~GEMMA~
I close the door of my suite behind me. The sound is soft, muffled by the heavy paneling, but it feels like the loudest noise in the fortress. I lean against the wood, breathing deeply.
My body trembles slightly. The physical contact is overwhelming, but the most crushing part is the total mental compliance. I am the Anchor, performing a function, and the terrifying realization that it worked is what rattles me now. I stabilized him.
I sold my body, and the sale was successful. Chloe is safe for another night.
I walk toward the massive bed and lay down.
******
I woke up to the sound of rain dripping on my windows making me smile.
I love the rain as it reminds me of back home with my little sis, that we would be spending time outside playing in the rain. We often get scolded for going out and being wet. My mom would glare at me but do nothing to my sister.
Smiling at the memories, I get up from the bed.
My thoughts goes back to what happened last night. I walk to his suite to greet him but I don't see him.
"Has he gone to work? So early…. maybe he is outside." I shrug and walk to the bathroom to freshen up.
Freshening up, I get dressed in one of the beautiful dresses. I tie my hair in pony tails. I want to go to the kitchen for my breakfast.
I walk out of my room carefully not to make too much noise as the door is close to Leonardo's suite.
*****
The maids are up, tending their business. I was finding it a bit hard to reach the kitchen. But I finally found it.
"Good morning" I say walking inside, finding a woman who looks to be in her fifties cutting fruit and a girl who is sitting. Both of them were wearing black dresses and a white apron.
The girl stands up smiling
"Good morning" the girl, looking at me and smiling. "You must be the new girl who is arriving. This is my mom, she will help teach you everything you need to know. I'm Madeline, but you can call me Maddie."
"Gemma, it's a pleasure meeting you." I say smiling at the girl whose eyes widens before she steps back, her eyes hardening as she hears my name and I totally understand why.
"You are the g ... .boss new girl?" Madeline ask, looking me in the eyes.
"No, I'm n….."
She moves back to stand by her mother before I can even finish my statement.
Her eyes are filled with fear and I immediately look down because I don't what else to say to her. My chances of making a new friend are ruined because of Leonardo.
Great!!
I don't know what to answer her or should I say I'm her boss' personal stripper. I think she already knows.
"I came to check if I can see what to eat or maybe help with the breakfast." I say looking at the two women.
The elderly woman drops what she was doing and slightly bows.
"You don't need to do anything ma'am. The boss said you are not allowed to do any chores or we will be sacked. We have it covered." She says.
"I'm sorry, I….."
Margaret walks in, cutting me short. I look back to see her radiating immaculate, weaponized professionalism. She is dressed in an ivory power suit that makes the room feel dull.
"You are what? You were told not to come out. What are you doing here?"
"I came to see if I can find…something to eat." I answer.
"You should have just waited in your room and breakfast will be served to you. Now leave this place,'' she orders.
I walk past her heading towards my room without saying another word.
*******
Few minutes later, Margarete sweeps in, she carries a small, silver tray.
She places the tray, glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, pancakes and a small, elegant jewelry box on the bedside table.
"The Don requires you to drink this immediately. It contains necessary vitamins and a mild sedative to ensure proper rest. Your function demands perfect maintenance. We can't have you collapse in exhaustion."
I look from the orange juice to her unnervingly calm face. Is she trying to poison me?
"I don't need sedatives."
Margarete offers a thin, cold smile. "You are no longer running on adrenaline and cheap liquor, dear. You are running on the Don's patience. And that is a finite resource. Drink it."
She turns her attention to the small, velvet jewelry box. She picks it up. It is the one containing the diamond collar necklace Leonardo made me wear during the performance.
She examines the gems with utter disdain.
"I find it fascinating," Margarete muses, her voice low. "The Don risked his public facade for a common street dancer. He calls you an essential tool, a shield against his past. Yet, you are the most exposed vulnerability in this entire estate. He risks a trillion-dollar empire for motion."
She drops the box onto the marble desk with a jarring clack. Her eyes bore into mine, no longer simply contemptuous, but of hatred.
"I have spent ten years building and securing this world with him
Gemma, You are temporary." She blurts out.
This moment is a promise of war. The internal war is officially declared.
She turns to leave, but pauses, gesturing to the envelope.
"Oh, this is for you. A little piece of the outside world that the Don permitted. Don't waste his kindness." She says.
She leaves with a final cutting glance, and the door slams shut.
The rage of the rejected confidante lingers, far more chilling than the Don's controlled apathy.
I open the envelope. It is a single, crisp photograph, a clear shot of Chloe, laughing, walking across her college campus. She looks happy, focused, and safe.
Relief washes over me, immediately followed by the sickening realization of the true cost. This might not be a gift. This is a fresh reminder of the leash.
Before I can process the emotional whiplash, I hear a knock on the door.
"Yes, you can come in." I respond, sitting properly and waiting for the person to come in.
It's Madeline..
She enters silently. She doesn't make eye contact.
"Ma'am this is your food." she says
She places a tray on a small table, a silver platter holding perfectly brewed coffee, and a single, untouched croissant. My breakfast is here, delivered, monitored, controlled.
How many breakfast do I get to eat at once?
"Please can you call me by my name, we are of the same age." I say to her.
"No, the boss w..ill sack my mom," she stutters.
Before I can answer her. The connecting door unlocks with a heavy, magnetic thunk.
And then, Leonardo walks into my room.