A rebellious assistant

The huge steel gate opened to allow the truck carrying Gia, Juno and Grandma Herminia to pass through. Looking through the window, Gia felt her breath catch. 

Huge gardens that seemed straight out of a fairy tale stretched as far as the eye could see, covered with leafy trees and beautiful rose bushes. At the end of the road they came to an imposing mansion, whose architecture combined classic and modern designs. 

“Welcome to your new home, dear.” Grandma smiled at Gia’s amazed expression. “What do you think?”

Gia tried to speak, but couldn’t. Her eyes filled with tears at the old lady’s kindness, remembering that just a few hours earlier, she had found herself soaked in the street, with nowhere to go. 

“Madam…I thank you infinitely.” She finally managed to say, on the verge of tears. 

“No tears, Miss,” said Grandma, patting her gently on the back. “Oh, and no ma’am, I told you that you can call me Herminia, now come on, I’ll show you the house.”

Juno remained silent, behind them, feeling her stomach twist with fury, she watched Gia while clenching her fists, she had to find a way to get her out, plan something that would make Grandma run her out, they entered in four, she walked away from them.

The interior was even more impressive, marble floors, large chandeliers, and valuable works of art decorating the place.

“I decorated it myself, I chose every single detail.” Grandma said proudly. “Juno has wanted to modernize everything, but as long as I live, this house will keep its soul.”

Gia smiled, she liked her grandmother's character, and especially because she was the only one who put Juno in her place, Hermini continued to guide her through the mansion, each space was even more impressive than the last. 

“This is the gym” the grandmother showed, opening some sliding glass doors, which led to a space that looked like a luxury sports club. “You can use it whenever you want in your free time, also the pool, of course, is heated.”

Gia smiled, but remembered Juno.

“But, won't Mr. Greco be upset?”

The grandmother let out a loud laugh.

“Juno? Bah! My grandson barely steps foot in the house, he's too busy playing the important businessman, as well as collecting models as if they were postage stamps.”

There was something in the grandmother's tone that made Gia think that she did not approve of the lifestyle her grandson led.

“Even though he lives with me, I see him very little, work and women take up his time, sometimes he comes to change clothes, and I think he comes to make sure I'm still alive.” Grandma continued as they climbed the stairs, leaning heavily on the handrail.

“Are you okay? Do you need help?” the girl asked when she noticed that he was climbing with difficulty.

“I'm always thinking about putting in an elevator,” she replied, then stopped to take a breath. “I forget all the time, your job will be to remind me, dear.”

When they reached the second floor, Herminia led Gía down a long hallway decorated with family portraits, she stopped in front of the photograph of Juno when she was a teenager, her brow furrowed, but there was a sparkle in her eyes, which had now clearly faded.

“This photo was taken before he became obsessed with being a shipping magnate, sometimes I miss that grumpy boy, but with a heart.”

They stopped in front of a double door made of carved wood. 

"And this one here, darling, will be your room."

As soon as she opened the doors, Gia had to contain herself from letting out a cry of excitement. The room was wonderful, it seemed like something out of a fairy tale, or some princess movie.

In the center was a huge four poster bed with silk curtains, next to an antique dressing table, the huge windows showed a beautiful view of the garden.”

“When I decorated this room, I thought that one day I would have a granddaughter.” The grandmother's voice became softer. “Juno's father was my only son, he and his wife died in an accident when Juno was little, since then I have decorated this room.”

“Madam, Herminia, I cannot accept this room, it is special for you, I will be fine in some service room.” Gía answered, feeling her heart shrink from the story of Juno's parents.

“Nonsense, girl!” The grandmother almost pushed her into the room. “I need you to be close, I am old and sometimes I get sick at night, I will need medicine, and my room is right next door.”

“I just feel that my place is in the staff area.”

“Of course not! You are my assistant, and you must understand that you are not just any employee, I need you around.”

Later, while they were having tea on the terrace, Herminia sent Gia to her room to get a shawl, as the night was cool, then Juno's furious voice was heard.

“Are you serious? What is going through your mind, grandmother?” Her screams were heard throughout the house. “Will you give her the room next to yours? The pink room? Can't you see that she is a poor, starving woman?”

The grandmother, extremely upset, stood up upon hearing this.

“Moderate your tone, young man, Gia is my personal assistant, and I will accommodate her wherever I please, this is still my house, in case you have forgotten.”

“She is a dirty beggar, a profiteer, don't you see that she is only looking for…”

“SILENCE!” The grandmother hit her cane hard against the ground. “I won't let you talk about her like that, you've already hurt her enough.”

Gia, hearing this, had frozen on the stairs, clutching Grandma's shawl to her chest. When she finally came down, Juno glared at her, her grey eyes flashing with fury at the sight of her. He then turned around to walk away, Gia's presence irritating him.”

“Don’t worry about him, daughter,” Grandma whispered as Juno walked away. “He’s just jealous, he’s not used to sharing my attention, just avoid crossing his path as much as possible.”

Later, when Gia headed to her room after helping Grandma to bed, she found Grandma’s warning came too late. Juno was waiting for her in the hallway, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest.

“What do you want?” Gia asked, her voice as serious as she could, trying not to let her notice that she was shaking.

Juno came closer, and she could smell his expensive cologne and something stronger. Whiskey?

“Don’t think you’ll be staying in this house for long,” her voice was low, dangerous. “I don’t know what game you’re playing with Grandma, but you won’t get away with it.”

“I’m not playing any games,” Gia lifted her chin, refusing to be intimidated. “Your grandma offered me a job and a place to live. Unlike you, she has a heart."

Juno's laugh was more of a mockery. 

"A heart? My grandmother has too big a heart for her own good. But I don't. And I won't let a gold digger like you take advantage of her."

"I'm not a gold digger!" Gia took a step towards him, her fury at remembering what he had done to her, making her overcome her fear. "I just want to work honestly so I can help my mother! Something you wouldn't understand because you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth!"

Juno grabbed her arm, not caring that her fingers left marks on her skin. "You don't know anything about me, you little liar. You don't know..."

"Juno!" Grandma's voice sounded annoyed "What are you doing?" She asked slowly approaching them.

Juno let go of Gia quickly.

"Nothing, Grandma, I was just having a civil conversation with your new... assistant." She lied shamelessly.

"Civilized?" Grandma walked down the hall, her cane clicking on the floor with each step. "Gia, are you okay?"

"Yes, ma'am," Gia rubbed her arm discreetly. "I'm fine."

Disappointed, Grandma looked at her grandson warningly.

"Juno, I'm warning you, don't mess with Gia, she's my personal assistant and you'll treat her with respect. Understood?"

Juno shrugged at her.

"As you wish, Grandma, but don't say I didn't warn you about her." She quickly walked away down the hall.

"Don't mind him," Grandma placed a wrinkled hand on Gia's shoulder. "He's used to doing what he wants, but he'll learn."

Gia nodded, but she couldn't help but feel a chill, there was something in the way Juno had looked at her, something that scared her and, at the same time, intrigued her.

In her room, Juno couldn't believe her luck, of all the possible women, her grandmother had chosen that rebel to be her assistant.