Let’s hope that day comes fast when he gets tired of me.
“I don’t have a pen,” I said. I clamped and unclamped my hand. With him being so close to me, I couldn’t think properly.
Lorenzo miraculously pulled a pen out of nowhere and placed it on the table in front of me. I picked it up and saw an engraved logo on it. Lorenzo Corp.
Oh God! This guy was a big shot. He wasn’t some normal American citizen. I was really in hell.
I signed the contract, feeling the last of my freedom slipping away from me. I was now a puppet to this man.
As soon as I finished signing my name, Lorenzo took the contract away and released me from my cage.
“You have sold your soul to me, Amelia. From now on, I am your master. You will submit to me.”
I sat in my seat, his words coursing through my body. I had now lost everything. My dignity and my freedom of speech. But for the sake of Papa and Jenny, I would do it all over again, just so they could live.
Lorenzo made a move to leave. I clamped on to his arm fast before he shifted.
“Can I have my phone back?” I asked, hoping that he would at least grant me this one wish. Except he was too cruel. What was I expecting? He wasn’t some saint. He was the devil who pulled all the strings in this hell I’d be living in.
“You don’t deserve that privilege.” He smirked at me, and my heart rate went into overdrive, for his next few words would morph my future forever. “This is now your new world, Amelia. Better get used to it.”
Chapter 7
My New World
“Miss Amelia, wake up.”
Someone called my name, and I roused from sleep. It didn’t sound like Jenny. I was an early riser, so I was usually the one who woke her up.
“Miss Amelia, please wake up.” That voice came again. “Master has instructed me to guide you in your new job.”
Job? What job?
I slowly opened my eyes and saw an Asian lady with glasses staring back at me.
“Ahhh.” I backed up against the bed and hit my head on the headboard.
“I’m sorry for startling you,” the lady said, plumping up my pillow.
It took me a full minute to remember where I was. This was Lorenzo’s penthouse. And I came here yesterday. After signing the contract which stated that I would belong to him, he had disappeared out of sight. I didn’t know what to do with myself. That night, when he didn’t come back, I raided the fridge and cooked something to eat, before returning to the bedroom he threw me in, and fell asleep. And now this morning, a lady whom I didn’t recognize woke me up.
“I’m sorry. This is my first time in this place,” I said, rubbing my eyes and trying to determine what time it was.
“It’s four thirty in the morning.” She seemed to understand my silent query and answered.
“Four thirty,” I muttered, stifling another yawn from escaping. A bit earlier than my usual waking time, but I should get used to it soon. “Can you give me fifteen minutes. I need to refresh myself.”
“Of course. What would you like for breakfast? I can prepare it for you and bring it here.”
“Oh, I…umm…”
That question caught me off guard. I didn’t know how to respond to her. I was usually the one who made breakfast for the family. Jenny was usually responsible for dinner, since my class ran late into the evening most times. For someone to cook breakfast for me, it was a privilege. And that was strange because I was supposed to be a lowly maid to Lorenzo. And a lowly maid did not qualify for breakfast in bed.
“Anything is fine. I don’t usually eat much in the morning anyway,” I told her.
“Very well. I will cook something simple. Please take all the time you need. I’ll be in the kitchen when you are ready.”
“Yes. Thank you.” I watched her leave, and just when she was about to exit the door, I asked, “Excuse me. I’m sorry but I didn’t get your name.”
“My name is Ming-May, Miss Amelia. Welcome to Master Niko’s home. I’m sure you will enjoy your stay here.”
Niko? Who is Niko? I thought this penthouse belonged to Lorenzo.
I shoved that thought aside and turned to my current situation. I sat in bed and took in my surroundings again. Since last night, I couldn’t stop marveling at the intricate design in this room. For someone like me who was supposed to be a possession that belonged to Lorenzo, did I really deserve to stay in a beautiful, luxurious room like this? I’d never stayed in a five-star hotel before, but I imagined it would be something like this, so grandeur.
