't you think?"

Guilt clouded his features as he gripped his phone tightly. It took him a long moment before he finally found his words.

"Maybe I misread it. Fine. Just send me 80 dollars then. It's not a big deal. You haven't paid me yet anyway."

I shot him a mocking look. "Good eye, Paul. You're off by 300 dollars. My money doesn't grow on trees, you know."

Paul quickly waved his hand, clearly eager to end the conversation. "Alright. That's enough. I'll start cooking. Just remember to send me the money later."

With that, he hurried into the kitchen.

A beat later, I followed him. Then, I took one of the lobsters right in front of him and said, "I'm the only one eating, so just cook one."

"What about me?" Paul asked quickly.

I let out a scoff. "We agreed from the start that lunch wasn't included. What you eat is none of my business. But you bought the lobsters with my money, and they cost 40 dollars each. That's a fifth of what you make in a day. If you want to eat it, I'm taking it out of your pay."

At that, Paul fell silent. He turned back to the counter and began working on the lobster, slamming the knife against the cutting board. It was as if he were venting his anger.

He scowled as he finished preparing the meal, then marched to the fridge and started rummaging around.

"Elijah, you've still got some seafood in here," said Paul. "Since you're leaving in a couple of days, you won't finish it. Why don't you just give them to me? I'll take them home for my wife.

"You've got plenty of good liquor in your cabinet too. If you can't take them with you, give me a few bottles."

He practically wore his greed on his face, and just looking at the food on the table made my stomach turn.

I put down my cutlery, stormed over, and snatched the seafood from his hands with a grim expression.

"I'm leaving, but I'm not moving away for good. Mind your own business!" I snapped. "Don't touch anything in my house. If so much as one thing goes missing, you'll be the first person I come after."

Paul pursed his lips and reluctantly averted his gaze. "I was just saying. If you don't want to give it, then don't. I've never seen an employer as stingy as you."

He complained about me right to my face without the slightest restraint.

At last, the anger I had been holding back for days boiled over. "Stingy? Know your place! Do you seriously think you're the boss here just because I tolerated you for a few days? Should I call the agency and ask if they even trained you properly?"

For a moment, Paul lowered his head and said nothing.

Before he left, I gave him one last warning. "Don't come tomorrow. If you do, you won't get paid."

As soon as Paul heard that, he threw the apron onto the floor and spat in my direction from across the room.

"Fine! I won't come! You think I care?" he yelled. "Just look at how stingy you are! You won't give me the house, and you refuse to leave me a dime for retirement!

"What woman would ever want to be with you? And who knows what shady business you're involved in to make all this money?"

Having said his piece, he turned and jogged out.

The words died on my tongue as the door slammed behind him.

…

The next day, Paul kept himself in check and didn't show up.

The day after that, I left to work in a neighboring city and stayed there for a full month.

When I finally had a week off, I decided to return home. I contacted the housekeeping agency to arrange for someone to clean my place, but I specifically told them not to send Paul. I'd had more than enough of him.

Yet, what infuriated me was that the person they sent was still Paul. I arrived home to find him just about to walk out.

Before I could get a word in, he launched into accusations. "Elijah, that's messed up! I've worked for you for so long. How could you hire someone else? If I hadn't seen it in time, this job would've gone to another person!"