Prologue

“As I gaze into the fountain's waters, I feel a fleeting sense of peace- and wonder how long it would last.”

My hands weave through the calm waves, the coolness washing over me.

I know that I cannot stay for much longer, so I breathe in the fresh air one more time.

My mind is free of thoughts, my body moving with a relaxed form of lethargy.

And suddenly a shrill sound disrupts the peaceful silence. A glance at my chiming wristwatch informs me of what I have been expecting.

“Back to work I guess,” I mutter underneath my breath as I rise from the marble bench, smoothening the creases in my dress.

I turn on my heel and stride into the huge building, not bothering to spare another glance at my safe haven.

It would not change anything anyway.

And I was not one to be delusioned.

I had a job to do and I could forget about peace the moment I stepped foot through the doorway.

My feet lead me straight to the modern kitchen that was big enough to fit four rooms in.

I had been in here enough times to know exactly which cupboard to find the glassware.

The first time had been a struggle, I had felt like a lab rat in the middle of a endless maze. But that was a distant memory now.

“I don't think now would be the best time for that, the young master is about to have his lunch,” The cook called out with an uneasy voice.

I paused for a second, my brows furrowing in a crease.

“But he has to take his medication,” I argued in a polite tone.

The woman let out a resigned sigh.

“Very well then,” Her gaze returning to the steaming pot before her.

At that I resumed my steps, grabbing a tray from the lower cabinet, a glass from the top cupboard and a bottle of water from the tall fridge.

I was all set- except for one thing.

I quickly make my way out of the kitchen, turning next door to the medicine cabinet.

My gaze stops on the prescribed drugs and I waste no time in adding them to the tray.

Now, I'm all set.

I climb up the sprawling stairway with my back straight, my feet pattering against each step in my flat shoes.

No way in hell was I going to climb these stairs in heels. That would be insane.

I reach the top of that stairs after a few grueling seconds, walking straight down the hallway until I reach the last door.

The tray wobbled as I moved it to one hand, raising the other to knock on the door.

Before my fist touches the surface however, I hear a booming shout from inside.

“Get the fuck away from me!”

I took a few steps back with a small frown.

Mere seconds later, the door is swung open by a trembling maid.

She is covered in some unknown liquid as her hands grip onto a tray that is similar to the one I hold in my grasp.

She gives me a frightened glance and almost trips on her own feet in her attempt to flee.

I sidestep her immediately, getting out of the way.

I would hate to be covered in whatever substance she had apparently been bathed in.

Yet, my eyes do not leave her form until she disappears down the hallway.

The poor girl must have been met with such a fright.

As soon as I'm sure that she is gone, I avert my gaze to the open door, raising my hand to rap against it gently.

Although the door was already open, I knew better than to go in without knocking.

“Who is it?” I hear his agitated voice ask from inside, his form still out of view.

I swallowed a gulp of air.

“It's Aletheia, the nurse,” I announced in a polite tone.

A pause.

I shook my head after a moment of no reply, walking in through the open door and promptly shutting it behind me with a soft thud.

“What do you want?” The gruff voice called out.

My gaze falls on the man already sitting up in the king sized bed, a displeased look on his face. The one and only Conrad Zoran of Zoran industries.

I take some steps closer.

“It's time for your medication, Mr Zoran,” I responded in a professional tone.

His head tilted in my direction, his blindfolded eyes stopping directly on me.

“I don't want it,” He retorted, turning his head to the side like a petulant child.

My grip tightened on the tray.

I let out a breath, repeating calmly,

“You need to take your medicine-”

“I don't need anything from you! Just leave me alone!” He shouted, cutting me off before I could complete my sentence.

My right eye twitched.

I decided to try one more time;

“But-”

“Get out!” He cut me off again, leaving the words to be stuck in my throat.

I have had enough of this!

My face darkens into the scowl as I march to his bedside, dropping the tray on the desk.

“Listen you spoiled overgrown child! I am not your maid, I am your nurse so I will not tolerate such disrespectful behaviour. You can yell and throw tantrums with your maids all you want but you don't do that shit with me.” I never once raised my voice, ensuring that it was lowered, but he could hear every word clearly.

An empty can makes the most noise, and I have nothing to raise my voice over. It's too much of an hassle anyway.

I forced a smile on my face,

“Now, I am here with your medication and I won't leave until you swallow every pill, even if I have to shove it down your throat.”

He was silenced immediately, gripping the blanket in his tightened fists with his head still.

“So what is it going to be? Would you like to take your medicine now?” My voice shifted to a sickeningly sweet tone.

“Yes,” he gritted out.

“Perfect!” I exclaimed with a satisfied smile.

I'm sure you must be wondering what is going on here, but for you to understand we'll have to go back to the very beginning…