Staring at my reflection in the mirror, it was vivid that the initial shock and disbelief had long worn off, it was replaced with a dull, persistent ache of resentment.
It has been nearly a week and all I did was wander around the wide expanse of land. I felt more captive than when I was living with 'my parents'. The feeling of boredom, isolation and lack of purpose felt suffocating for me. No matter what I tried to do to ease my mind, it just felt pointless and overly supervised.
I wore a small smile on my face trying to encourage myself before leaving my room. I wandered downstairs and saw Mrs Thornton meticulously dust a porcelain vase that's obviously priceless.
"Need a hand?" I asked as I approached her, "I may not be of any help in the kitchen but I do know how to clean exceptionally well".
She let out a laugh, "darling, I got it covered, just lounge around and do what pleases you".
I nodded with a tight smile on my face as we fell into silence.
"How long have you worked for him?"
"Since he was a child, going to 20 years."
Wow, that's a long time.
"Everything's so arranged". I muttered to myself.
"Indeed Mrs Castelli", her gaze on me felt longer than expected before returning to the vase. "Mr Castelli…he's particular about the way things are kept."
So he's a perfectionist.
I left her heading to the kitchen for a drink but paused at the entrance when I heard hushed whispering inside.
"... did you see her this morning?", a maid said with a scoff. "All dressed up acting like a princess. I'm sure she doesn't even know how to boil water"
Then another one started with a sigh, "and the nighties she wore last night. That silk cost more than our yearly salary, I bet"
I heard a mocking laughter follow suit, "she's got that 'I don't belong here' look about her, don't you think? Like a rabbit in a headlight."
"Hey, reduce your voice. What if she hears us and goes tattling to him, huh?" the second voice came again.
"She won't," the first voice said with a laugh. "She's probably scared of Signor Castelli…".
I turned and left, not being able to listen to them trash talk me anymore. My lips quivered as I headed up the stairs with my hands balled in a fist.
I got into my room, closed the door, and rested my back on it as I slowly slid to the ground. They still had a long way to come to get to mom's level.
But it didn't hurt any less than mom's verbal attacks.
I picked at my nails with my eyes closed as I thought about my sad excuse of a life.
My eyes snapped open immediately diverting to my bedside drawers. I crawled over to it and opened it and the small box was still there.
I retrieved it, opened the box and watched as the gun seemed to gleamer under the light. I carefully picked it up, it was heavier than expected, cold and scary.
"What do I even do with this?" I asked myself as I inspected it, turning it over again and again.
I guess my mind wandered off because the sharp knock on the door made me wake up from a nap I didn't plan. I was on the floor with the gun still in my hand and the box beside me.
I jolted up when I heard the knock again and the door being opened slowly. I immediately put the gun back in the box pushing it under my bed.
"Dinner is ready, Mrs Castelli", someone said before shutting the door. What's wrong with me? I wasn't doing anything wrong. It was their boss that gave it to me, so why did I get scared and hide it?
I exhaled before standing up and feeling the stiffness of my bones which made me wince. I arranged my clothing before going to the dining hall.
I took my usual seat assigned to me by Mrs Thornton and started eating…in silence. The isolation had a bitter taste in my mouth. I picked at my food as my appetite was long gone.
You have the privilege to eat good food and you're going to waste it.
With that thought swimming around my head, I forced myself to eat. Mid way, the door of the dinning hall opened, footsteps echoed as Leo made his presence known.
He was back?
He disappeared after the day of the contract, and hasn't seen him or Marcello ever since. He sat at the head of the table, and I watched as the maids scrambled to arrange his dinner.
"How's our doll settling in?" He finally spoke when we were alone.
"Fine, thank you", my voice struggling to be even. His mere presence felt overwhelming every single time.
I felt his gaze on me, "Fine? Or merely surviving?"
My head corked to the side in confusion, "There's a difference?" I couldn't help but ask.
He dropped his fork with a smile on his face, "Oh, there's a world of difference. Surviving is merely existing. But I expect more from my wife. I expect…compliance"
"Compliance?"
"I made you an offer. You accepted. That makes you mine. In return for your safety, your security…you play your part."
"And what is my…part exactly?" The words coming out in mere whispers. "To be a silent, obedient wife?" My hand clutched to my fork.
That's basically how I was with my parents…silent, obedient and a pushover.
Is that what I get in return for the 20 million dollars?
"That would fit into the bargain but my expectations go beyond mere duty. I expect absolute loyalty, discretion and an appropriate manner".
"Appropriate manners? You bought me at an auction and you think you can define what's appropriate for me now?"
The smile disappeared from his face which made my blood run cold. "Lena, let's not forget who holds the power here".
I nodded in fear, dropping the fork and subtly moving slightly away from him. The last thing I wanted is to annoy someone like him.
"Speak!"
"I understand", I said with my head down. My nails were digging into my skin.
All that could be heard is the clinking of silverware against the plate as he ate with a ghost of a smile on his face.
"Excellent. Because certain… inconveniences…could easily resurface. Unpleasant thing could jeopardize everything".
The threat was as clear as day.
"I understand…but what if I fail to meet your expectations?"
"Then you'll have to face the consequences. Let's hope it doesn't come to that because it can become rather unpleasant".
"What about the things you don't know about? The things you haven't discovered yet about me"
He leaned back in his chair, "My dear Lena. I assure you, I've already taken extensive measures to ensure I have a full understanding of your circumstances. But if there are other… issues…you feel the need to reveal, do it now. I prefer not to be caught unaware."
His eyes lingered on mine, until I couldn't endure the pressure anymore and broke eye contact. Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the tense silence – a car screeching to a halt outside, followed by the unmistakable sound of shattering glass and a shout that sliced through the air: "'Castelli!'"