CHAPTER 4: The Offer

It's been an hour and I can't still process all the things that have been running in my mind. I am now sitting at the long table inside this grand hall. I don't know where I really am. I just found myself here. 

And what creeps me the most is the man who is in front of me who keeps on staring like I did the most terrible thing I could ever do. I don't know why I feel like I became a prisoner, but I don't know, I kinda feel safe perhaps.

After what he said earlier, he did not respond to my questions anymore. He was just there, observing my every move. I am literally hungry now, but I don't want to move any utensils above the table. It was just me and the silence.

"Why don't you eat first?" The old lady came back. I learned that she was the oldest maid here in this mansion. Yes, it was a mansion and I feel lower than a servant. The way they dress is like they have been serving a Queen and a King. If this person in front of me was the prince, I don't think I could go and have a glance at his parents. It's scary to think that I am in a place I am not aware of.

Aside from that, I don't need to worry about how my clothes changed. I thought it was him, Giovanni, it was his name according to him, was the one who changed it. But seeing him look at me, with a little disgust on his face, will not waste his time and precious hands to touch a woman like me. It was the Head Servant, Manang Rosie who did that. And I am thankful to know that it was her after all.

I gave her a quick smile once she walked towards me with the pitcher of juice. Her hands have gloves and her uniform suits her well. She was about 50 years of age still, her beauty won't deny that she got many men to fall for her when she was younger.

"I am just okay, thank you, Manang Rosie." I said, almost a whisper since I don't want to create a loud noise. 

She smiled at me, a genuine one. She feels so genuine, indeed. She then put the pitcher on the long table, took two glasses and poured the juice in it. She gave it to me and her young master, Giovanni. That's what she calls him.

"Here is your juice, young master." Giovanni took a glance at her and nodded. He will not say thank you? Even if she was just his maid, he still needs to be grateful. Manang Rosie really serving him nicely.

When Manang Rosie gave me one, I smiled at her and bowed my head a little. "Thank you, Mang Rosie," I said and that made her laugh.

"You don't need to do that, Lady. Just sit and relax, don't feel tense. You are a guest. No one will eat you here, go and give yourself a bite. That food was made by our main chef. Enjoy yourself and excuse me for a while." It was a deafening silence again when Manang Rosie left. 

I was about to grab my knife and fork to eat when Giovanni spoke.

"Where do you live?" He asked me, I bit my lips a little and posture myself to focus on his question that I find hard to answer. I don't know if I still have a home to go after this, though I don't really have intention to go back.

"In my house?" Well, that was the craziest answer that came to my mind. I should not be speaking in front of this man. He looks so fine but I think his mind goes in a different way.

I saw how his forehead frowned, those thin lines on it made him more attractive but hell, I am not interested in it. It gives me creeps. I can't help but to gulp, I know my answer is silly. He might find it offensive as he was asking me seriously. 

I think this is because I have not eaten yet since yesterday. 

"Are you trying to make me look like a fool?" He asked me, his jaw clenching, teeth gritting and eyes glaring at me. And now, I wish I was already outside this mansion, making my way out of this burning place. I would love to roam around the dark street than to sit here with this man. I don't really know him and how I got here.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to answer that kind of nonsense. But, can I eat first?" I know I have a thick face. His face began to be calm, and then he sighed and nodded his head while he kept his stare at me. I think he did not even blink.

Since I am really that hungry, I can feel it. I started eating, not minding those eyes on me. Seeing these foods here makes me want to grab more. They are all delicious and made by a chef, I should be grateful that I am experiencing this right now before the storm.

"Are you a pig?" He asked me in the middle of my ritual. I raised my head and looked at him with the chicken in my mouth. I did not realize that I am already using my hand to eat since I am having a hard time using a knife and fork on meats.

I stopped for a while and then took some tissue to clean my hands. I smiled at him. "They are all delicious," I said.

"They should be." He answered quickly, like telling me that it was the most obvious answer he could give and I need to think. "Psh. Make it fast and follow me after," that was the last thing he said before leaving me here in the dining hall. He walked away with both hands in his pocket. Woah, rich men really behave like brat, don't they?

He did not even wait for my answer. Well, I think as long as I am here, he will be the one to follow.

After a few minutes, I am already done. One of the maids smiled and walked towards me. I stood up from my seat and started cleaning the table, especially the things I used.

"Ma'am, let us do that. Young Master is in the garden. You can follow him now." The maid that was about in her 20's stopped me from what I am doing. 

"No, it's okay. I will clean up this first and then follow him." I told her with a smile but her face turned into a worried one. 

She leaned towards me and then whispered. "It's prohibited to make the guests work. So just give this to me Ma'am and enjoy your stay here," she said. I sighed and nodded my head and stopped myself from helping her. 

"Okay, but don't call me Ma'am after this. My name is Ariadne," I said and offered her my hand, however, she just looked at it and smiled at me. She glanced at the both sides of the hall first and when she did not see anyone, she immediately accepted my hand in return.

"My name is Zoe," she said.

"Nice to meet you, Zoe."

"You too, Ma'am—err Ariadne." I smiled as she awkwardly says my name. "Young Master is waiting for you, just go straight in that area and you will find a door to the garden." I nodded my head at her and followed what she said. I walked straight to the hall until I found the door, beside that door are plants so I think this is the door to the garden, like she was telling me.

Once I opened it, my eyes widened to see this small forest. It's not only a garden but a paradise. There are many flowers, big trees with fruits, birds and butterflies flying around. I was in the middle of wandering around when I saw a man in the lake. He was standing there, and seeing his back, I knew it was him. It was Giovanni.

"It's so beautiful here," I said as I reached him. He finally felt my presence and turned his body around me. I smiled, an awkward one when he stared at me. Does he really like doing that? Staring at someone? It makes me uncomfortable, especially that I don't know what is running in his mind. In what I experienced, I really need to be more cautious and protect myself from guys. They don't deserve my loyalty if they will just use it for their own pleasure. I don't know him yet, even the person I know too well already has a thought of selling me at that time.

"What's your name?" He asked. 

"Ariadne, Carleigh Ariadne Gabriel." I told him. He looked at me seriously before diverting his gaze away for a second.

"Gabriel." He repeated.

"Yes, why?" I asked him since he looks like trying to remember something connected with my surname. Well, I think my last name is just common.

"I don't care about the origin of your surname or where you live anymore. But I will offer you a position in my company," he told me directly. I frowned and bit my lips as I felt the same nervousness when that bastard perverted me. Is he like him? Is he like them?

"W-what is it?" I asked nervously.

"Be my secretary." 

N-no.