Chapter 3

SCARLETT'S P.O.V.

Humming quietly to myself, I wipe down the surfaces, enjoying the serenity of the manor, which I had gradually grown accustomed to over the past few weeks. I had encountered the charming Rosa, a cheery, petite female with auburn hair, who had become one of the few companions I had. She had worked here for over two years and had never seen Master De Luca, which I had thought to be strange. But when I had brought him up, I couldn't help but notice how tense she'd become, which caused me to wonder how terrifying a situation it'd be were I ever unfortunate enough to meet him in person. Only the utterance of his name alone had people shaking in their boots. A couple of weeks ago, I wouldn't have minded if he graced me with death, but after having come across such sweet souls like Rosa and Savannah, I very much liked living.

Speaking of, I could hear Rosa call out to me.

"Letty, there you are." She chirped with a bright smile, sliding onto one of the kitchen high stools.

"Hi Rosa, you seem to be in a good mood." I smile back, glancing momentarily at her before returning my attention back to my work.

"Oh please," I heard her scoff playfully from behind me, "when have I ever not been in a good mood?" I snickered playfully in agreement; she wasn't wrong.

"Not to be rude, but don't you have any work to do?" Raising a brow at her, I approach the island counter, placing both palms on the smooth surface.

"Well, I do gardening, in fact. But if you must know, Owem had offered to help me with my duties and relieve me of the stress. Who, my dear, am I to refuse?" She grins at me with a shrug. Owen was one of the male workers around the manor, and he had taken quite a liking to Rosa, and although she might deny it, I felt she had also taken a liking to him. However, I had come to learn that the workers who worked outside the Manor were not allowed into the Manor; for whatever reason, I had no idea.

"You're plain evil." She giggled at my response. "Anyways, have you seen Savannah?"

Her brows furrowed in thought for a moment. "Ahh yes, I saw her on my way in. She was headed towards the east wing of the manor." Nodding in understanding, I turned to return the rag, which I had been using, but stopped in my steps.

"What do you think is up there?" I asked curiously, watching as Rosa took her bottom lip in between her lips while in thought.

"I don't know? Perhaps a valuable asset to Master De Luca. Or maybe someone's held hostage there."

"Rosa!" I exclaimed, perplexed by her words.

"What? It's true. He's rumored to be the devil himself; I wouldn't be surprised if he was holding someone hostage, and perhaps he'd sneak in every night to torture the poor soul. I mean, what other reason could there be for Savannah to warn us against going into the east wing? She's the only one allowed in there; forgive me if I'm suspicious." Picking up an apple, she bit into it, munching in a very unladylike manner, not like I was any better.

"I mean, I've known Savannah a long while; she's a sweet woman who'd never hurt a fly."

"Has she ever been married?" I ask, sliding into a high stool.

"No, not that I know of." Strange, I thought to myself. Savannah was beautiful and, from the looks of it, well-to-do. I'm sure she could have retired and married if she wanted to.

"Rosa?" She hums, taking another bite of her apple. "Tell me about Master De Luca. Please." I pleaded sincerely.

"Letty." She begins to object, but I cut her off, taking her hand in mine.

"Rosa... please." With a sigh, she begins talking.

"When I had first started working here, I had heard the stories, rumors about how much of a beast Master De Luca was. He'd kill anyone without remorse for the slightest error. He never loved anyone, not even his family. You've heard that most of them are dead, yeah?"

I nod in response, fearing what her next words would be.

"He killed them. All of them, in cold blood. He's cruel, Letty. Rumors say he was in the mafia and he was injured, near death, which is why he's disappeared without any trace. Others say..." She looks around to make sure no one's listening before drawing closer, signaling me to do the same as she whispers.

"He was a beast, a demon." I snort in disbelief. Now that for sure was a lie.

"A beast? Really, Rosa?"

"I'm serious." She scowls, jutting a finger at me."Don't say I didn't warn you if you come across him in his beastly form. Why do you think Savannah wants in our rooms by 9:30? Not a minute later. Now I don't know about you, but I find it weird."

"Those are normal rules; even offices have those; schools have those, and you know it."

"Yes, but not in a house like this, which we work in. Plus, with the 'do not go into the east wing rule?' Seems fishy to me, I tell ya."

"Beasts do not exist, Rosa—"

"Oh, but they do." We both jump in our seats at the new voice that interrupts. Leaning against the wall was Savannah, who looked like she'd been listening to us for a while.

"Hi Savannah."

"Hi, Sav." Rosa and I greet at the same time; Savannah nods in response to our greeting as she walks over to us.

"Girls, I'd like to assume that you both are done with your chores?" She raises a stern brow at us as she folds her arms.

"Rosa? Are you done with the flowers?"

"Uh, yeah, I should go check on Owen—on the flowers, I mean." With that, she slips away, leaving Savannah and me alone. Awkwardly, I slip out of my seat, intending to find something to keep me occupied.

"Scarlett?"

"Yeah?"

I see her take a sharp inhale as she shakes her head before muttering. "Don't poke the hornet's nest; you don't want to get stung." Walking up to me, she tucks strands of my hair behind my ear. "Be grateful for ignorance, because it may very well be the one thing that keeps you safe...and alive."