Chapter 6 - Selena

Once we were upstairs, Marta showed me to the guest bathroom. The bathroom was bigger than my bedroom. I could have never even dreamed about anything like this.

The warm water from the shower washed away the grime and fear of the day. I felt the tension in my muscles begin to ease. I had never smelled something as nice as the shampoo and body wash that was in the shower. My mind was racing with thoughts of escape, but she knew it was futile. The house was too secure, too many eyes watching my every move. Plus, I was so tired, tired all the way to my bones.

As I stepped out of the shower, Marta handed me a soft towel. She was kind, her eyes filled with a motherly concern that was foreign to me. "Here, let me help you," she said, her voice gentle as she wrapped the towel around my body. She led me to a room that had been prepared for me, the bed freshly made with clean, crisp sheets that smelled of lavender.

The room was the polar opposite to the cold, unfeeling apartment I was used to. The walls were painted a soft blue, with a single window that let in the moonlight. There was a vanity with a bouquet of flowers and a chair. I sat down, feeling the plushness of the fabric underneath me, and Marta began to brush my hair. Her hands were firm yet tender, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to feel a semblance of comfort.

"You know, Selena," Marta began, her voice low and soothing, "this isn't what it seems." I met her gaze in the mirror, skepticism etched into my features. "The Don is not a monster," she said, continuing to brush my hair. "He is a man of honor, and he will protect you as if you were his own blood." I remained silent, unsure if I wanted to believe her.

After drying off, I slipped into the soft robe she had provided for me. The fabric felt warm against my skin. Marta led me to the bedroom, and as we approached, I heard the muffled voices of the men downstairs. My stomach twisted in knots, and the urge to run was overwhelming. But where would I go? The house was a fortress, and the thought of facing the unknown outside was as terrifying as the fate that awaited me within these walls.

I lay there, listening to the distant murmurs of the men below. They talked in hushed tones, their words indistinguishable but the urgency clear. It was a stark reminder of the world I had been thrust into. The quietness of the room was interrupted by the occasional footstep in the hallway outside. Each one made my heart skip a beat, my body tensing in anticipation of what could be on the other side of the door.

Finally, my eyes grew heavy, and I succumbed to sleep. Dreams danced through my mind, a jumbled mess of fear and confusion, intermingled with images of the Don and his gentle touch. It was a strange comparison, the man who had taken me from my home and the comfort he offered.

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of pans clanging in the kitchen. The house was alive with activity, and I knew I had to face the day. I slipped out of the bed and into the clothes Marta had left for me. I was expecting a maids uniform but instead there were jeans and a hoodie.

As went down the stairs, I could feel the weight my situation all around me. How was I going to be able to finish my classes now? I was so close to finishing to get my diploma. What about the little bit of money I had saved. If I did decide to sneak out and make a run for it, I had nothing but the clothes on my back.

When I entered the kitchen, Marta was bustling around, her hands moving swiftly as she prepared breakfast. She looked up, her eyes softening when she saw me. "Good morning, Selena. Did you sleep well?" she asked, in a thick Italian accent.

“As well as I could after everything that happened last night.”

The kitchen was so warm, and reminded me of pictures I had seen in magazines. The smell of eggs and bacon made my stomach rumble. It had been a while since I had eaten anything, definitely not eggs and bacon. My breakfast was usually dry cereal because I couldn’t afford to buy milk.

"Marta, I was wondering where my maid's uniform is.” I looked around the kitchen for any sign of the uniform I figured I would be wearing.

"Maid's uniform?" Marta paused in her cooking, a look of genuine confusion crossing her face. "Why would you need that, Selena?"

"Isn't that what I'm here for? To help you and serve Don Rossi?”

"Ah, no, carina," Marta said, shaking her head with a gentle smile. "You are not here as a servant. You are a guest. The Don is quite fond of you, and he would not have you treated as such."

I must be dreaming because I know my dad was told I was going to be a maid to pay off his gambling debts.

"Marta, I don’t understand. But my dad was told that I would be working as a maid here to pay off his gambling debts.”

"Ah, Selena," Marta said with a warm smile, setting the spatula aside and walking over to me. She motioned for me to take a seat, which I did.

“Your father's debts are no longer your concern. The Don has taken care of that. You are under his protection now. You are not a servant here. You are a part of this family."

“But, why would he do that? He doesn’t know me.”

"The Don has other plans for you, my dear," Marta said.