4

Chapter 4 —Sasha

Narrator:

The Adler mansion was imposing from the entrance.

Aylin got out of the car with a knot in her stomach, mentally replaying every second of the previous night as if she could still wake up from that madness. But no. She was there. Standing in front of a huge gate, with gardens that looked like something out of a magazine and a structure as elegant as it was intimidating.

The front door opened before she could ring the bell.

An older woman, dressed impeccably and discreetly, with a serious expression, looked at her professionally.

“You must be Aylin. Good morning. I'm Amelia, the housekeeper. Please come in.”

Aylin nodded silently and crossed the threshold, feeling tiny in the foyer, which was larger than her entire apartment.

“Please wait in the living room. I'll let Mr. Adler know you've arrived.”

Aylin placed her bag on her lap as she sat on the edge of one of the sofas, her hands clasped together, unable to decide whether she was breathing too heavily or whether she should hide how nervous she was.

The inspection was not long in coming.

A young woman appeared from the other end of the room, walking with a carefree gait, but with the attitude of someone who has seen too much to be surprised by anything.

Dark, long, messy hair. Ripped jeans. An oversized sweatshirt and headphones hanging around her neck.

She stopped in front of Aylin and looked her up and down, without hiding it.

“Are you my father's new victim?”

Aylin blinked, bewildered.

“Excuse me...?”

But before she could finish her question, Amelia returned.

“Miss Escalante, this way.”

Sasha rolled her eyes and disappeared down the same hallway she had come from, leaving Aylin even more confused than she already was.

Aylin stood up and followed the housekeeper without saying a word.

They walked down a corridor adorned with artwork and closed doors on both sides until they reached a tall, imposing dark wooden door.

Amelia opened it with a gentle gesture.

“Go in. The gentleman is waiting for you.”

Aylin took a deep breath before entering Roman Adler's office.

Behind his desk, surrounded by documents and with his gaze fixed on some papers, was Roman.

The light streaming in through the windows fell directly on him, highlighting every line of his serious, absorbed face, as if the rest of the world did not exist.

But it did exist, she existed.

Because as soon as he heard the soft click of the door closing, he looked up.

And he found her. His dark eyes fixed on her like an anchor. Steady, cold, precise.

Aylin felt a shiver run down her spine, as if all the air in the office had suddenly been compressed.

For a moment, she forced herself to hold his gaze, but it was useless.

It was impossible. Not in front of him. Not in front of that gaze that seemed to disarm her without the slightest effort.

Roman placed the pen on the table with precision, without taking his eyes off Aylin.

“Good morning,” he greeted her, his deep voice commanding respect without needing to raise it.

Aylin swallowed before replying.

“Good morning, Mr. Adler.”

Roman gestured slightly with his hand, motioning her to come closer.

“Don't just stand there.” She moved forward slowly, each step feeling heavier than the last, until she was standing in front of the desk.

Roman rested his elbows on the surface and interlaced his fingers, observing her as if analyzing every detail of her presence. “I suppose you're still wondering what you're doing here.”

Aylin nodded cautiously.

“Yes, sir. I don't understand what exactly you expect from me.”

Roman tilted his head slightly, as if amused by her naivety.

“I remind you that you owe me a sculpture.” One that, according to your own words, you would pay for.

She looked down, biting her lower lip.

“Yes... I remember.”

“Perfect. Then this is simple,” he continued, with absolute calm. “Starting today, you will work for me.”

Aylin looked up, uncertain.

“Yes, sir, that was clear to me yesterday... but I still don't understand why me.”

Roman leaned back in his chair, never taking his eyes off her.

“Because I need someone who can't leave at my daughter's first whim.”

She frowned, not sure if she felt offended or simply trapped.

“I have no experience with that kind of responsibility.”

Roman let out a brief smile, barely a movement of his lips.

“I didn't ask if you had experience.”

Aylin pressed her lips together, suppressing the response that threatened to escape her.

“And what exactly do you expect from me, Mr. Adler?”

He held her gaze without hesitation.

“That you do your job and give me no reason to regret giving you this opportunity.”

Aylin took a deep breath, searching for the right words before speaking.

“Mr. Adler... if you want, I can help in another way. I don't know, as a cook, an assistant, whatever you need... but a nanny... I don't think I'm the right person for that.”

Roman listened to her silently, without a shred of real interest in her attempt to negotiate.

“That's not an option,” he replied calmly.

Either you work as a nanny... or you pay me for the sculpture.“ Aylin looked away, swallowing hard, unable to give him the answer he expected. Roman stood up without saying another word and walked around the desk with the same confidence with which he dictated sentences. ”Follow me." She did, although each step through the mansion felt heavier than the last. They climbed a wide staircase, crossed a hallway adorned with imposing paintings, and stopped in front of a white door with gold detailing. Roman knocked twice before opening it. Sasha was sitting on the bed with a book in her hands and headphones hanging around her neck. “Sasha,” Roman said without further ado. “Meet your new babysitter.”

The teenager looked up, first at her father and then at Aylin.

The same ironic smile from the night before appeared on her lips.

“Great...” she muttered, turning her attention back to the book.

Roman turned on his heel.

“Get settled in.”

Without another word, he left the room and closed the door behind him, leaving them alone.

Sasha slid her eyes up and down Aylin, evaluating her openly, as if she wanted to gauge how long she would last.

“So now you're my babysitter?” she asked sarcastically, her voice laden with disdain.

Aylin took a deep breath, trying to sound friendly and calm.

"I'm here to help you, Sasha.

We can get along if you want.

Sasha let out a dry laugh and flopped back onto the bed, resting her bare feet on the sheets without a care.

“I don't need anyone's help.”

“Well, I'll be here anyway. The important thing is that you're okay, that...”

“Look,” she interrupted bluntly, looking up with annoyance. I don't care if you're paid to take care of me. You can collect your paycheck without doing anything, I'm not going to complain. Just don't bother me.

Aylin frowned, keeping her cool.

“I'm not here to bother you.”

“Perfect. Then don't talk too much, don't follow me around, and don't try to be nice.”

Aylin watched her silently, holding back the response that threatened to escape her.

“I didn't come here to be your enemy, Sasha.” The teenager rolled her eyes, turning her back on her. “But I don't care if you don't like me either. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere, whether you like it or not.”