Bound By Wrath

She was humiliated

A week had passed since Luca came to the house. He had already mastered the routine of the family.

He also noticed the way Ashley was constantly belittled by Olivia and Hailey every chance she got, and he also noticed something else about Ashley that equally intrigued him.

***********

Luca's phone buzzed at four in the morning. He picked it up and looked at the caller ID—it was Marco.

He went to the kitchen, pulled the door shut before he answered.

“What's up?” He said to Marco.

“There's a slight problem here Luca.” He paused. “The video has crossed five million views and many illegal social media platforms have access to the video, and it's going to be kinda tricky to take it down……. I mean—if you're not in a hurry.”

Luca's brows furrowed. “What do you mean by that? You were supposed to identify the source and stop the circulation. It wasn't supposed to cross two million views.” He almost yelled but kept his voice in check because the house was eerily quiet—everyone was still asleep.

Marco's voice came rasped from the other end of the phone. “I tried to do so. You know it's an explicit content. It can't be stopped from circulation, but it can be taken down from those sites.”

He waited for Luca's reply, but he received none so he continued, “The reputation management team has finished the second pass on the video and found three additional fabrication markers they missed in the first sweep. With those identified markers, the takedown case is definitely airtight. No platform will have any legal ground to keep the content up.”

Luca's expression lightened. “ That's an improvement.”

“It's going to take a while, I can start the takedown today, that is—if you're ready.” Marco said.

“Since it's going to take a while, you can start now. I just got into the house, the first phase of my plan is in action.”

“Wait…. has she fallen?” Marco asked, surprised.

Luca looked at the dark morning outside the window, one hand holding his phone, the other hand swirling a spoon on the kitchen counter. He exhaled and replied, “We haven't gotten close yet.”

Marco went quiet for a moment. When he continued, something in his voice shifted. “Your father used to say that the people that Richard Navarro hurt most were the ones that trusted him and never saw it coming. He would have wanted…..” He stopped.

Luca's heart skipped a beat. “Wanted what?”

“Oh, it's nothing.” Marco's voice sounded serious now. “We start the takedown today, make sure you complete the first phase of the arrangement by the end of the week so it doesn't falter the plan.”

His eyes narrowed, “No, you have to tell me. My father wanted what?” Then he heard the creaking of a door and approaching footsteps. “Noted.” He said without waiting for a reply and hung up the call.

He had gotten into the house. That was all that mattered now. The documents were ready. The only thing standing between him and his revenge was just time.

The kitchen door creaked open and jolted him from his thoughts.

Luca looked up and saw Ashley. She was wearing an oversized sweater over her pajamas and her hair falling over her shoulders in a messy wave.

She looked up and saw him, “Hey.”

“Hey, Good morning Miss Ashley, how was your night?” Luca said, flashing a smile at Ashley.

“It was fine, thanks.” She said, walking towards the coffee machine.

He felt a knot in his stomach and quickly suppressed it. “Yeah. Uhm, did you finish your paintings of yesterday?” Luca said, trying to start a conversation with her.

“Not really,” she turned to face him and rested on the counter. “I'm actually done, but It needed a few touch ups. I'm just gonna do that after my coffee.”

“Oh, that's cool.” He said and averted her gaze.

They stayed in silence, the only sound heard was the coffee machine, Luca was already making breakfast.

He turned to look at Ashley and saw her, now sitting on the counter beside the sink, her mind elsewhere. He removed his gaze and continued what he was doing.

The sound of the coffee machine stopped. Luca turned around and saw Ashley walking towards him holding two cups of coffee. She extended one towards him, “Here, have this.”

He collected it, his lips pressed together and he muttered, “Thanks.”

He noticed the way Ashley was looking at him, her face widening with a smile.

“Listen, Luca. I know you might be wondering why I gave you coffee.” She paused. “I'm used to making two cups of coffee, I share it with Mrs Diane, the housekeeper, but she's currently unwell, and she's usually also in the kitchen by this time, so I thought to share the coffee with you in her absence.” She smiled.

