One step into the Winthrop

Having retired to her room, Tracy lay reclining on her bed, her head resting on her crossed hands behind her. She was smiling at first, but her expression quickly changed.

'Where do we go from here? Is that really it?'

She stared inquisitively at nothing, lost in her thoughts.

'Yeah, the whole Angela saga finally seems to have a face, at least. But me? I pray Mrs Ava hasn’t found out… she can’t find out. I’d be dead. I really hope Mark also sees living here as a challenge. God, please…'

She sat up, crossing her hands in a pleading gesture.

'Too many things to think about. Way too many… Mark, Mrs Ava, my life, and Angela? I hope I don’t die in all this.'

Holding her head, she let out a wicked laugh, eventually settling down to sleep when she heard a knock on her door.

“Who is it?”

There was no response, only the knocking growing louder and more persistent. Tracy, irritated, stormed toward the door.

“Emily? How may I help you?”

She looked surprised, though still visibly furious.

“Your sex lord needs somebody tp suck his dick,”

she said callously, shooting her an evil stare.

“Look… I don’t want to cause any drama tonight. So please, mind your words.”

“And what are you going to do, ugh? Hoe?”

That word made Tracy even angrier, but she suppressed it, biting her lips.

“You wish you were me so bad, I can see it written all over your face. But guess what? You won’t be, you ugly, filthy bitch.”

Emily erupted like a volcano, grabbing Tracy by the neck and shoving her into the room. She was bigger, taller, and stronger, overpowering Tracy in the struggle and eventually pinning her to the ground just as Lady Gene entered.

“Stop now!”

Lady Gene’s voice cut through the chaos. Emily reluctantly stepped off Tracy, who remained on the ground.

“I’ll come for you some other day. That day? Nobody’s going to save you.”

Boiling with rage, she stormed out. Lady Gene held back her words as she watched her leave, then turned to Tracy.

“What’s wrong with you, girl? You can’t let Emily get into your head. Not now, when things are going your way. Don’t you get it?”

Tracy, still not fully calm, faced the mirror, trying to fix her hair and straighten her clothes.

“I understand, Lady Gene. She pushed me to the wall.”

“And you got pinned to the ground after,” Lady Gene added jokingly.

“All that doesn’t even matter right now. I need to see Mark. Right now.”

Lady Gene’s jaw dropped.

“Now?”

“Yeah, now. He sent for me.”

A strange expression crossed Lady Gene’s face.

“What?”

Tracy caught on and grinned.

“You guys aren’t taking things easy. Mrs Ava won’t be glad,” she teased.

Tracy sprayed herself with perfume, getting ready to leave.

“I have to go now. I’ll tell you everything when I get back. And by the way… I signed the contract. I didn’t have time to tell you earlier.”

She said this as she walked out.

“Whoa… make sure you come back to me tonight!” Lady Gene exclaimed excitedly.

In Mark’s room, he stood as usual by the large window, staring into nothingness. He kept checking the time on his phone, wondering what was keeping Tracy.

“She’s really taking me for granted now?”

He exhaled sharply and checked again.

“I'd better not let my guard down. She doesn’t seem like she deserves it. But it’s fine…”

Frustrated, he was about to sit when he heard a knock.

His face hardened, preparing to make Tracy regret keeping him waiting.

“You can come in.”

Tracy walked in, maintaining some distance, her hands behind her back , and her head slightly bowed.

“You sent for me, sir.”

Taking three steps forward, he fixed a stern gaze on her. Tracy tried to steal a glance at him but failed twice, his expression sent chills down her spine.

‘My days...what's happening?… What is he up to?’

She tried to stay composed as he stood silently before her like a brick wall.

“It took you thirty minutes to get here,” he said in a deep, vibrating voice.

“I was asleep, and Emily… she”

“I didn’t ask you to speak.”

His irritation was clear. Tracy’s confidence crumbled instantly.

‘Is this really it? My life partner? What have I done to myself?’

“I’m sorry, sir,” she said, bowing her head, tears forming in her eyes.

“No, you’re not. I want to know what made you think it was okay to take me for granted.”

Trying to keep things from escalating, she held back the entire Emily incident.

“I wouldn't dare to take you for granted. I was my best not to look haggard, sir. I took my bath and...”

“It’s okay. You don’t need all that. Next time, heed my call. I believe I’m clear.”

“Yes, sir.”

He dipped his hand into his pocket, pulled out a debit card, and handed it to her.

“Here. It has over two thousand dollars on it. Go get yourself some nice dresses and cosmetics.”

The disappointment on her face vanished instantly. She looked up, surprised, her mouth slightly open.

“Seriously?”

She reached out to take the card.

“Let me know if it’s not enough. And… my number. Let me have your phone.”

He dialed his number into her phone. Tracy was already lost in her thoughts.

‘Jeez… this can’t be real. Two thousand dollars? For me? Even in my wildest dreams…

This is way too much to start with… I don’t even know how I’d sound if I asked about Angela’s bills. I don’t want to seem unreasonable.’

She slowly looked up at him with a smile. Mark maintained his hardened expression, but Tracy didn’t seem to mind.

“Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much.”

He acknowledged with a slight nod and handed her phone back.

“Go to the hospital today, get the full bill, or even a higher estimate, and let me know. I’ll make sure everything is paid before the sun goes down.”

Tracy leapt with excitement, overwhelmed with joy. She almost hugged him but hesitated, remembering earlier.

“Thank you, truly. Thank you so much, Mark.”

She said this, forgetting about the salutations totally

He remained still, responding with a nonchalant nod.

“Can I ask you something, Mark?” she said timidly, her hands clasped nervously.

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“I want to hug you.”

Mark looked slightly offended, but after a brief silence, he gave in.

“Alright.”

Tracy rushed forward and hugged him tightly. He didn’t hug back, standing stiffly, like someone who had been hurt before.

“I love you, Mark. Thanks for everything… absolutely everything. It means the world to me.”

She whispered into his ear.