GEMMA
I stood up from the bed and walked into the bathroom. A shower is what I need right now. I need the water to wash off my body and any traces of wanting and need it still held.
And so, I turned the shower on and went directly under it, allowing the water to drench me from head to toe. The feeling of the water on my head and body was awesome, that I didn't know how long I stayed in the bathroom under the shower.
Finally, I turned the shower off, wrapped my towel around my body and walked out of the bathroom. In the bedroom, I dried my body, applied my body cream and wore my night robe. I returned my towel to the proper position and walked to my bed.
I climbed my bed and laid on it with my head up, staring blankly into the ceiling. So many thoughts ran through my mind.
I questioned my foolish reactions to Antonio's touch. Why did I react that way?
When did I start craving the torturous things he does to me?
I'm supposed to be thinking of how I would have my revenge on him or probably escape not this! Not wanting or craving the wicked monster!
"Stupid, you're so stupid Gemma" I said, hitting my forehead hard to come back to my senses.
"Gabriella would have had a good laugh at me" I mumbled.
I really missed her! I really miss my best friend.
I wondered when Antonio would return my phone to me so I could contact her. She must be so worried about me.
"What if you make him fall for you and have him wrapped around your little finger so he would do anything you ask?" My inner mind suggested and I shook my head, shaking the thought out from it.
Just the idea made me cringe. The last thing I want right now is making Antonio fall for me and I wasn't even sure I could make him do my biddings. Antonio's a very stubborn man.
I sighed and rolled to the other side of my bed. I will just go to sleep, tomorrow I'll think of other ideas.
I pulled my blanket up to my chest, closed my eyes and soon I was fast asleep.
****
Next morning, my alarm rang causing me to jump up in bed. I checked the time and saw that it's 7:00 a.m.
"Arghhh. I still need to sleep" I complained.
I said a short prayer then climbed off my bed, dressed my bed then walked straight to the bathroom to pee and brush my teeth. I came out of the bathroom, wore my flip flops then left my room.
I descended the stairs, heading straight to the kitchen. When I got there, I met Nanny Emilia packing food in a lunchbox for Isabella.
Does this woman ever rest??
She's always in the kitchen cooking!
I didn't even remember that Isabella would be going to school today if not I would have woken up earlier.
I knew Antonio didn't bring me here to be a housekeeper or chef but I couldn't bring myself to leave all the chores for the elderly woman.
"Good morning Nanny Emilia" I greeted.
As expected, she flashed me a very bright smile.
"Good morning child, hope you slept well?" She asked.
"I did, ma'am. Hope you slept well too?" I asked.
"I did"
I nodded my head at her, smiling sweetly at her too.
"About last night, what did Antonio do to you? Hope he didn't hurt you?" She asked.
"He did nothing," I lied. "Just asked why I ate on the same table with him, then he left"
"Good"
"You're done making breakfast and lunch for Miss Isabella. I'm sure you must have been up early" I said, glancing at the dishes.
"On school days I wake up by 5:00 a.m to prepare Isabella for school. Her school bus arrives early and she must be ready before then" she replied.
"I'll try to wake up early tomorrow" I promised and she gave a brief nod.
"And Isabella? Where is she?" I asked.
"Having her breakfast in the dining room," Nanny Emilia replied.
I glanced across the dining room and saw the little girl eating heartily all dressed in her school uniform. I was tempted to ask about her dad but I kept shut.
Few minutes later, we heard the blaring of horns outside.
"Isabella, your school bus is here" Nanny Emilia announced from the kitchen.
I watched as she rounded up what she was doing in the kitchen and took the lunchbox to the dining room. I followed behind.
Isabella was putting on her school bag already.
"Thank you Nanny" she said to Emilia.
"You're welcome darling. Gemma, please escort her outside" Nanny Emilia said.
"Antonio would have my head off if he finds me near his daughter" I wanted to say but I held my tongue back.
I gave her a nod then took the lunchbox from her.
"Let's go, Miss Isabella," I said.
She scoffed at me but she didn't say a thing to me as she faced her nanny Emilia again.
"I want to go and say goodbye to daddy," Isabella said.
"No dear, you're running late, the school bus is waiting. I will say goodbye to your dad for you" nanny Emilia said, flashing her a sweet smile.
"Okay nanny" she replied.
"Let's go" she commanded me, then waved bye to Nanny Emilia before walking out of the house. I followed behind her wondering what gave her the right and audacity to order me.
We walked out of the compound and straight to the gate. The electric gates opened and we walked out of the gate. Her school bus was waiting for us.
"Let me have my lunchbox," Isabella said.
I gave it to her.
Just then, a young female teacher came down from the bus to help Isabella into the bus.
"Good morning miss" Isabella greeted her politely and I was surprised.
"Ready?" The young lady asked and Isabella nodded.
The young lady lifted Isabella up and carried her into the bus.
I stood there making sure she got seated comfortably, then she turned to look at me.
"Won't you say bye to me?" I asked her, flashing a sweet smile at her.
She scoffed and looked away, totally ignoring me and I was dumbfounded. I was still dumbfounded when the bus drove off.
It took me minutes before I could regain myself, the electric gates opened and I went back into the compound and into the house.
I went back to the kitchen and met Nanny Emilia cleaning up, then I asked the question I've been dying to ask.
"What about Isabella's mom?"
She stopped what she was doing and turned to look softly at me.
"She's dead dear. She died immediately after giving birth to Isabella" She informed me.
"Oh my! I'm sorry about that" I said with sincerity.
"It's fine. Antonio was heartbroken. He really loved his wife a lot. It took him a long time before he could accept the fact that his wife is gone" Nanny Emilia said.
"I guess it made him cold and bitter towards people," I said.
"Exactly"
"What's her name? His wife I mean?" I asked.
"Maya," she replied.
"You should see her pictures. She's a very beautiful and elegant young woman who loved Antonio for who he was and accepted him. Isabella looks just like her mom, I'm sure she will be the exact replica of her mom when she grows" Nanny Emilia said.
I could see pride in her eyes as she talked about late Maya. This woman's devotion to this family is top notch!!
"So Antonio transferred all the love he had for his wife to his child. He doesn't joke with Isabella and the only way to get Antonio like even his worst enemy is only if his daughter likes the person. It goes both ways, the father likes who the daughter likes and vice versa and they hate a person together. They share that special bond" she explained, chuckling slightly.
This explained why Antonio didn't want me getting close to his daughter. He was afraid that his daughter would like me and thereby cause him to like me too.
Wow! So was he planning on hating me till the hundred days is over?
If that's the plan, he should get ready to fail because I'm definitely going to make his precious daughter like me.
"Thanks for telling me this" I said to her, smiling sweetly.
"And I will make good use of this information" I said silently and smiled again.