But I had a job to do, and my place was not to question my superiors. With a nod, I returned to my duties, my movements mechanical as I tried to shake off the feeling of betrayal. I had let myself believe, even for a moment, that there was something more between us, something genuine. But it was clear now that I was nothing but a maid, a servant to be used and discarded at his whim.
I went back to my work, my mind racing. How could I serve Mr. Harrison fiancee without letting on that I knew? What would happen if she discovered my secret? Would she be like Victoria, cold and cruel, or would she be kind, like Rachel? Or perhaps she was another player in this twisted game, another pawn in the endless dance of power and desire that ruled the mansion.
I worked with a new vigor, scrubbing floors and polishing silverware until my hands were raw, trying to push the thoughts away. But as the hours ticked by, the anticipation grew, a thick tension that filled every corner of the mansion like a fog. I knew I couldn't hide from this forever, so I took a deep breath and decided to face the storm head-on.
As I was straightening the last of the dinner settings, As I turned to leave the room, my heart was still hammering in my chest. But my thoughts were interrupted when I bumped into a solid wall of muscle. I looked up to see Mr. Luca, his dark eyes gleaming with something that sent a chill down my spine. He gave me a dirty smile, his gaze raking over my body in a way that made me feel like a piece of meat. I tried to step away, but his hand shot out, gripping my arm tightly.
"You look stunning, Ms. -" he began, his voice a smooth purr that made my skin crawl.
"Emma," I corrected, my voice cold as ice. "I'm just a maid here."
Mr. Luca's smile grew wider, his eyes darkening. "Oh, I know," he said, his voice dripping with a knowing tone that made my stomach turn. "But that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun together."
I felt a wave of disgust wash over me, but I didn't dare show it. Instead, I forced a smile and tried to pull away. "I'm afraid I'm already spoken for," I said, trying to keep my voice light.
Mr. Luca's grip on my arm tightened. "Oh, I know all about you and my brother," he said, his voice filled with a malicious glee that sent a shiver down my spine. "But I'm sure we could come to an... arrangement."
I forced a smile, trying not to let my disgust show. "I'm flattered, Mr. Luca," I replied, keeping my voice sweet. "But I'm afraid Mr. Harrison has already claimed me for the evening." That was obviously a lie
Mr. Luca's eyes narrowed, his grip on my arm tightening slightly. "Is that so?" he said, his tone mocking. "Well, in that case, I suppose you'll have to make it up to me another time."
I nodded, my smile plastic. "Of course," I murmured, watching as he sauntered away. As soon as he was out of sight, I let out a shaky breath, my heart racing. What did he want from me? And what would Mr. Harrison do if he found out? The mansion was a minefield of secrets and lies, and I felt like I was just one misstep away from catastrophe.
Rachel rushed towards me the moment she saw Mr. Luca leave, her eyes wide with concern. "Emma," she whispered urgently, pulling me aside. "Stay away from him."
I looked at her, my heart racing. "What do you mean?" I asked, feigning ignorance. Rachel had always had a way of knowing things before anyone else, and the urgency in her voice was palpable.
"Mr. Luca is...complicated," Rachel said, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for hidden ears. "He's not like Mr. Harrison. He's...worse."
My heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
Rachel leaned in closer, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Mr. Luca...he's not like his brother," she said, her eyes dark with unspoken warnings. "He doesn't care about the rules, or who he hurts. He just...takes what he wants."
I nodded, my stomach twisting into knots. "But Mr. Harrison said I was his," I murmured, trying to cling to the thread of protection that had been dangled in front of me.
Rachel's eyes filled with a sadness that was almost palpable. "Mr. Harrison can't protect you from everything," she said gently. "Especially not from Mr. Luca."
Her words hung in the air between us, a heavy weight that settled in my stomach. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Rachel looked around the room again, ensuring we were alone, before she spoke. "Mr. Luca, he... he's different," she began, her voice low and serious. "He doesn't care about the games we play here. He just takes what he wants, whenever he wants it."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Rachel's words sank in. "But Mr. Harrison," I began, my voice trailing off as I recalled the possessive look in his eyes when he'd talked about his brother's engagement.
Rachel squeezed my hand. "You can't tell anyone," she whispered urgently. "What happens between the guests is...complicated."
My eyes widened as she spoke, the revelation of Mr. Luca's true nature sinking in. "Your first time?" I breathed, horrified. Rachel nodded, her eyes welling up with unshed tears.
"It was a mistake," she whispered. "My mom was sick, and I needed the money for her treatment. I thought if I could just get through it, I could pay the bills and move on." Rachel's voice grew softer, her gaze distant as she recounted her painful past. "But it didn't end there. He kept wanting more, and I kept giving in because I had to."
Emma's heart ached for Rachel, understanding now the depth of pain that lay beneath the other woman's smiles and flirtatious banter. "But why didn't you tell anyone?" I asked, her voice thick with emotion.
Rachel looked at her with a sad smile. "You think anyone would believe me?" she said, her voice bitter. "A poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks accusing a man like Mr. Luca? Besides, Mr. Harrison offered me this job after... everything. He said it was his way of making it right."
Emma's eyes widened in horror. "But the money," she whispered, "it's not worth it Rachel." Rachel's grip on my hand tightened. "My mom's treatment was expensive," she said, her voice thick with unshed tears. "I had no other choice."