CHAPTER 38

Anna's POV.

I felt uneasy being back in the mansion again, Lucius helped me out of the car, and my heart fell immediately after I saw Jolyn coming, I sorely missed Gracie.

To think this would be usual company unsettled me, I immediately made it a point to plead with Lucius to do something about it and get Gracie back for me.

The butler welcomed us, he seemed like he had something else to say but Lucius cut him off telling him to escort me to my room.  Now back to my gloomy boring room that didn't have a TV, I wondered to myself what was going on? .

It's quite obvious Lucius is hiding a few things from me and it made me anxious but right now  I decided to put it out of my mind and focus on my main goal which was getting Gracie back.

Someone knocked on my door. “Come in" I responded and Dominick, Lucius' assistant, appeared.

“Good morning Mrs Moreti I trust you enjoyed Paris”.

"Good morning Dominick, yes I did. Do you know anything about Gracie, my former maid? Would it be possible to see her ?”

He gave an awkward, tense look.  “I'm sorry ma'am I don't control the affairs of the house, I don't have the answer to your questions.”

"Ohh,” I said feeling sad, I just really needed to talk to a person I could call a friend and I was already feeling bored out of my mind. Is this all I do all day sitting in my room and waiting for my meals to be served?

Dominick pointed a package in a gift bag to me “From Master Lucius ma'am he asked me to get this to you and let you know he stepped out for business and would be back soon. Also to tell you that a TV would be installed in your room before he gets back”.

My heart did a double flip, “oh okay” I said as I stretched to collect the package I could even hide my excitement to save my life.

Peeping inside the gift bag I saw contained the latest version of the Apple phone, I couldn't help but squeal in excitement. Finally, I could reconnect with the world again!

“Has he left already?” I said asking Dominick, “Yes ma'am he left already, but I think there's a note in there for you.  If you don't mind I'll bring in the TV installer so they can set it up”.

“Oh yes please”, he bowed and left.

How could Lucius do something so sweet and thoughtful and not be around for me to hug or thank him? I didn't expect him to remember he promised to get these to me.

I sat on the bed excited and dumped the contents of the gift bag on the bed. A note fell out among the brand-new iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch inclusive.

I picked up the note smiling and read ‘ I hope this makes you smile and you feel a little less alone. My contact is already automatically put in your phone with all my private lines, feel free to reach me for anything you need. I'll be back soon.

I read the note grinning ear to ear who would have thought Lucius Moreti was a romantic, I brought the note up to my nose it had his rich masculine scent that made my head swim.

I folded the note and tucked it safely under my pillow, I couldn't believe how giddy I was acting like a middle schooler having her first serious crush.

I excitedly unboxed my new phone, turning it on, and when it finally came on the first thing I noticed was Lucius' various contacts were already inputted like he had said.

This was the phone I had begged my parents for and they had promised to get it for me when I got into a good college. My chest hurt remembering them, I can't still believe they all just took off and abandoned me like I didn't matter.

I don't know why but I decided to dial my brother's cell phone number, my palms felt sweaty as I brought the phone up to my ears hoping it would go through.

Seconds went by and the call didn't even ring, wow so I was also blocked.  I couldn't help the tears that fell freely from my eyes, the door opened almost instantly I aggressively wiped at my tears.

Wondering about the intrusion, Jolyn stood in my room with an aloof bored expression, “ I was sent by the head chef to ask if you'll be needing anything ”.

I indeed felt hungry but more than anything I needed to put Jolyn in her place, I cleared my throat. “ Jolyn ”, “ yes ma'am ” she responded with an irritable expression and didn't meet my eyes.

Now I was mad “Look at me when I talk to you ”, it seems the anger in my tone made her jerk her head up and look at me.

“ I don't care very much for your rude and aloof attitude, you are here to serve me and you will do so politely. I don't care if you do not like me. I need you to get that through your head. If you ever barge into my room like that again you will be reprimanded I don't care who assigned you here, don't look at me with that nonsense expression ever ”

Jolyn had a stunned expression on her face, she didn't expect my outburst.  “ Have I made myself clear ?” I asked

“ye…yes ma'am”

“Good now get out”. She scurried away like a mouse, I can't express how satisfied I felt getting that off my chest. Who is the actual he** Does she think she is making my life uncomfortable?

“Wow I didn't think you had it in you, I knew you were not the sweet, innocent, clueless girl everyone thought you were”. Matias' voice made me jump and I wondered how long he must have been hanging around to overhear.

In the spirit of being done with their bullshit I mustered up courage ignoring his slimy, dark aura .“you have no right to be here, this is my room and I don't appreciate your presence”.

Matias laughed darkly “Just as Elosie said you have claws don't you, I know you're the type you manipulated your way somehow into Lucius because you always wanted the luxury and power. But even as his wife you still stink of your father's cowardice and desperation”

I don't know why his words were getting to me but I was determined to not show it, I knew he was trying to bait me to insult or disrespect him so I could be punished and I refused to give into it.

I took a deep breath, pushing past the hard limo that was forming in my throat due to holding my tears back “Please I'd like to be excused, I don't think Lucius would be pleased hearing you paid me a visit here alone”.

That seemed to strike a barb “Do you think I'm afraid of Lucius and you forget that you're but a stranger it'll be your word against mine”, I know he was just trying to rattle me up.

I immediately took out my phone and took a picture of him in my room, he moved back aghast. “Where did you get that cellphone from?” he said, moving towards me to collect it.

Despite my fear, I inched towards the edge of the bed and quickly dialed Lucius's number hoping he'd pick up.

Matias looked dark and scary like he was going to hurt me, he thundered, “I repeat who got you that phone and who allowed you to have a phone?”

Lucius picked up the call immediately, and with shaky hands, I put it on speaker “ Hello? Hello, Anna what the fuck is Matias doing with your phone?”

Immediately Matias realized what I had done now Lucius knew he was in my room at least with my phone he muttered “You bitch, I'll deal with you”, and in an instant, he was gone.

I didn't know I was crying till I hiccuped, “Anna are you okay? Did Matias do anything to you? Just wait for me I'm on my way.” He sounded very worried and angry.

“Okay,” I managed to say he disconnected the call and I could only imagine the rush he was in to get home. It confused me why his uncle hated me so much.

From the window, I could see Matias rush into his latest model BMW car and quickly drive away out of the estate. He wasn't dumb, I'm sure he knew exactly what was coming and this time Lucius was on his right because he had no right to come in here and threaten his wife.

I wiped at my tears and whispered “coward” under my breath, suddenly Bruno flew into my room looking upset looking around as though he expected to encounter a fight.

“Mrs Moreti, Master Lucius called and asked me to move you to his bedroom immediately”.