ALINA
Sunlight creeped into my room through the curtains that swayed over my windows.
I pinched my eyes shut even more and stretched my hand to feel the softness of my duvet.
At once my eyes flew open in a hurry and I sat up straight in a fluid motion.
Fuck.
My eyes wandered to the clock. Geez! It was after eleven already. Almost noon!
I was late in preparing breakfast for Dante. Shit!
He was definitely waiting to unleash his wrath on me once I came downstairs.
It then dawned on me on what occurred last night. Dante had hired two maids to take care over the house following my burn incident.
I heaved a deep sigh of relief.
Thinking of what transpired last night got me suddenly beaming with smiles. Finally!
I would no longer have to wake by seven am or six thirty to prepare breakfast and take care of the house.
I could lay on my bed and enjoy its warmth till whenever.
"Yes!" I exclaimed, happy as a lark with giggles escaping my parted lips.
The pain in my scald hands and feet didn't bother me at all.
I buried my face into the pillows taking in its scent and smiled widely like a baby given candy.
Well, I didn't feel like going to bed so I could as well get myself freshened up.
With happy feet, I walked into the bathroom.
In no less than thirty minutes was I done.
I trod out with my bathroom robe and walked over to my closet.
My eyes scanned the available clothes until it met with my maid outfits.
There was obviously no need wearing those again. I was no longer his maid.
I picked out a normal casual handless gown and placed it on the bed accompanied by my underwear.
It's been long I wore something this casual. My everyday clothing was only limited to the maid gowns Dante got for me.
I slipped into my outfit and applied the burn ointment Dante left in my room on my scald hands and legs.
I was about walking out of my room when I realised my hair was still packed to a bun.
Working as Dante's maid, I couldn't let my hair down for fear of my hair getting into Dante's food.
I was always on a hair net.
Shrugging the thought off, I let my hair fall.
My auburn locks cascaded down my back. I was finally feeling free, atleast to an extent.
Feeling fulfilled, I pushed open the doors of my room and trailed outside.
On getting to the balcony of the stairs, I noticed Dante was no where in sight.
Could he have gone out?
Well, I deeply prayed so. Whenever Dante's emerald orbs weren't monitoring my every movement like a criminal, I felt happy and free within the walls of his mansion.
With hopes of Dante not around, I walked down the stairs.
On reaching the bottom, the aroma of food cooking hit my nostrils once again from the kitchen.
That means Dante must be around.
My hopes were washed away like castles built on the beach.
But the ladies he hired were really doing their job well.
Dante loved pastries for breakfast. I had noticed that about him.
I hope Mariposa and Naomi were preparing that.
Suddenly, a feeling of anxiety washed over my features. What if Dante didn't like their pastries? He would then blame me for his hiring of incompetent cooks because of my burn.
He always found a way to push every blame on me. He would definitely go on and on about how if I didn't foolishly get myself injured, then he wouldn't have hired maids who can't cook to replace me.
Oh fuck shit.
I better go scrutinise what they are preparing.
With anxious feet, I scurried into the kitchen.
Mariposa and Naomi got a fright upon my sudden entry into the kitchen.
"Goodmorning ma'am" they both chorused together.
I gave them faint smiles and hastily walked over to the kitchen counter.
"Any problem ma?" Mariposa inquired.
My frantic eyes cursory observed all that was cooking making Mariposa and Naomi more perplexed.
"Mrs Dante, is there a problem?" that was Naomi's voice.
I turned to face them when Dante suddenly walked into the kitchen, giving me a fright.
"Alina what are you doing here?"Dante queried me.
Was this really Dante asking this question?
I was about answering when Dante interrupted me sharply.
"I thought I told you I do not need your injured hands on my food" Dante rudely said to me.
"Yes you did but I came here to make sure the ladies you hired were preparing your breakfast well" I retorted back, walking over to him as he loomed by the doorway.
"I know if something is messed up in the dish, you would blame it on me" I added.
I noticed the frigid glances of Mariposa and Naomi.
Oh poor girls. Did they fear they would loose their job because of my appearance here?
Absolutely not. I won't let Dante fire them.
Dante chuckled and took my chin up in his large hands, "Even when I stopped you from cooking, it seems like you still enjoy being my maid. Should I fire them and take you back?"
"Absolutely not. Why would you do such?"
"Because you don't fucking want to leave my kitchen Alina. It seems you really love working for me my dear wife" the last sentence had a hint of sarcasm playing in his tone.
I rolled my eyes at him.
"Besides why do you think I'll blame you?" Dante prod letting go of my chin.
"Because you always do that. You find a way to shift all your misfortunes on me" I jeered.
Dante laughed and shook his head at my reply.
Ignoring my comment, he faced the maids.
"Continue with whatever you are doing"
"Alina I've taken my pastries already as should I say uhm an appetizer. I instructed them to prepare food again. Well majorly because of your sleepy ass. I never knew you could sleep this late" Dante mocked me.
My mouth made an 'O' on hearing that. Dante had taken his pastries already? I was worrying over nothing then.
"You worry too much about me for someone that can't stand my presence" Dante added before taking me out of the kitchen.
"I do it for the sake of humanity Dante. I still find you so repulsive and I'll literally give anything to be divorced from this bondage" I scoffed back.
"Well only death can set you free from me" Dante balefully uttered which sent shivers down my spine.
Dante carefully observed my features and my brows puckered at him.
"What?" I asked.
"After breakfast, I'll take you to somewhere you will find peace" he cryptically said.
My heart sank into my stomach and an unknown terror crept into me.
"I'm not going" I declined his offer.
"You don't have a choice. Get ready my precious doe" He smiled maniacally before walking upstairs.
My stomach churned on what Dante just said.
Where was he taking me to?
What did he mean by somwhere I'll find peace?
Oh heavens, please save me from the claws of this man.