CHAPTER 5

Rose woke up panting, her heart racing as she realized it was already morning a new day indeed!

The remnants of her nightmare clung to her like a heavy fog. Years ago, she had been in the car with her parents when the accident occurred. She made it out with only a few injuries, but her parents never did, leaving her and her sister Jennie alone. It was a tragic night that haunted her dreams, and now, waking up alone in a strange mansion only intensified those feelings of loss.

Knock, knock!

Someone was knocking on the door nonstop. “Oops, I’m sorry! Where has my manner gone to?” a voice called out as Rose opened the door. It was Andrew, a young man with an easy smile and an air of mischief.

“Madam Penelope said I should show you around the mansion,” he said, his enthusiasm infectious. “Since you’re new, you need to meet the other maids and get to know them. Come on!”

Rose hesitated for a moment. “I don’t need an introduction,” she replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. “I just need to freshen up and get dressed.”

“Just a minute!” Andrew cut in, waving his hands dramatically. “You’ll thank me later. Trust me, this place can be overwhelming if you don’t know your way around.”

With a reluctant sigh, Rose stepped back into her room to quickly wash up and change into her maid uniform a fitted black dress that felt both empowering and constricting at the same time. After a few minutes, she emerged from her room, ready to face whatever the day had in store for her.

“Now we’re talking!” Andrew grinned as he led her down the grand hallway. “This is the main floor. You’ll find the dining room over there.” He gestured to a large room adorned with elegant furniture and a long table that could seat at least twenty.

Rose nodded, taking in the opulence around her. “It’s beautiful,” she remarked, trying to mask her unease.

“Just wait until you see the gardens!” Andrew continued, clearly excited about showing off his home turf. “And over here is where most of the maids hang out during their breaks.” He pointed to a cozy lounge area filled with plush sofas and sunlight streaming through large windows.

As they walked through the mansion, Rose couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off. The grandeur of it all felt suffocating rather than welcoming. She forced herself to focus on Andrew’s chatter about the other maids and their quirks.

“Most of them are nice,” he assured her as they passed a group of women chatting animatedly in another room. “But watch out for Ashley; she’s competitive and doesn’t like newcomers.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Rose replied absently.

Once they finished the tour, Andrew led her back toward the kitchen where Madam Penelope was preparing breakfast. “There you go! All set!” he announced proudly.

“Thank you, Andrew,” Rose said with genuine appreciation as she stepped into the kitchen.

Madam Penelope looked up from her work and smiled warmly at Rose. “How was your tour?”

“It was… informative,” Rose replied cautiously.

“Good! Now come help me with breakfast,” Penelope instructed as she handed Rose an apron.

As Rose helped prepare breakfast, her thoughts drifted back to James his piercing gaze and commanding presence haunted her mind like an echo she couldn’t escape. She had seen him briefly after their first encounter; he had been surrounded by guests, his laughter ringing through the halls like music.

But there was something deeper lurking beneath that charm a darkness that made Rose wary yet intrigued.

Later that evening, after finishing dinner service for James and his guests Cole included she overheard them discussing business matters in hushed tones while standing just outside the dining room door.

“Vincenzo is getting restless,” Cole said lowly. “He wants you to take control soon.”

“I know,” James replied curtly. “But I’m not ready yet.”

Rose’s heart sank at hearing Vincenzo’s name; it reminded her of Chain’s threats against Jennie if she failed in her mission here.

“You have to act soon, otherwise, we’ll lose everything we’ve built.” Cole’s voice was urgent now.

“I’ll handle it my way,” James asserted confidently but with an edge of frustration lacing his words.

Feeling guilty for eavesdropping but unable to pull herself away from their conversation, Rose leaned closer until ..

“Are you listening in on us?” James’s voice boomed suddenly as he turned toward the door where she stood frozen in shock.

Caught red-handed, Rose felt heat rush to her cheeks as she stepped forward sheepishly. “I—I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to intrude.”

James crossed his arms over his chest and regarded her with narrowed eyes while Cole stifled a laugh beside him.

“You need to learn how to knock better,” James said dryly before gesturing for Rose to join them at the table.

Feeling like a deer caught in headlights but unable to refuse him, Rose approached cautiously as they both settled back down into their seats.

“What were you eavesdropping on?” Cole asked playfully while winking at Rose.

“Nothing important,” Rose replied hastily while avoiding James's intense gaze burning into hers.

James smirked knowingly but said nothing further on the matter as they resumed their conversation about business strategies leaving Rose feeling more tangled than ever within their web of secrets and lies.

That night after returning to her room alone once again her thoughts spiraled out of control as memories flooded back: visions of Jennie’s fragile face battling leukemia mixed with images of James’s captivating smile haunted every corner of her mind she didn't forget to send a text of everything she heard to Chain, until sleep finally claimed her once more...

But just as she began to drift off, a loud crash echoed through the mansion, jolting her awake. Heart pounding, Rose sat up in bed and listened intently. The sound came from downstairs a commotion mixed with raised voices that sent chills down her spine.

“What now?” she whispered to herself as fear gripped her heart.

With trepidation coursing through her veins, she slipped out of bed and crept toward the door, straining to hear what was happening below.

Suddenly, another loud crash followed by a shout filled the air: “Get away from him!”

Rose's breath hitched as adrenaline surged through her body. She knew she had to find out what was going on but deep down, she feared what awaited her beyond that door...