Chapter 6

SARAH

Time flew really slow in this mansion and I was still getting to know my way around.

After the incident with Emilio in the morning, I never saw him again. I was later told by Grace that he had left for work.

I was eternally grateful for that. I just can not stand that man! I have never seen a more vain, selfish and wicked man ever in my life. With Emilio gone, the mansion seemed safer and had an air of freedom all around it.

So I did a bit of exploring around the mansion to while away the day. There was nothing else I could do. I tried assisting the maids in the house chores but they refused because Emilio had given them strict instructions on not to involve me in the house chores except he ordered it.

There was nothing I could do to alter his rule or their minds so I complied.

I discovered a broad but cozy library at the uppermost floor of the mansion with shelves reaching to the ceiling. Plush sofas were scattered all around, surrounded by the comforting scent of aged books.

It was a haven for literature enthusiasts, knowledge oozing all around.

After reading a few books, I decided to venture out of the mansion in order to enjoy nature's warmth. I then stumbled upon a lush green garden at the back of the mansion with a fountain in the middle.

Truthfully this mansion was beautiful. By the time I was done enjoying the serenity of nature, it was already sunset and Emilio was still not back which I was very thankful for.

Currently right now I was laying on my bed and pondering about my grandmother and brother.

I always made sure to talk to them daily but Emilio's rules were so strange. I was tempted to secretly call them but the fear of Emilio finding out wouldn't permit me. It felt like he was watching my every move from where he was.

"Miss Sarah?" A tender female voice was accompanied by a slow knock on the door.

I stood up, wondering which of the maids it could be.

"Come in" I replied.

The door knob turned and the door was pushed open. "Miss Sarah, dinner is ready and Mr Emilio is around. He wants to have dinner with you"

The devil is back already.

"Can't my food be brought to me privately? I prefer eating alone" I inquired.

"No I am afraid not. He wants to have dinner with you. Do not disobey him please" she pleaded, the disdain on my face was already apparent.

"It's fine" I sighed, "It seems I have no choice" I muttered.

"You can go. I'll come downstairs"

She was hesitant to leave, "Uhm he instructed me to make sure you come down with me. And he gave me just five minutes to do that"

My mouth flew open, I wanted to protest but I couldn't protest to her.

She was not the one who gave the order.

Pressing my lips tight together, I placed a forced smile on my face and nodded my head to her. "Let us go together then shall we?"

We walked out of the room and towards the stairs. I walked behind her, my heart beat pounding faster with each step I took until I had gotten to the edge of the stairs.

There he was. My Tormentor.

Our eyes locked, a rapid surge of overwhelming anxiety flowed through me instantly.

He sat in the dining chair, slowly eating a piece of chicken stuffed on his fork, savoring the meat with each slow bite as if taking pity on the animal that had been prepared for him.

His gaze on me never faltered, there was something about the way he stared at me that got me feeling self conscious.

I lowered my eyes and hid my profile behind the maid's but I doubt it did anything to evade his gaze from looking my way.

She led me to a dining chair directly opposite Emilio and pulled it out for me. After sitting, she dished out my own food and my God the aroma was heavenly.

I began eating in silence, the only sound made being the clink and clatter of our cutleries.

Hopefully we remain this way till dinner is over.

"How was your day Sarah?" Emilio's voice penetrated the silence.

I swallowed the food in my mouth and forced myself to speak, "It was fine sir"

"Are you back to your senses now?" He asked which seemed more like mockery to me.

"I beg your pardon sir" I was bemused by his statement.

Emilio dropped his cutleries and gazed at me, "Was I speaking Latin? Why do you act so foolish at times?" His inflection signified a growing rage which I had unknowingly sparked by my reply.

My brows furrowed together, "Me sir? What did I do this time?"

He let out a dark chortle, "You are rude, disobedient and you have such an ego that pisses the hell out of me!" He banged his fist on the dining table giving me such a big fright.

"Oh I see. All because I will not give into what you want is that it? That is why you are yelling at me sir?" I asked, puzzling myself at where my sudden boldness was stemming from.

Suddenly my phone buzzed in my pocket, ringing so loudly.

Emilio's eyes, a fiery blaze of indignation burned. "Did I not warn you to delete everyone's number from your phone?" His tone dropped fearfully low and he stood up from his seat, advancing towards me.

Oh my God. This ain't good. I stood up at once, backing away from his murderous glares. "I did. I swear I did sir" I replied truthfully with my heart in my stomach.

"Now tell me who the fuck is calling you!?" He thundered, cornering me by the edge of the stairs and gripping on to my hairs.

His fingers curled in my scalp causing me to let out a painful cry.

"I don't know sir" I cried, hot tears rolling down my cheeks.

Unsatisfied with my respone, Emilio dragged me to the centre of the living room by pulling my hair whilst my heartwrenching cries drew the attention of the maids.

"Sir please. Let go it hurts!" I cried, hitting his arm but it was a weak attempt as his grip on my hair tightened.

"You will learn to respect and fear me by the time I am done with you" he snarled.

"Ouch. Somebody please help me. Sir. Mr Emilio let go" I cried even harder.

"Let go of me please!" I pleaded. Emilio made me kneel in the centre of the living room with his grip still fastened on to my hair.

"I need every staff in this house here right now!" Emilio barked, his tone like a thunderstorm creating panic within the hearts of the maids who scurried towards us.

"Now you all listen carefully, for the next forty eight hours, you shall not serve this bitch here a single morsel of food"

My jaws flew open. I stared at him in blank shock. He was starving me for two days.

Gasp flew within the maids but nobody dared protest on my behalf. How could they? They were frightened of him.

"Am I understood!?"

"Yes sir" they sang in unison.

"Good.." he growled, before flickering his hot orbs my way, "You are so disobedient. I will really enjoy breaking your spirit and seeing you become nothing but a depressed and traumatized soul!"

"Why sir? What is my offense that makes you treat me like this?" My cries came out as whispers.

Emilio gave no reply but shoved me to the cold tiled floors before walking away, his anger still mirroring in his demeanour.

My tears flooded my vision, and my head spinned. I could barely make my way up the stairs and I just slumped on the ground crying bitterly.

Can my life really get any worse than this?