His Greed, Her Unwavering Resolve

iew of the city that made you feel like you were on top of the world. But my new job was in a different state, a bigger o

ecent job, and I had always treated him well, paying him more than the going rate and givi

him I had something to discuss. When he arriv

ve some news. I'm moving. I've taken a new job out of

nding. I was prepared to give him a nice severance paym

blank for a moment. Then a stra

you," he said, his tone a little too c

irement? I'm sorry,

"I've worked for you for five years. I'm getting old. You're successful, you're m

r absurdity of the request was overwhelming. This wasn't a corpora

pay you for your services. That's our arra

nished. His

t this place clean for you. I've been loyal. You're rich. A little m

rusted in my home, the man I had always

" I said, my politeness gone. "I am not g

d crossing his arms. He loo

sand a month. You won't even notice it's gone. Or better yet," he said, his eyes scanning the room greedily, "you

asking for money, he was demanding my proper

y allowance? My apartment? You think you're entit

oo, his face

come back to every day!" he shouted. "You young people have no r

usiness arrangement. You were not my family. You were my cleaner. You are not enti

by the door and picked up the s

"I don't require your services for the rest of the month. Our p

is threats and emotional blackmail weren't working. He was seeing a side of me he'd never

do that," h

my assets? You think your service gives you a claim on my life?" I s

my face, his expression shifting from

suddenly whined. "Where am I supposed to ge

was so transparently manipulative. He would say an

id flatly. "Your greed is your problem. You have complete

It landed with a loud clatter t

f my apart

another word. He just turned, yanked the door open, and slammed it shut behind him, leaving me alone in the sudden, ringing