Chapter 6

ERICA

I sat in tense silence, gripping the fabric of my dress, now stained with dirt and sand. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest, it felt as if the whole world could hear its frantic beat.

I tried to ignore the incessant thumping of my heart and focus on the world outside the car, the bustling streets that overflowed with life, a blend of movement, color, and sound at every corner. But it was of no use as long as that monster sat next to me.

I took side glances of him, trying so hard not to make it obvious.

Raffael sat a few seats away, his cold presence suffocating the space between us. He looked utterly formidable—maniacal and ruthless, exuding a terrifying sense of control.

How could my father do this to me? To Lilibeth? Now I’ve been sold off to this man against my will to clear up a debt I never knew off.

It all felt like a terrible nightmare to me, one I badly wanted to wake up from. My fingernails sank into my skin, leaving behind marks and cuts as we drove further away from everything I knew to be my life.

“Erica…” his cold menacing voice broke the silence that soared in the air.

I gulped down my nervousness and steered my eyes fully to his, matching his cold hollow orbs.

“You can’t respond!?” He barked making me almost jump out of my own body.

“N-no. I am so-rry. Yes?” My lips quivered as I responded.

He eyed me with a cold but calculating glare, a brow raised up as if he didn’t grasp what I first said, “Yes? Yes what?” He growled.

My brows furrowed in thought for a quick second, my lips parted but no words were emitted. What more does he want me to say?

Like a veil dropped from my eyes, the realization then dawned on me and I quickly corrected myself, “Yes sir”

“Good. You have to learn your diction around me. I am not your equal, I don’t beg for respect, I demand it. And any ounce of disrespect doesn’t go unnoticed and it isn’t tolerated. I don’t mind torturing you to have your knees bent. Have you got that?” His words were so acrimonious and vile.

My hands trembled and a cold bead of sweat broke out on my forehead. Quickly I nodded, but a muffled shriek escaped my lips when he shot me a fiery glare that could cut through steel. “Yes sir, I’m sorry..” I corrected myself again.

“In my house the rules are quite simple.”

Raffael's voice was cold as we drove, his eyes fixed on the road ahead without even sparing me a glance.

“You don’t leave without my permission. No calls unless I authorize them. Every move you make will be tracked, so don’t think about stepping out of line."

“Yes sir” I murmured.

His gaze flicked toward me briefly, his tone turning even colder. "And let’s be clear about the consequences. You break any of these rules, and you’ll regret it. I’m not someone who forgives easily, Erica. You’ll learn that soon enough.”

A shiver ran down my spine and I became terrified at once. “Yes sir” I managed to respond. It seems my vocabulary would be limited to these two words from now on.

The rest of the drive was done in silence, a silence I welcomed. Half an hour later, we found ourselves in front of a massive steel gate that opened slowly, granting us access to what appeared to be an expansive estate.

As we drove further along the paved road, a large, pale structure came into view. Was that his house? No, it couldn’t be just a house; it was a mansion!

The mansion stood tall and elegant, with large windows that shimmered in the sunset. Its white stone walls were smooth and clean, giving it a timeless look. The front yard was neatly trimmed, with colorful flowers lining the walkway that led to the grand entrance.

Two tall pillars framed the wide, wooden doors, which had golden handles and a shiny finish.

This man stayed in such a huge place alone?

The car gradually came to a stop and I stepped out first, still in awe at the luxurious building in front of us.

A man approached us, clearly in his early forties. He was dressed in a neatly ironed tuxedo. A stubble hugged his jaw and his hair was packed to a bun.

“Godday Mr Raffael. Clarissa has been waiting for your arrival for quite some time now” he bowed his head respectfully.

Raffael let out a groan, “didn’t you let her know that I wouldn’t be back anytime soon? Why bother waiting” he questioned.

“I did- but you know how the young miss cutter can be. She was adamant on leaving” the man responded.

Raffael nodded and turned his attention towards me, “Romano, this is Erica, my new maid. You’d show her around the house and also give her the room at the left wing, a room befitting of her status” he smirked.

The man—Romano, flashed me a warm smile, the first I’d been given throughout my entire ordeal today. “Good day miss Erica. May I carry your bag for you?” He motioned at the bag which I had slung over my shoulders.

I could feel Raffael cold glare on me as the seconds ticked by. Quickly, I shook my head, flashing him a faint smile, “I can carry it sir. Thank you for your offer,” I declined in the most polite tone I could muster.

