Chapter 4: All For Me?

Shuffling around so that Riley stops falling down her side, Maryanne grunts. She stares up at the mansion in front of her. It is three stories with columns lining the entrance. The driveway loops in on a cobblestone road and Maryanne tries to navigate her way across the large rocks with Riley fidgeting in her arms.

"Miss Maryanne!" A woman, in her early thirties, exits the building, rushing down to her. "I have been waiting for your arrival." She grins, wiping her hands on a pale apron around her waist. Her blond hair is tied up in a bun.

"Oh, hello. Aren't you a bit cold," Maryanne questions, noticing that the woman only had on a thin windbreaker.

"Oh, I was in a rush to greet you," she laughs, leading the way into the house.

Maryanne allows Riley to slide down, her arms outstretched as she runs in circles around the large foyer.

"Did Max really buy this," she questions without thinking, her mouth gaping. She looks up at the large chandelier and painted ceiling. There is a grand staircase across the marble floor. Off to her right she can see tall, sliding doors that lead to an excessively large indoor pool. She swallows her shock and reverts her attention back to the woman.

She is smiling softly, "Yes, he has. I am Geneva, the maid of this house. I live in the servant's wing."

"You have to live here?" Maryanne holds down her surprise. Is that really true? Why force her to stay, completely isolated from her family?

"Yes, but I knew that this was a part of the job before I accepted it. I actually rather enjoy living here," she chuckles as Riley runs up to one of the statues along the wall. "Why don't I bring Riley to get something to eat while you take a look around. Your possessions from your apartment will be arriving later this afternoon."

"Alright, thank you."

Maryanne watches as Geneva urges Riley to follow her, the young girl grabbing the maid's hand happily.

Smiling, she walks to the staircase and cautiously begins to ascend. She can't possibly stay here, can she? This place is so elegant and definitely not what she is used to. There is beautiful red carpet at the top of the stairs, and she veers off to the right, opening the first door she spots. It opens into what appears to be a spare bedroom, the bed coverings and wallpaper a mute color. Closing the door gently, she continues on, passing more statues and elegant wall decorations. There are several bathrooms on this level causing her to wonder how many they even need.

She turns back around, deciding to check upstairs.

"Are you enjoying the house so far, Mary?" Max appears from one of the spare rooms, closing the door.

Maryanne forces her heart to calm, "It's Maryanne."

He only grins and folds his arms. "I hope you enjoy your stay here. It will be your home, ours, for the next year."

"Are you sure about this," she wonders for the umpteenth time. "I'm not sure it's a good idea."

"Of course it is. Riley needs stability. This way we can show who is the better suited guardian. And who knows, maybe we can learn from each other," he shrugs.

Maryanne narrows her gaze, but remains silent. She presses her lips together to hold any words back. Max is normally more callous and rude to her, so she is not quite sure what he wants.

"How is this going to work with your job?"

"I have made plans to do a lot of the work from home, at least for a few days."

She nods, turning her gaze on anything else except for his towering, chiseled frame.

"Come, let me show you around." Max pivots and walks across the hallway, opening the door to one of the rooms.

Maryanne slowly follows him in, eyeing every item. Her jaw drops, "Is this really necessary?"

The entire wall is completely covered with security camera footage. The entire house is being watched. She spots Geneva feeding Riley on the bottom left screen.

"I only want the best for Riley. I want to honor Greg and Lucy. I also have several guard dogs that security will use if anyone tries to break in. In each master bedroom, yours, mind, and Riley's, there is a panic room built in."

Maryanne is left speechless, "What. . ."

"What's wrong," Max turns to her, his brow furrowing.

"Is all of that necessary?" She ends up repeating herself.

"I don't want to take any chances, especially on the days that I have to go into the city. I want to know that you guys are protected."

Maryanne's heart flutters, but she pushes it down immediately.

"What's that," she points to one of the smaller screens that she can't quite make out.

Max grins and moves to the door, "Follow me."

She quietly shuffles up the stairs to the third floor, eyeing the unique architecture. This place is too much for her.

"Here," Max shoves open a door and steps to the side.

As Maryanne enters her entire body begins to buzz, a giddiness building in her chest. She had never seen so many books in her life, not even at the library. They line every inch of the twenty foot walls, ladders attached to the shelves so that one could climb to grab a novel higher up.

"Did. . . was this already here?"

"Yes, the previous owner was an avid reader. It's the reason I bought the place."

Maryanne turns her gaze onto him, "What do you mean?"

"As soon as I saw this room, I thought of you and knew I had to buy it."