I reluctantly got out of bed, missing the feeling of the soft mattress already, and went to freshen myself up. I stepped into the shower, welcoming the warm spray on my skin. I watched as the water slid down my body and went to circle around the drain near my feet before disappearing. I wished all my misery and misfortune could disappear down that drain too. But I couldn’t change the past. What I could look forward to was the future, even though mine was bleak and grim-looking.
Walking toward the large vanity mirror, I stared at my own reflection. Large amber eyes stared back at me against a canvas of olive skin, with long ash-brown hair, wet and in a tangled mess from the shower.
Jenny complained how she wanted to have my olive skin. I wished I had her fair skin, with beautiful freckles on her button nose.
Sometimes I felt a sense of uneasiness when I was with my family. Maybe this feeling stemmed from the fact that I looked so different from them. Mama, Papa, and Jenny, they all resembled each other, beautiful green eyes with brunette curls, but not me. Mama said I was her baby and I believed her. Deep down, I knew Papa wasn’t my real dad, but he was the only man who raised me since I was young. I loved him, and that was enough reason to call him my father.
I felt more refreshed after the shower. My eyes were less swollen, too. Then again, I’d done a lot of crying yesterday, enough to last a lifetime. But from now on, I vowed not to cry again. I may be Lorenzo’s possession, but he would never break me. I was determined to live a new life, with pride and dignity from now on.
I grabbed my dress from the heated towel rail and put it on. I had washed it last night and left it to dry overnight. This dress was the only article left that belonged to my previous life. I would do anything to keep it. It would serve as a reminder of who I used to be, a carefree person who belonged to no one but me.
I walked out of the bathroom, then checked that the bedroom was all tidied, before going to find Ming-May.
“Good morning, Ming-May,” I greeted quietly as soon as I saw her.
“Good morning, Miss Amelia.” Ming-May returned the greeting with a bright smile.
Ming-May looked happy to be here, and I realized we were in different positions. Ming-May chose to work here, whereas I was forced to accept this position.
I pulled out a chair nearest to me and sat down, watching Ming-May cook. I remembered when Mama was still alive. I was about six or seven years old back then. I would sit at the kitchen table watching her cook, while Jenny played with her toys on the floor. Those were happy times. Those were times before the accident happened. I missed those times.
Moments later, Ming-May delivered my breakfast. French toast with maple syrup.
I loved French toast, but I never had the opportunity to eat out much. Money was tight in our family and with only Papa working, we didn’t have a lot of spending money on food outings.
“Thank you,” I said, looking at the food. My mouth was already salivating. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.
“You are welcome.” She smiled and went back to the kitchen. “Would you like something to drink?” she asked me again.
“Oh, tea, please,” I automatically replied. I usually drank tea in the morning, to prepare myself for the day. “Do you have herbal tea?”
“Yes, we do. I’ll make you a cup.”
“Thank you, I would like that very much.”
Ming-May nodded and went to prepare the tea while I sat gazing out the large floor-to
-ceiling glass window.
“Where are we, Ming-May?” I asked, curious at our whereabouts.
“What do you mean, Miss Amelia?”
I cleared my throat. “I mean what city are we in?”
“Oh, you don’t remember?”
“No, I was asleep when I came.”
“I see. I do remember Master carrying you in here last night.”
Heat fused my face. I really didn’t want to think about yesterday. It was an embarrassing story. I was asleep during the entire journey here. If only I had been more alert, I would have known where we were now.
“We are in New York City, if that’s what you are asking,” Ming-May commented. “Manhattan to be exact.”
“Manhattan. So we are still in New York,” I muttered to myself.
I lifted my gaze to see the view of Manhattan. It was so beautiful at this time of day. Twilight hadn’t yet hit the sky, so everything was still covered in darkness. But the lights and bright billboard signs on the street below made the whole city shine like twinkling stars.
