Chapter 4

"What are you talking about?" I tried to feign ignorance.

"If you don't talk now, and I find out by myself, I would make you regret the day you set eyes on me." He threatened me, and I could feel goosebumps on my flesh. What have I gotten myself into?

"Come in!" He yell, but he still kept his gaze on me.

Two bodyguards rushed in.

"Take her away." He instructed. They grabbed me and drag me along with them.

-----

It’s been two days since they locked me in a cold, dark cell in the basement of the Bellarico mansion. No food, just water. My body felt weak, but fear kept me awake. What would happen to me? Was this how my life would end? I felt very sorry for myself, and also my father.

If there’s a next life, I hope it will be better than this one.

I heard footsteps coming closer. My heart started pounding. Was this it? Were they coming to kill me?

The metal door creaked open. A man in a neat suit walked in. I knew him. He was the one from the cooking test, the one who told me to wait behind to see Gerrard. Two guards followed him.

“Come with me, Miss Lunardez,” he said firmly.

I slowly got up from the cold floor. My legs felt weak, shaking as I stood. Somehow, I managed to walk, even though I thought I might fall.

They led me to a room upstairs. It was nothing like the cell. This room was warm, with soft lights and clean furniture.

“Clean yourself up and wait here. Mr. Bellarico will see you soon,” the man said before leaving me alone.

I stood in the middle of the room, confused. Why was I here? What were they planning? The questions made my chest feel tight, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what might happen.

Not long after, a maid came in with a cart full of food. The smell hit me right away, and my stomach growled loudly.

“This is your meal, ma’am,” she said as she set the food on a table. “And these are your clothes,” she added, placing a clean jumpsuit on the bed.

She left quickly, and I stood there, staring at the food.

What is happening? If Gerrard knows I’m a spy for the Santorini Syndicate, why would he take me out of the cell? Why give me food and clothes? It didn’t make sense.

But I was too hungry to care. I had gone two days without eating, and my body needed food. Whatever was going on, I would find out later.

I went to the bathroom and took a long shower. The warm water felt amazing, washing away the dirt and the fear, even if only for a moment.

After drying off, I sat at the table and started eating. The food was delicious, and I couldn’t stop. Bite after bite, I felt my strength coming back, even if my mind was still full of worry.

Once I was done, I changed into the jumpsuit. It was soft and comfortable.

Then I sat and waited. My heart wouldn’t stop racing. What does Gerrard want from me?

After waiting for what felt like forever, I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer and fell asleep.

---

When I woke up, it was already late at night. The room was quiet, and I sat up slowly. My heart nearly stopped when I saw Gerrard sitting on the couch across from me, staring at me with a blank look.

“It’s about time you woke up,” he said, his deep voice breaking the silence.

“What is this? Why are you doing this to me?” I asked, my voice shaky. I was so tired of the fear and confusion.

He didn’t answer right away. He just looked at me like he was thinking hard about what to say.

“There was an intruder the night you came here,” he explained. “I thought it was you that brought him here, since nobody outside my organization knew about this location. But I was wrong, there was no connection to you. So you are free to go.”

His words hit me like a wave. So he didn’t know the truth about me. This was all a mistake. Relief rushed through me, but I couldn’t show it. I needed to act angry, not grateful.

I scoffed, crossing my arms. “You locked me in your basement for two days without food just because of some silly assumption? And all you can say is that I am free to go? Just like that?” My voice cracked, and I felt tears streaming down my face.

Gerrard’s expression softened. He looked… unsure, maybe even guilty. “I… I have arranged for you to be compensated for all your trouble.”

“I don’t need your money, Mr. Bellarico,” I said sharply, trying to sound strong. I couldn’t stay there any longer. I turned and stormed toward the door.

“What about the job? The chef position. I could hire you this minute.”

My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t believe my ears. Gerrard was offering me the job on a platter of gold.

“What made you think I would want to work for someone like you? You’ve only insulted and humiliated me since we met.”

What are you doing, Annabelle? Just take the job! But the words were already out.

To my surprise, Gerrard’s lips twitched like he was amused “Because I think you really want the job. In fact, I think you are desperate for it.” He said smirking. “You are not the best cook to be honest." He paused to watch me. "But I think I can trust you." He moved closer to me and leaned in, I felt hot all over, he scoffed at my reaction and then whispered to my ear. "Or I still want to get into your panties."

Without waiting for my reply, he walked out of the room, leaving me standing there alone and dumbfounded. I have never met anyone so arrogant. I gritted my teeth in rage. But the realization hit me. I did it! I had successfully infiltrated the Bellarico household. I felt a mix of relief and fear. This was just the first step.