Chapter 5

Convincing my father to let me leave had been an epic battle. Days of pleading, bargaining, and even a brief but dramatic hunger strike had finally worn him down. He had grumbled and cursed, muttering about the dangers of the outside world and the importance of a woman's place being in the home. But in the end, my stubbornness paved the way.

Amelia was particularly ecstatic when she heard I'd be leaving. "Finally, the imposter is leaving." She had laughed.

I'd called Madam Maureen immediately, my voice full of excitement. "Miss Maureen I'm ready. I'll take the job."

"Excellent!" she'd exclaimed. "Meet me at the office tomorrow morning. The employer will be there to meet you and the other girls. You'll be taken to the mansion tomorrow."

Excitement bubbled within me. I spent the rest of the day packing, my small suitcase overflowing with my meager belongings. And, of course, my father had insisted on 'supplementing' my luggage. His idea of supplements involved a generous helping of suppressants, that were supposed to 'keep the wild urges at bay.' I sighed, stuffing the unwanted pills into my bag.

The next morning, I took the first train to the city, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. I arrived at Miss Maureen's office, a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.

"You're late, Iris!" Miss Maureen scolded, her eyes narrowed. "The employer doesn't like tardiness."

I apologized profusely, my cheeks burning with shame. "I'm so sorry, Miss Maureen. I… I woke up late."

"Just get in line," she said, her voice brisk. "The employer is waiting."

I joined the other girls, a group of young women with faces etched with a mixture of hope and apprehension. The employer, a stern faced woman with a commanding presence, scrutinized each of us, her gaze sharp and penetrating. She nodded in approval, her lips a thin line.

"Alright girls," she said, her voice crisp. "Get on the bus. The journey may be a bit bumpy, but I assure you, the destination will be worth it."

We boarded the luxurious bus, a stark contrast to the crowded public transport I was used to. As the bus pulled away, I looked out the window, a mixture of excitement and trepidation swirling within me.

The ride was indeed bumpy, the bus swaying and jolting along the winding road. But finally, we arrived at our destination. The mansion loomed before us, a majestic structure of stone and glass, nestled amidst sprawling lawns and towering trees. Our eyes were wide with awe. As the bus drove further into the mansion, It was like something out of a fairy tale.

The employer, who introduced herself as Miss Felice welcomed us.

"I will officially welcome you girls to the Troy Mansion." She said proudly.

The name hit me like a physical blow. Troy? Like Troy?

My heart pounded against my chest, a frantic drumbeat threatening to tear out my clothes. I swallowed hard, my eyes darting around nervously. Please, Goddess, please let it not be the same Troy I was thinking about.

A shiver ran down my spine. It couldn't possibly be the same person or I'm doomed.

~~~~~

I was actually doomed, as it was the same Troy. I was even assigned to clean his room. Luckily he was not in when I came to clean so I wanted to quickly finish my job before he returns. Hopefully I won't need to run into him.

It is said that we often get the opposite of what we want. In this case, that saying was absolutely correct. Before I could finish up, Leigh walked into the room and found me. This was bad, like really bad as he seemed so angry just seeing me. He walked up to me and gripped me hard.

"You little snake! How did you get in my room".

"I'm sorry, I think you got the wrong person" I said bullshitting while trying to escape his hard grip.

"What a load of bullshit. I smell myself on you, that's how I know and you still pretend you conniving little rat" he said in a grunt.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it was your room, I just wanted to finish up and leave." I said teary eyed.

"You really are one of a kind. I practically turned you down when your little stunt failed but you had the guts to come find me in my household? You really are disgusting" he said clearly irritated.

"Please believe me, I really didn't know this was your household, I just wanted a job that's all" I said pleading.

"Still lying huh! There is only one Troy household and can you swear you didn't know that the job you were applying for was at the Troy household?" He said smirking evilly.

Everything I said was the truth but I couldn't bullshit my way out of this. I wouldn't even believe me so I just kept quiet and looked down hoping he would find mercy somewhere in his black heart and let me go.

"I had told you never to appear in front of me again, but you disregarded my warning and came here yourself, even appearing in my room all alone like this" he said as he grabbed my neck.

"Please let me go" I said grabbing his arms on my neck but he tightened his grip and was actually strangling me.

I struggled to escape but I couldn't. Was I really going to die like this? I couldn't even utter a word as his arms pressed out every air in my throat. I thought of my father, my sister and surprisingly of Archie. He was the Genesis of this whole mess. If only I hadn't met him, if only I hadn't attended that stupid marking ceremony, if only I hadn't gone to him when he texted, I wouldn't be fighting for my life in the hands of Leigh. Was I really doomed to die on my first day of work? I regretted everything as tears flowed down my cheeks and I shut my eyes.