CHAPTER SIX: BE MY ROOMKEEPER
1145 Words
"Be my personal roomkeeper," his voice low and commanding.
"What… What does that mean, Sir?"
Roberto paused, his eyes searching for something in her eyes, which got her confused the more.
“Miss, he meant…,” Luka, who had been glancing at them from the rear mirror, tried to explain, but Roberto interrupted.
"What's the duty of a housekeeper?"
"They take care of the house.”
"Then do the same to my room, you and you alone.”
"But… how's that going to be a job? I mean, I can take care of the whole house if you want me to, but Sir, you can't possibly stop me from working. It's important to me," she pleaded, thinking he wanted to assign a non-profitable work to her.
“How much do you need?"
“Huh?"
“Daily or weekly pay?" he went on.
“Wait a moment, Sir. Are you offering me a new job right now?"
Roberto nodded with a gentle smile that clung to his lips.
Still trying to process what he meant, she went ahead to ask, “But how is that a job? I mean, what do I get to do in your room?"
“Whatever I need you to do."
“Wait, arranging the bed? Washing your dirty clothes or swe…
As she mentioned any of those things, Roberto was shaking his head in disagreement.
“Then what's my job?"
“Being the only one to enter my room when I need someone."
“That's my job?"
He nodded while his PA giggled. What an awkward way to try to give the little girl money.
“Really?" Luana wasn't exactly satisfied with that. She understood that wealthy men don't allow random persons into their room, especially someone like Roberto who didn't even allow his sister near his door. But, why was he making her such a weird offer?
“Five thousand dollars."
She was still contemplating when the amount Roberto offered struck her back.
“Fi… five what!!"
“You heard me. You'll get paid $5000 every month, plus benefits," he added, his voice firm and unwavering.
Luana's eyes grew wider as she processed the figure. That kind of money could take care of her brother's medical needs and provide for her own well-being. She wanted to ask questions, to clarify what this meant, but her voice was trapped in her throat.
Roberto's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he expected her to object.
"Let's make it $7000," he said, his voice firm.
Luana's eyes darted up to his, and she nodded hastily, still trying to wrap her head around the offer.
“Drive, Luka." With that, Luka accelerated the car down the road.
When they arrived home, Luana's parents were sitting in the parlor, apparently waiting to devour Luana once she appeared.
"Where were you?" Elisabetta's face twisted in anger immediately they set their eyes on Luana.
"You ungrateful child, you're always causing trouble," her father spat and moved to hit her without regard to Roberto she came in with.
“Hey hey hey, not when I'm here," Roberto stopped him halfway.
“I'm sorry, Sir Roberto, but you can see the time this unruly girl is coming back into this house. She can't ever be disciplined!"
Roberto didn't say anything, his expression unreadable. He simply turned to Luana and said,
"Go upstairs."
Elisabetta's face twisted in anger, but she bit back her words as Roberto's gaze fell on her.
Luana quickly turned and ran upstairs, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know what was happening, but she knew that Roberto's presence had changed everything.
“Uncle Luana…,” Cecilia came forward to say something, but he hushed her up.
"Don't act reckless while I'm around,” he warned them before walking up to his room.
Immediately, Roberto's PA dropped Luana off at her school under his boss's command. He reversed the car and zoomed off.
Just then, the bullies arrived—her stepsister with shrewd colleagues.
"Well, well, well, look who's got a sugar daddy now," Cecilia sneered, her voice dripping with malice. "You're really living the high life, aren't you, Luana?"
Luana tried to ignore them, but Cecilia's words cut deep. She kept her head down and tried to walk away, but Cecilia and her friends followed her, their taunts and teases escalating into a full-blown argument.
The scene quickly got out of control, with students gathering around to watch the commotion. Luana's eyes flashed with anger, but she tried to keep her cool, knowing that reacting would only make things worse.
As the heated bully continued, the principal appeared, his face red with anger.
"What's going on here?" he thundered, his voice echoing across the environment.
Cecilia and her friends quickly pointed fingers at Luana, claiming that she had started the fight.
“Sir, it's Luana, she's a bully."
The principal's eyes narrowed, and he grabbed Luana's arm, dragging her towards the disciplinary office.
"You'll pay for this, Luana," he hissed, his grip on her arm tight.
Luana winced in pain, but she didn't struggle, knowing that it would only make things worse.
As they walked into the office, Luana realized that she had come to a place she's usually misjudged without being given a chance to speak. Tears accumulated in her eyes, and the bruises she got from Cecilia and her friends kept stinging like ant bites.
When Cecilia and her friends finally arrived, because the principal needed all involved in the fight to call their parents,
it didn't take them a minute to start chatting and laughing with the principal's secretary. They looked like they were enjoying the spectacle, and Luana felt a surge of anger and frustration.
The principal started calling the parents of the other students involved in the fight, but Luana knew that she didn't have anyone to call. She sat quietly, her eyes downcast, as the other parents arrived, apologizing and laying blame on her.
Just as it seemed like Luana was stuck in the office forever, she heard a commotion outside. The door burst open, and Roberto walked in, his presence commanding attention. The room fell silent as everyone stared at him, the students outside forced themselves to see through the doors and windows.
It was a privilege for each of them to meet the wealthiest man in the city.
“Oh my world! Mr. Roberto is here!!"
"That's my uncle, he came for me. Immediately he heard someone touched me, he couldn't help but rush over to see me,” Cecilia boasted.
Luana bent her head, she felt terrible. Of course, she knew Roberto wasn't coming for her. She had no one to call, so she would just helplessly watch everyone lay blames on her.
Tears were already sliding down her cheeks as those thoughts raced in her mind.
Yet Roberto kept approaching, closer and closer to them…
- Writer
