The next morning I placed two thousand dollars on the counter. Vanessa smiled when she saw it.
Then she saw the notebook.
“You demanded two thousand for rent,” I said. “The work you required from me was worth more than twice that.”
Her smile vanished.
“So after subtracting your rent, this household still owes me money.”
“You can’t just—”
“I can. Starting today, I’m done cleaning your house.”
I picked up the cash and put it back in my pocket.
That afternoon an email arrived.
HAYES MARKET GROUP — MERGER CELEBRATION. ATTENDANCE REQUESTED: WALTER HAYES, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN.
I read it twice.
Then I called my attorney, Andrew Kim.
“Is everything ready?”
“The property closed yesterday,” he said. “The house across from Ethan’s is yours. The remaining documents are ready too.”
I looked through the window. Across the street, a realtor was removing the lockbox from the front door beneath the sycamore tree.
Saturday night would handle the truth.
Sunday morning would handle the consequences.
### Part 4
Saturday evening, I came downstairs wearing a charcoal suit. Vanessa looked me up and down.
“Big night? Did someone finally offer you a job?”