Chapter 5 Five
Mira stood there for a second, not sure what just happened.
That was it?
No proper questions. No further discussion. Nothing.
Just… hired.
Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides, but she forced herself to stay calm.
“Thank you, sir,” she said again, more controlled this time.
Salvatore didn’t respond.
The door opened behind her.
A man stepped in—tall, neatly dressed, his posture straight and alert.
“ Antonio,” Salvatore said without turning back. “Take her.”
“Yes, sir.”
Salvatore was already walking away.
Like he was done seeing her face.
Like she didn’t exist.
Mira glanced at the man.
Antonio gave her a small nod.
“Miss Voss,” he said politely. “This way.”
Mira gave one last look toward Salvatore’s back as he disappeared deeper into the mansion.
Then she turned and followed Antonio out.
The hallway felt even longer now.
“You’ll be staying here,” Antonio said as they walked. “Mr. Corvin prefers his staff close.”
Mira’s steps slowed slightly.
“Staying?” she repeated. “Like living in this mansion? Even on weekends?
Antonio didn’t look at her. “Yes. It’s required.”
Of course it is, she knew.
They turned down another corridor—this one quieter, more private. The walls changed slightly, less like a display and more like a living space. Still expensive. Still perfect.
“Your duties will be explained later,” Antonio continued. “For now, you settle in. You don’t go anywhere without permission. You don’t speak unless spoken to in his presence. And you too always show on time.”
Mira listened carefully, storing every word.
“And what if I need to speak to him?” she asked.
Antonio finally glanced at her.
“You don’t,” he said simply.
They stopped in front of a door.
Antonio opened it.
“Your room.”
Mira stepped inside slowly.
It was… beautiful.
Too beautiful for staff.
A large bed, soft neutral colors, wide windows overlooking the endless stretch of trees outside. A desk. A wardrobe already prepared.
Everything ready.
Ready for a lady. Like they knew it was lady that would get the job.
Mira turned slightly, her thoughts racing again.
“Mr. Corvin doesn’t like mistakes,” Antonio added from the doorway. “I suggest you don’t make any.”
Mira gave a small nod.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Antonio studied her for a second—like he wanted to say more, but didn’t.
Then he stepped back.
“Someone will come for you when needed.”
The door closed.
And just like that…
Mira was alone.
Inside Salvatore Corvin’s world.
She stood in the middle of the room, looking around slowly.
Then exhaled.
“Wow…” she whispered to herself. “That was weird and in tense in the most creepy way ever.”
A small pause.
Then, under her breath…
“Now it begins.”
Mira stood there for a moment longer, the silence pressing in on her.
Then she remembered.
Anna’s voice in her head—clear and strict.
Don’t text. Call.
Mira let out a small breath and reached into her bag, pulling out her phone. She stared at the screen for a second, debating.
She would have preferred to text.
It was easier and safer..
But Anna had been very clear.
So she dialed.
The phone rang once.
Twice.
Then—
“What?” Anna’s voice came through, sharp as ever.
Mira blinked slightly.
“Hi to you too,” she said dryly, then lowered her voice, remembering where she was. “I’m in.”
A pause.
Then, quieter she spoke
“What do you mean ‘you’re in’?”
“He hired me,” Mira said simply.
A two second silence flowed..
Then she spoke
“You’re joking.” Anna said sounding shocked
“No.”
Another pause.
Mira could almost picture Anna rubbing her temple. And how surprised she must look right now.
“How?” Anna asked.
Mira leaned lightly against the wall, eyes scanning the room again.
“I showed up. He insulted me. I talked back. He hired me.”
More silence.
“That’s not funny, Mira.”
“I’m not telling a joking,” she said, her voice dropping. “I’m inside the mansion. They gave me a room. I’m staying here.”
That changed things.
Mira heard the shift immediately.
“Staying?” Anna repeated, slower now.
“Yes.”
A sharp exhale came from the other end.
“Of course you are,” Anna muttered. “Typical Corvin.. He doesn’t let people he doesn’t trust out of his sight.”
Mira frowned slightly.
“Yeah… I’m starting to see that.”
A brief pause.
Then Anna’s voice turned serious.
“Listen to me carefully. From this moment, you don’t act smart. You don’t push him. You don’t try to prove anything. Stay stupid as much as you can but smart at your job.”
Mira rolled her eyes and let out a quiet breath.
“He’s not exactly someone you can ‘push,’ Anna. Or act stupid around.”
“Whatever Mira,” Anna snapped. “Don’t go acting like a smarty pants. Trying to pry without thinking..”
Silence stretched for a second.
Then Mira spoke again, softer.
“He’s… different. His eyes.. the way he speaks… it’s.. I don’t know.”
Anna didn’t respond right away.
Then—
“I told you,” she said.
Mira glanced toward the door, lowering her voice even more.
“I’ll call you when I have something,” she added.
“You call me whether you have something or not,” Anna corrected immediately. “Every day. I don’t care if it’s nothing.”
Mira nodded, even though she couldn’t see her.
“Got it.”
Another pause.
Then Anna added, quieter this time—
“And Mira…”
Mira stilled slightly.
“Yeah?”
“Be careful.”
The line went dead.
Mira slowly lowered the phone.
For a second, she just stood there.
Then she looked around the room again.
The walls. The door.
Here she was in a murderer house who could kill her anyday
Mira exhaled slowly and dropped her phone onto the bed.
“Guess I just have to survive,” she murmured.