REWRITTEN AS A VILLAIN.

THE VENUS HOUSE

"Miss Gianne,” I had called out to her just as she was about to get into the taxi.

“Sir.”

“Be at West Road in three hours.”

She looked as if she didn’t understand the language I was speaking. Even I didn’t know why I wanted her to come with me. All I knew was that my first PA had once attended dinner with me, to observe and learn.

I walked away and entered my car.

Here we are three hours later, and she is sitting in the car beside me.

Her straight hair is packed into a neat, tight bun.

She steals a glance at me before her green eyes begin to dart around.

We pull up at a Chanel store, as I instructed my chauffeur.

“Come with me,” I say to Gianne.

It has been a long time since I had a female PA, and I find myself acting differently, less like myself. As if I’m.. Managing her presence. Or perhaps it is because she feels familiar in a way?

She follows closely without a word, and we step into the store, heading straight to the female section.

“What do you need?” the salesperson asked as she approached.

I assess Gianne before speaking.

“I need a dinner dress for a woman who looks like her.”

“Okay, sir.”

“And no budget.”

“Alright, noted.” She leaves to search for clothes.

“You must be shopping for someone close,” Gianne says, taking a seat at the farthest end of the couch.

“Not close enough,” I reply.

Strangely, conversation with her doesn't drain me.

I signal another staff member and request shoes and accessories. They bring them to the fitting room.

The shoes are placed carefully in front of her, and she slips her feet into them.

“Hope they’ll be okay, with someone else doing the testing for them," she says, sounding slightly uncomfortable.

“It is up to them." I’m offering my kindness,” I reply, calming her in my own way.

“So which one are you choosing?” she asks.

I hadn’t even noticed she had dropped honorifics. It seems unintentional.

“Anything that suits your taste.”

She nods, her gaze on the shoes. She picks black and white striped stiletto heels and serpent jewelry, taking them into the dressing room.

I wait, thinking and searching for a tangible reason I'm letting her into my space.

Then she steps out, dazzling like something that descended briefly to observe the affairs of the earth.

She has let her hair down, and we accidentally lock eyes as she tucks her hair behind her ear.

Her familiarity… she reminds me of my grandmother and my mother. That same expression, like we are all simply passing time before death, that quiet confidence, I understand it now.

“Do you like it?” she asks giving a little pose.

I close the gap between us, my eyes linger on her for longer than I meant them to. And she noticed them on her and stepped backwards.

"Turn around." She turned. I moved closer my hands adjusted her necklace, briefly brushing her warm bare neck.”

She was still, her hands were about to stop me, but she hesitated.

“Nice, let’s go.”

“Wait, let me quickly take this off—” she turns.

“They’re yours.”

“Huh?”

“Time is ticking.” I walk out, she follows quickly, struggling to keep up with my pace.

We drive a few blocks and arrive at the venue, the Venus House. Our family mansion.

I notice her breathing heavier the moment we enter, she is trying to maintain composure.

My mother spots me and walks over, pulling me into a hug.

“You look dashing as always,” she says, then side-eyes Gianne before locking arms with me.

“Same as you, Mother,” I reply.

She giggles, we move to greet my grandmother. She sits behind white curtains, her space deliberately shielded from view.

I pay my respects. Gianne remains outside, but my grandmother notices her and calls her in.

“It’s very unlike you to bring home a woman,” she says, disbelief in her tone.

“She’s my PA, nothing more,” I whisper.

“Men always say that," she countered. I know she has been waiting for something like this for years.

“Come here, darling.” She gestures.

Gianne bows slightly and sits respectfully in front of her. Tea is served. I sit beside them, my mother on the other end, visibly uninterested.

They introduce themselves and, unexpectedly, seem to enjoy each other’s company.

“Your jewelry taste is interesting, a hissing serpent, my style,” my grandmother says.

“Thank you, ma’am. I’m glad you like it. I love serpents.”

“And what is the meaning behind your outfit?” she asks.

“Black symbolizes mystery, strength, and elegance. Serpent symbolizes wisdom and danger,” she replies.

My grandmother listens as if she has found something worth studying.

“It applies to my personal life and my position at Blackwood. I am elegant, and my strength lies in mystery. To navigate life, I possess the wisdom of a serpent and a venom for danger,” she concludes.

“A venom for danger!” my mother bursts into laughter.

“And as wise as a serpent,” my grandmother adds, entertained.

“You must have been in danger before. Strengthen your venom with this ,” my mother says, handing her champagne before leaving to attend to visitors.

“You’re such a gothic blessing,” my grandmother chuckles. “I always thought to survive danger, don’t try to be innocent. Bite those who bite you, or they’ll trample you. I’ve never been wrong about that.”

Gianne looks flustered but smiles, she always has a reply, just not this time.

I haven’t seen my grandmother warm up to a stranger like this since my grandfather died. She usually sits alone on his birthdays, preserving only his dinner legacy.

“I had all the fun. Thank you, Gianne. I would love to see you again. Good luck with your job and personal life.”

“Same to you, ma’am. I wish you long and happy years.”

Gianne steps out, and I follow her.

“I’ll get a drink,” she says, going downstairs.

I also go for a drink before heading toward the piano room. I take a glass from the server, the lights change, signaling the start of a dance.

I scan the crowd, searching for her. Then I see her on the dance floor, my cousin's arm around her waist, and I feel burned. I clenched my jaw, "It's just a dance." I tell myself that.

I took another sip, but my gaze returned, he always reaches for what he shouldn't. Suddenly I find myself crossing the distance between us, pulling them apart and stand in between them.

He looks up, amused.

"Lucian, you want to dance?" He asks.

"No," I said flatly.

"I was about to get a girlfriend. I can't date you, you know," he complains.

I step between them, my eyes piercing his. "Find someone else, she's with me tonight." I said steadying my tone.

In response, his countenance darkened.