12

Chapter 12

Anna

My smile faded at the sound of that.

"Everyone's been talking about me?" I asked and she nodded.

Just as I had suspected. There were people watching me.

"Well, yes. You are very beautiful and we heard what happened. You yelled at the boss, that's never happened before. He's strict,"

"Oh?"

I blushed. For some reason I felt a little giddy inside that I was the talk of the mansion among the maids.

"You are really so pretty," she said in awe as she came to stand in front of me."

My lips thinned into a straight line as the air grew awkward. I knew I was pretty but there were definitely prettier women than me. Ones I had seen around the mansion too. And why was she staring at me like that?

"Uh, thanks." I said, clearing my throat.

"I'm sorry for staring,"

she shook her head as if just now realizing herself.

"It's okay," I smiled awkwardly. I was also trying to figure out what was in her mind anyway.

"Would you like something to eat or drink? I'm making lunch," she asked.

"Whatever you are making is absolutely fine," I shrugged.

"Alrighty, I'm baking a chocolate cake and turkey sandwich. The boss loves his sweet treats,"

That was true. I had noticed him drinking a coke 

"Nice," I said, pulling out a chair from under the island and taking a seat.

She nodded and went to check on the cake in the oven.

I took the opportunity to look around. The kitchen was grand. There was a long kitchen island and a door that led to the main dining room that looked like it belonged in the royal family.

The sound of footsteps from behind interrupted my thoughts and before I could turn around to look at who was behind me, I felt a hand close over my eyes.

My hands instinctively reached for the hands and I tried to pull.

"Get your hands off me," 

A deep chuckle rumbled behind me, and the grip over my eyes loosened slightly but didn't disappear. My heartbeat quickened

"Relax, sweet tooths, it just me,* Lucas chuckled as he came to sit beside me.

"I don't like being sneaked up on, Lucas!" I snapped. The last time I had been sneaked up upon, I had lost my mother.

"You are very sexy when you are upset, you know that?"

The sound of utensils falling to the ground caused me to glance towards the maid before I could say anything.

"Sorry… I stumbled," she said, her cheeks red with embarrassment.

"That's okay, Zoe." Lucas said, staring at her a little too long.

"Yeah, thanks , Sir Lucas,"

"Anytime," Lucas replied and immediately turned his attention to me again.

He had his hair up in a messy bun today and for the first time, I noticed that part of his top ear was missing.

I immediately inputed that info in my head.

I'd have to ask him what happened soon.

"So, looks like you passed your trial," he started.

My eyes narrowed.

"Fuck you, Lucas. You left me," I spat.

He smiled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

"Had to, it was the bosses orders,"

"So, leave me for dead? Not cool," I shook my head 

"Hey, at least you made it. Most people don't make it,"

"Not the point. You could have at least given me heads up. Jeez,"

"Sorry about that, Tooths, but there would have been no point. Besides you escalated the issue all on your own," he shrugged again. 

"How? He insulted me!" 

"Insults don't kill, love, bullets do,"

I looked away, my jaw clenched in annoyance. He was doing a great job of getting on my fucking nerves. All of them.

No matter, in a couple of months. All of this would have been burnt down to ruin and I would watch the once strong and famous maga group topple to the ground.

"You want my advise?" Lucas asked.

"I have a strong feeling you are going to tell me anyway," i said dryly.

"You might just be an accountant here in Iron vine but you still have to move like you are one of the footmen, like you have a target on your back, You could encounter anything anywhere and the worst thing you can be is unprepared,"

He was right. I had learnt this in the police academy but I hated the fact that these words were coming out of the mouths of the people responsible for the death of my mother.

"Thanks, Lucas. I'll remember that,"

"Sure, sure. Anyway, you ready?" he suddenly rose.

"For what?" I asked.

"Your welcoming party. Did nobody tell you?"

"No… why would I have a welcoming party?" I frowned.

"Your initiation party. It's to introduce you to our men. The ones living in the mansion and out."

I blinked at him, confused.

"You don't want to be accidentally killed by one of your own people, do you?"

"no,"

"That's what's it for. Were you not in a sorority in school?"

"No, I wasn't that lame," i said dryly.

He burst out laughing and ruffles my hair.

"You are definitely going to fit in here, nicely. Thoots."

I slapped his hands off and he laughed before making his way to fridge.

"Yogurt?" He asked as he took out a can of yogurt from the fridge.

"Yeah,"

"Catch!' he threw the bottle at me.

I stood up to catch it but someone behind me that was faster caught it first and when I looked behind, it was Levi, staring at me like a big under his shoe.

There was total silence for what felt like forever.

"Nice reflex," he finally spoke. He sounded like he was suspicious of something. Then, to my surprise, he handed me the yogurt before waking towards Lucas.

"The boss wants to speak with you, Lucas,"

Lucas nodded, his expression suddenly serious.

"I'll be there in a sec," he said before walking out of the room.

"What was that about?" I asked Zoe.

She shrugged.