Monica
Mansion
Francis sat down in his swivel chair and faced me. I still can't get rid of my questioning expression because I'm still confused by what's going on.
Am I being fooled right now?
"I don't really need another assistant," I heard him say.
"Why did you want to hire me then?" It was a half meant question and a half meant statement.
"It is for your safety-"
"There! Here we go again! Did you want to keep me? Then what? To hide me again for someone who wants me dead? And then you will also get in trouble because of me or worst you will also die!"
Is this really my fate? Their fate?
Whoever comes near me, always end up dying.
And I can't afford to lose anything or anyone because of me. My cousin's life is also in danger because of me. We don't know what will happen and what will be the next trap of whoever wants to kill me.
"We are just worried about you. Your cousin is concerned since the explosion." He said.
Please, I want them to understand.
"Why are you so worried about me? I've got nothing now. They can kill me anytime." So they won't have to be affected.
"Don't say such a thing, Monica!" I heard my cousin enter.
I don't want to prolong this commotion any longer. That no matter what I do I still can't be obeyed.
"I am responsible for your security, Monica. Even without Don Massimo, I will not break my promise to take care of you."
"If they really want to kill me, they did it a long time ago even though I was still in Italy."
"Stop! You will work here not because we hired you. You will be here every day, you will not leave until I escort or pick you up. Whenever Francis is, you are with him. He will not give you heavy work." My cousin explained.
"Will I get paid?"
If I'm going to be here, at the working hours and tailing Francis, at least they need to pay me. I am jobless and broke.
"How much do you want?" Francis asked.
"Are you seriously asking me?" I joked.
I can't believe it.
"Yes. I need to know how much salary you want for a month."
"Well, besides on the favours I asked you to do. Just enough to support my needs every month."
"How luxurious you want your life to be?"
What?
"I am not a material centred woman! Enough is enough." I hissed.
"Just wanted to know because I know and I witnessed how luxurious your lifestyle was in Italy."
It was because of Paris, my husband. He always wanted to eat outside or spend time with me outdoors. Playing sports, shopping, he also includes me in his business trips so I got the chance to roam around when he's not busy. But it was not because of my luxurious life.
"Listen to me first, Monica." Mattheo approached me and cupped my cheeks with his palms. "I need to ensure your safety as a promise to your father. And don't say that I do not care about you. I do. And I am your only relative left that you can rely on."
"Alright. Fine. Whatever you say." I gave up.
I sat on the sofa inside Francis 'office and faced them.
"Where's my desk? Where will I work?" I will ask.
"My secretary will provide you with everything. You can start today." Francis said.
And just as he said everything was fine. My station is next to his secretary and just opposite the door of his office. There is also an intercom on my desk and my own laptop. I even have fewer belongings compared to the one next to me because the overlapping papers under its desk are rising.
I sat down and carefully opened the laptop. Brand new and obviously unused.
"This is how to turn on-" the woman next to me interjected but she was cut off from what she was going to say.
"I know how to use a MacBook," I said.
She didn't need to teach me that thing because I grew up using Apple products.
"Okay. Here is the list of the things you need to do for the whole day." She handed me a folder containing lists of tasks.
Orient his schedule for the day.
Make a coffee for the boss when he arrived, after four o'clock and warm black tea before leaving.
Attend executive meetings and write down the minutes.
Always be available when the boss needs assistance.
And more!
Really? These are all I'm gonna do? I thought that I am not the official secretary here?
"These are all the lists?" I asked her with mixed sarcasm.
"Not only that. Sir Francis' schedule changes sometimes and the list also needs to be changed. So I made five lists, you can freely browse it whenever you want."
She even landed on my desk four more folders containing lists.
"Just don't forget to tell him his schedule all day,"
I am good at this!
Even though I haven't had the experience of working in my whole life, I think I can do it. I will be slow or make mistakes at first but I will learn that over time.
"If this is all I'm going to do, what are you going to do?" For me, she handed over all the work.
She laughed. "You misunderstood the job of being a secretary. We do a lot of things, more than you know."
"For now that will be your job. Let's wait for the other orders by Sir Francis."
