The Arrangement

Episode 4

The Donovan Mansion was in a section of the Upper East Side that screamed old money. The Grove Estate was a gated community that housed only the elitest of billionaires and old Hollywood stars. If it weren’t for this job, it was a place I probably wouldn’t have even heard of.

As soon as you approached the sprawling estate, the security would stop you, ensure your ID was legitimate and then call the address you were going to to verify you. They kept records of every single person that went in and out. The paparazzi could only dream of breaching their defense.

Because he was already authorized, all Nick, Donovan’s driver, had to do was lower the glass before being let in. In less than a minute, we went past the towering gates into the sprawling estate.

This was my sixth time attending it with him but just like all the others, I couldn’t stop myself from being in awe of the illustrious architecture and design of the place. I didn’t think I could ever get used to it.

“Stop gawking, Miller.” Donovan said, breaking me out of my spell.

“Sorry.” I muttered, embarrassed at having been caught, then turned to look at him but his eyes were focused on his phone. As usual, he was probably trying to get some work done before we got there. The man heard the word workaholic and never looked back.

I smoothed down my hands over the simple black dress I had changed into minutes before we left the office. The theme for these dinners was always formal, something my usual work clothes weren’t fit for. Something I didn’t know the first time Donovan had brought me with him but now something I made sure to always do.

“You’re coming with me.” That was all he said months ago when I finished briefing him about his schedule for the next day minutes before he was set to leave.

“Sir?” I asked, unsure if I had heard correctly. The person from HR who had given me an orientation had never mentioned that. Because he had never brought his secretary with him. Mostly because they were either fired or quit. I’d been so excited to leave work early and had told Alicia we would have a movie night, something we hadn’t done in years now.

Those piercing blue eyes looked up, pinning me with the weight of his glare, a bored expression on his features. “I’m not in the habit of repeating myself, Miller.” He stated and turned back to the document he was reviewing on his laptop, leaving me struck with disbelief.

Minutes later, I followed him in a daze to the car and to dinner where I was first introduced to the enigmatic Donovan family. It was a night that had ended with my sobbing into my pillow. One that I could never forget.

After a ten-minute drive to the heart of the estate, we arrived at the lofty mansion. Nick pulled over at the front door so we could get out before proceeding to the parking lot.

Without so much as a glance at me, Donovan made his way to the front door. I knew he was expecting me to follow but a part of me wondered what he would do if I didn’t. If he even noticed my presence or if I was really insignificant.

For now, I quietly followed, noting once more how intimidating he was even from behind. The man towered over my five foot four inch frame like a giant and as always, the tuxedo he had changed into emphasized his bulky frame. The man was a force to be dealt with on all levels.

The doors opened the minute his knuckles rasped on it. “Sebastian.” Martha’s familiar, melodious voice greeted, pulling him inside. It was a pleasant but surprising change in routine. Usually, Edmund, the head butler was in charge of ushering us and the other family members into the mansion.

“Aunt Martha.” Donovan’s arms engulfed in a bear hug, a tint of warmth melting away the usual frost in his voice. If he was capable of it, I’m sure he would’ve also smiled. He was only this way with two people and Martha was top of the list.

Martha laughed at something he whispered in her ear before turning back to look at me. “Lizzie. Always nice to see you.” She beamed, her face lighting up as she pulled me into a hug that instantly put me at ease.

“It’s nice to see you too, Martha.” I responded, genuinely happy to see her. Affection for this petite, kind woman was probably the only thing Donovan and I had in common.

“How are your mother and sisters doing?” She asked, releasing me from the hug but holding onto my hand.

I felt my smile drop slightly at that. “They’re all good, thank you.”

“Be sure to give them my best.”

I nodded, immediately missing the warmth as she let go. The last time I had been hugged was probably … the last time I had seen her. Probably three months ago. Wow.

Donovan had long since moved into the banquet hall leaving the two of us to follow. As always, the hall was decorated elegantly, everything in its place with several members of the family either already seated or chatting in a corner in the final minutes before dinner was served.

Donovan had already taken a seat at the table, back to tapping away on his phone, back to tuning out the world to focus on work. I spotted Theo at a far off end who waved at me before turning to keep talking with Alec, the youngest member of the family. Martha had moved inside to take the seat next to Hugh, Donovan’s father. Her daughter, Kim was on the other end of the table tapping away at her phone, as always. She was Donovan’s second favourite person in the family and seeing them mirror each other now made me smile despite myself.

Richard Donovan, their grandfather strolled in, causing a silence to descend as everyone stopped what they were doing to approach the table and the catering staff began to line up food on the table. I took that as my sign to disappear into the kitchen.

I had quickly learned that I was only here on the off chance that Donovan needed me to work out something work related. As long as nothing of the sort happened, he didn’t need me.

The first time I had been there, I had committed the faux pas of trying to sit at the table causing everyone to stare at me before Edmund politely pointed me to the table set up in the kitchen for the staff. I’d been so embarrassed I still blushed thinking about it.

I made my way there, saying hi to everyone in the kitchen who greeted me with warmth as I passed, quick not to get in their way. The table was already set up in the small dining room behind the kitchen so I settled in and got comfortable.

If there was one thing I loved about the Donovan family dinners, it was the food. Even though I didn’t get a massive spread of varying cuisines like the family, I still got an impressive, delectable three course meal.

I skipped the appetizer to go straight to the main course - spaghetti bolognese that had me letting out a moan. God. If I wasn’t already a major foodie, the food here would convert me. It was that good. I definitely needed to appreciate the chefs even more than usual.

Just as I took the second bite, Alicia’s face popped in my head and I felt my enthusiasm die down. I wondered if she even ate before she set out for her job. I knew that she cooked dinner and fed Mum before she left. She even made sure to do the dishes but I didn’t know if she took care of herself enough.

I tried to muster up my appetite again but just ended up eating the rest of the food, thinking over our situation.