A Night with Alpha, My Second Chance

IV

Instead of asking more questions, I focused on the brochure I still had in my hand. Zatoria...

What kind of place are you? A town in the middle of the forest, inhabited by strange people... It gave me the chills, but at the same time, curiosity bubbled up in my chest. I was intrigued. I wanted to know everything.

It wasn't long before we reached another gate, this time with bars. Through them, I could see a huge fountain with a statue of two wolves standing in the center of the driveway.

The neatly mowed lawn stretched out on either side, lined with small pine trees. And at the end of the driveway stood the mansion.

It screamed wealth. With its 19th-century architectural designs, it looked powerful and majestic. For a moment, I felt small. I couldn't believe I would be living in this house for the next few months of my life.

As we approached the entrance, I looked away from the magnificent structure. I focused on the woman waiting for us. She wore a simple black dress with long sleeves and a skirt that fell below her knees.

She was small, only a few inches taller than me, but her expression was one of unwavering coldness that screamed authority. She was undoubtedly the head of the servants.

“Thank you,” I murmured, stepping out of the vehicle. I smiled at the driver, who refused to accept payment. I turned to the woman, and her piercing gaze made me quickly avert my eyes.

“Follow me,” she ordered, her voice leaving no room for discussion.

I followed her silently, feeling insignificant in the middle of that immense property. The walls were thick, the ceilings immense, and the windows so high that they made me feel tiny. Heavy navy blue curtains covered each one. Looking down, a gleaming marble floor reflected my image. Everything was immaculate, free of dust.

I swallowed hard, imagining myself cleaning everything with a white cloth. Fear ran down my spine. I was afraid that my clumsiness would cause me to break a vase or statuette that was probably worth more than my entire life. You're here to make money, not to pay and be poorer than a rat. Be careful, Selene!

We climbed a huge staircase. I couldn't help but marvel at the thick red carpet that stretched out beneath my feet. When we reached the second floor, we turned left. Curious, I looked to the right and saw only a few rooms and another staircase. So, is there a third floor?

“This will be your room,” the woman said, getting my attention. We stopped in front of the last door in the hallway. My eyebrows furrowed as I read the sign. Guest room. A guest room? I thought I would be sleeping in a maid's room.

"My name is Glenda. Before we begin, I'll give you time to settle in and rest. It's an order from Mr. Zatoria. In an hour, meet me in the kitchen. We'll discuss everything you need to know. Is that clear?"

I nodded, still stunned by the idea of being assigned a guest room and given time to rest. Isn't that strange? Or maybe that's just how her boss is? I don't know. But I was grateful.

Glenda gave me the key and walked away. I was about to go inside, but something in my peripheral vision stopped me. I turned toward the hallway and approached a portrait hanging on the wall.

I stopped in front of it, amazed. It was the image of a man who looked as if he had been carved by the gods. Dressed in an elegant tuxedo, he looked as sophisticated as he was intimidating.

His brown hair was slicked back, but his curls were still visible. He had a prominent jaw and a perfectly angled nose, but the most beautiful thing was that pair of green eyes.

They were deep, dark, and full of life. It was as if the portrait was looking directly at me. My eyes dropped to the name engraved at the bottom of the frame.

***

Adjusting to a new life has never been easy. A new routine, a completely new environment, and new people to live with. Aside from the fact that I was in an unfamiliar city, the feeling of having entered a lion's den continued to unsettle me.

I sighed and left my room, determined to find Glenda in the kitchen. Noon was approaching, and I felt guilty for having wasted hours in bed, thinking about the place and all the ridiculous questions running through my head.

“Wait, where's the kitchen?” I muttered to myself.

The mansion was so huge that I was afraid of getting lost. I decided to follow the path we had come in on. Maybe that would help me get my bearings.

As I walked, my eyes instinctively searched for that portrait. As if my feet had a life of their own, they stopped dead in their tracks when I found it again.

He was the very definition of a Greek god, not only because of his physical appearance, but also because of the aura of power he exuded.

Even knowing it was only a portrait, I could sense how intimidating he would be in person. I hope he doesn't live here, I thought. I couldn't bear to be around him.

