Fortress

Chapter 1

Mina

I've been working for the Elliott's for a year and a half in New York. Mr. Elliott still hasn't learned to put his dirty clothes in the basket that's clearly labeled dirty. What else should I expect from a filthy rich white guy who has never had to do anything for himself?

”Mina!” my thoughts are interrupted by Mrs. Elliott who isn’t shy about yelling my name whenever she needs something. The trick was figuring out which room she was in.

”Yes, Mrs. Elliott!” I stuck my head out of the apartment size bathroom in hopes to hear better.

”Mina it's urgent come please!”, everything is urgent when I'm called. I walked out into the third largest room in the mansion and opened the double doors that lead to a dimly lit hallway. I could hear heels clicking against the wood floor that's how I knew which way to turn next. I found Mrs. Elliott leaning on an enormous windowsill filled with colorful flowers. She wore a light blue dress that looked like it was pulled straight from a fashion magazine not a wrinkle in sight.

”Mina. I failed to mention earlier that we are expecting Rome home within a week or two. I need you to tidy up the room on the last level of the mansion sorry for such short notice!” Mrs. Elliott produced a laugh that was both fake and nervous.

”Yes ma'am I will start on the room first thing in the morning,” I said with a forced smile.

Her blonde hair didn't stray out of place after she shook her head slowly in approval.

”Thank you. I would have gotten one of the other ladies but I need you for this room particularly” I nodded and smiled she then continued.

”All the furniture will be replaced with up-to-date furniture that should be arriving in a few days” Now that did take me by surprise they rarely ever changed things, everything here has been in the Elliott family for over a hundred years.

“Yes, Mrs. Elliott”. She took a deep breath and her perfectly slim body seemed as if it were shaking. She was not herself today. She looked up and smiled and I saw the tears forming in her eyes.

”It’s been fifteen years since I've seen my boy, Mina” I didn't know how to respond I've never seen this side of Mrs. Elliott before. Obviously, she missed her son whom she never talked about.

”I’m sure he's been missing you too Mrs. Elliott”. I tried to make my words warm and comforting. Then suddenly as if she didn't just break down she looked past me saying,

”I’ll need you to be Rome’s housekeeper...which means I’ll need to you move your things into the room next to his”

This day just went up in flames.

“I understand Mrs. Elliott”. I didn't understand that was just a saying that's become a habit to say.

”Mina this next part is important ...Rome has only known the military since he was ten this is his first time being in the real world. I’m asking that you please keep an eye on him”

What the what. I clean houses, fold laundry that's it. This is way out in the left field or is it the right field?

”I know this is a lot but I need you to do this”, Mrs. Elliot reached for my hand as she continued.

“Mina, will you take on this assignment for me?” Assignment!

“Yes, Mrs. Elliott I will try my best”. Before I could brace myself she pulled me in for a tight hug. This was an off day for us both.

“I’m sorry Mina that was very invasive!” A hug? I’d often wonder if there was any affection in her marriage I never witnessed an intimate moment between the Elliotts.

Mrs. Elliott took a step back and wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Well if you’ll excuse me there is much to do,” she said before walking off. This was a lot to take in. The son with an estranged relationship with his parents is returning home. I am somehow in the middle of it all.

“Mina!” My best friend's voice came from behind me she was in a guest room and most likely needed help with setting the bed.

“That’s my name,” I said while pushing the door open. This room was gorgeous but so is every other room in this mansion.

“Did you hear! The boss's son is coming home. I bet he’s sexy as f**k Mr. Elliott looks like he pulled a lot of babes in his younger days” I couldn’t stop my face from turning up at that statement.

“Ew, I don’t even want to think about it. Yes I heard and I’ve been tasked with being his personal maid” I said flatly.

“Oh my gosh! That’s not fair” Aniyah was not the brightest sometimes but I still love her. Her big brown eyes lit up from under her black bangs. Aniyah had such a baby face with her big cheeks almost blocking her eyesight and it didn’t help that she was so short.

