"I would be late to work today. I'd do an extra hour shift to make up for it."
Swan had shot the text to Mrs Brown two hours ago and she arrived at the building an hour ago however, she had stayed glued in the same spot.
Alessandro was it? He had a massive mansion. One that overshadowed every building Swan had swept past. It is made of rich marbles and tinted glass. A fountain - holding the sculpture of a dancing ballerina, water, with neon light, dripping out of her open hand - is planted right in front of the mansion. And, the terrifying part was that, the mansion had no gate or security. It was completely open for anyone to walk into.
Despite all the red flags the mansion possessed, Swan marched into the mansion, clasping her tote bag's handle in a tight grip.
She landed a fierce knock on the hardwood mahogany door, her determination heightening.
On the third knock, the door flew open, revealing a woman in her mid 60s. She had on a black sequin ankle-long dress with draped sleeves. Her light auburn hair is shoulder-length styled in neat waves.
"Uhm…Hello?" The lady raised a brow, staring down at Swan.
"Hi. My name is Swan. I'm looking for Mr Alessandro."
"Do you have an appointment scheduled with him?" The woman asked.
"No, but—"
"Then, I'm afraid you can't see him."
As the woman moved to shut the door in her face, Swan quickly puts out a hand to hold the door in place.
"C-can you tell him I'm Landon's sister? Please. I really need to see him."
The woman let out a retired sigh.
"He is in a meeting right now. He doesn't like to be disturbed."
"Then, I would wait. I can wait here."
"Okay. I will call you once I deliver your message."
"Thank you!" Swan squeaked, taking a sitting position on the stairs to the front porch.
She had on a white sleeveless high waist tank top and a white mini skirt on. Her skirt could get dirty from the steps but, she cared less. As long as she gets to meet Mr Alessandro and make that offer with him.
~
Swan dozed off on the step and was only awoken by the sound of the door jamming violently. She jerked onto her feet alarmingly, wiping the sleep off her eyes.
Four middle-aged men burst out of the house, dressed expensively in armani suits and black polished-leathered shoes. They swept past her, not sparing a glance as if she was invisible.
Swan watched as they sauntered into a corner of the mansion and each drove out with rolls-royce, BMW and two SUVs.
The door opened again and this time, it's the middle aged woman that had attended to Swan earlier.
She eyed her curiously.
"He has asked you to come in."
Swan was a little bit surprised. She imagined there would be a refusal and she would have to return the next day.
Regardless, she trudged in when the woman opened the door for her.
The first thing that hits her nostrils is the smell of baked cheese wafting into the air. Then, she perceived polished perfumes that she knew her ten years of working at the bakery couldn't afford.
The living area is not the first thing she walked into but, a garden. There is another fountain right at the center, a sculptured image of a woman decorates it.
The woman leads them to an elevator with gold intricate.
A unique logo of the initials - AR - is plastered everywhere in the elevator.
When the elevator slid open, they are both ushered into an hallway.
"The room at the end of the hallway is the room Sir Alessandro is expecting you."
The woman said and stepped back into the elevator. With a panicked expression, Swan watches as the elevator slid close.
"You are just going to make the offer and leave." Swan assured herself as she continued down the hallway.
"He is not going to do anything for you because you still have to pay his debt."
She chanted accordingly until she arrived at a mahogany door with the AR logo and a locked-in pass code on the handle.
Swan knocked on the door lightly. Before she gets to land the second knock, the door opened softly and a man in his mid-thirties appeared.
He is dressed smartly in a three-piece sapphire blue suit. His jet black hair is long and styled in a bun.
He glared at her, confusion knitting his brow.
"Hi. My name is Swan. I'm looking for Mr Alessandro." She forced out a smile.
The man doesn't respond and just kept on regarding her with a glare.
"Right. Let her in, Slack."
A gruff tone spoke from inside.
The man - Slack, as pronounced by Alessandro - holds the door open for Swan and she walks into a large office. The first thing she noticed is the AR logo in large gold fonts by each four walls of the office. Its floor-to-ceiling window overlooks a garden. A large mahony desk sits across it and a swiveling chair is right beside it.
Swan's gaze slides to the person seated on the chair.
Alessandro.
He is relaxed into his chair as he regarded Swan calmly. His gaze is not dark like the other night. Also, its not dark, either. She could see his features as clear as daylight.
He was perfect. His piercing blue eyes and other facial features complimented his round-shaped face perfectly. His hair, beeline honey, is slicked back, highlighting his perfect features properly.
"You can leave, Slack. I will contact you when I'm done."
The man, Slack, gives a small nod and stepped out of the office without uttering one word.
Swan is now left alone with Alessandro. And, she is a nervous wreck more than she ever was.
"I heard a pretty little angel is looking for me?"
Alessandro adjusted in his seat and Swan's eyes slants to his exposed chest beneath his black shirt. The sleeves are rolled up and both forearms exposes tattoos inked around it.
"Y-yes." Swan swallowed, collecting herself.
Just make the offer and leave, she reminded herself again.
"I know my brother is owing you. And, I think I can pay you in his place."
"Interesting." Alessandro muttered.
"I will–I will serve you in place of what my brother owes you."
Alessandro relaxes into his sitting stance, regarding her in a mesmerizing gaze.
"How so?" His gruff tone resounded in his enormous office.
"I–I can help you wash the dishes or wash your clothes or clean your shoes or—"
She is interrupted by Alessandro suddenly jerking onto his feet and ambling towards her in a polished stance.
She couldn't meet his gaze because she knew she would be replaying the scene where he brutally assaulted her brother all over again.
"Raise your head." Alessandro's command is calm and relaxing.
When she doesn't respond, Alessandro takes her chin in his delicate fingers and tilts it up slowly until she meets his gaze.
He stared dreamily at her bright, sparkling blue eyes and whispered gruffly, "What is your name, amore mio?"
"Swan." She responded softly.
"Alright, Swan. How about serving me with something different? Take for instance, your body."