Chapter 22
five days after the old man’s death, we hold his fatal, Ivan hired a few additional help for the kitchen and the cleaning of the mansion. The three sons left early in the meming te attendshurich and thenthe cemetery. By the time they came back with the quests, Lluve already prepared food and drinks with the other statt.
members
It’s a gloomy day really, perfect for a funeral, lookout the window and teel kind of void from within. I wouldn’t describe it as sadness but just eshastion, inne. I’ve been up cathy and there’s a great chance that I won’t get to rest until very late tonight
I pick up atuavat appetizers and murch toward the living room where all the guests are. There are two other servants withme. We’re all wearing black unitatus to match the general aesthetic but it 1 had it my way, I wouldwear something bright.
The old man’s death doesn’t attest me in the slightest and when enter the living room. Conversation among Theinirboes, some even laughing out loud from tell that they’r inligine that they are just as bad as the Whitlocks.
Laisal the people in there are far less concrmed. They hold joyous
the men and their wives. Their grim faces don’t put me at ease. Loan
Ivan is moving around the room, trying to hold a conversation with everyone, Nico and Valentinus sit on a couch Yest can barely entice them in the crowded som. go to them and offer appetizers. They smile back:
Druffle Niew’sharabit before ottering cheese bites to the guests, Idon’t like the war they eye ar. It malies me feel like an animal in cage. I try not to meet anone’s gazetor too long, keeping my head down most of the time. The last thing I want is to make any more enemies. song the rich.
I stay in the kitchen and only go to the living room when it’s absolutely necessary. By benchtime, most of the guests have gone borne but a few men remained bebind. I understand that they’re shareholders in the Whitlockcompany and they’re having a conversation with an about work since he’s now the new CDD
1 serve them lunch in the dining room with another young servant, Nico and Valentine are also sitting around the table. I notice that one of the men didn’t take his
1 feel very uncontestable. He has an eerie vibe around him that somehow reminds me of the old master Whitlock. I’m the only one who seems to notice the bizarre attention he’s giving me. As soon as I finish serving the food, return to my favorite hideout in the kitchen, still shivering from that man’s gaze.
Teat lunch with the other is. We talk a little about all our siggles and it feels good to know that I’m not the only one who wished she’d been luckier in life. None of them know that I’m kind of a prisoner in this mansion. Perhaps my situation is even worse than thelts since they still have a little bit of freedom
ates, I go upstairs to use the bathroom in Ivan’s bedroom. I tie my hair up and wash my face with cold water. It helps to wash away may exhaustion but only a bit. I
wait for this daveto be over already.
When I step out of the bathroom, 1find the man from
her waiting for me in Ivan’s bedroom. The surprise is definitely obvious on my face quests have no best going up the stairs twenderit Ivan knows that he’s here,
“C–Calhelp you, siz?“) ask..
I glance quickly at the exit door 1 left it ajar earlier but now, it’s fully closed. The man’s grayish hair has been put in a sleek hairstyle but despite his well–kept appearance. I don’t feel at ease around him.
“I thought 1 saw you get in here.” He slurs.
His smile reveals two gold teeth in the comer of his mouth. My hands have become sweaty and I wipe the
“Can I help you?” I repeat but this time with mon seventy in my voice.
wipe them repeatedly on my apron.
“I think my dear trend Carlos told me about you “He chuckles. “He said be just hired a very feisty little maid and that he’s hoping that his son will teach you a lesson I see he hasn’t made much progress with that, otherwise you wouldn’t be looking me in the eves right now, you filthy little shat.”
I dash toward the door without giving him the chance to say another word clearly, the man doesn’t have good intentions toward me. Unfortunately, he grabs my arm before I can go very far and slam me against his chest. His hand wraps around my throat. I can’t see him but I feel his hot breathon me and his other hand is going under the skirt of my uniform:
“And where do you think you’re going, little bird?” He steers.
“How exactly how to trai girls like you a lesson. There is no better way than a good luck. Don’t you agre
I throw my elbow in his stomach. It doesn’t get his touchoff of me and actually makes him angrier. He tightens his hold around my throat and I can hardly breathe. The man is now fugging at my underseat until | rielages to get it utt ut me. I wonder why this keeps happening to me as he canies to the desk and benda me over. I’m naked underneath my skin and completely! miliated Whayanisoweak? Why am I always so easily overpowered!
The only thing H i do is strain and cry for help, totheir any use? Will sue date to come and save me from this pig? Lhear hinumbelting
ing his trousers while pinning me down My face i umashed us omfortably against the deskobust jus man is about in violate me, the bedroom’s door open with a yank
Their stands Ivan, looking furious and it’s the last time I’m actually grateful to see him. He doesn’t give the man a chance to explains the second he was standing by the door and the neat, he’s dragging the old man off of me and punching him repeatrilly.
Tcrawlaway from firm, Trading Iyan’s run directed toward his target. The man pleads
“You’re prouching me because of a bitclif! I’m your father’s best intend?” –
I can hear him hitting thier nuragain but I don’t look, I run out of the bedrooms, finding a dewelous servants these and guards are quickly coming up the states, Valentino suddenly appears. He takes me to his bedjuna, asking if P’inadaay. I don’t even know how to answer his questions.
There are thousands of voices coming, fams tsade his den and a few seconds later, we hear aloud gunshot, I gasp and meet Valentine’s equally horrified gaze.
“Wait here.” He tells me before leaving me alone.
Chile S
I don’t find the courage to walk out of the bedroom and see what has happened. Thanks to the eerie silence outside, I know that someone is dead. I clutch the cross around my neck and pray that it’s not Ivan.
Tears flow down my face, hating that I have to favor one abuser on top of another. But the thing is, Ivan tried to save me from rape. I don’t want him to die because of that. I sit on Valentino’s bed, waiting for an awfully long time. People are walking back and forth outside in the hallway. No one comes to check on me.
Still without any underwear on, 1 use one of the covers and drape over my knees. I don’t know how much time passes but in the end, someone finally comes into the bedroom. When I lookup, relief washes over me when I see Ivan
I jump to my feet and run to him. Without giving it much thought, I wrap my arms around him for a tight hug. I realize how terrified I had been a few seconds earlier. Ivan holds me, his hand patting me gently on the back
