Chapter 3

Gian's POV

The servant's hall was a separate four-storey building located at the east side of the mansion, with its very own pool, pond and garden.

On the first floor, there was a dainty lobby with padded chairs and a tea table. A television set hanging on the wall, a glass-door fridge full of fruit drinks ( I was dying to get one, perhaps a grape flavor), a coffee machine, and a counter with yummy looking cakes and pastries. Wait, is that a croissant?

"This section of the building is for women only."

Well, that explains the peach-colored curtains and colorful vases filled with flowers. My eyes roamed around.

"Men are prohibited here," she continued, and gave me a warning look, as if I would bring a man here. That would never happen.

"There are separate areas for the men and bodyguards, so you won't run into them when you're here. But everyone eats at the dining hall, for the cook's convenience."

"I see," I nodded, following her and dragging my luggage, "this place is very nice. Like a hostel."

"Yeah," she tilted one eyebrow, looking at me uncertainly, "you may feel that you're on a vacation, but I have to remind you, you have duties and responsibilities here. Mr. Fernandez is expecting you to behave accordingly. He's very strict to people working with him. He won't hesitate to fire anyone not doing their job well, and not following the household rules."

"Oh my, that's scary," I joked but she kept a straight face.

"He can be very scary, and dangerous too. So bear that in mind. Not only for yourself, but for the other staff, since they are under your supervision. You don't want to take the blame, right?" she said firmly, like some strict Victorian headmistress, "come on,

I'll show you to your room."

The room was on the second-floor, modern, conventional and in cheerful lavender. The queen-size bed looked very comfortable, with crispy white sheets and big pillows. I could not wait to lie down on it and sleep. There was an ensuite bathroom, closet, study table with lamp and a TV set.

"It's lovely," I opened the windows and got the view of the river. The air was so fresh and clean, the whole place was very calm and peaceful. I could only hear the chirping sound of the birds.

"I'm glad you like it," she tilted her chin up, then clasped her arms together, "I'm going to introduce you to the staff later. Just don't forget, you're 45 years old and you are your aunt's sister, not niece. Clear?"

"Very clear."

"You will assume all my duties and responsibilities here in the mansion," she enumerated her role, and I listened eagerly.

I learned that she was more like an overseer/supervisor than a housekeeper. She kept things in order and made sure that everyone did their job well.

"You have to be strict and authoritative, so everyone will follow your orders. Not everyone listens, some are hard-headed, especially Connor, the driver."

"Well, I'll take that as a challenge. Noted, Calliope."

"Remember to address me as Miss Chloros in front of Mr. Fernandez. He doesn't address his staff by their first names."

"Oh ... okay. So he doesn't know everyone's first name."

"Yes," she nodded, but immediately defended, "he keeps everything formal and businesslike here. So, you will be addressed as Miss Kasdeya also."

"Sure, no problem."

"I'll leave you now to unpack your things. I'll see you downstairs in an hour," she tilted her chin up again (I realized a habit), then she left the room immediately.

The moment I was alone, I laid down on bed, contemplating on what I got into.

Weighing the good and the evil. Disguising is a lie, but I had to help aunt Jodie.

I called aunt Jodie and informed her that Calliope accepted me as a reliever. She was so happy and tearful when we talked. I did not tell her about my disguise, it would only worry her.

I called dad and mom afterwards, they were still curious about the result of my interview.

"Did you get the job?" Dad asked me right away.

"Yeah, I got the job."

I heard mom shout, "I knew it! You're so smart Gian, there's no way you won't get hired."

"But, it's different, way better than the teaching job."

I heard their sudden silence, then mom asked, "what do you mean?"

"There's no hiring of History Professors in NYU until next semester, but they put me in their priority list." I kept my fingers crossed.

"In other words, you didn't get the job, right?" Dad spoke slowly.

"Yeah, but ... "

"But what?" Mom asked gently.

"I have a job now. I just started today, as a history researcher."

"I'm confused. Will you explain what really happened Gian?" Dad asked firmly.

"Well, Miss Murphy introduced me to this ... um ... writer. Yeah, a writer, a very famous and respectable one. I'm sure you know him, dad. Um, he's doing some research right now, and I'm very lucky to help him."

"Who is this writer?"

"Sorry Dad, I can't tell you his name. This research is very confidential. It involves the ... um, government. The United Nations. Um, and the World Health Organization," my face burned from all the lies I have said. I felt so guilty already.

"So it concerns health."

"Exactly. By the way, it's a stay-in job with a very good salary. The benefits are crazy. Imagine, we have a serva ... I mean they serve a buffet every meal."

"You mean, there are many of you working there?" Mom asked, in her worried voice.

"Plenty. More than twenty people. So don't worry about me, I'm in safe hands."

