BEWARE OF JUNE CASTELLO

Sylvia shifted her gaze from left to right wondering why David, in all his sexiness was standing right outside her door, clothed in grey pajamas, staring at her intensely like a meal he couldn’t wait to devour.

If he was back for another intense adventure then he had better be prepared to be slapped by a rejection. As far as she was concerned, she was in the mansion to solve the mystery behind her father’s murder not become David’s mistress.

She raised a brow and was about to mumble a word when June slipped out from behind. Dressed in an emerald night robe that barely made it to her knee, June Castello had been standing behind David.

Sylvia’s heartbeat skyrocketed in an instant, and dozens of questions began to flutter in her mind.

Did June come to confront her about her mischief with David? Did David tell June anything? What if he lied that she seduced him? What were they doing by her door at 10 pm?

Sylvia was beginning to slip into a panic. 

June cleared her throat loudly, jolting Sylvia back to life.  Sylvia crossed her arms across her chest, shielding her succulent breasts, and faked a smile.

“Hi!”

June arched a brow, her lips curled in irritation.  

“Hi, Ma’am!” Sylvia corrected.

David remained transfixed in his spot. His forest green eyes were fixed on Sylvia’s elegant legs and soon, he caught himself relishing the intimate event that transpired between them last night.

June slid her right arm into David’s. She then turned to Sylvia with disgust. “Mr. Wells wants to meet with everyone in the servant’s living room this minute. Luna showed me your room earlier so I felt we should inform you since David and I were passing by.”

David pulled June toward him and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Yes.”

“I’ll change and join you guys in the living room,” Sylvia replied and gave a slight nod. “Excuse me!”

She slammed the door at their faces and groaned in frustration. They had to go cozy right before her.  

June and David traced their way to the servant’s living room.

Sylvia swapped her night robe for a red maxi. Her hair was already tied into a loose bun so she slapped a hair net on it and stepped into her flip-flops.

By the time she arrived in the living room, Luna, Shane, and all the domestic servants were there standing except for David and June who were seated. A few seconds later, Mr. Wells descended the stairs, clothed in a black men’s overall. Sylvia was standing next to Luna.

“I think you should make the announcement David,” Leonard said after reaching the living room. 

“Yes, Dad!”

David stood up hand in hand with June. They moved to the center of the room. David turned to June with a smile. “June and I got engaged tonight.”

June giggled and waved the diamond-encrusted ring at everyone.

Sylvia went numb. Engaged? When? Didn’t she serve them dinner a while ago and they all went to bed? She was lost for some seconds until the loud cheers and applause reigned in her ears. She slowly began to clap with a fake smile plastered across her face.

Soon, the feeling of jealousy began to course through Sylvia’s veins.

Why the hell was she feeling sad? She sighed and went on clapping, concluding that She was just infatuated with David and the feeling would wane with time. However, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for June.

Under the most magnificent chandelier and the brightest light in the living room stood June, flashing her engagement ring before everyone and smiling so hard that her cheeks were starting to hurt.

Sylvia felt sorry for the happy woman even though she had an intolerable character. David wasn’t a man to keep. He might cheat on her with every opportunity he gets and she might never realize it or maybe she did know about him and was cool with it.

June’s eyes met with Sylvia’s. Sylvia quickly turned away.

Luna walked up to the newly engaged couple and was about to immerse them in a hug when June drifted backward giving the chef the look that says be careful not to touch me.

 “I’m so happy for you guys. You’ll make a fine couple.” Luna said.

David grinned. “Thanks, Luna.”

“The wedding is in three months!” June spat and flipped her hair.

David had a dropped jaw. Yes, he proposed tonight after they left the table and that was after much pressure from his dad. He had invited June to the mansion that night so that he could propose to her but he never saw the three months ultimatum coming.

Three months? Does that mean he had just three months to try out every curvy girl in New York?

Fuck! He was doomed.  

“Why do you look so surprised?” June demanded with a quirked brow. “We are engaged and engagements lead to marriage.” She turned to Mr. Wells. “Don’t they?”

“I agree with June. The sooner the better.” Leonard said taking closer steps toward them. 

Sylvia swallowed the lump in her throat. It was all happening so fast and she wished her mission will end sooner so that she could get away from all the drama. 

