But Dominic's rage showed no signs of abating as he towered over her, his voice laced with contempt. "Your life is meaningless without me," he spat, his words like poison. "You are nothing without my love."
He forcefully pushed her away, releasing his grip on her hair, and gave her a threatening glare before storming out of the room, ensuring to slam the door loudly, which startled Arette..
Feeling devastated, Arette curled up into a ball, buried her face in her knees, and cried until she had no more tears left. She remained locked in the Barbie pink room with Mrs. Wolfe occasionally checking on her and other maids, bringing her food and snacks.
It had been more than a week since Arette last saw Dominic, and she couldn't decide whether to feel relieved or concerned about his absence. Being an extrovert who thrived on social interaction, she found herself bored to tears.
Attempting to maintain a positive mindset and avoid sinking into despair, she meticulously examined every corner of the room. She also observed that her room was located on the third floor, realizing that if she ever managed to escape the house, she would need to navigate two flights of stairs.
As Arette paced around the room, lost in her thoughts, she was interrupted by two knocks at the door. Startled, she watched as the door creaked open slightly, revealing a familiar face peeking through the gap. It was one of the maids who usually brought her food.
"Hello, Miss. I'm April," she greeted, stepping into the room with three books clutched to her chest. Arette nodded in acknowledgement, curious about the unexpected visit.
"I noticed you've been cooped up in this room for a week now," April remarked, her tone sympathetic. "So, I thought I'd bring you these romance novels to keep you entertained. I'm not sure if you're into reading, but it might make this place a bit more bearable." Arette's heart warmed at April's kindness, grateful for the gesture amidst her confinement.
"You brought these for me?" Arette questioned incredulously, surprised by April's thoughtfulness, which earned a nod from the maid.
"You, and not Mrs. Wolfe or Chairman Ferrari?" Arette asked again, seeking confirmation. April affirmed that she had decided to bring the books on her own initiative.
"Just be careful not to let Mrs. Wolfe find out," April warned, handing the books over to Arette. "She's ordered all the maids to stay away from you, both male and female."
Arette smiled through her tears, touched by April's kindness. She had never expected to find such compassion in a place filled with cruelty, especially under the reign of their employer, Dominic Ferrari.
"Don't worry, I won't tell her. Thank you," Arette said gratefully, wiping away her tears. She placed the books on her bed and turned back to April. "You mentioned Mrs. Wolfe told you all to stay away from me, both men and women. I didn't realize there were male maids here."
"Yep, there are male maids around. But you've hardly left your room, so you wouldn't have seen them. Most of them work outside the mansion, so chances are you won't run into them," April explained.
"Ah, got it. So, did Mrs. Wolfe say why she asked you guys to stay away from me?" Arette asked, curious.
April shook her head. "Nope, she just told us to keep our distance without giving any reason. We've all been wondering why the Chairman brought you here against, but no one has any answers."
"Miss," April began.
"Arette, just Arette is fine," Arette interjected, granting April permission to use her name without the formal title.
"I can't call you by your name if Chairman Ferrari hears me saying it or even Mrs. Wolfe, I know for a fact that my head and my torso will be separated," April chuckled softly, fiddling with her fingers nervously.
"Anyway, I'll bring some snacks and drinks to go with the books. Even if you're not much of a reader, give them a chance. I promise you won't regret it," April said before quickly leaving the room.
As April walked through the halls, she unexpectedly encountered Mrs. Wolfe, who fixed her with a piercing glare. "Where are you coming from?" Mrs. Wolfe's voice cut through the air, laced with sternness as she interrogated April as if she were facing repeated reprimands.
"I-I, um, well, Miss needed snacks. She said she was hungry," April stammered out of fear, her words faltering under Mrs. Wolfe's intimidating presence. However, Mrs. Wolfe regarded her with skepticism, shaking her head in disbelief.
"I don't believe you. You maids always stick your noses where they don't belong. I'll take you to Miss Arette right now, and if she says otherwise, you'll be in big trouble," Mrs. Wolfe forcefully dragged April back to Arette's room, leaving her no choice but to comply. Despite being in her fifties, Mrs. Wolfe exhibited remarkable strength.
With two forceful knocks, Mrs. Wolfe barged into Arette's room, disregarding any sense of privacy. Arette, sitting on her bed, appeared relieved as she noticed the absence of the books April had brought.
"This wrench say you asked for snacks?" Mrs. Wolfe's voice boomed across the room, her tone unwavering. Arette rose from the bed slowly, confirming Mrs. Wolfe's accusation with a nod.
"Yes, I was hungry, so I left the room to find you, but I got lost in the passage. I ran into her, and she escorted me back here. I also requested snacks from her along the way," Arette explained, eliciting a subtle smile from April, which she quickly concealed. She felt relieved that Arette didn't disclose the truth about seeking her out and instead fabricated a story about getting lost.
Mrs. Wolfe, still harbouring suspicions and unable to openly express them to Arette due to the place she held in Dominic's twisted head, shot a wary glance at April before begrudgingly accepting Arette's explanation. With a curt nod, she released April's arm and briskly exited the room, with April trailing behind her.
A few minutes later, April returned with a tray piled high with nutritious snacks and a jug brimming with orange juice. "You'll need this," she remarked as she placed the tray on the nightstand.
"But this is too much!" Arette protested, eyeing the array of food that seemed excessive for one person to consume at once.
"It's not too much. This will keep you going until tomorrow morning because once you start reading, there's no turning back," April stressed, punctuating her statement with a giggle.
"If you say so," Arette replied with a shrug, settling back onto her bed.
"Okay, okay, I'll leave you to it. Mrs. Wolfe is watching me like a hawk, and she might get suspicious if I stay too long. Bye, Miss. Enjoy the books," April said, bowing slightly before skipping out of the room, her braided ponytail swaying behind her.