Well, this is my first time.
I have never worked for anyone. I have never served even my husband. So I was thinking about how I could do these jobs without any difficulty.
The intercom rang on my desk which surprised me. I almost threw away the ballpen I was holding at its volume.
"Ms Carluccio, please come here to my office." Francis' voice was spitted out through the intercom.
After that, it died again. The person next to me curled up and gestured to the door with her eyes. I didn't know what to do so I went to the door and opened it with no idea what to do.
I approached his desk and stopped just in front of it when we were only a meter away from each other. I tried to be formal since I am wearing formal attire. I placed my hand in the middle of my tummy and waited for his command.
"Make me a coffee," he commanded.
"What?" I didn't hear that.
He stopped reading what was written on the paper he was holding but looked at me. Making sure that I am listening.
"I said, make me a coffee." Repeating it.
"You're joking, right?" He knew me!
"Why would I joke in a place like this? This is a workplace. Everything has to be serious and focused on their tasks." He stared at me blankly.
I have never made a coffee in my entire existence. How am I supposed to do that?
"I-I don't know how," I replied.
"You never done making coffee before?" He asked in astonishment.
"No. I always had it instant. We have maids, they're the ones who are making coffee for me."
"You didn't make your husband a coffee?" He questioned it.
I almost forgot that I am not single anymore. I barely noticed the wedding ring I wore every day on my right ring finger as a symbol of my marriage. I don't take it seriously because love is not the reason I'm tied to Paris.
We got married only for the sake of both our families.
"Never," I sternly answer.
I just left his office and went to the pantry to find what this coffee maker says. I have it at home but I don't use it so I really have no idea how to use it. I pulled out my cellphone to call my good cousin Mattheo. Maybe he knows how to use it.
"What's the matter, Monica? Stop changing my mind because that's not going to happen." He started when my call was answered.
"Stop me with your cruelty too. Just teach me how to make coffee." My eyes were fixed on the air.
"And you think I am the right person to ask on how to make a coffee?"
"No. I know how terrible you are. I just want to ask if you know." Even I was confused by what I said.
Just answer me, you imbecile!
"Ask her secretary or search it on Youtube. What are phones for? I am busy as it is, can you just please call me when something is really threatening." And he ended the call. Just like that.
I can't believe him saying that to me. I know how stubborn I am but I will not tolerate that kind of attitude.
You will have a day with me too, Mattheo.
As if Youtube can help?
'How to make coffee using a coffee maker?' But I still searched for it.
What to choose? They're so many of them! I don't know the brand. I don't know which parts should I touch. Which milk should I pick?
I will never do this again!
I still have the finished product in front of me. After all the spills on the table, on the hem of my dress. After all the burns on my hand as I held the cup many times without thinking that it could be hot. But I don't know the taste of it. I don't want to know.
"Is making coffee took almost thirty minutes?" Francis asked politely when I entered his office with the hot coffee on the tray.
"Stai zitto," I slammed down his coffee on his table unmoved by the heat of the cup that brought me pain again.
Maybe he noticed my red hand so he looked at me. He next looked at the coffee stain on the hem of my dress.
"Did you play around the pantry?" He asked.
Really? That's what he's asking me?
"I'm not a child to play around with anymore, Francis. And if you're talking about my red hands and the stains on the hem of my dress that made you think that I played some stupid games around that pantry, then you're wrong. These were all the results of your stupid coffee!"
I slammed the door shut, which surprised his secretary when he confronted me. I sat next to her while still holding the tray in my arm. I was breathing fast because of anger and I felt like I was going to cry again for no reason.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"No. I'm not! I am pissed!" I groaned.
The papers almost tore as I turned each page of it. I don't understand anything about them but I don't care either.
Hours passed without changing my mood. My first day for this job but it seems like I just want to give up. Am I just going to make coffee all my life for one specific person? I don't want that. But it seems that I don't have a choice.
I didn't have lunch. I haven't stood up in my seat since before. The tray I took to the pantry to serve Francis 'coffee was still under my desk. I read, all I do all day is read.
