Chapter 5

Bianca's POV

The taxi driver looked at me through his mirror like I was crazy when I gave him Anna's address. He kept checking the piece of paper I handed him, then looking back at me in my simple black dress and borrowed shoes.

"You sure this is the right place, miss?" he asked as we drove through neighborhoods that got fancier with each passing block.

I looked down at the contract Anna had given me. The address was written in her perfect handwriting at the bottom of the page. "Yes, this is correct."

Twenty minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of the biggest house I had ever seen in my life. It was not just a house - it was like a palace made of white stone and glass, with tall columns holding up a roof that seemed to touch the clouds. Gardens stretched out on both sides with flowers so perfect they looked like someone had painted them.

"That will be thirty-five dollars," the driver said, still staring at the mansion.

I paid him with almost the last money I had and stepped out onto a circular driveway made of smooth stones. The taxi drove away, leaving me alone in front of this incredible house that probably cost more than my entire neighborhood.

I walked up to the massive front door and pressed the doorbell. The sound that came out was like church bells ringing, deep and beautiful. Within seconds, the door opened to reveal a woman in her fifties wearing a crisp uniform.

"Can I help you?" she asked, looking me up and down with curious eyes.

"I am Bianca Richardson," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Miss Anna Adams sent me here to... to clean up for her party tonight."

The housekeeper's eyes went wide with surprise. "Clean up? Madam sent you to clean?" She looked at me again, clearly confused. "But we have a full cleaning staff. Everything has already been prepared for tonight's event."

I felt my cheeks burn red with embarrassment. "She told me to come here and clean everything for her business meeting. Maybe there was some mistake?"

The housekeeper stepped aside and let me into the house. "Please come in. I am Mrs. Rodriguez. Let me call Madam to confirm."

I walked into the entrance hall and my mouth fell open. The ceiling was so high I had to bend my neck all the way back to see the top. A crystal chandelier hung down like a frozen waterfall, throwing rainbow lights across marble floors that gleamed like mirrors. Paintings covered the walls - not photographs, but real oil paintings that looked like they belonged in museums.

A curved staircase swept up to the second floor like something from a fairy tale. Fresh white roses sat in crystal vases on tables that looked like they were made of gold. The air smelled like expensive perfume and money.

"This is incredible," I whispered to myself, turning in slow circles to take in everything around me.

Mrs. Rodriguez returned from making her phone call, looking even more confused than before. "Madam says you are to help prepare the east wing for tonight's investors meeting. The dining room and sitting areas need to be organized."

She led me through hallways that seemed to go on forever, past rooms filled with furniture that probably cost more than most people's cars. We finally stopped at a set of double doors that Mrs. Rodriguez pushed open to reveal the most beautiful dining room I had ever seen.

The table was made of dark wood and was long enough to seat twenty people. Crystal glasses and silver plates were already set at each place, and fresh flowers decorated the center. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over gardens that stretched as far as I could see.

"Everything looks perfect already," I said, not understanding what I was supposed to clean.

Mrs. Rodriguez handed me a duster and some cleaning supplies. "Madam is very particular about everything being spotless. Please dust the surfaces and make sure the silverware shines properly."

She left me alone in the dining room, and I started dusting the table and chairs even though they already looked perfect. As I worked, I kept thinking about how strange this all was. Why would Anna send me here to clean when she clearly had professional staff? And why did she give me that choice between cleaning and taking off my clothes?

After an hour of polishing already perfect surfaces, I decided to explore the house a little. Mrs. Rodriguez had disappeared somewhere, and I was curious to see more of this incredible place. I walked down hallways filled with expensive art and peeked into rooms that looked like they came from magazines.

One hallway seemed different from the others. It was darker, with fewer windows, and the doors were all closed. I walked slowly down this hall, my footsteps echoing on the marble floor.

At the end of the hallway was a door that looked heavier than the others. It was made of dark wood and had an unusual lock that looked very expensive. Something about it made me curious. What could be behind such a secure door?

I tried the handle and to my surprise, it turned. The door opened with a soft click, and I stepped inside.

My mouth fell open so wide I probably looked like I was trying to catch flies.

The room was unlike anything I had ever seen in my entire life. The walls were painted deep red, almost black, and covered with things I could not even name. Leather straps hung from hooks on the walls. Chains dangled from the ceiling. There were tables with strange restraints attached to them, and cabinets filled with items that made my face burn hot with confusion.

In one corner stood a tall wooden cross with leather cuffs attached at different points. Next to it was a chair that looked more like a throne, but with straps and buckles built into the arms and legs. The floor was covered with thick, soft rugs that looked like they cost more than most people's cars.

My heart pounded so hard I could hear it echoing in my ears. What was this place? What were all these strange things? I had never seen anything like this before in my life, not even in movies or books.

I took a step closer to one of the walls, staring at leather whips and paddles hanging in perfect rows like artwork. Some were small and delicate, others looked heavy and intimidating. My hands shook as I reached out to touch one, then pulled back quickly like it might bite me.

"Curious about my collection?"

I spun around so fast I almost fell over. Anna stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame with that dangerous smile playing on her lips. She was wearing a different outfit now - a tight black dress that hugged every curve of her body, and high heels that made her look even more powerful than before.

"I... I was cleaning and I got lost," I stammered, backing away from the wall of strange equipment.

Anna stepped into the room and closed the door behind her with a soft click. The sound made my stomach flip because I realized I was now trapped in this mysterious room with her.

"You were not supposed to find this room," Anna said, walking toward me slowly like a cat stalking a mouse. "But since you are here, perhaps it is time for your real education to begin."