The Maid

Bella 

I didn't talk to Mr. LaRusso after that night. In fact, I didn't even see him for the rest of the day. I didn't see him coming back from work when I was in the garden. Somehow, I was thankful for that.

I cut the veggies and kept them aside when I got a call from Ria. That suddenly made my day. I hadn't talked to her for many days. So, I quickly received the call.

"Hey! Ria, how are you doing? It's been so long!" I squealed.

"Hey. I'm good. Tell me about you," she spoke. But something was off about her. She seemed too calm and worried.

"I'm good too. What happened to your voice? Everything okay?" I asked with full concern.

"Ah yeah. Actually, I needed to tell you something," she spoke from the other side.

"Yeah, tell me, I'm listening," I said now focusing fully on her.

"You remember the men who are yet to get the money from you?" she asked.

"Yes, what about them?" I asked calmly but inside I was getting scared. All the negative thoughts came rushing to my mind.

"Yeah, so those people came together today morning, and they made huge chaos in front of my dad's godown, where you used to live. I don't think they are going back without getting their money," she said, and I sensed the nervousness in her tone.

"What? Oh God!" I ran my hand through my hair as I didn't know what to do at that moment. I wasn't even allowed to go outside of this mansion. And the big fact is, I didn't even have money. It's been only a few days since I worked here.

"I know but listen I called Giovanni. He can handle this situation now," she added in a hurry, not wanting me to panic anymore. But what she didn't know was, I got more panicked with that.

"You called who? Giovanni? He works for Mr. LaRusso! Now what if he gets to know about the mess? What will they think about me?" I became more worried about what the people will think about me because I didn't want them to assume that it was me who took loan from some drunk people. Also, I didn't want them to know about my terrible past which I was trying hard to run away from.

"That's not then time to think what people will think Bells! We need to calm these people down. Also, I don't think it's safe, but it would be better if you came here because they don't seem to leave without getting their money back. Giovanni would be here any minute too. Can you come?" she asked.

"Me? I want to come but I don't think Mr. LaRusso would let me. And I don't have money now," I said, I was on the verge of crying as I paced around in the kitchen. I saw Sara standing there as she watched me with a worried expression. I sent her a nervous smile before looking away. I didn't want anyone to worry about my stupid messed up life.

"I can give them money if you want," she said but I clearly didn't want that.

"No! I have got an idea! I can talk to Mr. LaRusso and ask him to give me my salary earlier! He would help me, right?" I wasn't sure about him giving me my salary earlier but at that point, he was my only hope.

"Okay then go, talk to him!" She spoke. I quickly cut the call.

"What happened, Bella? What money are you talking about?" She said, her face showed worry for me.

"Nothing. You don't worry Sara," I said to calm her down when I, myself was a total mess.

"Why shouldn't I worry? It's clearly not "nothing"! Why do you have to talk to Mr. LaRusso?" She kept asking and I knew she wouldn't stop until she got the answers, so I told her about my father's debt.

"I think you need to talk to Mr. LaRusso. He might help you with that. But I'm afraid he isn't at home," she said.

I didn't know what to do at that time. I badly needed to go back to my old house and pay the debt and here Mr. LaRusso wasn't at the mansion. Why did the world hate me so much!

Before I could think, I received a text from Ria. I frowned my eyebrows when she texted, I didn't have to go there, and everything was under control. I asked her how that happened, but she only replied that I would get to know soon. This girl and her secret games! But on the one hand, I was glad that everything was under control. I hoped Ria didn't pay my father's debt but even if she did, I would have to soon give her money back. I still need to talk to Mr. LaRusso about my salary. I didn't want Ria and her father to face any more chaos for me.

At night, I waited for Mr. LaRusso. I stood beside the window in my room. It was already 11 PM and Mr. LaRusso didn't return from his work. I was getting impatient and when I gave up, I walked back to my bed. When I heard the main gates open and cars entered in, I knew it was Mr. LaRusso. I quickly jumped off from my bed and ran down the stairs.

When I walked down the stairs, I saw four men entering the mansion. My eyes first met with Marco who seemed to be shocked seeing me.

"You haven't slept yet?" He asked and at that, other men turned their heads at me.