Organizational statuses of the company.
Product knowledge.
Franchises, distributors, suppliers.
System usage.
And a lot more.
These are too much to handle for me.
I feel my head getting heavier and my senses twitching. From all these readings, I doubt that I can sink it in all at once in one day.
"Shift's over, Ms Monica. Aren't you going home yet or are you waiting for someone to pick you up?" The secretary is already putting away her belongings.
"I have to finish all these," I replied.
"That's way too much. You can't immediately memorize all that in just one sitting. Go home first and rest. You can study again tomorrow." She says politely.
Since I need to be driven and I have to divert my attention, I needed to stay.
"No, I'm fine. You can go now." My persistence surfaced again.
I ignored her again and just focused on reading the articles in front of me. She also left and didn't say goodbye to me again because I wouldn't notice her anyway. A few minutes passed and my headache intensified. I want some coffee but I don't know how to make it. If I order it, they will not give me the taste that I wanted.
I ventured to call my cousin Mattheo again so that he could buy my coffee because he knew the blend I wanted but as what happened before, he didn't give me any.
I guess I just have to stick with water then.
"How's your hand?" Out of nowhere, Francis appeared in front of me.
"They're fine," I replied sparingly.
"Does it still hurt?"
"I just said that I am fine. Which of those words you didn't understand?"
I am not going to plan on having a good conversation with you.
"Why are you still here? You must be tired, this was your first day. Go home." He says but I still don't pay attention to him.
As I said, I do not want any conversation with him.
"I'll call your cousin to take you home," He slid his hand to his pocket.
"There is no need, Francis. I will pick her up now." And then my cousin finally came.
He helped me pack the things that I will bring to continue reading at the condo. The management agreed so I will take it all.
"I will discuss everything with her. Don't worry." I heard Mattheo say to Francis as I walked to the elevator first.
"Thanks, she needs to know that as well," Francis replied.
I confronted them because I could no longer follow what they were saying.
"Okay, I am getting more curious. What is it that you wanted to tell me?" I asked both of them.
"I'll tell you everything in the car," Mateo answered.
The elevator signal on this right floor rang and the door opened. I still went in first to squeeze in there at the end. They also entered and they hit the floor that we were going down. They were still talking in front of me as if they weren't with me inside this elevator. I didn't understand anything or I just chose not to understand because they were only talking about a woman.
"I swear that you will like her. She is a very accomplished woman. I'll set you up on a date with her." Said, my cousin.
Who do they refer to?
"I don't care what a woman has achieved or not," Francis replied.
Right! Because that's not really the basis for you to like a woman.
"That's great! I'll give her your number." Mattheo said cheerfully.
I'm just fed up with the idea that my cousin is pimping a woman to Francis.
"I solemnly check my messages or calls which are not important. So it's best if you won't give my number." Francis said.
"Come on, bro. She's damn fine! Let me handle everything, okay?" Mattheo's persistence. He got that on my bloodline, I guess.
"Whatever you say," Francis resigned.
We all went down to the parking area and I went with Mateo to take me home. I still don't talk to Francis even though he also said goodbye to me. I just got in the car and put on a seatbelt.
Our car left first as he followed behind. I confronted Mattheo because I still couldn't forget what it was supposed to tell me. Because I can't wait either.
"What are you going to tell me, Mattheo? That you couldn't say when we were just in the office." I asked him again.
He still looks ahead but I know he's listening.
"We planned to go to La Union to visit the vineyards. And we will take you with us." Answer it.
"Like in the mansion?"
"Yes,"
We're going back there. Am I ready? It's been years and I can't remember what it feels to be there.
I'm getting worried for myself.
"When?" I have to prepare myself at least.
"Tomorrow,"
That's so soon?
Can't I breathe first even for two days because I want to first read my mind that I will see our former home again? Will it be the same? Has much changed? Who are the staff there?
When I got home from the flat, I opened my suitcase and put it on my bed. I don't know which items I should bring because my cousin will say that I only have a few items.
"This dress would be great with my combat boots," I set aside the dress and the shoes on the bed so it could be looked at again.