“Oh, that's so thoughtful, thanks again.”

“You're welcome—I guess.” she smiled and walked out of the kitchen.

Luca closed his eyes and took a deep breath then he continued what he was doing.

******************

The family was down by eight thirty.

Olivia, always being the first to come down to check the arrangements the workers made.

Richard coming in second, then Hailey last.

The breakfast had been laid. Luca kept checking from his stand at the kitchen for Ashley, but she hadn't come down yet.

She eventually came down around nine fifteen when breakfast was almost halfway through.

Before she could even pull out a chair to sit, Olivia yelled at her.

“The guest list for Hailey's end of month event is it finalized yet?” She stared daggers at Ashley.

“Not yet, Mom. I'll have it ready by this afternoon.” Ashley said in a calm voice as she pulled the chair and sat down.

“What have you been doing all morning huh? “This was supposed to have been ready two days ago.”

“I have been making the custom paintings you asked for yesterday, for the event, and I just finished it a while ago.”

“I didn't ask you for that. I specifically asked for the guest list first. Perhaps, you need to manage your time properly because no one in this house has the strength to keep track of missed deadline for you.” Olivia half yelled, fuming with rage.

“What?” Luca murmured as he looked at Olivia from the kitchen. He remembered when she specifically asked Ashley for the designs yesterday. She didn't even make mention of a guest list whatsoever.

He looked at Ashley. The way her jaw tightened she grabbed the fork tightly. He looked at Richard, the way he sat still, like nothing was going on.

Ashley just inhaled sharply, and replied, “It will be done before twelve, Mom.”

Olivia ignored Ashley’s reply and turned to Hailey sitting across from her. “Oh Hailey, hurry up dear. We have an appointment at the spa today. You know, you have to glam up for the event, Ashley's paintings will make you a star.” She said as her voice lit up with excitement.

“I'm almost done mummy, just give me a minute.” Hailey said and stood up, picking a glass of water in a hurry.

She walked toward Ashley's seat, pretending to drink the water and hit her leg intentionally on the foot of the chair.

The water spilled over Ashley's body, and she stood up quickly and gasped, touching her wet t-shirt.

“Oh my Ash, I'm so sorry,” Hailey said sarcastically. “That's for not making the guest list on time.” She gave a sinister smile.

Ashley just stood there, her throat tightened as her eyes glistened with tears. She glanced at Richard and met his eyes but he just looked away, and turned back to his phone.

Olivia sat there, sipping wine, feeling proud of her daughter.

Luca seeing all these hurried into the dining area with a dry towel and handed it to Ashley. “Here, you can dry your body with this.”

Ashley looked at him, a weird feeling spread throughout her body, she collected the towel and muttered a small “Thanks.”

Luca looked around, at Richard, unbothered by Ashley's constant humiliation, Hailey, taking credit for her work, Olivia seizing every opportunity to belittle her and Ashley, dabbing the towel on the wet part of her body.

Olivia looked at Luca, her face scrunched up in disgust. “How dare you do that huh?”

“Do what ma'am?” Luca replied.

“Who gave you the right to interfere with family matters? The audacity for me.” Olivia scoffed.

“I'm sorry ma'am.” Luca apologized calmly.

“Know your place in this house Luca. You're a cook, and a cook's place is in the kitchen, am I clear?”

“Yes ma'am.” He bowed slightly.

“Now, out of my sight.” She waved her hand dismissively.

Richard just stood up and went to his room without a word.

“Mummy, can we leave now?” Hailey said and walked towards Olivia.

“Yes my darling. I'll make sure you're extra pampered at the spa.” She stood up. “And you're having dark circles Hailey, you're stressing yourself too much.” Olivia caressed Hailey's face.

“Hey, Ashley, make sure everything is ready before I return, else, you'll have me to contend with.” She said as she strode out of the house with Hailey beside her.

Ashley looked at their retreating figure, a bitter smile on her face. “Soon, Olivia. Very soon.”