Chapter 4

SARAH

I slumped my back against the cold leather seats of the limousine, my eyes narrowing to the tinted glasses the moment the car geared to life.

Mr Emilio sat close to me but not too close that he could reach me. I took side glances of him, making sure as little as my dress didn't come in contact with his skin.

So many people had something to say about this man.

To my colleagues at work; this man was a sex addict, to Mr Dave; he was filthy rich and to Mr Daniel; he was a dangerous man that shouldn't be toyed with.

All these coupled with the way he actually treated me when we were alone in the lounge made me as frightened as ever. Oh God, why didn't it get to be Daniel who bought me and not this Mr Romano?

I could be sitting close to a serial killer, a criminal, a rapist, a murderer and the list goes on.

Man I'm screwed.

I noticed him move an inch closer to where I sat and my breathing got stumped in my throat.

As if noticing the internal effect his proximity had on me, Emilio let out a sly smirk.

"I told you I did not like to be kept waiting didn't I Sarah?" He suddenly probed into my thoughts, interrupting the silence that had settled between us.

I was speechless. I did not know what to say. Should I tender an apology?

This man made me feel so dumb at times.

"It seems you just like disobeying me don't you?" He asked once again but I chose to remain in silence, finding it hard to get my tongue to speak.

In the blink of an eye, Emilio forcefully took my cheek in his hands in a way that my face settled between his thumb and forefinger so that I would gaze directly at him, eye ball to eye ball.

His orbs were blazing hot and his lips had turned into scowl. I winced and whimpered in pain. "Now let me make one thing clear to you Sarah.." he sneered, "when I talk to you, you do not play mute and keep me waiting! When I talk to you, you reply like the lowly maid that you are. I do not demand respect especially not from someone like you! Do you get that!?" He growled fiercely at me.

His finger nails dug deep into my skin, almost drawing out blood. "Y-yes sir. I-I am s-sorry" I managed to speak out with tears forming in my eyes.

"Good" he pushed my face away.

"Now you have to understand that living with me comes with a few rules. Obey the rules and both of us will get along just fine. Disobey my rules and face the punishments accordingly. You got that princess?" He glared at me.

I lowered down my eyes and nodded frantically, "Yes sir".

My last owner wasn't this brutal with me. Yes he was a fucking pervert but he never tried to roughly hit me this way.

I blinked my tears away, waiting for his 'rules'.

"Number one, you are not allowed to leave my home without informing me. Even if you are heading to the grocery store or to a super market, I must be informed do you get that?"

That seemed fair enough. I was living in his home after all. "Yes.." I replied but quickly got a frightening hot glare being thrown at my way by Emilio and I realised my mistake.

"Yes sir. I am sorry" I immediately corrected myself.

"Secondly, you shall not make any calls to anyone whilst you stay in my home..."

What? Isn't that too extreme?

Emilio stopped speaking when he noticed the confused expression on my face. "Oh do you have a problem with that?" He tilted his head to the side to get a good view of my face.

I did have a problem with his weird ass rule! How can he cut off my communication all because I am going to spend a year in his fucking home? What kind of home is that anyways and who the fuck does he think he is?

Why is he so full of himself? I hate him so much already.

I wonder how my colleagues could stand him!

But I knew better than to yell out my frustrations. So I just said what he would expect, "No sir" I replied.

His brows pulled together but he moved his face back afterwards and cleared his throat to speak, "Glad you are becoming more reasonable and less foolish" he cursed.

My hands clenched my dress tighter and it took every self restraining cell in me not to hit him across the face.

"As I was saying earlier, you shall have no calls to anyone apart from me. My number should be the only number stored in your phone. Delete every other number and do not make me do it myself" he instructed vainly.

I could barely focus on anything he said after that. I zoned him out and the only thing on my mind was my grandma and my brother.

How would I reach out to her now? How would I get across to my brother?

I know for the time being they would not need much money from me because I sent them my entire last payment but what if an emergency came up concerning grandma's health?!

My next payment doesn't come in until the one year is over.

How will I get to know if grandma is in need of more money?

Well they can always call me since I can't call them. But what if Emilio found out? I sighed deeply, I just have to make sure he doesn't.

