Chapter 4

Melanie p.o.v

I groggily opened my eyes to the sound of the basement door creaking open. Last night had been a blur of fitful dozing, my exhaustion warring with my determination to stay vigilant. But despite my best efforts, sleep had eventually claimed me.

As I sat up straight, rubbing the stiffness from my neck, a woman in a crisp maid's uniform descended the stairs.

"Good morning." The woman greeted with a warm smile, her eyes flicked toward me briefly.

She carried a tray laden with steaming dishes, which she carefully set on the small table in front of me. The aroma of freshly brewed hot chocolate and scrambled eggs wafted up, stirring my hunger.

Hot chocolate! My throat instantly waters, that's my favorite drink. What a coincidence that they would serve me that. I thought to myself.

"Breakfast," she announced, her voice soft and detached.

I eyed her warily, unsure if she was friend or foe. "Who are you?"

"I'm Alice, the maid." She replied, her eyes friendly when I stare into them. For some reason she was smiling happily, causing my brows to forrows.

I'm being held hostage and she's smiling like nothing happened?

Her evasiveness sparked my curiosity. Was she another captive, or was she loyal to the mysterious man?

"Are you okay?" She asked quietly, as she place the hot mug of chocolate in my hands. The warmth from the mug circulating through my hand, the fresh smell of cocoa relaxing my tense shoulders unconsciously.

For a fleeting instant, I felt comfortable and at home. But it vanished, replaced by the reality.

"I'm fine," I said, my voice flat. "What time is it?"

"It's eight in the morning." She answered. "I will be outside, call me when you're done." She gave a slight bow before leaving me alone.

The food on the tray looked and smelled appetizing, my appetite was tempted.

"I might as well fill my stomach." I shrug, I'm not going to be stubborn and reject these delicacies because of anger.

Anger that I was held hostage by a criminal, well he can't possibly poison me to death with food, yes?

I began to devour the food, seeing that I didn't have anything to eat last night.

I released a quiet burp after finishing every single thing on the tray, including the jug of hot chocolate and bottle water. Every thing.

"Alice." I called, wondering if she could hear. And... She did, entering the room the next second.

Only this time she came with another maid, a younger maid around my age or so.

"You have a healthy appetite, I see."Alice's smile returned as she collected the empty dishes, and pass the tray to the other maid

I nodded, feeling a slight embarrassment at devouring everything. "I didn't eat last night."

"I'm glad you enjoyed the meal." Her expression softened. She nod for the other maid to leave, but before she left I noticed her gaze flicking around the room, and her hands trembling a bit.

Is she yet another captive? Is he going to turn me into a maid too?

I suddenly became cautious.

"Alice," I whispered, "Who is he?" I asked, my voice barely audible. Fearing that he might just jump out of nowhere.

Alice paused raising a single brow at me.

"The man from yesterday." I tried to explain to her.

"Oh you mean my boss?" She ask and I shrug, he might be. "That's Mr. Adriano Alfonso." Her eyes sparkled with warmth as spoke.

Alfonso! The Alfonso! Adriano Alfonso!

I scream inwardly, my eyes bulging out of their socket. A cold chill flew down my spine, my feet went cold.

"What?" I wasn't asking anyone in particular but Alice took it upon herself to reply me.

"Yes, that's him." She grin as if it wasn't a big deal.

It's a god damn big deal!

He's the infamous Adriano Alfonso for Christ's sake, a man whom even the armed forces feared.

A man who gets away with too many shits, crimes that would have had anyone killed by the law. A man whose nickname is

How the hell did I land myself in his arms, I could have just did what he ask me to do and gone my way.

I've only heard of his name every on the news, he's always the headline, especially after one if his brutal crimes. But never have they published his face, it's always his back to the camera.

So not many people know what he looks like.

"Amusing. Nobody tells me no. Not even Dr. Danny here." His resounding dark chuckle floats in my head.

"Come along, boss want me to take you to your room." Alice voice broke through my inner turmoil.

"Huh?" I ask when her words register in my head.

What? My room? As what, a maid?

"Don't be so frightened." She chuckle as my obvious fear.

Easy for you to say, I scoff to myself.

"Boss allows you to go work, that's why you're going to get ready in your room." She added.

"What?" I screamed out this time. "I can leave?" Almost received, thought I was going to stay here for long.

"Mm, not actually." Alice hesitate.

"What do you mean." The excitement leaving my bloodstream just as they came.

"Boss only allow you to go about your day, that includes going for your intern at the hospital and school. But from here." She said.

I felt the whole world stop after her words, I'm obviously still not free from him.

What have I gotten myself into, I panicked.

I could have refused when they offered me to join the team, I could have come up with a lame excuse then. But no, I wanted to proof myself useful, and now see where I've landed.

A dead end.