THE DEVIL'S PREY
CHAPTER TEN
Valerie led Sarah down a lengthy corridor in the empire. Everything there appeared incredibly clean and costly, and the walls were painted white. For the first time, Sarah could pay attention to the surroundings. She pondered the precise location of this place
Does she live a long way from home?
"Home?" The thought made her heart skip a beat.
Does she currently even have a place to call home? Her life appears to have been torn apart, and there is no chance that it will be put back together.
Sarah noticed people hurrying back and forth as they strolled. While some were dressed casually and were going about their everyday lives, others were maids in white uniforms.
They all looked at Sarah with curiosity, some of them staring openly. More people looked at her because of the nearly crimson-yellow outfit. Sarah was uneasy in their presence. She tried to dismiss the sensation that she was being observed as she gazed at the floor.
She could still feel the ache from yesterday's torture, but she made an effort to keep up with Valerie's speed. Valerie came to a halt before a door. She opened the door and motioned for Sarah to come in.
When Sarah entered, the first thing she noticed was the tiny room, the three small beds, a dresser, and a small table. From their positions, there were two girls on one of the beds, they both raised their heads. The first girl, whose hair was tinted ginger, waved to Sarah with a broad smile.
"Hi! I'm Francesca, and this is my cousin, Giulia." She said enthusiastically, gesturing at the other girl with black hair and an oval-shaped face, a frown placed on her face, who completely ignored Sarah's presence.
Valerie nodded at the girls. "Sarah will be sharing the room with you. Make sure she settles in comfortably."
Sarah, who was confused, opened her mouth "Why am I here?" She questioned Valerie quietly.
There was silence in the room for about thirty seconds.
Valerie rolled her eyes "This is the maid's Quarters, and you are a maid here"
"But how can I just be brought in here to work as a maid?" Her voice came up again.
Giulia chuckled, Francesca nudged her, giving her a disapproving look.
Valerie ignored the duo and moved to the spot where Sarah was, whispering into her ears, "You escaped death yesterday; if you want to stay long here, then obey", Valerie smirked, taking a step back.
Francesca and Giulia looked at each other, Giulia shrugged.
Sarah nodded slowly. Her confidence slipped away.
"You'll start your duties tomorrow. For now, get some rest. You'll need it." Valerie ordered. With that, she left the room, closing the door behind her. Sarah was left alone with Francesca and Giulia, who were watching her with open curiosity.
Giulia suddenly hissed loudly before walking out of the room.
"Ignore her," Francesca said.
Francesca smiled and patted the bed beside her. "Come sit down, Sarah. I don't bite."
Sarah forced out a smile and sat down on the bed. Francesca started asking her questions, wanting to know more about her.
"How are you?"
Sarah's smile faltered as she considered the question.
How was she?
Physically, she was exhausted. Her body ached from the ordeal she had endured, and her muscles felt weak from lack of use. She has been threatened, humiliated and broken. She thought she had wings; she thought she could fly so high and be happy, but too sad, they had cut off her wings. Now, she is just a shattered bird with unhidden scars.
But emotionally? That was a different story altogether. Sarah felt lost and alone, torn from her family and friends without warning. She felt scared and uncertain, with no idea what the future held.
What would become of her here?
Would she ever find happiness?
As she sat there, trying to put her emotions into words, Sarah felt a lump form in her throat. She swallowed hard, trying to push down the tears that threatened to spill.
The truth is, She is not fine.
Francesca's smile began to fade as she watched Sarah's expression change. "Sarah, are you okay?" she asked softly.
Sarah swallowed hard, finally able to push back the tears that were threatening to fall.
She slowly nodded "I..am. f.fine" She stuttered.
But she knew that's a lie but who cares?
Nobody cares.
Francesca nodded, not pressing the conversation further. "I think you should go get a shower; the bathroom is in the corner", she paused, scanning around the room. "I will pick out one of my dresses for you. I hope you don't mind"
"Oh, I don't. Thank you, Francesca, " Sarah muttered, Walking towards the bathroom. Shattered and broken.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~THE RIZZO'S MANSION~
The breakfast table was set with fine Italian meals and crystal glasses of fruit juice, but the atmosphere was far from being okay. Leonard Rizzo, Ivory, and Aurora sat around the table, the only sound the clinking of utensils on plates. Two maids stood by the dining hall, waiting for the family to finish up with the meal.
Ivory picked at her food, her eyes fixed on her plate. Her mind wandered on how she couldn't secure the deal with Xavier's company.
Wasn't she attractive enough?
She knew her father was disappointed when he found out. And the last thing she wants right now is Aurora taking her place in her father's hearts. She has to find a way to fix this.
Leonard noticed ivory's lack of appetite and cleared his throat.
"Ivory, I have some good news," he said, his voice booming through the silent room. "Xavier Adrian is reconsidering our deal. He's willing to meet with us again and discuss the terms."
Ivory's eyes lit up, and almost jumped out of her seat. This was the last thing she was expecting.
Wow.
She couldn't believe it. she looked up at her father with a smile.
"Really? That's amazing news, Father."
Leonard nodded curtly . "Yes, it's a great opportunity for our company. I'm glad Xavier is seeing things our way."
Aurora, who had been quietly eating her breakfast, felt a pang of sadness. No one had acknowledged her presence, and she felt like an outsider in her own family.
She looked down at her plate, feeling a lump form in her throat. Why did her family always ignore her? Didn't her father care about her feelings?
Everything is always about Ivory.
Ivory this.
Ivory that.
She sighed heavily. She pushed her chair back and wheeled herself away from the table. "Excuse me," she said quietly, trying to get someone's attention.
But Ivory and Leonard were too caught up in their conversation to notice her. Aurora sighed and wheeled herself away from the scene.
As Aurora wheeled herself away from the table, Ivory, who noticed her movements, secretly stuck her foot out under the silk expensive tablecloth. The movement was subtle, but it was enough to catch the wheel of Aurora's chair.
Aurora didn't see it coming. Her wheelchair jerked to a stop, and she felt herself losing balance. She tried to grab onto the table, but it was too late.
Aurora's wheelchair tipped over, and she fell to the ground with a thud.