"And my final rule Sarah" he called my name so eloquently.

I had completely zoned him out. I barely could remember what he said after the no-communication rule.

"Do not think my home is a place for exploring. Do not go into any room that isn't shown to you. Stick with the rooms you'd be showed and we will live together peacefully" he instructed.

"Yes sir" I replied once again. It seems these two words would be the only words in my vocabulary from now on.

"As I've said earlier, breaking my rules comes with punishments princess. Do not push me to the edge" he added and I repeated the same monotone words.

The rest of our drive was done in silence.

We drove into what I'd call an 'Old money' gated community. Everything seemed posh and classy.

We kept driving until we got to a huge iron gate which stood tall like a barricade of spikes. Just one horn was what it took for the gate to be opened. It seemed electrical.

As the car glided along the driveway, my eyes were fixated on the grandeur unfolding before me– a colossal mansion nestled amidst sprawling gardens.

Jesus. His mansion was so huge! The biggest I had ever seen in my life.

This man must be filthy rich to stay in such an opulent mansion like this.

The intricate details of the architecture emerged gradually as we drove further, each facet revealing opulence and wealth.

The dim yellow glow of the evening sun danced upon the pristine walls, casting an ethereal glow on the meticulously manicured landscape that surrounded the estate.

I noticed a number of armed men patrolling the estate.

This man was definitely no ordinary man. He weilded intense power and wealth from all I've seen so far.

The limousine finally stopped after what seemed like forever and a chauffeur came forward to open the doors for us.

Emilio stopped out first and I trudged behind him.

"Welcome sir" he greeted Emilio who showed no signs of regard for the man.

So proud.

I guess the chauffeur was used to this sort of cold treatment.

"Let me carry your bag miss" he offered but I flashed him a warm smile instead and shook my head, "Thank you sir but I can carry it myself. Do not bother" I replied.

He nodded his head at my words and smiled back.

Arrayed before Emilio were a number of guards different from the one I had seen patrolling the estate, all bowing at him like he was their king.

Rich people are crazy.

We walked right passed them and into the mansion.

The dazzling light from the chandelier almost blinded my vision the moment I stepped in.

Marble floors stretched beneath, leading the way into a spacious living room. Plush, ornate furniture arranged in tasteful symmetry greeted us as we walked in.

I observed the elegance of this opulent mansion with doe eyes.

Large windows allowed the sunset to cascade into the room, revealing intricate details in the furnishings. A grand staircase, adorned with a richly patterned carpet, beckoned towards the upper floors. Artwork adorned the walls, each art piece more beautiful and captivating than the last.

I whipped my eyes to the far side of the mansion and noticing the dining room.

The dining room, a feast for the eyes, featured a long, polished table surrounded by high-backed chairs. Crystal glasses and gleaming silverware hinted at the luxurious dining experiences held.

This entire house screamed of bloody wealth!

About a dozen maids came rushing out of what I perceived would be the kitchen.

"Welcome sir" they greeted in unison.

He already had maids. Why then did he hire me? Well at least it was a good thing. I shrugged my shoulders at the thought, having maids already meant I wouldn't do much work.

This mansion is definitely big enough for just one person to take care off.

"As you all can see, I have gotten a personal maid for myself alone..."

Personal maid?

"Make her feel at home and ensure one of you shows her around the house by tomorrow morning. I do not care who does that. You..." he pointed at a young red haired lady.

She scurried towards him hastily. Wow. Everyone here seems scared of this man.

"Show her to her room" Emilio ordered and was about leaving for the stairs when I ran after him at once.

"Sir please..."

He stopped walking and turned to face me, his face holding no emotions.

"Uhm, what should I prepare for you this night?" I asked.

Emilio hummed and a smile broke on his lips but it vanished as quickly as it came. He took slow steps towards me until our bodies were barely inches away from meeting.

"Nothing. Tonight, get good rest and save your energy for what tomorrow brings" He vaguely replied before walking away.

What did he mean by that?

My brows creased together as I watched him leave.

What does Emilio have in store for me tomorrow?

Whatever it is, I have a feeling it is certainly not good.