There is someone standing in the doorway when she turns around from getting one of the corners.

The note she - he, he feels very much like a guy all of a sudden with someone else to see - was holding cuts off into a surprised yell.  The rich lady said there wasn't anyone coming, so this is probably an intruder of some sort - is there anything he can use as a weapon; the vacuum's too unwieldy - not really - she doesn't really look like an intruder, she's just standing there looking equally confused to see him, and she's dressed nicely and doesn't have shoes on; that's probably not standard burgler behavior -

He turns off the vacuum and fumbles to find his phone so he can pause the Carly Rae coming from the sound system far too loudly to talk over.

"Sorry for startling you."

"Uh, no problem.  Miss.  I just - I wasn't told to expect anyone yet."  Probably.  Maybe he forgot, or maybe a text came in - it's probably rude to check his phone even briefly while she's trying to talk to him, so he'll just not do that.  He should definitely say something to explain the way he's dressed - obviously it can't be the truth - "Sorry about, um, this," he says, gesturing, "it's just - I really thought there wouldn't be - I had a dare, from some of my friends - but it was still very unprofessional, and - "

"I don't mind."

"Oh.  Okay.  I'll just - go change, then.  - Unless you wanted anything.  Which I can get you."

"I don't need anything."

"Okay, then."  And he leaves to do that.

His other clothes are not actually very great for being around fancy rich people who are probably involved somehow with the ones paying you, either, but he puts on jeans and a different sweater.  Makes a concession to - herself - the barrette isn't so bulky that it can't be clipped at the back without being visible; the hair above it is long enough to keep it covered.

She He takes a moment to try and process the situation, and heads back out.

"Hey, uh, miss, did you want me to clear out of the bedroom for you?"

She looks up from her phone.  "No, I don't think that will be necessary."

It's dark out and kind of late and it doesn't seem like she just came in to grab something, so probably she's planning on staying the night - but oh right, there's another bedroom.  It also isn't ready to be slept in, Ariel's pretty sure.  He's just - not going to ask about that, for now, though, she looks occupied and that's probably something he can figure out later.  He can just put away the vacuum, and wash the mug he used earlier, even though he just had water in it and it really doesn't need it since he'll almost certainly be using it again, and then he can . . . dust.  Dusting is a good activity that will keep him out of her way but also on hand to be interrupted if she needs something, and won't make it look like he's trying to hide from her and/or responsibility.

She finishes whatever she was doing on her phone, then goes and sits on the couch and does absolutely nothing for several minutes.

Eventually: "You're here because of my aunt, I presume?"

This person is not the same race as the person who hired him.  - Could be through marriage.

"Depends who your aunt is, ma'am."

"Kimberly Rohner."

"Then yes.  Miss."

She props her elbows on her knees and puts her face in her hands.

"If you skip the misses and ma'ams, I won't be the one to tell her."

. . . huh.

"Sure."

She doesn't seem very inclined to respond or move.

"Are you like - feel free to tell me to go buzz off, but . . . are you okay?"

"Yeah, sorry, that's a hard question - um, are you sure you don't want anything?  A hot drink or some water or - something?"

"That might be nice."

If she wanted something specific she probably would have said that; Ariel goes off to grab something for her.

The kitchen is pretty sparse; he was going to go shopping later in the week.  Looks like he's limited to latte mix and water, which at least means he doesn't really have to make a decision?  He heats up a mug of water and tries to spoon the mix out of the can but finds it solid.  It does come apart after some determined jabbing with the plastic scoop it came with, but trying to stir it in leads more to clumps and slightly murky water than a proper drink.

He fills a glass with tap water and brings both that and the mug back over.

She inspects the drink dubiously and takes a sip after a moment.  There's a slight change in her expression, but it's hard to tell if it's a grimace or something neutral.

"Thank you.  It's - I appreciate it."

It is definitely a grimace.

"Hey, no problem.  Sorry it's - there isn't much here yet; I could go see if anywhere's open this late if you n - "

"That's fine."