My eyes fell on Mr. LaRusso who was standing there in his full muscular glory, his eyebrows frowned, seeing me. Beside him, I saw Giovanni standing with his same blank expression. But what scared me to my core was the same man, who attacked my old house for his money, was standing right behind Giovanni. His eyes met mine, but I didn't see the anger in his eyes anymore. His cold eyes were on me, and I couldn't even look away as fear took all over my mind. What was he doing here? What if he tried to make a huge mess here too? I was reluctantly dragging people into my messed-up life.

"What are you doing down here?" Mr. LaRusso's cold rough voice made me flinch as I tried to stop myself from trembling anymore.

"I was... waiting for you..." it was a mere whisper as I didn't try to make any eye contact with anyone, but they seemed to hear me as I heard Marco clearing his throat.

Mr. LaRusso sighed before slipping his hand in his side pocket of his slack pants.

"I needed to-" I tried to talk but he cut me off.

"Go back to your room. I'll be there."

I nodded quickly before running back to my room. Closing the door, I started to pace around the room. How did that drunk man know I was working as a maid here? Now what if Mr. LaRusso kicks me out of this job. I slapped my head to stop myself from thinking negatively.

I kept waiting for Mr. LaRusso. It seemed like ages, but he didn't come. I couldn't sleep until I got my answers.

It was already 12AM when he finally decided to come. He opened the door without even knocking and entered my room as if it was his. I rolled my eyes at his bad manner, but it wasn't the time to think about this.

"So, what kept you up so late for me?" He asked as he walked towards me. I started to bite my nails nervously. I didn't know where to start from and what to ask first? Should I ask him to pay me my salary earlier or should I ask him how he knew that man.

"Stop biting your nails," he said in an irritated tone as his hand came up before holding mine and pulling my hand down to stop me from biting nails.

"Would you start talking?" He said, as he waited for me to start.

"How do you know that man?" I asked as it was the first thing that came out of my mouth.

"He was creating a huge mess in front of your old house with his buddies. He didn't seem to leave without getting his money back," he simply stated.

That's exactly what I was afraid of. My eyes snapped up to look at him. I gulped against my throat as I was thinking about where I should start explaining myself.

"You don't have to explain anything. That wasn't even your fault. Your father took loan from them and left it on your shoulder. I know this is hard for you to pay so much debt on your own, so I paid them all their money," he said.

My eyes widened at his words.

"But why did you pay them? It was mine to pay. I didn't need your help!" I said. I never wanted anyone's sympathy.

"Yes, you didn't need my help but eventually you were going to pay them back from your salary for working as a maid here, in my mansion." He simply explained.

"I know but still..."

"I know I should've asked you before doing that, but those men are violent and aggressive. Some men are still searching you for their money. Their world is different from your world, Bella. They won't think twice before hurting you. You can never win against them. At this point, I'm your only hope and I didn't want to miss the chance to help you, Bella." He said, his voice was as soft as feather.

I looked up at his enchanting blue eyes, which I always found so hard to look away from. He was staring at me and his eyes held such emotion that I couldn't read.

I sighed before looking down. I stood there awkwardly not knowing what to say.

"Bella?" He asked, his voice sounded soft, waiting for my answer.

I looked up again to meet his eyes. He let out a deep sigh as soon as my eyes met his. His cold blue eyes turned soft as he took steps forward, standing inches away from me.

"You don't deserve such life, Bella. I'm so sorry for what your father did to you. I know this is hard to manage your own life and working hard to pay all the debt. I would've never known about any of this if your friend didn't call Giovanni today. But I'm glad that I know now. They could've harmed you, Bella. But you are safe here. So let me help you," he said.

I opened my mouth to say something, but he cut me off.

"And I didn't do it for free though." He added. Suddenly I could see his signature smirk on his face.

Here we go again.

I frowned as I waited for him to continue.

"You will work for me as a maid here as long as I want you to. Deal?" He said.

I took my time to think about that. I didn't know if it was a good idea to work for him. But at least he helped me, and I was so thankful for that. When Ria said the situation was under control, she meant this. Mr. LaRusso was the one who took the situation under control and saved me from facing a huge mess. I couldn't deny his kindness.

"You can think about it. It's late now. You should sleep and your eyes are already red."

Saying that, he left the room, leaving me with my thoughts.