The distant sound of my alarm awoke me as I threw my hand around everywhere trying to turn it off. When was the last time my alarm rung before I woke up? I groggily sat up, stretched my body and turned it off. It was already 5.45am. I pulled myself out of bed reluctantly, lay down on my yoga mat and began my daily yoga routine.
I got lost in it for a moment, then finally, when I was sated, I got up, cleared up and got into the bathroom. I freshened up, cleansed my face and got into comfortable lounge wear.
I was sure Luka had already left by now. I headed downstairs, the maids were already going about their chores. I could feel their glares on me. I saw the chef already in the kitchen. I beamed.
"Good morning, Raphael, was it?" he turned and looked at me, probably wondering why I was speaking to him.
"Good morning, mizz." he replied hesitantly.
"Prepare for me a proper English breakfast and have one of the maids bring it up to my room. I'm famished." I beamed at him, picking an apple from the fruit bowl. "Thanks," I threw over my shoulder as I went back to my room.
I looked around my room. I'll need to have some space set aside for a little office in my room. With all the space at my disposal, it would definitely work. But for now I'll use my dresser. I cleared it up and put my laptop there, switching it on.
"Time to get back to reality, and on with the planning." I muttered as I scrolled thoughtlessly through my emails, munching on my apple. As I was at the moment, I needed to figure out a solid plan. I must takeover the Adia business totally, with no fail. I shut my laptop without powering it off and went and tossed myself on the bed.
I couldn't exactly start plotting on an empty stomach.
I took my phone and dialed Asher's number. He picked up on the third ring.
"Hey darling." He sounded distracted.
"Hey Ash. How are you?"
"I'm busy." he was as frank as ever.
"Well, I'm married. You are now speaking to Mrs. Giovanni." There was silence at the other end. I sighed.
"Congratulations honey." came his blunt response. "I'm sorry, I know you're hurting," he said after a beat, rethinking his choice of words, "You're smart and strong though, I trust you. You have your shrewd nature. The only useful thing your papa gave you," he mumbled under his bed. "So make sure you use this opportunity very well, okay?"
I nodded, then realized he couldn't see me, "Okay" I simply said.
"Call me in case you need anything. Any time, regardless of the time difference, I'll always pick." He told me softly.
"Thanks Ash."
"Okay, Bye."
"Bye." I quipped and hung up.
It was already 8.45, what was taking so long with the breakfast?
I headed downstairs, my mind moving miles a minute. The chef had already cleared out of the kitchen. I stood puzzled for a minute. No sign of my breakfast anywhere. What exactly was going on?
I didn't want to jump into any conclusions.
"Hey, you!" I called out to one of the maids who just happened to be passing by. She looked at me a bit scared. "Go and get me the chef."
"But I was-"
"Excuse me," I asked her in a cold tone. "You don't possibly want to directly defy my orders?"
"I'm sorry ma'am," she said, her voice small, bowed her head, not meeting my gaze, and went. She came back moments later with a confused chef.
"Where is my breakfast, Raphael?"
He looked at me puzzled, "I had Lucia deliver it to you over an hour ago, Mizz."
"Go get her." I told the girl who was trying to slip away.
"Yes, ma'am." she replied in a small voice as she went.
"You called?" the girl who I assumed was Lucia said from behind me. I turned, I could see the other maids had begun hovering around. Good.
"Where's my breakfast, Lucia?" I asked her softly, trying to retain my anger. She matched my gaze audaciously and shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. I took one deep breath, calming myself down. I had no energy for this, and i wasn't trying to ruin my day so early in the morning.
"Pack up your things and leave." I told her and turned my back on her, focusing on Raphael.
"Raphael, please, make me my breakfast. I'll be in the dining room, waiting."
I went to the dining room and grabbed the business paper I found on the dining table. I schemed through the papers mindlessly. I could get a job at Luka's company. Wait, that's not such a bad idea.
"Here is your breakfast, ma'am." I looked up. It was Lucia.
Dear Lord.
"Why are you still here?" I asked her, not even wanting to spare her a glance. I put aside the paper and watched her gingerly set up my breakfast for me.
"I'm sorry ma'am, please forgive my behaviour." her head was bowed but there was no sound of remorse in her tone.
"As you all know," I said out loud, they were all hovering around so I might as well have them all hear this. "I am officially Mrs. Giovanni. Respecting me and following my orders should go without saying. You don't have to be told or reminded. Heck, any guest of this house has the right to order you around, because you work for their host."
To Lucia, I said, "Your insolence just cost you your job. You are all replaceable. You had better remember that."
I picked up my fork and knife, inwardly hoping this food wasn't poisoned.
"Please, ma'am. I am the breadwinner in my family-" she was beginning to get desperate, I could hear it in her voice. I raised my hand, silencing her.
"Lucia, leave when I'm still being nice. Perhaps you should have thought of all this before."
With that, I was done with them. I could now dig in to my breakfast. It really was sumptuous.
At some point, they'd all cleared out. I finished up with my breakfast and picked up my phone to send out a simple text.
Let's meet at 1130h at X Restaurant.