Was he really human? I didn't know perfection existed outside of dreams.

But he seemed strangely familiar.

I shook my head and turned to look at the next painting. It was a family portrait.

I recognized Eddie as the boy sitting next to a woman with silvery curls and crystal blue eyes who was smiling sweetly. Standing on the other side was probably his father, with the same shade of green eyes as Eddie. I looked at these people and realized: this family was a work of art.

Am I serving a family of gods? Or maybe it's all a dream and I need to wake up now?

What am I thinking, really? I scolded myself. Sighing, I forced myself to walk away. I had already wasted hours. It was time to get to work.

***

After minutes of searching for the kitchen, I finally found myself standing in the doorway, my mouth open in amazement. Their kitchen was as big as our entire house! Everything sparkled. It was as if dust was ashamed to enter that place.

“Oh, you're here.”

What puzzled me was that Glenda was the only person working there. Now that I thought about it, I hadn't seen anyone from the hallway to the kitchen, not a single maid.

Is Glenda the only helper? That's impossible! The mansion is so huge that it can't be taken care of by just one person!

“Sit down. We'll talk about the rules and other important matters.”

With many questions in my mind, I obeyed and sat down on a chair. Glenda turned off the stove, her attention now focused on me as I took my seat.

“First of all, I want you to know that we are the only workers in this mansion.”

My eyes widened, but I said nothing. Really? Then Glenda has been doing all the work by herself until now!

“Second, the owners of the house are not present. But that doesn't mean you're free to do whatever you want. You're here for a job, so focus on that, unless you've already finished your tasks.”

I blinked, my mind a whirlwind of confusion. “I understand...” I lied. I didn't understand anything.

Glenda nodded, satisfied. But her face still showed nothing. “Let's talk about the one rule,” she raised her index finger, her eyebrows furrowing, her eyes suddenly full of menace. “Never go up to the attic.”

Curiosity overwhelmed me. Why? What was in the attic? For it to be the only rule, it must hide something very important or dangerous.

Is there a monster here?

I wanted to laugh at my own thoughts, scolding myself. “Stop being ridiculous, Selene!” But the way everyone around me was acting told me that something was going on, and I had to find out what it was.

“Um, can I at least know why I shouldn't go to the attic?” I asked, finding the courage. Despite Glenda's sharp look, I continued. “What if I have to clean there?”

“That job is mine,” she interrupted, her voice full of impatience. "You are not allowed to take a single step near those stairs, Selene. Keep your curiosity to yourself. It could kill you."

I pressed my lips together at the mention of that word, and the tone with which she said it. I clenched the fists resting in my lap. Why can't I know? I have every right to know such a basic detail if I'm going to live here for so long.

And to think I was planning on enrolling in college... I can't just live in a place without knowing anything about it, can I?

But I didn't dare insist, not with that threatening look in Glenda's eyes.

What have I gotten myself into?

“Take my advice, Selene. You'll do nothing but your job here,” Glenda said, standing up. It was a sign that the conversation was over. “About your scholarship and your studies, the university opens next week. Give me your papers, I'll process them for you.”

My eyes lit up at the sudden offer. Wasn't she becoming a little friendly? Despite my suspicion, I nodded with a smile.

“Sure, I'll give them to you later...” Determined to put the confusion aside, since Glenda had no intention of telling me anything, I stood up too. No one is going to give me information in this place. I'll have to get it myself.

“What would be my first task?” I asked, trying to sound professional and not like an amateur detective.

“Very well,” the corners of Glenda's lips curved into a smile that never reached her eyes. “Please take care of the curtains hanging in the second-floor gallery and tidy up the garden a bit. I'm going north of Zatoria to get medicine. The trip will take hours, and I have to return immediately.”

“Medicine?” I asked, unable to contain myself. For whom? Thinking about it, I realized she had never mentioned the family. Judging by Eddie's name, they probably had the most influence in town.

Glenda just looked at me, and her gaze let me know I should shut up. Damn it! My curiosity was killing me!

The town of Zatoria, the attic, and the Zatoria family... They're just small pieces of a big puzzle I have to solve. I have to find the rest to complete it. Why do I suddenly feel like a detective? Tch!