“Here is your herbal tea, Miss Amelia.” Ming-May placed the tea in front of me, distracting me from my thoughts.
“Thank you, Ming-May. I’m very grateful.” I took the cup in my hand and started blowing at the tea to cool it down.
“You are very polite, Miss Amelia. Very different from his other woman,” Ming-May commented, and I almost choked on my own tongue.
“I’m not his woman, if that’s what you are implying,” I quickly denied. “If anything, I’m just one of his possessions.”
“Of course not, Miss Amelia. You are not simply just his woman,” Ming-May said, a mischievous look on her face.
“Ming-May, I don’t understand what you are saying.” I gazed at her, a scowl on my face.
“Never mind, Miss Amelia.” She smiled and shook her head. “I’ll leave you to eat in peace. I have other work to do. Do call me when you are done.” And with this, Ming-May left me to eat my food in peace.
I looked at the French toast on my plate, my thoughts elsewhere. If Lorenzo and I were to meet in different circumstances, would he have viewed me as someone he loved, rather than someone he owned? Because there was a difference between the two. As someone he loved, I had the freedom to express myself. But as his possession, I would be nothing more than his puppet.
I sighed and picked up my knife and fork. I cut a bite off and brought the French toast to my mouth. It was delicious.
I wished I could enjoy such delicious food here with Jenny. Then again, maybe it’s best if I ate this alone. I wouldn’t for the life of me wish for my sister to be in the same position as I was.
I didn’t realize I had finished eating, until Ming-May appeared out of nowhere and said, “Would you like me to wash those up now?”
“Oh, no. I can do that myself,” I said, getting up from my seat, piling my plate and teacup in my hand. I walked into the open plan kitchen and was about to drop the dishes near the sink when Ming-May stopped me first, taking the plate and cup from my hands.
“No, Miss Amelia. This is my job. I’ll do it.”
I didn’t understand what she meant by this.
“It’s okay. I can do my own dishes,” I said, pulling the dishes back.
“Miss Amelia, please let me do this. Master would not like it if he knows.” She looked at me with pleading eyes.
“Why?” Clearly, we were both his subordinates. What difference did it make whether I did the dishes or she did?
Ming-May didn’t answer. She gave me that pleading look again. I relented, watching her clean up the kitchen. I took a cloth and started wiping the table.
“No, Miss Amelia. This is not your job.” She took the cloth away from me too.
I became frustrated. “Ming-May. What exactly is my job? You said I can’t do this, and I can’t do that. What exactly can I do? I am now one of his staff too.” Or that was what I had assumed since he said he now owned me.
“Yes, we both are, Miss Amelia.”
“And please stop calling me Miss Amelia. It sounds too formal. I don’t like the title. You can just call me Amelia.”
“But Miss Amelia. Master Niko wouldn’t like it,” Ming-May said.
“You can call me by my name in private then,” I suggested.
Ming-May found this idea excellent. She gushed a smile and gave me an okay sign.
I smiled back in return, feeling something warm and welcoming when talking to her. “Can I help you with anything?”
“No. No. No.” She quickly waved her hands. “This is not your domain.”
It was understandable that Ming-May was put in charge of the kitchen since she was so amazing as a cook. But I was curious where I was put in charge. “Oh. Then I have my own domain?”
“Of course. Come. Come this way. I’ll show you.” Ming-May dumped the dishes in the sink and led me to my so-called domain. I followed her up the stairs and stopped at the only door on that floor.
We stepped into a man’s room. I knew it was a man’s room because the décor was different from the room I stayed in. Stark gray, black, and white, and not a single bright color anywhere else.
“This is your domain, Miss Amelia. You are to be Master’s personal maid. You are to take care of everything for him.”
“By master, you mean this Niko person?”
“Yes. Master Niko. He doesn’t come to this residence often, but if he does, make sure it’s ready for him.”
“Then what about Lorenzo? Where does he stay?”
