|Carmen
The next morning the maid came over to wake and help me dress up and this time i made sure to ask for her name.
"My name is Vera Mistress," she said with a low tilt of her head. She looked young. A bit older than me but still in her twenties.
She smiled brightly, ready to serve but I knew enough about servants to be wary. Heading to the bathroom, I laid in the tub as she helped wash my hair when my fears came through,
Under her breath, she whispered, "I can help you escape," she offered like it was a free gift. Like there wasn't a reason, a boot on her neck for why she revealed her plan so quickly.
I instantly jerked back, making sure to appear stunned and relieved. "Wh…what?"
"I'm one of your father's spies. He helped me and now that he's dead helping you is a way to repay the family," she continued and I almost chuckled.
My father helped you…lies! Nodding my head as I asked her, needing to know her reach, and how dangerous she was.
"…so we can leave tonight? Nico would…"
"No, I can get some help but to do it I need information on Nico's businesses all of them! Where he stores the records…He will hurt you!" She pointed out.
"It's just a matter of time," she said and I understood why she truly believed it. Mafia was a Don, I myself fully believed that it was only a matter of time before he resorted to violence. It was simply the way things were.
Cashing in on the desperation of a newly abducted woman she continued, "You need to get close and get the documents.."
But I had heard enough nodding my head as I asked in a low conspirators tone.Nico was good now but that could change. I needed a backup just in case.
"…your friend, ca…can they be trusted? Who are they?" I asked but she was already shaking her head as she pulled her hands out of my hair.
"The documents are more important…if you want to escape!" She said with a tone of finality that made it clear that I was the supplicant and she had the upper hand.
I let her. It was safer that way especially since I didn't know who she answered to. It could be Nico and it could all be a nasty test.
I got out of the tub and dried off heading towards the dressing table when I heard her speak.
"What dress would you like to wear?" she asked me having moved towards the closet and pulled it open for me to see the rows of dresses and clothes that I could choose from.
I didn't even turn my head to look at it before I opened my mouth to respond. "Any red dress would be fine," I told her as I sat in front of the dressing mirror staring at my face.
'Technically, I just had to obey Nico a thousand more times and I was debt free,' scoffing under my breath in disbelief that I would ever obey.
Pulling it open the drawer I wasn't surprised to see more jewelries of various stones and colors glistening there.
Slamming it shut, I waited for Vera to step closer with the dress before I took it from her and wore it.
Minutes later, I was dressed. Red long gown with no sleeves that accentuated my breasts and shoulders. My necklace was diamond with a red teardrop and earrings were part of the set.
I looked fabulous as i took one look at myself in the mirror, slipping my legs into the same silver shoes as the day before as I moved to step out.
But I had just stepped out with Vera leading me down to the entrance where I would meet Nico, when I heard her speak.
"If you can have more information on Nico's organization then it would be easier to get more help. My friends can protect us," she whispered, her tone too fierce to be real love.
I wondered what they had on her or what they were offering.
They are banking on the fact that he would treat me badly and I would want out as fast as I could. The information was nothing more than killing two birds with one stone.
Greedy motherfuckers!
"Of course," I whispered back with a soft nod. Turning her down would have been a bad move as I continued to follow her down the stairs and past corridors that led to the main entrance where I saw Nico already waiting for me.
His appearance was impeccable, and he even had a tie on with no signs of any tattoos to be found. One look at him and he looked like the corporate CEO of a company with no affiliation to crime.
Offering me his arm the moment I got close and I took it. " You look ravishing," he complimented me as I did the same back. "You look good!" I told him hating the fact that I actually meant it.
The tuxedo was tailored to his body and made it hard for anyone to not admire his tall and well muscled body in it. He was being cordial and I very much wanted it to remain that way considering how crazier he was when he got mad.
I had only seen it once. It was rare but it was ugly.
We soon got into the car and the driver began to drive. Nico was checking his phone and vigorously texting on his phone as i sat there glancing from him to the windows. I had no phone and I doubted I would be allowed to have one, still.
"Can I get a phone?" I asked him the very next second since it was better to be sure than to wonder. Taken aback when he responded as he continued to type away. "Of course, I'll have one sent to your room," he said.
"Should have done it already," He added softly. My gaze settling on him in complete confusion wondering what kind of game he was playing.
Who gives a prisoner a well functioning phone?
"Where exactly are we going?" I refused to dwell on it but instead focus on more immediate problems.
"Its a charity event. Everyone's going to be there!" he replied still typing away on his phone while I noted that everyone likely meant everyone important.
"Its a art gallery!" he said and I almost scoffed as I replied in as neutral a tone as I could. "...no better way to hide money than through art and charity," I whisper and Nico slowly nodded his head.
"...Bianca Castillo is also going to be there. She currently runs your father's territory!" he said and i could feel my heart skip a beat glancing at Nico's face which showed not the slightest trace of any emotion whatsoever.
If ever there was an organization of evil stepmothers then Bianca would be Queen. I would think Nico was allied with her if not that I knew that they didn't get along.
Especially not after I had him thrown out. Moreover, she has another son. I thought to myself as I leaned into the plush leather seats of the car.
Nico continued to text away on his phone and I didn't speak again. The fact that he gave me some of his time while being busy was already enough for me.
The car continued to speed ahead and I settled with my thoughts realizing that I needed to start gathering my allies as soon as possible. People I could trust. It was the only way I would be able to pay Nico back after deducting as much as I could with the game I knew he intended to play.
Yet I was aware that whatever plans i had would completely go up in smoke when my father's will was read and the old bastard decided not to name me as heir.
It would somewhat keep me safe but I'd learnt early that Power was the only thing that could truly keep one safe.
'One step at a time Carmen...one step at a time'