David bite his lower lip and stared in Sylvia’s direction.  Somehow, he wanted to know what was going on in her mind. Her eyes were fixated on the floor while she kept rubbing her palms against each other tenderly.  David sighed and had to remind himself that she was a goddamn maid who was good in bed of course.

If he was, to be honest with himself, Sylvia remains the best girl he had fucked, maybe for now. 

Leonard turned to the domestic staff. “I wanted the announcement to be made before everyone in case the press sidelines any one of you. Tell them the engagement happened in the mansion and you all witnessed it.”

“Got it, sir!” Luna responded on behalf of everyone. 

“You may all head back to your rooms. I’ll have a word with my son and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law.”

“Of course!” June giggled.

***

The buzzing of Sylvia’s phone awakened her to the dawn of another day at the Wells mansion. She staggered out of bed and rushed to the bathroom with a clumsy yawn. Her face was covered by her messy hair.

She took a quick shower and wore the pesky uniform. She moved to the large dressing mirror and frowned. If there was one thing that was keeping her in that uniform was justice for her father and she wouldn’t mind wearing it all day till she completes her quest.

She tucked her hair into her chef hat and left for the kitchen.

When Sylvia got to the kitchen, she met Shane and Annabelle whispering. They stopped immediately after she stepped in. Annabelle left to clean the rooms while Shane turned away with a long hiss.   

The last thing on Sylvia’s mind was starting a rivalry with her co-workers. She moved to the counter to prepare the food basket. 

A few minutes later Luna walked in clutching a glass of water.

“Good morning!” The girls chorused.

“Morning!” Luna replied and gulped the entire water in her glass. She turned to Sylvia. “Miss Castello wants you in her room the moment you wake up.”

Sylvia’s eyes widened in horror.

“Don’t just stand there like a toad. You don’t want to keep her waiting.” Luna alerted.

Shane smirked while Sylvia aimed for the exit wondering why the mannerless witch wanted to see her that morning.

“And you, get these plates cleaned up,” Luna told Shane and pointed at the sink. 

Sylvia made her way to the east wing and in a minute, she was standing at the entrance to Miss Castello’s chamber. She pressed her eyes against each other, exhaled, and rang the doorbell.

Sylvia heard the door squeaking. That was fast she thought.

June opened the door. Sylvia noticed the pearl necklace she was wearing. She had already freshened up and was wearing a black skimpy velvet gown that did justice to her curves.

“I wanted to see you before breakfast,” June said and invited Sylvia into her chamber. “Come in.”

The tongue-tied Sylvia stepped into the room, feeling like it was some sort of trap or perhaps because she was still guilty of sleeping with someone’s boyfriend. 

Sylvia lowered her head with her hands placed behind her. She was dying to check out the room but didn’t want to be caught staring. In the book of etiquette Luna had drawn up for her, there was a page dedicated to June Castello, and looking at the actress in the eyes was not allowed.

“I’ll want you to head the arrangement for my wedding with David.” June spat.

“What?”

Sylvia lifted her head in disbelief. June was settled by the edge of her kingsize bed, her legs crossed. Sylvia quickly cast her gaze to the floor.

“I understand you are shocked but somehow, I feel like you’ll do a good job compared to all the servants here. I’ll draw up a guideline for you containing the list of vendors I want.”

Sylvia swallowed.

June continued. “Luna barely went to a high school and that other girl dropped at Grade 6. But you, Leonard, told me you have a college degree.”

“Yes ma’am,” Sylvia replied. A college degree in Food and nutrition not event planning she wanted to blurt out.

“You may leave. I just wanted to inform you. I’ll get back to you once preparation hit the rocks.”

Sylvia took a final bow and turned around. Every step she took toward the exit felt hefty. June Castello was the most sought-after actress in Newyork and could have any event planner at her beg and call. Luna had all the experience Juna would need.

Sylvia wondered why June chose her. She had barely spent two days at the mansion. It wasn’t about the college degree. She felt there was something else. 

Sylvia was about to grab the doorknob when June spoke.

“Hey!”

Sylvia didn’t turn around.

“I’m watching you,” June stated.

Sylvia gasped and at that point, she knew it was not the degree. June Castello was up to something and she had better be careful.