Luca didn't return home for the next two days, and a part of me felt worried.
As a matter of fact, I was worried about many things. My dress with the recording device, which I was yet to find. The maid who had spoken to me and how I'd meet her again. Trevor's suspense and how I'd not seen him in over a week now. Sofia's fright. And now, Luca's absence.
I just wanted to complete this mission on time, but without all these things in place, it seemed like I'd have to be here for a while.
I raked my hands through my tangled hair. 'Think, Rose, think!' I screamed to myself mentally.
Brushing it into a much neater wave, I struggled with putting the whole hair into a bun. Not having the strength to try again after a number of failed attempts, I gave up and tied a scarf over it. I was just going for breakfast after all.
I'd also ask Hugo for some books. This boredom was getting toxic.
Before I could knock at the door, it swung open, and there in front of me was nothing other than a nightmare.
My eyes travelled from the cobra tattoo on the hand that held my room door to the cold expression on the man's face.
My feet moved back on their own accord. What the hell ws he doing here? Wasn't he supposed to be locked up by Luca already?
His brows raised in what appeared to be confusion. "It's time for your breakfast, ma'am," he stated plainly.
My heart skipped a beat. I stretched my neck outside to check for Hugo.
"Hugo couldn't be here as he had to follow the don for an urgent business," he stated, his tone even as he held the door open for me. "Shall we, ma'am?"
I felt my stomach sink. "Uh... I.. I think I'll just skip breakfast. I haven't been feeling too well, and my head hurts," I mumbled, turning around to head back into the room, but these words stopped me.
"The don demanded that I give him a report on your wellbeing, ma'am. He particularly stated that you eat breakfast," he stated more firmly, his hands holding my wrist.
They were so strong that I knew he could probably break my wrists if I didn't comply.
I nodded slowly. "Okay. Give me a moment to use the bathroom."
I snatched my hands from his grip and speedwalked into the bathroom. Once I was in, I shut the door behind me and pressed my back to it.
What was going on? Was this some kind of setup from Luca? Why would he send me that guy of all his men? Or was he just simply dumb?
'Calm down, Rose. You've got this," I assured myself.
With that, I looked around for some kind of self-defense weapon or anything I could use as that. There was nothing dangerous left lying around, though. Luca had made sure to make my room as safe as possible.
I grabbed a random show with long heels and slipped it into the deep pocket of my jacket before slipping out.
The man pressed his lips together as I stepped out, and together, we headed to the dining room.
I missed Hugo for some reason. This guy just gave me the creeps. His eyes remained trained on me as I walked, as I ate and on literally every move I made.
I doubted I could even make any move without him noticing.
I had just finished my meal when I felt a paper right beneath my plate. Obviously, there is a tip or clue from Trevor, but with this guy monitoring me, I couldn't open it.
I slipped it into my pockets as casually as possible and stood to leave after breakfast.
"Can you give me a moment to go to the kitchen?" I asked the guy calmly. I just wanted to be free of him for a moment, and I also wanted to see if I could find Sofia or the other maid. I just needed someone to talk to urgently before I lost my mind.
He appeared conflicted as well. His eyes hardened. "I'll come with you."
I screamed in frustration mentally. Did these guys have a clue what breathing space meant?
The expression o my face was pained as I nodded and walked away. At least I got the permission to step into the kitchen. For the almost two months of my living with Luca, I had never stepped into the kitchen.
For some reasons I just hadn't tried, and with the guys in my neck all the time, I wouldn't have been able to anyway. I wondered if Luca said it was out of bounds.
The kitchen was magnificent. The space of it alone was literally twice the little house I and my mother lived in back in New York.
The whole aesthetic was dark yet homey. I trailed my fingers along the large island that stretched far into the kitchen. There were a lot of cookers, pots, spices, and a lot of things that made me very nostalgic.
A dozen maids busted around the kitchen, and the aroma in the air sent thrills down my spine. Spotting me, a few of the maids bowed their heads in respect. I recognised about two of them to have brought me my food to my room. There was no sign of Trevor, Sofia, or the other maid.
The door to another room was partly open, and my eyes widened. It was a very large pantry. The amount of food in it made me want to lock myself up in there... but that would be if I didn't have a job to complete.
A familiar figure appeared from the pantry with something that looked like a shopping trolley. It had all sorts of ingredients in it for a meal. She wiped beads of sweat off her brows. It was Sofia.
I rushed over to her and pulled her into a hug. She stood uncomfortably in my arms but slowly reciprocated the hug.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you the other day. I just felt very depressed at that moment," I said in a rush, and she only nodded.
"It's fine," she finally stated. "I'm sorry about what happened to you too. I should have warned you about the jealousy you night face because many people here actually want to be in your place."
My eyes dampened, and I nodded. "I'll be fine."
I got chatty with her, but then the familiar figure of Trevor appeared from what looked like a bakery in the kitchen. He had an apron on and a nose mask, but I could still tell it was him.
I tried to keep the eye contact brief, but the warning glint in his eyes as he walled away made me take a second look.
The guard tapped his feet on the ground suddenly, reminding me of his presence.
"I have to leave now, Sofia, but we'll talk better."
I had barely made it out of the kitchen when the hand of the guard gripped mine in a firm hold. I almost jumped out of my skin.
A dark glint lay flickered in his eyes as he murmured, "You dropped this."
My heart stopped. He held the tiny paper Trevor had slipped to me in his hands.