The heavy oak double doors at the main entrance suddenly clicked and unlocked from outside.
Victoria turned her head sharply toward the doorway with a startled expression on her face.
She was not expecting anyone to arrive at the estate for another two full days.
The heavy doors swung open slowly to reveal a tall man standing in the doorway light.
Arthur Vance stepped across the threshold carrying a dark leather briefcase in his right hand.
He was a successful corporate executive who spent most of his time traveling for business.
He wore an expensive dark suit, but his face carried the tired lines of travel.
Arthur: Victoria, why is the front security gate unlocked today?
Victoria: Arthur! You... you were supposed to be in New York until Friday!
Arthur stepped fully into the high-ceilinged foyer and paused near the threshold.
His sharp eyes quickly scanned the large entrance hall with growing confusion and concern.
He saw the bucket of dirty water sitting near the foot of the grand staircase.
Then his gaze fell upon the young woman kneeling on the wet white floor tiles.
Clara paused her work and kept her eyes lowered toward her wet hands.
She was afraid of disturbing the rich owner of the home she cleaned daily.
Victoria: My dear, you should have called me before changing your flight plans.
Arthur: The meeting ended early, so I took the afternoon flight home to Dallas.
Arthur took three steps forward into the grand hall toward his wife.
As he walked past Clara, he caught a glance of her face in the light.
He stopped dead in his tracks as if hit by a sudden bolt of lightning.
His briefcase slipped from his numb fingers and hit the marble floor with a heavy thud.
Victoria: Arthur? What is wrong with you? Why did you drop your bag?
Arthur did not answer his wife because his eyes were locked on the young maid.
He stared at the girl's face, noticing every feature with a sharp breath of air.
The shape of her eyes and the gentle freckles across her nose were instantly familiar.
Clara slowly lifted her head to see who had dropped the dark leather briefcase nearby.
Their eyes met across the wet marble floor in total and stunned silence.
Clara: Sir? Are you alright? Did you drop your bag by mistake?
Arthur felt his knees shake as a wave of emotion washed over his entire body.
He recognized the birthmark near her jawline that he had loved twenty years ago.
Arthur: Clara... is that really you kneeling on this floor right now?