04

~JADE~

“Strip.”

“Come closer to me.”

That commanding voice…

…Like a strong magnet, It pulled me in and I found myself seeking its source. I knew I was intruding. My instincts screamed for me to retreat and step back to a safer zone, but I was too far gone. I walked further into the room and met a stunning sight.

On a king-sized bed at the center of the dark room lay a stark naked woman. She remained stuck in a sensual pose, like a model in a Playboy magazine. In front of her was a man who I figured had spoken earlier. His sturdy back was turned to me, but his fluid hand worked elegantly on a canvas in front.

Retreating should have been extremely easy, but the model was staring straight in my direction. Her eyes widened the instant she sighted me. She lost composure and hurried off the bed, then scrambled hastily for the pieces of her dress. From the white and black cotton uniform in her hands, I realized that she was a maid in the house.

The artist’s fingers immediately paused.

“I’m so sorry. Wrong room.” I apologized, partially remorseful. The maid looked so terrified like she would break into tears as she dashed for a back door.

“I would.. uhm.. just turn around and take my leave now.”

I didn't know what the hell was going on there, but I did not want to wait and find out. I retraced my steps hurriedly and had almost reached the door where I had come in from when that same voice spoke up again.

“Get back here.”

My heart raced because this time, I was certain that he was speaking to me.

“I already apologized for intruding, Mister. I lost my way. it was not intentional….”

“I wondered what maid had dared to walk in… but you ain't no maid, are you?.”

He turned the canvas away and the chair he was seated on swirled around and I frowned to realize that he had been seated on a wheelchair all along.

I wanted to speak, say anything to defend myself, but all the words eluded me when I saw his face; He had that far-away look on it and his blue eyes were deep and expressive, the type that made you want to lose yourself in them. His lips curled up at the sides and I frowned and looked away.

“Miss Chantel?” A voice shouted from the hallway and I frowned to recognize that it was Kim. How was she so quick to return?

“Miss Chantel!”

The door suddenly flew open and Kim rushed in, her uniform had been changed to a new one and her face paled when she saw who I was with.

“Mr Axton…” She stammered.

My eyes widened when I realized who it was that I had been speaking to all along. I knew that the Axtons had two sons and a late daughter, but Vincenzo Russo’s file was limited and didn't tell me as many details as I would have loved to have regarding the Axtons, including what they looked like.

Kim, on the other hand, appeared to be having a panic attack as she struggled to explain my position. “She’s the new nanny, sir. I directed her to the right wing. I swear! I will help her get to her room right away...”

“So you are Eva’s new nanny.” He sounded amused.

I shuffled my feet and held my hands together in front to hide my nervousness and appear professional before the artist in the wheelchair who had turned out to be my employer. Fuck!.

“That’s all I’ve been trying to tell you... sir. I’m Elena Chantel, the new hire and I apologize once more for barging in and introducing myself in such an unusual… manner.”

“There’s nothing unusual about painting a woman, Elena.”

“Not when you forget to add “naked!” I desperately wanted to refute, but his eyes lingered on me as he stared at me, daring me to slip up.

“The only problem is my work remains incomplete. You’ve scared off my muse and someone would have to replace her.”

By someone… he did not mean… No!

Kim stared from Mr. Axton to me, confused about the whole scenario, but not to me, his devious plans were as clear as day.

The unmistakable sound of a helicopter landing someplace in the distance disrupted my words as well as Mr Axton’s attention.

“This conversation isn’t over, Elena.“ He said and moved his chair. Then he stopped at the door to stare at me one last time.

“Uh and, you can put up with the formalities for Mrs. Lopez. I’m Angel. Just Angel.”

Just Angel.

I stared out the window of my designated room towards the field below where the now-vacated helicopter had landed with mixed feelings. I didn't know what to make of Angel Axton. Yet.

But I knew I had to take him off my mind and avoid him altogether if I wanted to wrap up my mission quickly enough.

For a nanny, the Axtons were certainly generous. My room had a large closet and a nice view of the grounds from the windows. I fetched my bags from the corner where they had been carefully kept and smiled when I found a loophole.

They were smart to have tampered with my stuff but not smart enough. Nothing had been taken away but they had probably checked for hidden devices.

I scanned the room for cameras. Finding none, I fetched a small phone from my coat. It was a dangerous thing to do, but there would be no way to communicate with the outside without it. On activating it, a row of messages from Vincenzo flooded in as I had expected that it would.

“Don’t keep me waiting Jade. I want in, the moment you get in.”

“Eyes and ears, Jade! Eyes and ears!”

I smirked. It felt damn good making Vincenzo Russo wait. I contemplated sending an instant response to him, but a knock interrupted my thoughts. It was Kim. Mrs. Lopez had instructed her to fetch me.

When we arrived, Mrs. Lopez was waiting with Angel. He glanced at me briefly before turning away but I could sense anger in his eyes.

“Mrs. Lopez?.” I called out the instant Kim excused us. “You called for me.”

“Yes. To meet your ward, Miss Chantel.” She bluntly responded and a swift knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” Angel ordered.

Two men in military uniform walked into the room. They ignored us and headed straight to Angel to salute...

“Sir!”

“The young miss was found at the Rotana airport with some friends. They were bound for Las Vegas but we were lucky to apprehend them in time. She’s safely home and we apologize for our misguided mistake. We would be more careful next time…”

“There would be no next time, Raymond, or you would have to contend with Salvatore.”

“Yes… Sir!.”

“And where’s Eva?.”

"Stuck in fucking Rotana because you refused to turn a blind eye this time. Dear Uncle." A young girl stomped in and I was utterly stupefied. Eva Axton was nearly a head as tall as I was, her bright golden hair filtered the sun rays and her eyes glowed with mischief and disappointment as she stared at her uncle.

I turned to stare at Mrs. Lopez and I found her staring back with a hint of mockery in her gaze.

My ward wasn’t a goddamn child!