The Devil's Au Pair

Chapter Two - Are You Stalking Me?

Julietta / Julia

Was he Vera Sylvester’s son? Well, I didn’t want to know anymore.

I wanted to hide somewhere far away from the man’s piercing gaze. Whoever he was, I was sure he already hated me. The way he glared at me, I felt like a criminal standing trial.

Brynne turned to call Leonardo to her side. Leonardo was Lucien Sylvester’s son from his previous failed marriage, and I had met him before.

“Leo, who’s that beside your dad?” she asked in a whisper while I strained to listen to their conversation.

“Oh, that’s Uncle Dominic. He’s Granny Vera’s oldest son, and my cousin Diego’s dad.” Leonardo walked away, but his words echoed in my head.

He had a son!

I could feel his unwavering gaze pinned on me since the moment I came here. Unable to control myself, I leaned in towards Daniella. “Why is he staring at me if he has a son already?”

“Ignore him. I’ll ask Drake about his life history later.” She winked at me, but I scoffed. If he were a married man with a son, I obviously wouldn’t be interested.

Julietta Castellanos was anything but a home-wrecker. I didn’t need a man in my life. “Who’s interested?”

It took a toll on my nerves to keep my gaze from wandering over to Dominic Sylvester. With him still glaring at me, I wanted to disappear from the scene. What had I ever done to him?

We walked down the aisle and took our positions at the altar with Brynne. I tried my best to ignore him. Where the hell was his wife? Couldn’t she tame her as*hole husband?

The wedding ceremony was so heart-touching that soon I was wiping my eyes with the rest of the guests. I knew Brynne hadn’t prepared her vows. They were spontaneous and heartfelt. Even Lucien’s vows sounded genuine.

I shared a look with Daniella. We were glad that our best friend, Brynne, had finally found her match. Daniella glanced at Drake, and I knew she, too, would walk down the aisle soon.

The wedding was over, and I headed towards the banquet hall where the reception party would be held. I badly needed a drink. My phone buzzed with a message, and I checked immediately.

It was from my flatmate, Olivia.

Mr. Hayes has been here twice looking for you. If you don’t clear the rent tonight, he’ll throw your belongings out tomorrow. – Olivia.

My heart sank with dread. Where would I get so much money tonight? I didn’t want to go back. What if the landlord, Mr. Hayes, bothered me? I would deal with him tomorrow. Maybe I would borrow some money from Daniella. I hated doing that, but it was the only way out now.

I sighed and rushed to the drinks counter. I had a task at hand now, and that was to get Brynne ready for her reception party.

On my way, I spotted our office crowd outside on the lawn and rushed to avoid them. Surely Cassie and Carla from the administrative team would bicker about the privilege Daniella and I received.

In my haste, I collided with someone. “Are you f*cking blind?”

I froze, recognizing the voice before even turning to check. It was Dominic Sylvester, the as*hole who’s wife was missing.

I turned slowly, steadying myself before looking up at him. He towered over me, glaring in the same way as before. Was that his signature look?

“So are you.” I skirted him to go to the table and grab a bottle of soft drink. But he blocked my way, seething with fury.

“You’re forgetting your manners. Shouldn’t you apologize?” His relentless glare was now taking a toll on my confidence. It made me feel like a criminal already. My phone buzzed with an incoming call from my landlord, and my face paled. I had nothing to say to him tonight. Where would I get so much money from?

“Boyfriend’s call?” he sneered, bringing me back to reality. “Well, I’m still waiting. Apologize if you want me to let you go.”

All the fight left my body. My life was in a mess, and I didn’t want to bicker with anyone. “Sorry, I didn’t see you.” I lowered my eyes, eager to run. I didn’t belong in his world of luxury. I was a homeless woman with no one to call my own.

He frowned at me for a second before whirling around and walking away. I trudged towards the counter and picked up my drink.

Thankfully, there was no sign of Dominic as*hole Sylvester when I trudged towards the elevator. I saw Daniella and Brynne going up and rushed ahead to stop them.

“Hey, wait for me!” They stopped, and I stepped into the elevator with them.

Daniella glanced at the bottle of soft drink in my hand. “I could do with a sip.”

“Yeah, so can I,” said Brynne, and we shared the drink.

“So, how does it feel being a married woman?” Daniella wiggled her eyebrows at Brynne.

