003: "I Would Say It One More Time, Open Your Eyes, Doll,"

(Anastasia's Point Of View)

Rule number 4, Always attend to the bosses with no questions asked. Rule Number 5, Staff eats breakfast after the bosses. Rule Number 6, no staff is allowed out of the mansion, and lastly, rule Number 7, the top floor is off limits, especially room number 5. And each rule had its own punishment when broken.

There were a lot of rules in just a house but then I realized, this wasn't just a mansion, there were a lot of activities going on that I didn't know about.

Like the guards, Khione called them soldiers, apart from the fact they were scary with their tattoos, they were bulky and their expressions were always so deadpanned and the guns, yes, I had seen the guns tucked at the back of their pants which again confirmed my doubts that this was indeed an illegal syndicate. I couldn't believe I was dragged into a crime organization! 

I'd been at the Mansion for two days and still didn't know where the exit was, and I'd been lost more times than I could count.

It had been two days since I got lucky since they were short on staff and I was made a maid rather than a whore. It's been two days since I learned about the boss and his three underbosses, particularly Enzo Mezzesalma.

I'd only look at him a few times when I had the chance, and every time I caught a glimpse of his masculine features, I was gobsmacked.

Rule number 3: Stay away from Enzo Mezzesalma. 

Khione had lectured me on how essential that rule was and how ugly the punishment was. I couldn't help but wonder why. There were two more underbosses, but there aren't any rules about them, so why Enzo Mezzesalma?

Walking up the fourth staircase with a bucket and a mopper, I shook my head. I shouldn't be worrying about unimportant stuff. Khione had cautioned me to avoid every master in the manor if I wanted to continue working as a maid until my debt was paid.

By the sixth floor, I could feel every joint in my body throbbing as I panted with my hands on my knees. What was the point of having so many floors? I glared at the elevator meant for the most important figures in the mansion. I rolled my eyes and looked away.

I peered at the corridor and noticed there were only three doors. Which one was I supposed to clean? I wasn't told which one!

I took up the cleaning supplies and proceeded toward the first door, resisting the impulse to lie down for a few minutes. I reached out and knocked, expecting it to open, but it didn't. I scowled and knocked again, but the door opened by itself. I shrugged and stepped inside, entering an enormous and exquisite bedroom with nothing out of place; what was I meant to clean?

After dropping the items, I proceeded to the wide doors and windows that led to a balcony. I smiled as fresh air kissed my face as I pulled the glass doors open.

"A servant in my room,"

I was astonished by the remark and turned quickly, gasping as my sight fell on a naked torso wet with water and a towel wrapped around his hips. My gaze shot up to meet with a set of blue eyes.

Enzo Mezzesalma was there! The same man I was warned to avoid!

Oh, no! What could I say? I fretted internally as my hands became clammy in the gloves I was wearing.

Then he walked toward me as I took a step back, so quickly that I couldn't fathom what was going on until my back slammed on the glass and a scream sprang out of me as he imprisoned me between his arms and the door.

I shut my eyes lightly, shivering to the core in fear as I waited for the hit, a slap, a punch, anything to put me out of my misery.

"Open your eyes," came his low voice. I violently shook my head, holding back a sob and the urge to get down on my knees and beg for my life. Would he kill me for just entering his room, there had to be a reason for rule number 3 right?

Suddenly, I felt warm breaths fanning my face and I got a sniff of his aftershave. "Do you have a death wish?" He catechized. I immediately shook my head. I didn't want to die. "I would say it one more time, open your eyes, doll,"

I didn't have to be told twice as I opened my eyes but didn't dare look up as I blessed my eyes with the abs on his stomach and the v-line that went straight underneath the towel.

A finger hooked under my chin. My breath hitched in fright. My face was lifted and my brown eyes locked with his shady and mysterious blue orbs. I gulped finally being able to take in his sculpted features.

His sharp jawline, the reddish and full lips, the thick brows, the strong nose, his perfect collar bones, and last, his eyes that looked like the deepest and most dangerous ocean that looked calm till there was a storm.

He didn't say anything as he studied my face, holding and trapping me there when I wanted to get away. His presence and aura were overwhelming, it made my stomach pool with something warm and cold. 

"Are you a newbie, Doll?" He spoke.

I nodded.

"Use your words, Doll,"

"Yes, I'm a newbie," I responded as quietly as I could. Please, let me go! I wanted to cry.

"I believe you have been told of the rules?" He continued.

I wanted to nod again but quickly recalled. "Yes,"

"What does rule number 3 says?" He interrogated, pinning me down with his eyes and finger. I felt so powerless and weak under those sinister eyes. I wanted to submit.

"Stay away from Enzo Mezzesalma," 

"And what did you do, doll?" His face got closer to mine and I could no longer think clearly. I felt hypnotized. 

"I broke it,"

"And what happens when you break a rule?"

"I get punished,"

He smirked as if impressed with my submission and an unknown glint flashed in his eyes. "Since you are a newbie, I will let it slide. The next time you step into my room, you will have a death wish, Doll,"

And then he let go and stepped back while I let out the breath I had been holding, panting so heavily.

"Get out,"

I didn't need to be told twice.

To be continued…!