"And where is this place you're working at? At least, tell us where you are right now."

"I'm here in New York, just a few minutes drive from our place. You can call or text me anytime, if you're worried."

"Okay, fine. We trust you," Mom sounded satisfied with my explanation.

"Take care always, our princess," Dad shouted in the background.

"I will. I love you both so much. Enjoy your vacation. Bye!"

I felt guilty that I lied to my parents. I wished I never had to. But for aunt Jodie's sake, I had to do it. I just hoped they would understand me.

I opened my luggage, and saw the two picture frames that I brought. I put them on top of the bedside table, beside the clock.

My eyes widened in alarm. Oh no, I only have five minutes left.

I fixed myself, then ran downstairs to meet Calliope and the staff.

Vincent POV

"What's that commotion earlier?" I asked my bodyguard, Jack, when we were inside the private elevator of the Monteiro Hotel, heading to the rooftop. I just finished my lunch meeting with the French Ambassador.

"A woman sir. She insisted on having a photo with you."

I clicked my tongue, suddenly annoyed at the information, "dammit! Why can't some people understand that I'm not a celebrity."

Jack was silent. After fifteen years of working as my bodyguard, he knew when to keep his mouth shut.

At the rooftop, I strode directly to the helipad, where my chopper and the rest of the bodyguards were waiting.

"To the headquarters," Jack informed the pilot.

"Roger."

Taking a chopper wherever I go is very convenient for me. My time is too precious to be wasted on traffic.

I was in our Texas Office for straight two months, working on our AugmentedReality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) project.

We were ready to advance to the next level, which was Beta testing. Our software developers were doing many test runs to avoid collapse of the system. This project aimed to change the future - in education, commerce, science and technology. All humankind would benefit this project.

"Ready for landing, sir," the pilot announced, then descended on top of the Fernandez building.

Waiting at the rooftop were my executive secretary, software manager, finance officer and personal assistant.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fernandez," they all greeted, then followed me.

Jack and two bodyguards went ahead and opened the door of my office.

"What the hell is that?" I pointed at the boat on top of my desk, then looked at my Executive Secretary, Mr. Penn.

"That's a sushi boat, Sir," he informed me, "Mrs. Alvarez delivered it personally. She wanted it on your desk, so you wouldn't miss it."

"That's huge, how can I miss seeing it?" I hissed, then ordered firmly, "give it to the guards."

A bodyguard took it from my table and brought it outside.

I dropped down behind my office table, shaking my head.

Mrs. Alvarez is pretty insistent. She wants me to date her daughter. For heaven's sake, she's throwing her daughter to the wolf.

"Okay, tell me all your concerns," I asked my finance officer first.

"The finance advisor of Dubai Trading Company informed me that your investment tripled. He's asking if you'll reinvest the money, Sir."

"Yeah, roll it, and add another billion."

"Noted, Sir."

My software manager enumerated the test runs they made in the last 24 hours.

"We could not find any fault in the EDUTECH program, Sir. We're ready to launch for beta testing. When can we possibly run it?"

"We'll do it next week. Make sure that all members working in the project will be present."

"Understood sir."

They brought up more concern, until we tackled everything.

"Is that all?" I looked at my watch, time was running so fast. I needed to study and sign many documents.

"I have more, Sir," Mr. Penn said, "the GQ magazine is asking, if you can pose for them.

They want you be their next month's cover, as the most eligible bachelor of America,"

"Not again. I just posed for Forbes," I shook my head, "tell them I'm busy."

"Will do, sir," he scribbled something on his iPad, "another thing, sir. Miss Hornet called. She booked a dinner reservation for both of you at New World Hotel. Tonight, at eight p.m."

"Hornet?"

"The girl you went out with two nights ago."

"Oh," my eyebrows drew together, "send her flowers and a bracelet. Include a note, tell her, it was fun while it lasted."

"Yes, Sir."

I took my pen, impatient to start working, "is that all?"

"Um ... Miss Chloros also called."

I slammed my pen on my desk, "and who is this now?"

"Your housekeeper in New York."

"I see. What's her concern?"

"She called to inform you that her replacement, Miss Jodie Kasdeya, broke her arm. It would take two months for Miss Kasdeya to recover fully."

"But Miss Chloros is getting married," I took my pen, subconsciously tapping it on my desk.

"Yes sir, and she's scheduled to leave next week. Miss Kasdeya's sister filled in the post for two months. She's now settled in the mansion."

"I see." I read the document in front of me, and was still tapping my pen.

"By the way, her name is Gian Kasdeya. She's 45 years old, and single."

I stopped tapping my pen, then looked at Mr. Penn, "draw a contract. I want it signed, sealed and delivered.?

"Noted, Sir."

I put down my pen, and turned to Jack.

"Prepare the plane. We're going back to New York."