An Unusual Routine
1274 Words
Chapter Seven
After unpacking and taking a long shower, Amaya stood in front of the wardrobe Elena had prepared for her.
Everything inside fit perfectly.
She hadn't given anyone her measurements.
That was... unsettling.
She eventually changed into comfortable clothes and headed downstairs.
The dining room was elegant enough to host a wedding.
Only one chair was occupied.
Hers.
The table was empty except for her place setting.
Elena smiled.
"Good evening, Mrs. Moretti."
Amaya still wasn't used to hearing that.
"Is... Mr. Moretti joining us?"
Elena shook her head.
"Mr. Moretti prefers eating in his room while working."
"Every day?"
"Most days."
Amaya frowned.
"He eats alone?"
"Yes."
She looked toward the staircase.
For some reason...
That felt lonely.
Dinner was delicious.
Too delicious.
She found herself asking who had cooked it.
"The chef."
"Tell him it's amazing."
Elena smiled.
"I will."
Nobody laughed at the way she ate.
Nobody commented when she reached for another bread roll.
Nobody made her feel embarrassed.
It was...
Nice.
Later that night she curled up on the bed with her phone.
She scrolled without really seeing anything.
Her thoughts wandered.
Three weeks ago she had been unemployed.
Two days ago she had been thrown out.
Today...
She was married to a billionaire whose full conversations rarely exceeded five sentences.
Life was strange.
She smiled despite herself.
At some point...
Sleep claimed her.
The next morning she woke earlier than expected.
The mansion was already alive.
Staff moved quietly through the halls.
She followed the smell of coffee downstairs.
Ezekiel was standing near the entrance, adjusting the cuff of his suit.
Perfectly dressed.
Perfectly composed.
As though he had been born wearing expensive suits.
She smiled.
"Good morning."
He looked at her.
"Morning."
She waited.
Nothing else came.
"So..."
She rocked gently on her heels.
"Big day?"
"Several meetings."
"Fun."
"No."
She laughed.
"I'm trying very hard to make conversation."
"I noticed."
"You could help."
"I'm occupied."
She sighed dramatically.
"You know, normal people ask questions back."
"I know."
"And?"
"I chose not to."
She stared.
"You're impossible."
He just looked at her and turned towards the door.
The driver opened the front door.
Ezekiel picked up his briefcase.
Amaya followed him outside.
"Have a good day."
He paused beside the car.
She gave him a small wave.
"Drive safely."
For the first time since she'd met him...
He looked mildly confused.
Almost suspicious.
As if nobody had ever told him to drive safely before.
After a brief pause...
He gave a single nod.
"You too."
He got into the car.
As it pulled away, Amaya smiled to herself.
She hadn't gotten much of a conversation.
But somehow...
She counted that tiny nod as progress.
--------------------------------------
The mansion was far too quiet.
Amaya had always imagined living in a large house would feel exciting.
Instead...
It felt lonely.
She had spent the morning unpacking the few clothes she owned into a wardrobe large enough to hold an entire boutique.
By nine o'clock, she'd already run out of things to do.
With a sigh, she headed downstairs.
The aroma of freshly baked bread drifted from the kitchen.
Inside, several maids moved around with practiced efficiency.
One chopped vegetables.
Another arranged fresh flowers in a vase.
A third was carefully setting the dining table.
Everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing.
Except her.
Elena looked up first.
"Good morning, Mrs. Moretti."
Amaya smiled.
"You don't have to call me that every five seconds."
Elena chuckled.
"I'm afraid it's become a habit."
Amaya leaned against the counter.
"So... what does everyone usually do around here?"
One of the younger maids laughed.
"We keep the house from falling apart."
"I believe it."
Her eyes wandered around the enormous kitchen.
"Do you all live here?"
"Oh, goodness, no," Elena answered.
"We work in shifts. Most of us go home in the evening."
Amaya blinked.
"So after work everyone just..."
"...goes home," Elena finished with a smile.
"Huh."
That sounded... nice.
Normal.
After a brief silence, Amaya rolled up the sleeves of her sweater.
"Can I help?"
The room became unexpectedly quiet.
Elena looked uncertain.
"I'm serious," Amaya insisted.
"I'll go crazy if I keep staring at walls all day."
A few amused smiles appeared around the kitchen.
Eventually Elena handed her an apron.
"Can you wash the strawberries?"
"I can definitely do that."
An hour later...
Amaya had washed strawberries.
Mixed cookie dough.
Decorated cupcakes.
And somehow managed to convince everyone to laugh at one of her embarrassing childhood stories.
The kitchen felt warm.
Comfortable.
Almost...
Home.
Almost.
Around noon, she looked around.
"Where's Elena?"
One of the maids shrugged.
"I thought she was with you."
"I haven't seen her in ages."
Amaya wandered into the hallway.
The library.
The sitting room.
Still no Elena.
Nearly an hour later she finally spotted her coming down the staircase carrying a tray and some folders.
"There you are!"
Elena blinked.
"Were you looking for me?"
"I've been searching forever."
Elena smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry. I was helping Mr. Moretti's secretary organize some documents."
"Oh."
Of course.
This house was practically a company on its own.
"What time would the stylist be coming, and what for exactly?"
"Oh she should be here anytime soon. Mr Moretti thought you should have a change of hairstyle."
"Oh .....I wasn't really free to take care of my hair before."
She said nervously touching her hair.
Elena smiled with understanding.
"It's fine."
Amaya felt warm on the inside.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD