Milene's POV
Disappointed... that is the word to describe my current situation. Pretending like I knew what was going on while trying to figure things out is one of the hardest stunts to pull.
The rumbling of my tummy reminded me about breakfast. Mara had long left me, so I had to make my way to the dinning which was not hard to find. I met one of the workers setting the cutleries in the dining room.
I made my way to one of the seats while she continued "Breakfast would be served shortly..." she said.
After breakfast, I decided to clear my head. The walls of my room were starting to feel too tight, too close. I needed to move, breathe, think.
Mara had reminded me of the meeting with Carlo. So, I needed to go see him at the garden, but instead of heading there, I decided to just wander around the hallways, trying to figure out the maze like building myself until I eventually got lost.
At first, I thought I could find my way back easily. But every hallway looked identical with gold accents, tall windows, and paintings with names I didn't recognize. I turned left instead of right. Then again. Then again.
I paused near a long stretch of corridor lined with glass panels. The light was different here, a dim, moody glow instead of sunlight. The air was cooler, like the hallway hadn't been used in a while. I reached out to touch a nearby vase on a pedestal it looked like it belonged in a museum.
"You know, wandering around here without direction is a very bad idea."
The voice was smooth, slightly amused, and dangerously calm.
I turned sharply. A tall man leaned against a doorframe at the far end of the corridor. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, and his sleeves were casually rolled up. There was something effortless about the way he stood there like the building belonged to him.
I noticed that he had some sort of similarities to that of Angelo.
"I… I got lost," I said, forcing a small smile. "I was looking for the garden."
He pushed off the frame and walked toward me, slow and confident. "You are?
I looked away ignoring his gaze.
"I'm Roberto," he said, offering a hand. "A Moretti"
I hesitated before shaking his hand. His grip was warm a little too firm, like he wanted me to remember it.
"And you?" he asked, eyes flicking over me. "Bride? Hostage? Charity case?"
His words cut sharper than the marble floors beneath us.
"I'm none of those," I replied, stepping back slightly. "Or maybe I'm all of them. Haven't figured it out yet."
He laughed. "Honest. I like that."
I didn't like him.
There was something in his eyes the way they lingered a little too long on my collarbone, the slow curl of his lips that made my skin crawl. He wasn't just curious. He was playing with me.
Before he could say anything else, I heard footsteps echoing behind me.
Mara appeared, her face a careful mask of calm. "Miss Milene," she said politely, "Carlo has been looking for you. He was worried."
"Of course," I said, stepping away from Roberto.
Roberto didn't move, but his eyes followed me as I passed but then he held my wrists, bringing his head closer to my ears "we will know your place here soon."
I swallowed a huge chunk of saliva after hearing that and then the hold of my arm in his made my insides erupt in a twist.
"We need to start going now." I heard Mara's gentle voice. Roberto left my wrists instantly smiling wryly at me.
Mara didn't speak until we were two turns away from that hallway. "Don't go near him again," she said softly. "And never be alone with him."
"Why?"
"Because the rules in this house are clear, but not everyone obeys them."
I felt a shiver down my spine.
Mara guided me down the corridor, light poured through tall windows. When we finally stepped into the garden, a sense of relief loosened the knot in my chest. The flowers were pretty, the colors bloomed under the morning sun. I wondered if Angelo was a lover of nature or if the flowers were just to beautify the estate.
I spotted Carlo at the far end of the garden watering the plant. He had his hat on and also a pair of boots. He looked different with the outfit but I could tell he enjoyed working at the gardens because of how his hands played around the plants.
Mara was still standing next to me "I forgot to bring you a hat..." I hear her speak.
"Don't worry, I am fine. This shouldn't take long" I responded quickly.
Just as I was about to call on to Carlo, the shattering sound of glass disrupted my thoughts. I recognized it instantly Angelo's, sharp and angry.
"I told you I don't want any surprises," he barked through an open window.
Another crash happened, like something heavy thrown to the ground, then another voice gruffer, calmer. "I delivered everything. You know I did."
Angelo's reply was a furious bark of laughter. "Do not lie to me!"
My heart pounded. I reached for Mara's arm. She stiffened.
"Go back inside," she whispered urgently. "Now."
I stepped toward the door, but the argument continued, stinging with threat.
"You know what comes next after the lord" I hear Angelo's sadistic laughter. My body trembled, I felt pity for whoever was at the receiving end, receiving his anger.
I barely know him but I know he could do dangerous things.
Mara's hand tightened on mine. "Go. I'll explain later."
I gave her a strangled nod and hurried back through the glass doors. The hallway inside was silent. I fled down the corridor toward my wing, footsteps echoing too loudly.
When I turned the final corner, I saw the ornate door of my room. I entered without pausing, closing and locking it behind me.