CHAPTER NINE

Melina has no idea how long it has been since she arrived at the Costanzo Estate. She doesn't even want to know because it will remind her of how she has no control over her own life. Melina’s thoughts wander to her co-workers as she fiddles with her food, wondering if they called the police the following day after Thomas kidnapped her. She's sure they did and are worried about her. Picturing Jane's face, Melina imagines how worried she will be about her whereabouts. Her spoon goes limp in her cereal bowl as she realizes she may never see Jane, or worse, her sister, again.

"What's the matter, dear?" Linda inquires, jolting Melina out of her reverie. She sits beside Melina in the kitchen.

"Nothing," Melina shakes her head and picks up her spoon again, but doesn't take a bite.

"You know you can tell me anything."

"I know" Melina says, staring at her cereal bowl and fiddling with its contents, looking distracted.

"Did something happen with Thomas?" Linda is unaware of Melina's exact relationship with Thomas, but she knows they once shared something special.

"No, he traveled" Melina had woken up today with a smile on her face after what seemed like eternity. Knowing she wouldn't have to run into Thomas today gave her hope that her heart wouldn't break today.

"Oh,"

"Yeah"

"If you don't mind me asking, dear, what exactly is your relationship with Thomas?"

"We used to date."

"You used to date" Linda sounds as if she finds Melina's words unbelievable, which is understandable.

"It's a long story."

"Hit me with it."

Melina begins to recount everything that happened six months ago. She even explains why she did what she did.

"Wow, if you hadn't told me all of this, I would have never imagined you'd been through so much" Linda says, her eyes filled with pity.

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

"You should; you’re a strong woman."

"Thank you," Melina says smiles softly.

"You're very welcome. And now I understand why I never saw you while you were dating Thomas." "Because I had no idea who he really was, and you only worked in the mafia house." Melina visited the Costanzo estate several times to see Thomas’ family while they were dating, but she never ran into Linda.

Linda has been with the Costanzos for many years. She was Thomas’ nanny and the maid-in-charge of the mafia house. Melina had no idea the house she was tortured in was a mafia house until Linda mentioned her daughter to her. Serena, her daughter, is about the same age as Melina and works in the main mansion where Thomas’ family stays. Thomas is the only member of his family who continues to live in the mafia house. His elder brother Stefano, the mafia’s don, cannot stay there because of his wife and kid. Their mother, Katherine, believes that raising her grandchild in a mafia house is not a good idea. She also doesn't want his younger sisters Aurora and Melissa to live there because the men tend to get out of control. Thomas’ dad, Lorenzo, the source of both Thomas and Stefano’s good looks, lives in the family mansion with everyone.

"Yes"

"I should get to work," Melina says, rising from the kitchen stool with her bowl of cereal in hand. She walks over to the sink and empties it.

"I’ll see you later, dear," Linda says as she steps out of the kitchen.

***

Hours later, after cleaning Thomas' office and room, Melina walks back to the maid quarters, humming 'you can't break my soul,' a new song by Beyoncé. It's a little late at night, and she’s walking close to the gardens. Most of the lights in the area are out, but she isn’t too concerned because the moon is shining brightly tonight, Illuminating her path. She even decides to walk around the gardens before heading back. She comes to a halt when a scene close to a dark area catches her eye.

"How much longer will you deny me? I’m sick of asking," A scary-looking man with tattoos all over his skin asks, clutching a petite woman's arm tightly.

"Matteo, please let me go" The girl appears terrified as she stands in front of the man.

"No, I want you now" The man hurls the woman against a nearby wall, trapping her with his body. He begins to struggle with taking off the woman's clothes. Melina's legs immediately move to save the woman from a faith she wishes no woman in this world had to face.

"I-I don't think what you just did was nice" Melina’s speech is a little shaky, but she hopes the man doesn’t notice.

"Fuck off," he says, waving her off.

"I think you should step away from her" She places her hand to her side to hide her fidgeting hands and taps them against her legs. Her heart is pounding in her chest. She’s nervous as she's never done anything like this before, not even for herself.

"Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do?" the man says as he turns to face Melina.

"My identity is irrelevant. I just don’t think you should touch her if she does not consent," Melina says, while maintaining eye contact with the man who is twice her size. Hearing someone sniff, Melina looks to the wall where the lady is backed. She observes that the girl is no older than 18 years old. That tiny ball of courage within her grows a little, feeling the need to protect the young girl.

"Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do? I'll fucking touch her if I fucking, please. Now get out of my face."

"I am sorry, but I can't do that."

"Get the fuck out of here," He moves to push her away but is stopped by what Melina blurts out next.

"If you lay a finger on me, I'll make sure you don't have it by tomorrow," Melina threatens.

"What the fuck did you just say?" he asks, arching his brows at her.

"I am Thomas’ friend, if you lay your hands on me, I promise to have them detached from your body by tomorrow." Her confidence grows as she continues to lie. Melina is aware of the consequences of what she has just done, but she is willing to risk it to protect herself and the young girl from this man.

If looks could kill, Melina believes she would be six feet under right now. The man glares at her, saying nothing.

"If you don't believe me, you can ask Leo."

The man's eyes widen at the mention of hisname. Melina’s lights up, believing she’s made her lie more credible by mentioning Leo.

"If I find out you’re lying. I will make you regret it for the rest of your life," he warns before walking away. Melina heaves a sigh of relief as she watches him exit the gardens.

"Thank you so much; you don't know what you just saved me from. Thank you very much," she grips Melina's hand as if her life depends on it.

"You’re most welcome." Melina smiles as she patted her hand. "What's your...?" Melina is cut short when she is spun around and smacked hard across the face. Staring at her assailant with her cheek burning, Melina wonders why she slapped her and where the hell she came from.

"How dare you, you bitch,” Kimberly rages, foaming at the mouth.

"Hello Kimberly."

"How dare you use Thomas’ name like that? Do you realize the magnitude of what you just did?" Kimberly roars in her face.

"I’m not sure." Melina lies through her teeth. She knows but believes pretending not to might help her.

"Of course, you don't know, you moron. I can't wait for Thomas to kill you tonight when he returns and I tell him what you did."

"Kill me!" Melina asks, wide-eyed.

"Yes." "I lied to stop someone from being raped."

"That's not what I’m going to tell Thomas." "I advise you start saying your last prayers, Melina, because today is going to be your last day on this earth," Kim says quietly, sending shivers down Melina's spine. Kim pulls her mouth away from Melina's ear. Melina notices Kim's big smile spreading across her face as the color drains from hers. She moves to beg Kimberly , but she begins to walk away before she can. Melina's heart starts to race as she wonders if Thomas will really kill her for what happened. She’s well aware that she has caused him considerable embarrassment by stealing his money, and she fears that by using his name to scare one of his men, she has only made matters worse for herself.

"I’m sorry for what just happened." A voice behind Melina says, jolting her out of her reverie. She turns around to see who spoke.

"It's alright, dear." It's not at all fine for Melina, but she felt the poor girl needed to hear it because she appeared guilty for signing Melina's death warrant.

"I wish you hadn't saved me," the young girl cries,

"You shouldn't say that,"

"You’re going to die because of me."

"No, I won't. Kim is just trying to scare me. Thomas won't kill me," Melina continues to lie to relieve the poor girl's guilt.

"I don't believe you; you’re just saying it to make me feel better."

"I am not making this up. Thomas cannot afford to kill me" Melina isn't lying this time because as long as James is missing, she believes Thomas will keep her alive.

"Really," she says, taking a sniff.

"Yes, I assure you, he would not."

"Why should I believe you?"

"You shouldn't, but you should at least trust me after I just saved you."

"That's true."

"All right, now tell me your name."

"Serena Russo."

"Oh my God, you’re Serena. I can't believe I didn't notice the resemblance sooner," Melina remarks, noticing how much she resembles Linda. They both have brown eyes, a heart-shaped face, and gorgeous black hair. Melina mentally scolds herself for not seeing it immediately.

"Am I missing something?"

"My name is Melina; I am friends with your mom."

"You're Melina; my mom has told me about you. I can't believe we met this way" Serena pulls Melina in for a hug.

"Me too, it's so nice to meet you," Melina smiles, hugging her back.

"You too"

"Are you done for the day? I’m asking because if you are, we could go back together."

"Yes, I am."

"Alright, let's go," Melina leads the way back to the maid quarters, and as they walk, Melina and Serena engage in conversation and gradually start to click. Melina is happy to have another friend and believes that things won't be so bad here with good friends like Linda and her daughter.