HIS LUNA; CHOSEN AT A COST

Episode 003

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Chapter 3: Welcome to the Fifth Floor (Extended Version)

Enzo and I were just finishing the last of our dinner when Alessio showed up with an older woman by his side. She didn't smile much and seemed to run things without repeating herself.

"Afternoon, Enzo," murmured Alessio, looking across the table. "I didn't anticipate your prompt arrival. Later evening, I had hoped you would stop by. I was hoping you would visit later tonight.

Enzo leaned back in his chair. "The drive is smooth. No traffic. I understand I came to the conclusion that waiting till she could begin to settle in was pointless. Bette has a talent for learning things quickly. that she is quick to take things up.

She. I hated it when they spoke about me as though I didn't have ears and wasn't sitting there eating my last piece of bread.

Alessio then turned to face me. "This is Alessia, Luna. She is in charge of the private level and reports directly to the boss, Lorenzo Romano. She'll take care of you.

Alessia pursed her lips and nodded, not looking directly at me.

And she said, "Welcome." But the word sounded inflexible. Not rude, but definitely not cordial. Then she turned back to Alessio. "He’s not in?"

"I've left. Tomorrow, come back after noon.

"Right." She gave a polite nod. Then she murmured, "Yo." "You finished eating, dear?" with piercing eyes.

I quickly nodded and wiped my hands on a serviette.

"All right. Let's move ahead now. With your father's and Alessio's approval, I'll demonstrate your duties."

As though it had always been the plan, both men nodded. Unsteadily, I got up and wiped my hands on my jeans. Alessia grasped for my arm and was firm enough to tell me that this was essential.

"My dear, hurry up. You ought to remember whatever I say.

As we walked along the wide corridor, I glanced up at her. "This place is huge." "Where are we going?"

She kept walking. "The mansion."

I blinked. That massive five-story castle was only an administrative building, right?

My effort at a joke was, "You sure this isn’t a museum?"

Alessia didn't laugh either. She She just gave me a sidelong glance. Given how people act inside it, it might as well be.

We kept walking. My stomach turned over with nerves. There were no gates. Not even a fence. As though it didn't care who saw it, the mansion sat with its doors open. The rich were weird. Just feelings, no walls, no security.

As soon as we walked in, I could feel the pressure of everyone watching me. Most of them came from girls at least as old as myself. No one smiled. Their expressions were twisted in censure, if anything. They whispered. One even gave a smirk.

My spine stiffened as Alessia grabbed my elbow and slowly drew me forward.

"Keep moving," she told herself in a whisper. Then, almost to herself, she muttered, "He better claim you soon."

I knitted my brows. What?

"What does that mean?"

Ignoring me and clicking her shoes faster, she led me to a little office tucked away along the back hallway. The interior was simple, with a few filing cabinets, grey walls, and a neat desk.

"This is my office," she continued, finally turning to face me. "You are expected to report here both in the morning and at night before and after each shift. You get it?"

I nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Five to eight-thirty, then four to eleven, Monday through Friday.

"All right. You remember that part. Morning shift workers, don't wake him. Never. I don't care if the roof is on fire. Clean his office, hallway, and kitchen first. It is best to save the bedroom for last.

I listened carefully, trying to remember everything. I couldn't stop the nerves from tingling up my back, though.

"All right, what if he is there? Like, within the room?"

Then you don't say anything and don't let out a loud breath. "Do you get it?"

"Yes."

She gave me a piece of paper and a pen. "Finish this. Then I'll get you a uniform.

I studied the paperwork as soon as I sat down. Name, age, educational background, and work history. Up until I reached the last question, everything was fine.

*s*x Status?*

I took a moment to study it, wondering if I had misunderstood.

"Is this… necessary?"

She did not even look up. "It is essential. It's for safety, not for records, so don't worry.

Rolling my eyes, I did not object. I composed:

What your s****l orientation is is none of your business.

When I gave it back to her, she didn't even glance at my answers.

How about "Can you cook?" she asked.

"Yes. After Mum died, I had to cook. Even cooking toast is beyond Dad's capabilities.

She nodded. "That will be advantageous. On Saturdays, you serve breakfast in the office starting at eight o'clock. Six o'clock is the time for dinner service. He eats: On Sundays at exactly nine o'clock, he always eats his breakfast in bed. We all have lunch and dinner together.

I frowned. I didn't hear that from Dad.

"My dad said I get weekends off..."

"Your dad was mistaken. Alessio provides thorough directions. You work as a live-in helper. There aren't any off days unless the boss says otherwise.

I clenched my jaw. Of course. Nobody had bothered to tell me before now.

She rose and walked away without another word. I walked quickly, my mind aflutter. This is not what I signed up for.

She stopped, touched the lift at the far end of the hall, and removed a silver keycard. Just one button.

"The fifth story is the boss's private level. You need this card in order to ascend.

The lift opened and we got in. It rose, tightening my chest.

When we got to the summit, she showed me his private kitchen, guest room, bedroom, and office. Her voice sounded robotic.

"You clean everything, even if it doesn't seem unclean. You make fresh bedding every two days. Use the calendar in your locker to keep track of it.

I kept quiet, mentally taking notes. The whole room smelt of expensive cologne and lemon polish.

Back in the lift, she sighed. "He may not even be aware that you are there if you carry out your responsibilities.

"That doesn’t sound… right."

"Trust me. Yes, it is.

She handed me a white envelope when we got back to her office.

"This is your locker's key. Your work ID and attire will be delivered to you tomorrow. Don't be late.

She looked to the wall as though she had heard something.

"Your father and Alessio are waiting outside."

I frowned. "How do you know that?"

She didn't answer. just walked in and shut the door behind her.

I stood there blinking at the empty hallway.

How was she aware?

Still confused, I walked back down the corridors and out the main door, where Dad and Alessio were leaning on the car.

"All done?" Dad enquired, trying to grin.

"Yeah," I whispered. I couldn't think of anything more to say.

I stared out the window the whole way back once we got into the car. In contrast, my new job felt more like a prison than a second opportunity.

And as I learnt more about this Lorenzo Romano, my faith in one thing increased.

He was troublesome. The kind of trouble that, without words, destroyed your life.

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