Chapter 4

I sat in the back seat with Elio who was still clinging tightly to my side. His hand held mine, and every time the car turned, he moved closer.

Nicola Conti sat in the front seat, occasionally glancing back through the rearview mirror.

The car finally turned onto a long private road. Lush trees formed a green tunnel above us, and when the car passed the last bend, I held my breath.

A magnificent mansion stood before me. A large fountain decorated the front yard, with an angel statue in the center spraying water in all directions. In the distance, I could see a swimming pool and a private golf course.

"Oh my God," I said unconsciously.

The car stopped in front of the main entrance. An older man with white hair and a neat uniform, the head butler, I guessed, was already standing there, along with a row of household staff lined up neatly.

There were about twenty of them, all wearing the same uniform.

Nicola got out of the car first then the driver opened the door for me, and I got out carefully, still carrying Elio who was half asleep.

"My son was missing for twenty four hours and not one of you can explain how that happened?" Nicola asked them.

The staff bowed their heads, none dared to answer.

"I flew from the Middle East in the middle of the night because you couldn't do your jobs properly! Head butler, step forward!"

The older man stepped forward with a pale face. "Sir, I..."

"You are responsible for the security of this house. You failed. Everyone on duty that night will receive punishment. I will decide their punishment later. Now, take my son to his room and call a doctor to examine him."

Two female servants immediately stepped forward and carefully took Elio from my arms. The child squirmed and opened his eyes.

"Anne?" he said panicked.

"I will follow in a moment. Go with them, okay?" I said.

He nodded hesitantly, then let himself be taken away. I watched him until he disappeared into the house, then turned towards Nicola.

"You, come with me," said Nicola.

I followed him into the mansion. The interior was even more stunning than the exterior, marble floors, crystal chandeliers hanging high, furniture that was clearly antique and expensive.

Nicola led me to a large study on the second floor. The room was dominated by a large wooden desk, with bookshelves filling the walls from floor to ceiling. A computer and several documents were scattered on the desk.

The head butler was already waiting there, holding a folder. Nicola took the folder and threw it onto the desk in front of me.

"Your work contract. Read and sign it."

I opened the folder and read the contract that had been prepared. Everything was clear, my duties and responsibilities as a caregiver, a salary of thirty thousand dollars per month, accommodation in this mansion, and various other benefits. The contract was valid for 3 years, with an extension option.

"I have one request," I said, after finishing reading.

Nicola raised his eyebrow. "What?"

"Can the first month's salary be paid in advance?"

He looked at me for a long time, as if trying to read something behind my request.

After a moment, Nicola nodded.

"The head butler will take care of it."

He signaled to the head butler, who immediately left the room. I signed the contract with slightly trembling hands, then handed it back to Nicola.

"You will stay on the same floor as Elio. The head butler will show you your room and give you everything you need," he said.

He seemed to reread the contract and raised one eyebrow.

"Wait a minute! I think I know who you are. You are one of the founders of A&R Meridian Logistics, aren't you?"

How did he know?

"I... yes," I answered carefully. "But that was a long time ago. I'm not involved anymore."

Nicola stepped closer. "Why?"

I swallowed hard. I couldn't tell him the truth, that my husband pushed me out because of my fat body and because I couldn't have children. It was too humiliating.

"I decided to focus on my family, my husband and I decided that I should leave the company," I said.

Nicola looked at me for a long time, as if not believing it. "You were one of the founders of the company and you decided to just leave?"

"I didn't have a choice."

Nicola didn't push further. He just nodded and returned to his desk.

"I just wanted to make sure that you don't have hidden motives for getting close to my son."

I was startled. "No! I never intended anything like that! I didn't even know who you were when I helped Elio. I just couldn't let a child freeze and be scared."

"Now go to your room."

I nodded and turned to leave but before I reached the door, I stopped.

"Mr. Nicola?"

"Hm?"

"When can I meet the lady of the house? I want to introduce myself and start carrying out my duties properly."

Silence.

I turned and saw Nicola looking at me with an expression I couldn't read.

"There is no lady of the house," he said.

I was stunned. "I apologize, I didn't know."

"The head butler will explain it to you," he said.

"Mrs. Anne, Mr. Conti's wife passed away five years ago while giving birth to Young Master Elio."

I looked at Nicola, who was now standing with his back to us, staring at the window.

"I apologize, I shouldn't have asked. I didn't know," I said.

Nicola just stayed silent.

The head butler handed me a small box.

"This is a new phone, bank card, and some personal necessities. Your salary has been transferred to this account. The password and other information are inside the box," said the head butler.

I opened the box. A new phone, still in plastic. A bank card with my name on it and some small items, a toothbrush, shampoo, soap, and sleepwear. All new and expensive.

"Thank you," I said.

The head butler smiled slightly. "Your room is ready. Please follow me."

My room was on the second floor, at the end of the same corridor as Elio's room. The room was spacious, with a comfortable large bed, a private bathroom, and a large window overlooking the back garden. Much better than anything I had ever owned.

After the head butler left, I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the new phone in my hand. My fingers trembled as I pressed my younger sibling's number.

The phone rang several times before it was finally answered.

"Hello?"

My younger sibling's voice, Lily, was heard on the other end. Her voice was a little hoarse, maybe because she had just woken up. It was probably still morning there.

"Lily, this is Anne."

"Anne?! Oh my God, you called! Is this a new number? Why are you calling from a new number? What happened?"

I swallowed hard. I couldn't tell her about the cancer. Not now. She was focused on her studies, and I wouldn't be a burden to her.

"Ray and I separated."

"What?! What do you mean separated? You divorced?"

"Yes. I already left that house but don't worry, I'm working again. I'm fine."

"I'm coming home."

"No, Lily. You stay there and finish your studies. I won't let you sacrifice your future because of my problems."

"But..."

"Listen to me. I'm fine. I already got a new job with a very good salary. I can pay for your studies. You don't need to worry about anything."

I could hear my younger sibling crying softly on the other end.

"I don't like you facing everything alone."

"I'm not alone, I have a new job, and I have a place to live. I will be fine."

After a while of reassuring my younger sibling, the call was finally ended.

^^^

At night, after managing to coax Elio to sleep with great difficulty, because the child was still afraid I would disappear, I walked back to my room.

When I passed a room, I heard a voice. The door was slightly open.

I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Really but when I heard Nicola's raised voice, my feet automatically stopped.

"I have said no many times. I will not accept that marriage."

The voice from the other end of the phone, maybe a video call, sounded urgent.

"Mr. Conti, this is for business interests. An alliance with the Ferrante family will be very beneficial and your son needs a mother."

"Elio doesn't need a new mother. He already has his mother."

"But Sir, your wife has passed away."

"Never talk about my wife like that. She is the only woman I have ever loved and if you keep pushing me, I will reconsider our cooperation," said Nicola.

"Forgive me, Sir."

The call ended.

I stood frozen in the corridor, my heart pounding fast. I had just heard something I shouldn't have heard.

I turned to leave, but my foot tripped on the carpet and I almost fell. The sound was loud enough to be heard from inside the room.

The door opened.

"What are you doing here?" asked Nicola.

I swallowed hard. "I apologize. I accidentally heard. I just came back from Elio's room and..."

I looked around the room, a room with a red wall tone, on its walls there were strange equipment like whips, handcuffs and chains.