Maria was awakened by the ringing of the phone. Without opening her eyes, she picked up the receiver.

"Hello, Maria. This is a call from the personnel agency. You recently submitted an application for part-time work. We have a job opening. Are you still looking for work?" a businesslike female voice sounded from the phone.

Upon hearing these words, the girl abruptly woke up and sat on the bed.

"Yes, yes, of course! What's the job?" she asked with a slight excitement in her voice.

"One of our clients is in need of a housemaid. The position is temporary, just for a month, as the woman working full-time broke her leg, and they urgently need a temporary replacement. A mandatory requirement is the ability to handle art objects."

Maria's initial inclination was to decline. She looked at the chaos in her room, and her gaze fell on the bills.

With a heavy sigh, she said, "Alright. When is the interview?"

"If it's convenient for you, it's today at 4 PM. You can come to the address I'll send you in an SMS."

"Okay. I'll be there. Thank you. Goodbye," Maria said and hung up.

Checking the time, she fell back on the pillow. She tried to imagine herself in a uniform, dusting off bookshelves and cleaning the floor.

"I'm a servant," the artist said with a short laugh. "I need an assistant to tackle these Himalayan mountains of clutter! Well, at least there will be art involved."

With these thoughts, she got up and approached the wardrobe. Looking at her clothes, she pondered what to wear for the interview. When she was a child, her mother taught her that she might have few clothes, but they should all be classic, made of quality fabrics, and fit well. Therefore, she had a minimalistic wardrobe, and as a result, the eternal female question of "what to wear" did not exist. She chose a fitted black dress just above the ankle, with a flared skirt and long sleeves. The dress was adorned with small white cuffs and a white stand-up collar. Putting together her outfit, Maria looked at herself in the mirror, evaluating her appearance before the interview.

Her dress emphasized the slimness of her figure, creating an elegant silhouette and a sense of fragility. Her straight chestnut hair was neatly gathered in a low bun, giving her an elegant look, and a couple of small strands of hair left loose added a touch of lightness to her appearance. Expressive brown eyes sparkled, reflecting determination and self-control.

"If I fail the interview, at least I'll look dignified," she thought and, with confidence, headed towards the door.

  ***

She took a taxi to a wealthy neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, a place she had never been before. Her mouth slightly opened in surprise, and her eyes gleamed with delight, like that of a little child entering a toy store for the first time. The houses here were embodiments of luxury and style. Their architectural forms harmoniously blended with the surrounding nature. As she looked at the palace-like gates and majestic facades of the houses, she understood that in this place, luxury and comfort became an integral part of everyday life. The dense groves and golden fields promised seclusion and absolute safety. Passing the last house, the taxi approached a thick line of trees. Gates were nestled among large spreading trees, with massive columns on either side. On top of each column stood marble statues of mythical creatures, as if guarding the owner's private life from uninvited guests.

Maria couldn't hide her excitement at the impressive entrance. The gates swung open, and the car drove inside.