"Oh, these khaki pants would go a long way if I wanted to stroll the city." I lined it up with the clothes I would put in the suitcase.
My phone rang as soon as I packed everything in my luggage. I answered that immediately when I saw Matthew being called.
"Hey, are you still packing?" He asked.
"No, I'm done. I've settled everything. Why?"
"We'll leave tomorrow at six. I'll pick you up there at your flat because I'm going with you. We'll go by land. Francis is already there." He says so.
It's gonna be a long journey. Traffic sometimes.
"Alright. I'll wait for your call then."
"Alright. Good night cousin."
Then he ended the call.
I know that he said that I should not bring many things. But I cannot leave all these cute clothes I have that I know I will be using when we get there.
We left early tomorrow so I also slept early. Because everything is fine, I have no worries. The idea that I could go back to where I used to live kept haunting my mind.
I couldn't help but wonder if anything had changed. The servants and other staff in the vineyard. Do they even know me?
I woke up to my alarm because it never stopped ringing next to my head. I immediately got up to take a shower and get ready. Mateo just called and I was waiting for us to leave, so I watched TV first.
Thirty minutes before six, I got a message from my cousin saying that he was on his way to my condo. He brought some food so I don't have to worry about being hungry on a road trip. He's very thoughtful when it comes to taking care of me, I gave him that.
"Food is in the backseat. Come in and I'll take care of your belongings. I told you to only bring a few." His car was parked in front of the building.
"I can't! I'm a woman, cousin. I have a lot of things so I have to bring them all." I answered him while my eyes widened.
"Whatever. Just get in the car." To his annoyance, he just let me go.
The whole trip was at least a little bit alive. He let me manoeuvre my own playlist on his radio so I got busy. Every thirty minutes, I am eating a sandwich he made while I feed him because he's driving. He doesn't want to stop because he said that it will just add more waiting time before arriving at our destination.
Country roads, take me home
To the place, I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
"I know it's a lot to take in. But you'll get there." Mateo said out of nowhere.
"I just find it peculiar that I never expected to come back this early. I don't know if I'm ready. It's been a long time." I said.
All my memories gather 'round her
Miner's lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye
"That's the only place I know you'll be safe. They can't follow you because they know Carluccio is no longer a resident there." He said while he is still focused on driving.
"My dear cousin, I have never been safe since my father died. I don't even remember the last time I had a good sleep." I said once looking out the window to observe our passage.
"That's why we're trying our best to keep you away from danger. We don't know when they'll attack again."
"If they want me dead, they will do it. They will always track me down. Everywhere I go. I have no escape."
Our conversation came to a halt when the car turned and signalled that we were at the right destination. The big gate opened for us to enter. The security of the place got advanced. More guards and they were all in uniform. It's like a full force of soldiers.
"We're here,"
I finally saw the house.
It didn't change anything. It's like all was preserved. What was left, is also what I have come to now.
It was as if my feet were stuck and I couldn't move. Matthew opened the door and waited for me to get out. My tears were slowly welling up and I could not look at the house properly.
"We're all waiting for you, Monica." Mattheo softly said.
"I can't do this. Let's just go, please." I crouched down at the last word I uttered as my tears flowed.
It's like waves of memories came crashing my mind and my vision that I cannot move. It's so hard to move.
"Hey, don't cry." It comforted me and then removed my seatbelt. "You're gonna be fine."
"Maids are now taking care of your luggage. All you have to do now is to step out of the car and go inside. Francis is there."
"It's still the same. I don't think I can do this. I need more time." I sobbed.
"You can't move forward if you're always carrying the heavy past. It's hard for you to stand up because the things that should have been in the past are still slung over your shoulders."
"Let us help you, okay? I promise I won't leave you."
Promise again. I don't know if I will accept yet. Some promises have not been fulfilled for me. I don't want to add more. I don't want to hope first.
"Hold my hand. I'll be with you." He plucked his palm in front of me.
With my eyes closed, you accepted and slowly got out of the car. He hugged my shoulders so we could walk closer to the door of the house together.
This is it. There is no time to go back yet.