chapter Three

The knock came again.

I stood in the middle of the room, breath uneven and my palms damp, I stared at the door contemplating whether to open the door or not.

I reached for the door knob, my fingers trembling, I twisted the door knob and the door swung open.

Leonardo stood there, his expression unreadable, two guards stood behind him, they didn't need weapons to look dangerous, but I didn't care about them.

I opened my mouth to greet him, and nothing came out at first.

Leornardo didn't wait for an invitation, he walked in, his guards following right behind him.

His shoes clicked softly on the floor as he moved like the space belonged to him. He dropped onto my couch, crossed one leg over the other, and leaned back.

“Hello little thief”

My stomach tightened.

He lifted his eyes to mine, looking dark and calm.

“It seems” he said slowly, “you have a very short memory”

I swallowed “You heard my words that night, and yet you still found the courage to take what belongs to me”

My chest rose and fell.

“I didn't know it was your house, and I don't have your money,” I said, forcing my voice steady “ so if you're here to kill me just go ahead, I'm not scared of dying.”

The room went still.

For the first time, a surprised look flickered across his face.

He studied me.

“.. interesting” he murmured.

He stood up from the couch, coming towards me.

Each step he took towards me felt like pressure on my lungs.

“I know your partner ran away with the money" he said quietly “but that doesn't change anything”

He stopped in front me.

“You stole from me. And no one takes what is mine and walks away”.

“So,” he continued, “if you do not have the money.. then you become the payment.”

“If you do not have my money, then I will have your freedom.”

Cold spread through my veins.

He stretched his hand to his guard and he was handed a folder, and he placed it on the table.

“This is your debt agreement”

My breath hitched.

“And if I refuse?” I snapped.

“Then you will be forced”.“Now sign the contract”

My stomach twisted.

I stared at the paper for a moment, then I took the pen and signed.

Leonardo slid the contract back into his jacket.

“For clarity,” he said calmly, “ this agreement is not a suggestion.”

I lifted my chin. “You think I signed it because I had a choice?”

The corner of his mouth twitched.

“Good,” he replied. “Then you understand the terms of the contract.”

“You do not belong to this house anymore, get what you will need,” he continued, “you have five minutes.”

My jaw clenched.

I turned and went to my room, throwing clothes into my bag with shaky hands. I didn't break down. Just fury and fear tangled together.

Five minutes later, I was back.

Leornardo didn't speak, he simply turned and walked out, and I followed behind him.

I opened the car door and slid inside.

The drive was silent, I stared out the window, looking at the passing cars.

Avery's face kept flashing in my head, her laugh, her voice, the way she always swore she'd never leave me.

How the hell could she do that to me? Liar.

I felt the car slow down in front of a tall and black iron gate.

The gate opened without a sound and the mansion came into view, it looked like a kingdom carved from money and power.

Light lined across acres of perfectly trimmed lawn. Water shimmered from a massive fountain at the center of the drive, the golden lights glow softly against the dark stone walls.

The car came to a halt in front of the mansion, before Leonardo even touched the handle, the door was already opening.

Maids came rushing, at least six of them, all in perfect black and white uniforms, they moved out in perfect rhythm, one reached for my bag in the trunk of the car.

I stepped out slowly, my boots echoing against marble.

Leonardo walked ahead and I followed behind him.

Doors opened before he reached them.

Inside, there were more maids across the hall, carrying trays, arranging flowers, and cleaning the hallway. They bowed and greeted him in unison.

Leonardo stopped at the base of the staircase.

“Clarrise” he called out.

She appeared almost immediately like she had been waiting to be called.

Tall, slim, perfectly dressed, with her dark hair pinned neatly.

But what caught my attention wasn't her beauty.

It was the way her eyes lit up when they found him.

“Sir,” she said, her voice soft, almost intimate. “You're home earlier than expected.”

Her gaze lingered on his face,her fingers brushing lightly against his sleeve.

Leornardo didn't react, he didn't even look at her.

“Take her to a room,” he said, nodding slightly in my direction.

Clarisse's smile froze.

“Yes sir.”

She turned sharply. “Follow me.”

As we walked, her heels clicked sharply against the floor.

She stopped walking and turned to me, her eyes filled with contempt.

“Just because he brought you here does not make you special”

I shrugged. “Trust me, I didn't apply for this shit.”

“You will obey the rules of this house, you have your place and I will make sure you learn it” she said.

I leaned closer, my voice low, “ And you will learn not to talk to me like you own me.”

Her jaw tightened.

“You are beneath me,” she said quietly. “Remember that.”

I smiled.

“Then why do you look so threatened?”

She resumed walking. Then she stopped in front of a door and turned to face me.

“This is where you sleep,” she said. “You leave nothing lying around, you speak when spoken to, and do not wander around.

”I tilted my head, letting out a sarcastic smile. “Oh, don't worry, I'm quick to learn, when someone is worth listening to”

Her mouth tightened. “Girls like you do not last here.”

I smiled sweetly. “You'll be surprised."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Enjoy the room while you can, you will not be here for long.”

“Is that a promise,” I replied “Or a threat?”

“We shall see,” she said and walked away.

Days passed, and I adapted quickly. The other maids were friendly enough, teaching me the routines, we worked and laughed together.

Except Clarisse, she watched me, looking for mistakes that weren't there.

Every chance she got, she tried to remind me I didn't belong.

And every time, I make sure to remind her I'm not to be messed with.

But Leonardo?

I didn't see him, didn't even feel his presence, his study stayed closed, I heard through the maid gossip that he was on a business trip.

Then one afternoon, I was in my room, folding my clothes when a sharp voice echoed through the corridor.

“My ring! Where is my gold?!”

Clarisse storms through the hallways.

“I want every room checked,” she said, shouting on top of her voice

One by one, she searched through the maid's rooms and bags in the house.

Then my door slammed open.

I looked up slowly.

“Ever heard of knocking?” I snapped.

Her eyes flicked over my room.

“My ring is missing,” she said coldly, “And it was after you arrived.”

I scoffed, “That's the dumbest accusation I've ever heard.”

“If you have nothing to hide,” she said “Then let me check your things.”

I raised an eyebrow, arms crossed, “Go ahead and check if it'll make you feel better.”

She didn't respond, she just ripped through my room and my drawers, my belongings flung across the floor.

She carried my bag and dumped everything inside it on the floor.

The gold ring rolled out onto the floor. I froze with surprise written all over my face.

A slow triumphant smile spread across Clarisse's face.

And I knew by the smug look on Clarisse's face, exactly who did it.