Chapter 4
She led us to the mansion, and I started a second round of "wows" and gasps.
It had soaring ceilings and large windows that let it get flooded with natural light. Even though the furniture was extremely chic and pure white, the walls were white too; one might even mistake it for heaven.
"He must be a neat freak," I whispered.
"This way, please," the lady interrupted, and we began to walk again. We followed her until she got to a large brown door.
"One second," she said, knocked, and walked into the room.
In a few minutes, she walked out and asked that we follow her in.
The place was a lot larger on the inside; it had books on shelves that ran from the ceiling to the ground. The only window was a large, round one on the ceiling.
A giant desk and a cushioned chair behind it. I froze at the sight of him. The person who was supposed to be my boss looked like a person carved by Aphrodite herself.
His deep black eyes burned with fire; he looked fierce yet calm, cold yet mild. It was heavenly; I felt my eyes smiling at him.
I was bemused at how good-looking he was, and I swallowed hard when our eyes met. In his hands was a book called Pride and Prejudice.
"Name?" He asked, closing the book and dropping it on the table. My belly tingled at the sound of his soft baritone voice.
"Anastasia," my aunt answered.
"Come closer," he said to me, and I moved closer swiftly.
"Age?" he asked.
"Eighteen, sir," my aunt replied again.
"Let the girl speak," he ordered, folding the sleeves of his white cotton shirt.
"Eighteen," I said shakily.
He nodded at the maid, and she escorted us out.
We got back to the living room, and she gestured that we sit down.
"She starts immediately," she said.
What?
My infatuation has suddenly disappeared, and I have shot questioning eyes at my aunt.
"Okay, but her clothes and other important things?" She asked.
"Clothes won't be necessary; you can go bring her things for her, but she is not allowed to leave unless she is refusing the job," the lady replied.
"I refuse it!" I said it firmly.
"Shut it, you twirp!" My aunt yelled and immediately returned her gaze to the lady.
"We agree; thank you so much," she replied.
The lady nodded and stood up; my aunt followed, and I sat there completely dumbfounded.
"I will be right back," the maid announced.
As soon as they both disappeared, I heard that soft baritone call my name. At first, I thought I was imagining it.
"Anastasia?" He called again, and I turned around to see him standing at the entrance of the passage that led to the large library he was in.
I stood up and immediately lost my balance, making me fall back to the chair. I stood up again, and he watched me patiently till I was in front of him.
"Yes, sir," I answered.
"Please, I prefer Master," he replied, and I scoffed.
What a jerk.
"Did you just scoff at me?" He questioned me, and I swallowed hard.
He sized me up for a while, and I watched in fear.
"Come here," he ordered, and before I could say a word, he pulled me with him to his study.
I stood there head down, and my heart was beating so loudly I could hear it.
What is his problem?
What's going on?
I want to go home.
He paced for a few seconds and then walked to the desk. He opened a drawer and pulled out a rubber band.
He walked behind me, and I just stood there, shivering. He carefully lifted my hair, and my belly churned as his thumb touched my neck.
He tied it up into a smooth ponytail with the rubber band. I wanted to pull out my intestines as I felt them twist into a giant knot.
"Always tie your hair up," he said calmly, and he retreated to his chair. I felt extremely irritated and flustered at the same time.
"Yes, Master," I whispered.
"Get out," he replied, and I literally ran out.
I met the lady on the way, and I paused to catch my breath.
"What's his problem?" I blinked.
"This way, please." She ignored my question and began to walk away. I took a few seconds to catch my breath and immediately began to follow her again.
I followed her as she stopped at a room with two large white doors and a golden tag that read Ages 18–20.
Is this supposed to be a nursery?
She opened the door, and all the girls were asleep on white bunk beds. It was well furnished with a white wardrobe, drawers, and dressing tables. I was starting to get sick of the colour.
I let my eyes do a random head count, and it came up to 11, with one bed empty.
"I don't get it. Why are they all asleep?" I whispered.
She ignored me again, and I swear it's the last time I try to get friendly with her. She closed the door behind me and walked to the bunk with the empty space.
"The girl up here is Sarah; she is your bunkmate. Try to get to know her when she wakes up," she said, and I nodded.
"Now the rules," she bent to pull out a loose thread from the bow on her black flat shoe.
"Maids at ages 18 to 20 work between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., while those of ages 21 to 23 work the rest of the day. They are all sleeping because they have been working since 6 a.m. It's a big house, and there's a lot to do."
She answered my first question, and she was back on my friend list.
"My name is Penelope, and I'm the head maid. The master addresses us according to the number tags on our uniforms. He never uses names," she added, and my eyes searched for a name tag on her uniform.
"Well, I'm an exception," she added.
My heart fell at the thought of never hearing that baritone call my name again.
I'm supposed to be asexual, or at least I thought I was.
"Your uniform will be brought to you shortly. Any more questions?"
"No, Penelope," I said, shaking my head.
"Okay then, enjoy the rest of your evening," she said, walking away immediately.
I looked around the place and admired the pink curtains—finally, something that added life to the room.
I laid on the bed, waiting patiently for someone to wake up, and soon fell into my own slumber.