“You’re insane. I was just about to put in my two weeks' notice you know. I finally saved up enough for my Paris trip this is complete bullshit” I sighed slumping down on the bed.

“You know what you’re better than me I don’t even put in two-week notices anymore” I smiled at that because it’s true. Aniyah has had more jobs than I can count on my fingers and toes.

“I already agreed to it but after this I’m done I’m going to go live the good life”. I pictured myself visiting the Eiffel Tower taking photos as if I’m holding it in the palm of my hand. I needed this vacation.

“Take me with you!”, Anyiah said sarcastically.

“Oh please, I need to go pack and for all the wrong reasons, I’ll be playing roommate for his stay wish me luck”.

Two Weeks Later

Two weeks had passed and everything looked in its right place in Rome's room The only thing missing was Rome himself. From what I was told he was ten minutes away and Mrs. Elliott was running around like a chicken with its head cut freshly off. I couldn't hear anything up here which was both concerning and peaceful. What if Rome woke up and decided to kill me one night, no one would hear me screaming. I laughed to myself while straightening the large pillows on his bed. Even though Mrs. Elliott said she didn't want to overdo this room she didn't keep that in mind while shopping. It was a room fit for a king for sure. Mrs. Elliot had everything she thought a twenty-five-year-old would be interested in. I made my way over to the bathroom and glanced toward the other door that led to my room. I was very nervous about living next to a man I'd never met before. I remember when I applied for this job I knew they required that you lived on the premises. I still have my days off and I try to stay out of the way. As for now, I'm not sure I'll have any off days. This new “assignment” was going to take all of my free time.

The bathroom was nice but not a lot of privacy. Sure he had his toilet and I had mine along with his sink and my own as well but the only thing separating us was a thin wall I could see over. I caught a reflection of myself in the large mirror in front of me. My brown curly hair was pulled back into a tight bun and there was a little bit of frizz visible. I quickly turned on the left faucet and ran my hands under the water. I smoothed down my hair as best as I could it was a must that we looked as professional as possible.

I walked back into Rome’s room and froze where I stood. A fallen angel was standing in the doorway holding what looked to be a dozen bags all over his body. Wherever Rome had been he was getting a lot of sun his tan skin stood out from his all-black army wear. His eyes looked too blue to be real and his jaw line could cut paper. He had to be close to at least six feet tall because he was towering over me from over there at my five foot two height. On top of all this, he had a ridiculous smile on his face that revealed perfectly white teeth and then he spoke.

“I know it’s so much sexiness to take in”. Wow, he’s full of himself which was completely understandable. I decided to ignore his comment.

”My name is Mina Scarlett you may call me Mina or Miss Scarlett”. I said looking away from his handsome face. When I looked back I was surprised to see the smile had grown bigger.

“Mina. I carried all this in one trip!”. He seemed impressed with himself.

”I understand.” Those blue eyes didn't leave mine and I was forced to look away again but not before I noticed the hair that fell to his shoulders. Rome untangled himself from the hoard of luggage and surveyed the room with a blank expression.

“I hope everything is to your liking,” I said filling the silence.

“There’s only one thing I like in this room Mina,” he said casually as if he was saying the sky was blue. Well, he didn’t insinuate that the one thing is you ugh now I feel full of myself.

“I’m glad you are pleased. My room is just across the bathroom please just knock if you need anything” I was ready to get out of here.

“Are you always this unwelcoming” his words stopped me in my tracks and I replayed the conversation in my head. Not unwelcoming just short and professional.

“My apologies for the miscommunication is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Elliott?”. I said with my back turned. I failed to take the sharpness out of my tone and I knew for a fact it was displayed on my face. I am very annoyed with this man already. There was a soft chuckle before he replied.

“Please just call me Rome and yes there is one thing you can do for me” I straightened my back before turning to face him he was closer than I thought. Before I knew what was happening he was already kissing me. My hands gripped his shirt to push him away but something was happening to my body and a bright light flashed behind my eyelids. Shapes and voices were forming, a familiar voice, my voice.