Chapter 6: Deep in the pool

As I changed out of my uniform, my mother came into my bedroom. I turned to face her. “Mom,”

My brows furrowed as I noticed the look in her eyes; she seemed to wonder about something.

“Mom? Are you okay?" I moved to sit on the bed and wrapped my hair up in a bun.

She closed the door behind her. “Why was Mr. Salvatore out of bed?"

“Mia came to visit, and he stood up to greet her,” I lied.

She moved closer. “I just hope you aren't making trouble with them."

“Mom? Why would you think that?"

She sucked in a deep breath; it seemed she was unable to explain herself. “These people are powerful; don't cross them, okay?"

“Mother, I'm not crossing anyone,”

“You are just a maid, Lyra,” she cut in, a worried look on her face. "Don't bother them."

I clenched my fists. “Yes, Mother."

She gazed at the uniform that I hung in front of my cupboard. “Lyra…I noticed that you have two uniforms now."

“Oh…,” I adjusted myself on the bed. “My friend got a new one,” I lied. I couldn't tell her about the bullying or that Salvatore got me a new one.

“Why? Your old one was perfectly fine."

“I'm feeling like a little sleeping mother,” I quickly said, hoping to put an end to the questions.

She gazed at me in silence for a few seconds. “You wouldn't do anything out of line, right?"

“Of course, Mom," I swallowed. Was kissing Salvatore out of line? It's not my fault that I'm a maid's daughter. His father would definitely fire off if he found out.

I bowed my head, my fingers digging into the sheets of the bed.

She reached for my hair and gently patted it. “Good girl."

With that, she stood up from the bed and walked out of the bedroom.

I lay in bed, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. Why did my mother say all that? Did she suspect anything?

The next morning, after I changed into my uniform, my mother handed me a breakfast tray for Salvatore. As she went into Mr. Sinclair's bedroom, I carried Salvatore’s tray to him.

“Come in,” I heard him say immediately after I knocked.

I moved into the bedroom; he was standing in front of his mirror, his shirt was untucked into his pants, and the tie around his neck was loose; his blond hair sat perfectly on his forehead.

I exhaled sharply as my heart began to race at the sight of him. He turned to look at me. "Hey."

I bowed my head. “Good morning, Mr. Salvatore,” I greeted as I carried the tray to a desk.

I felt him walk towards me, and I clenched my hands in front of me.

“Come on, are we still doing that?" He placed his fingers underneath my chin and tilted it up to meet his gaze.

“Doing what?" I stuttered.

He placed his hands against my hips and pushed me against the wall. “Call me Salvatore when we are alone,” he said calmly. “I think we are way past Mr., don't you think?"

I nodded, “Yes, Salvatore."

“I missed you." His voice dropped lower. “Do you know how horrible it was that I wanted to talk to you last night, but I couldn't?” He slipped his hands into his pocket and handed me his phone. “Here, put in your phone number."

I gazed at the phone in his hand as if I didn't recognize it. “Ummm,”

“You can't give it to me?" his brow raised.

"I...I don't have a phone,” I said calmly.

His face twisted in awe, “Why not?"

“My mother can't afford it,” I explained.

“Fuck,” he cursed inwardly. He thought for a second. “Fine,” he pulled away from me. “Let's get to school first."

"Together?"

He nodded.

“We can't do that; we can't be seen together. People in school will talk."

He pressed his lips together in thought. “I have to sneak around with my girlfriend at home; that's bad enough, and now I have to do it at school too?"

My heart jumped, "Girlfriend?"

He slipped his hand into mine. “That's okay … right?"

I nodded, my cheeks turning red. "Yes."

I'm Salvatore's girlfriend.

My head spun.

Only a week ago we were basically strangers, but here he was asking me to be his girlfriend?

He raised my hand to his lips and kissed it. “See you in school."

I nodded. “Yeah, see you in school." I paused. “You are coming, right? You won't miss class?"

He gently brushed his finger against my nose, "Never."

With a smile on my lips, I strolled out of the room, giggling happily. My smile fell as my gaze caught Mr. Sinclair across the hall; his gaze burned into mine as if he was watching me.

I bowed my head and instantly walked out of the house.

A few minutes later I arrived at school; we had swim practice early that morning. I had never been in the swimming pool; I didn't know how to swim, so I would always sit by them when they swam.

The pool was indoors; all the rich kids would throw on their bikinis and get into the twenty-foot-wide pool while some of them sat on benches making out.

Salvatore, on the other hand, would usually be with the other guys while Mia desperately tried to get his attention, but he wasn't here today. He had promised to come; did he change his mind?

My heart skipped a bit as I watched Mia get out of the pool and approach me with Anna and Lola behind her. I quickly got up and tried to walk off.

“Hey Whitman!" she shouted.

I froze in my tracks and slowly turned to face her. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Salvatore didn't come today. Where is he?"

“How should I know that?" I asked.

“You are his maid, aren't you?" Lola asked.

“Is my man still sick?" Mia asked.

“He is better; I'm just not sure if he'll be here," I said calmly.

Just then Mia's brown eyes lit up. I followed her gaze and saw Salvatore behind me; he was dressed in blue swimming shorts, and his blond hair was tucked in a swimming cap. Around his neck hung a pair of swimming goggles.

I was practically drooling at the sight of his abs; each pack was sharply defined. I looked around at all the girls who were staring at his body; jealousy stirred within me.

“Salvatore! Mia waved as she immediately rushed past me as she headed to him; all the girls followed suit. As a swarm of girls rushed past me, bumping into me as they ran past, I tried to move away from them, but I tripped on somebody and landed in the pool with a loud splash.

My heart raced as I sank to the bottom. I couldn't swim. I struggled to get to the top, but it was impossible; I seemed to be pushing myself even deeper.

I looked up; there were people in the pool, but none swam down to get me. My heart pounded hard against my chest, and I pressed my lips together to stop the water from going in.

But I would die if somebody didn't help me.

I tried to swim up again, but I o

nly went further down.

I shut my eyes, and I accepted my fate.

All I could think about was my mother and how she would take the news.