Episode 3
1198 Words
One year later
The alarm in Jennifer's room had gone off at around 8am in the morning interrupting her sleep. She lazily reached out for the alarm clock on the side locker to turn it off.
She removed her eye mask, revealing the sight and life she's now being subjected to. The sun rays flashed through her eyes as she felt the gentle morning breeze forcing its way in through the bright coloured chiffon curtains.
She lay on the bed for another five minutes, staring at the ceiling, wondering what today had in store for her since she's now forced to stay with Mr Bianchi. The devil in human skin.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. She sat up straight on her king-sized bed, covering her lower body with the duvet, fixed her hair with both her hands and adjusts her night wear.
"Yes who is it?" She asks.
"It's Carol" the voice responds.
"Come in" Jennifer says.
Carol works as Luca's housekeeper. She's been working for his family for years now even before he was born, and now she works for him.
Luca treats her more like family as she was his nanny too growing up. Her husband had passed years back, leaving her with no children as she never conceived any.
Luca let her stay with him as his housekeeper and his mother figure.
"Good morning Jennifer. I see you're just waking up" Carol says, walking into the room with a breakfast tray in her hands.
"Good morning Carol. You don't always have to do this you know" Jennifer says.
"Do what my dear?" Carol asks moving towards Jennifer's side of the bed, placing the tray on the side drawer.
"This, breakfast in bed. You could always ask the other helps to do this" Jennifer says softly.
"Do not mind me my dear. I'm used to it, Luca barely eats breakfast at home these days, and I miss doing this" Carol responds sitting by Jennifer's side.
She takes Jennifer's hands in hers, looking her in the eyes, she asks if she slept well.
"Yes I did Carol" Jennifer responds forcing a smile.
"Your eyes say otherwise my dear. Tell me, what is the problem" Carol asks, touching the side of her face.
"It's nothing Carol. It's just that ever since I came here to live with Mr Bianchi, I've had no idea how my family's doing."
"Mr Bianchi won't let me go out to see them either, he's shut out everyone I care about from my life and just keeps me locked up in here as a captive" Jennifer says, tears welling up in her eyes.
"My mother must be worried sick not having heard from me in such a long time. I'm sure she wonders whether or not I'm still alive."
"And my siblings, I wonder how they're all coping without me. I miss my family Carol" Jennifer says sobbing
Carol hugs her and lets her cry for sometime before breaking from the hug.
"Listen dear, I understand exactly what you're going through. The pain of being separated from your family, not knowing how they're doing or being able to reach them is alot to bear.
"You just have to be strong and have faith. In due time you'll get to be with your family again" Carol says to her.
"And besides I'm always here for you. Don't worry yourself too much else you'll get wrinkles worse than mine" Carol teases, getting off the bed.
Jennifer laughs at her statement. "C'mon Carol that's not true. Besides you're still very beautiful yourself" Jennifer says, cheering up.
"Thank you my dear. I'll leave you to yourself now, make sure to eat your breakfast. I'm sure it's getting cold by now" Carol says exiting the room.
Jennifer felt lucky to at least have Carol. She felt less alone whenever Carol was around. She'd even started seeing her as her second mother, her friend and confidante.
She got off from her bed and headed to the bathroom for a quick bath before going to have her breakfast.
"Good morning Carol" Luca greets, entering into the kitchen.
"Good morning Luca. I see you went out for an early morning run" She says, turning to him.
"Yes I did" he responds, reaching for the fridge to get a bottle of water.
"You should come with me sometime Carol" he teased, taking a big gulp from the bottle.
"Oh no my dear, you know I'm already too old for all that" she said.
"Just have a run for two when next you're out" she says, smiling at him.
"I'll keep that in mind" he responds, smiling back at her.
"And Ms Howard, is she up yet?" Luca asks.
"Oh yes she is, I actually brought her breakfast to her room just now" replies Carol.
Luca nods whilst Carol moves towards him.
"Luca, don't you think it's about time you let her go back home to her family?" She asked concerned, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"You know that's not possible Carol, she knows too much about me, about the business." Luca responds feeling irritated at her statement.
"Well at least a call to her family should do. I mean they need to know that she's doing okay where she is" she pressed on.
"No Carol. Calls, visit, none of these are an option. I'll decide when she leaves and who she talks to.
She knows the terms of our agreement. I own her now and that means I get to do as I please with her" he responds, feeling a tinge of anger.
"So please just stay out of this, and let me handle it my way" he says, putting the bottle of water on the kitchen counter.
"I'll go freshen up now Carol, breakfast should be served by the time I'm done" he says, storming out of the kitchen.
Carol stood still by the counter as she watched him leave. She felt bothered by his unwillingness to budge but was determined to make everything right. Somehow.
Jennifer sat in the balcony up in her room with a novel in her hand. She hadn't left her room all day. And from time to time, she flipped through the pages of the book, feeding her eyes to each of the words in it.
She'd gotten one from Mr Bianchi's library. That's the one good thing she gave him credit for.
She'd been at it almost all morning, when she felt a rumble in her stomach. She was hungry.
She puts down her book as she finds her way to the kitchen.
"Finally someone decided to come help me out here in the kitchen" Carol teased, the moment she caught sight of Jennifer.
"C'mon Carol. You know you're a much better cook than I am, I wouldn't want to ruin your art with my mess" she said, smiling at Carol who was busy preparing lunch.
Jennifer moves towards the counter, "now that smells delicious Carol" she says, stealing a bite.
"Thank you" Carol replies.
"Oh and before I forget, Luca asked that you meet him up in his room the moment you come out of your room" Carol says to Jennifer.
- Writer
