Maria led Leslie deeper into the house, they arrived at a particular room, it felt like they were in another house.
"This is where we stay, Maria opened a door, there other maids were, some were doing drying cleaning works, some were setting the guns and various weapons, everyone were busy doing one thing or the other.
"We are like the back bone of the Mafia gang, funny enough we are not fully acknowledged, explained Maria, she picked a bell and rang it loudly, everyone attention settled on them.
"Welcome Ma'am Maria, they all greeted.
"We have a new member, Maria looked at Leslie.
"She's pretty...
"Who is she?..
"She looks soft...
"Can she even handle a gun?...
The room become rowdy-
"-Enough!
The room became silent, but there eyes spoke louder.
"Introduce yourself.
"I'm Lucrezia Vincent.
"Pretty name, chipped in someone from the back.
"Can you handle a gun? Another person from the back asked.
"Of course she can, Maria spoke on her behalf.
"Who recommended her?
"Sir Orza.
"Orza?...
"She must be good...
The room became noisy again.
"That's enough.
"Let's see if she can survive a month.
"Bad manners Isadora.
"Apologies, Ma'am Maria.
"Since you all are aware do well to welcome her, show her around, no body should bully anyone... understood?
"Yes, Ma'am Maria.
"Come with me, a middle-aged woman said to Leslie, she took her to a room, it was moderately furnished but comfortable enough, it had two twin beds, a mirror with a dressing table, at the left wing, two tall cupboards occupied there, a wide window and another mini sized cupboard, by the right wing a door stood there obviously leading to the bathroom.
"Your belongings goes into one of the cupboard, the other for your partner.
"Ok ma.
"Wash up and dressed up (drops a wrapped material on the dressing table), change into this clothes and be downstairs in less than thirty minutes.
"Ok Ma'am.
* * *
Leslie dressed up, the clothes fitted, so far so good it has been going on well, she starred at herself in the mirror, she looked different, she arranged her hair then left the room. She was led into a room, other maids were there, a man walked inside, he looked well past sixty. He walked towards the podium and mounted it, he stared at their faces pleased with their facial expressions he took a microphone to address them.
"I'll be handling all of you who were hired.
"How...(murmurings).
"Do you all think being hired is the last step before you become one of us?... of course not, you all will undergo physical assessment.
Two huge men walked in, the hired maids gathered round, a dismantled gun at each person's spot.
"Arrange the gun in less than two minutes (put on a timer).
Leslie picked the gun, she was used to a shot gun, which surprising happens to be the gun they were given. Within thirty seconds she had arranged it back.
"Thirty seconds? She's fast, whispered someone in the audience
"Faster than Lorena, added another
"True, true.
Other tests they undergone Leslie was exceptionally good, of course she will since she is Shadow in disguise.
The people who made it through were told to leave for their room and prepare in earnest for the next day since the Madame was coming back.