She smiled shyly and shrugged. “I feel exhausted right now.”

It made me forget my predicament and chuckle. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll feel married by the next morning.” We chuckled, and Brynne blushed. These two always cheered me up unknowingly by their mere presence.

“Are you two staying the night?” Brynne asked us.

“I’m not,” said Daniella, and I panicked.

How could I return tonight? “Hey, don’t ditch me!”

“You can come out too. We’ll go home after the party.”

I shook my head at Daniella. “I want to stay, please.”

Instead of getting annoyed, she smacked my arm playfully. “Why? Is something cooking between you and Dominic?”

I rolled my eyes at the impossibility of her assumption. “Are you crazy? He has a son, so his wife should be somewhere around.”

Soon, we got busy getting Brynne and ourselves ready for the event. She swirled around in her expensive emerald green dress that Lucien had bought for her. With matching emerald green outfits, we looked like triplets. It was obviously Daniella’s idea, and she was the one to splurge on my dress as well. I could have worn the same bridesmaid gown to save money. Who would notice me anyway?

“Wow! You look so stunning, Julia!” gasped Brynne, making me blush.

I was used to the old clothes I had been wearing for the last two years. Maybe they had been accustomed to seeing me in them.

“Thank you. Daniella forced me to accept it. Now this high slit is bothering me. Do you have a pin? I could just pin it up.” I tugged at the body-hugging outfit. It was making me self-conscious.

“Rubbish. That’s in these days, and you’re looking hot. So just chill,” scolded Daniella.

A knock on the door alerted us. Who could it be? Daniella opened the door to Fannie, Lucien Sylvester’s housekeeper and nanny.

She rushed in looking agitated. “Brynne, there’s been a security breach at the party. Can you comfort the children a little? They’re too worried about you. They haven't had their dinner yet.”

Brynne grabbed my hand, and we rushed out with Fannie. “What happened?”

“An intruder broke into the resort armed with a time bomb. The security had to call the cops. Mr. Sylvester thinks his ex-wife had sent the troublemaker,” said Fannie.

The elevator opened, and we rushed towards the children’s suite. There were three guards stationed outside. The moment we stepped inside, we saw Lucien’s younger children, Liliana and Lucas, huddled up on the bed with fear. The older one, twelve-year-old Leonardo, sat with another boy of his age, both looking stressed.

“Mom,” Liliana came rushing to cling to Brynne.

She coaxed them effortlessly, and soon, with Fannie and my help, the kids relaxed. Fannie served them their dinner.

“Dad is here, Mom!” Liliana’s shrill voice pierced the air, and we turned to check.

My face paled with shock at the sight of Dominic with Lucien. He still glared at me as if I were the intruder carrying the time bomb. It was best to ignore the man.

“I need another pork chop, Mom,” wailed Lucas.

“I’ll serve you. Let your mom go, Lucas,” coaxed Fannie.

“You’re so lucky to have found a mom. Why don’t I have one?” grumbled the other boy, who was Diego, Dominic’s son. His sudden admission made my heart skip a beat. Did I hear him right? Where was his mom? Maybe that was the reason his dad was so stuck up. I was sure Dominic needed a wife!

‘Don’t even go down that path, Julietta!’ chided my inner mind.

“Diego, finish your dinner fast and sleep.” His dad glared at him this time instead of at me.

Diego sulked, but his dad stormed out of the room in a fit of rage. Was he always this way?

Luke turned to speak to Fannie. “Fannie, ensure that the children don’t go out of this suite. There are guests everywhere, and it could lead to another security breach. I can’t come over to check on them. Do you understand the gravity of the situation?”

Fannie nodded. “Yes, Mr. Sylvester. Your grandfather had explained the situation to all of us. We won’t go out of this room at all. You can enjoy your reception.”

“Yes, Dad. Diego and I will handle everything here,” said Leonardo, making his dad smile.

“Thank you, Leo, Diego. I’m so relieved.”

Lucien escorted Brynne out, and I excused myself to avoid being a third wheel. The party would start in a few minutes, and I headed over to my floor.

On my way to my room, I glanced at the open door to Dominic’s room. “Damn!” His angry voice echoed around the place.

Before I could check up on him, the door flew open, and he glared at me. “Are you stalking me, Ms. Mitchell?”

I gaped at the arrogant man. What? Why would I? Was he crazy?