I should be pleased that I was taking care of Master Niko instead of Lorenzo because at least I wouldn’t have to face his wrath, but I was curious as to where Lorenzo stayed if Master Niko was here. Yesterday I didn’t see Master Niko anywhere. Was Master Niko supposed to be a young child? But this room didn’t scream young to me. There were no toys anywhere.
Ming-May laughed. “Amelia. Master Niko is Lorenzo’s first name. Because we are his staff and are close to him, we address him as Master Niko. The name Lorenzo is used by outsiders.”
That question made me look stupid. How was I to know Niko was Lorenzo’s first name? He was a mystery to me. He had appeared out of nowhere to disturb my peaceful life and now I was expected to know everything about him? It would take some time for me to dig into his history, but one thing was for sure, I would never call him Niko. Because I refused to get close to him. To me, he would always be Lorenzo.
After the grand tour around Lorenzo’s bedroom and his en suite, Ming-May left me to my own devices. There wasn’t anything much to clean but since Lorenzo hadn’t been in his bedroom for days, I thought I should change his bedsheets and let some air into his room.
I was so consumed with my task, pulling at the bedsheets, putting them in the washer, and getting new towels to stock his bathroom I didn’t notice the sun had come up. And the view of Manhattan was still as spectacular in broad daylight.
I wondered which part of Manhattan we were situated in. I remembered Lorenzo handing me a pen yesterday to sign the contract. It had the name Lorenzo Corp engraved on it. Could this building be the Lorenzo Corp building? I wanted to find out.
I headed back out into the hallway, looking for Ming-May for answers, but she was nowhere to be found.
I headed back to the large entrance foyer and wondered if I could leave through the door. No one was here to monitor me. Would I be able to run away from here if I had the opportunity? Would Lorenzo chase after me if I succeeded? Would Papa be in danger if I did escape?
Curiosity got the better of me. Even though my intention was unclear, I still wanted to find out what was on the other side of that door. I was already holding on to the door handle, ready to pull it open, when the door flung open first. And standing right there on the other side of the door was Lorenzo, wearing nothing but long track pants, with droplets of sweat sliding down his face. I followed those droplets, along his six-pack abs, until they trailed down to his…to his…
My heart chose that moment to
skip a beat.
Chapter 8
First Task
“Planning to escape?” Lorenzo snapped me out of my reverie.
“No. I…”
He didn’t let me finish my sentence. He pulled my arm and dragged me back to his bedroom.
“Don’t. Stop dragging me around. I can walk.” I pushed him off, but he was too slippery. His skin was sleek with sweat and all I had accomplished was to slide my hands across his chest and feel how taut his chest muscles were.
Lorenzo didn’t let me go until we got to his bedroom. He threw me inside and shut the door, standing right there to block my exit. I watched him with contempt in my eyes. He leaned back against the door and folded his arms, viewing me with the same contempt in his eyes.
“Don’t throw me around like that. I’m not your rag doll,” I told him off.
“Where did you get that bravery from, Amelia?”
He was right. Where did my courage come from? I didn’t know. I just knew I couldn’t tolerate being manhandled like this anymore. If I were to work under his care, he had to treat me right.
“I just…I just thought, if I were to work under you, I want to be treated right.”
He stalked toward me and in less than a second flat, he had me in his arms, his eyes spitting fire in my face. “Don’t assume you have the right like my other staff. You are here as my debtor. And I have every right to treat you how I see fit.”
And he threw me onto his bed. My heart pounded so fast I couldn’t react in time. I was spewing with anger, and by the time I’d managed to calm down again and get off the bed, Lorenzo already appeared out of his walk-in closet with a towel over his shoulder.
“I’m assuming you know your role,” he said, glaring at me.
I shifted my sight to him and answered, “Ming-May has told me.”
“Then do it.”
Beautiful Hell: The Mafia and His Maiden: Book One Page 5