“Right this way then,” he nodded at me and I walked behind him whilst Raffael picked up the pace beside me.

The interior of the house was even far more magnificent than the exterior.

Inside, the rooms were spacious, with high ceilings and chandeliers that sparkled. The floors were polished wood, reflecting the soft glow of the lights. Large paintings and fancy furniture decorated every corner, showing off the home's wealth and style.

The living room had plush couches and a fireplace that gave the room a warm, inviting feel. A grand staircase curved upwards, dividing the room into two sides, left and right.

And not to mention how chilly the air inside felt regardless of the fireplace.

Everything screamed of wealth, bloody generational wealth.

“Raffael!” I heard an excited scream as a woman rushed down the stairs and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

“Oh I’ve been waiting for you to come Raffael. Where have you been?” Her face bubbled with excitement.

“Work Clarissa. You know that” Raffael exhaled, freeing himself from her grasp.

“Work?” She scoffed, her eyes finally veering towards mine.

I just stood there, like an unwanted guest, unsure of how to comport myself or what to say.

“Oh you were busy with one of your whores again?” She seethed as her lips curled in revulsion.

“Excuse me?” My eyes widened in disbelief.

“Clarissa she’s not my whore. She could never even be in the league of women I entertain myself with” Raffael spat.

I blinked, struggling to grasp the sheer magnitude of insults that had just been hurled at me while I stood there, doing nothing.

“She’s the new maid I got” he added to her displeasure.

“Some lowly bitch you picked by the roadside huh? C’mon just look at how dirty she is. Are these the kind of women you now desire?” Clarissa taunted.

“What did you just call me?” I responded, unable to hold my annoyance any longer.

“You are a lowly bitch, a whore picked from the gutters” Her expression twisted in disgust.

“How dare you call me that? You don’t even know who I am!” I stood up for myself.

“Erica!” Raffael barked. “Do you have any idea who you are talking to in that tone? She is my fiancée. A disrespect to her it’s a disrespect to me!” He growled, glaring at me with contempt.

Clarissa folded her arms with an air of authority, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

“But she insulted me. Should I keep quiet whilst she slanders my name sir?” I retorted.

“She’s so disrespectful. See how she’s talking back at you” Clarissa added more fuel to the already heated discussion.

I opened my mouth to speak but Raffael silenced me with a finger raised, “Never in your miserable life speak to me my woman in that tone you wretched bitch else I’ll deal with you personally. And if you aren’t a whore yet, you’d be one by the time you start working in that strip club” Raffael grimaced.

“Now apologize!” He ordered.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my chest tightening with each breath, “I’m sorry miss…”

“Clarissa” she completed for me.

“I’m sorry miss Clarissa. I truly apologise for my tone. It will never repeat itself again”

“It better not. Romano show her around and take her to her room. You better be ready to work Erica. Your bills won’t pay itself” Raffael scoffed before marching away.

Clarissa grinned at me, her lips curling into a malicious smile, “hmm so your name is Erica….” She approached me, swaying her hips with each step.

“Miss Erica, shall we leave?” Romano interjected but Clarissa flashed him a venomous glare. “How dare you interrupt me, you worthless bastard. Are you nuts?”

Romano’s face flushed with embarrassment, “my apologies miss Clarissa”

I felt pity for him. This spoilt brat of a lady was trampling over everybody because she was Raffael’s woman. Well they were a perfect match. Birds of a feather flock together.

“Apologies my foot. And as for you…whore..” she turned her glare to me, enjoying the look of annoyance on my face.

“Oh I’m sorry do you have a problem with me calling what you are? A whore?” She repeated her statement, challenging me to retort back.

But I knew better than to do so. I suppressed my anger and kept my mouth shut but my eyes, two fiery balls clearly expressed my fury.

“Just know this, Raffael is my man. He is my fiancé. I don’t know whatever arrangement you have with him that made him bring you into our home but if you dare make a move on my man, I swear I’ll make your life a living hell before killing you myself” she threatened, before sharply pivoting and walking away.

“Like I even want her man” I spoke underneath my breath the moment she was out of sight.

“Miss Erica, just avoid Miss Clarissa and you’d be fine in this house” Romano advised.

I gave him a curt nod. I have no issues in avoiding her but will she avoid making troubles for me?

I doubt not.